Dropping Airfare, Thailand & The Case Against Points & Miles

Airline Alliances: The Key to Booking Flights for Fewer Points

SkyTeam and Star Alliance might seem like boring corporate brants, but understanding airline alliances - and how to use them to your advantage - is absolutely critical for leveling up your travels. That’s why the guys devote an the hour-long to breaking down alliances: what they are, why you should care, some of the best redemptions using those alliances, and even coming up with their own alliance … headed up by Gunnar’s namesake, “Gunair.”  Head to https://cozyearth.com [https://cozyearth.com] and use code THRIFTY for up to 20% off! SHOW NOTES Watch us on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/Ca5p-Ore3Gw] 00:00 - A word from our sponsor, Cozy Earth! 01:00 - Gunair starts an airline alliance 02:33 - Kyle’s Thailand trip,  made possible by alliances 06:00 - Jen welcomes us back from Meteora, Greece! 06:40 - Breaking down the alliances: Star Alliance, SkyTeam & Oneworld 26:15 - What is the (funky) fourth airline alliance?  34:50 - Our favorite airline alliance is… 38:30 - A word from our sponsor, Cozy Earth! 39:00 - The power of airline alliances: Our favorite redemptions 55:00 - Is it really this easy to use points and miles with partners? 58:45 - A listener asks: Why don’t more airlines charge for carry-ons? 01:01:30 - On the spot: If you could add an airline to any alliance, what would you do? Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas Video editing by Kyle Thomas Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!  Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com [podcast@thriftytraveler.com] Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium [https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/?couponId=TTPOD] - use promo code TTPOD to save even more! See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com [https://thriftytraveler.com] - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile! Follow us on… Instagram [https://instagram.com/thriftytraveler] YouTube [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/flights/best-ways-to-book-flights-to-japan/] Facebook [https://facebook.com/thethriftytraveler] Bluesky [https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdcyegcigt4q37z4l3og52qs] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Surprise: Chase Souped Up the Sapphire Preferred Card!

The single-best travel credit card - the one we recommend most, especially for beginners - somehow just got even better. Chase just unveiled some shockingly positive changes this week that merited a bonus podcast. We break down all the good news, a few bad bits, and ask the question: Why is Chase doing this? SHOW NOTES Watch us on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/XFAiaSnb1hM] The Thrifty Traveler Podcast is going LIVE: Join us Friday, June 12 in Minneapolis! Buy your tickets now [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-thrifty-traveler-podcast-live-tickets-1985085344703?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true]! Join the conversation! Sign up [https://join.slack.com/t/thriftytraveler-pod/shared_invite/zt-3z5fdtzpx-OaTQUK1E1I_XvDqz3_RnRA] for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today. 00:00 - When we first opened our Chase Sapphire Preferred cards 01:34 - Danielle from Greensboro (GSO) introduces the show 03:00 - The new perks on the Chase Sapphire Preferred we love 12:00 - The changes to the card we hate (ahem, Hyatt …) 17:38 - Join the Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack Community today [https://thriftytraveler-pod.slack.com/ssb/redirect]! 18:30 - What on earth is Chase doing here?  23:35 - Where does this card rank among all travel rewards card? 24:40 - Will there be another big welcome offer? 25:10 - Kyle’s best Chase Ultimate Rewards redemption Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas Video editing by Kyle Thomas Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!  Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com [podcast@thriftytraveler.com] Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium [https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/?couponId=TTPOD] - use promo code TTPOD to save even more! See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com [https://thriftytraveler.com] - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile! Follow us on… Instagram [https://instagram.com/thriftytraveler] YouTube [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/flights/best-ways-to-book-flights-to-japan/] Facebook [https://facebook.com/thethriftytraveler] Bluesky [https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdcyegcigt4q37z4l3og52qs] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Booking 5-Star Hotels in Italy, Airline Upgrade Scams & More News

Gunnar is back from Italy (and he’s completely insufferable about it …), so the guys break down his trip through Rome and beyond and how he booked some amazing stays - via Hilton. Plus, they recap some big news around Bilt 2.0, woes getting into Europe, a handy new tool for using your credit card perks, and the monumental news … about an airport Taco Bell. SHOW NOTES Thank you to our sponsor, Bilt Rewards! Earn points on rent and make your entire neighborhood more rewarding with Bilt. Sign up at joinbilt.com/thrifty [http://joinbilt.com/thrifty].  Watch us on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/xznpzXIxKrE] Join the conversation! Sign up [https://join.slack.com/t/thriftytraveler-pod/shared_invite/zt-3z5fdtzpx-OaTQUK1E1I_XvDqz3_RnRA] for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today. 00:00 - Kyle goes whale-watching (?) in Minnesota 02:25 - Jake welcomes us back from the Six Senses Kyoto 03:00 - Fun news: Join the Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack Community [https://join.slack.com/t/thriftytraveler-pod/shared_invite/zt-3z5fdtzpx-OaTQUK1E1I_XvDqz3_RnRA]! 04:10 - Bilt 2.0 gets grilled [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/points/feds-press-bilt-on-troubled-card-transition/] by a top Democratic lawmaker 08:02 - Europe’s Entry/Exit system issues [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/travel/europes-new-border-system-ees-causing-delays/] 12:12 - Our all new credit card benefit tracker [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/credit-card/credit-card-benefits-tracker/]! 15:50 - RIP to the best Amex airline fee credit workaround [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/credit-card/amex-platinum-delta-airline-credit-workaround/] 20:10 - Airlines are over-charging you for seat upgrades [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/upgrade-pricing-analysis/] 24:55 - 1-month warning for the SkyMiles credit card snack benefit [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/delta-credit-card-free-snack/] 26:50 - Live Más: Taco Bell Cantina opens at DEN [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/denver-taco-bell-cantina/] 30:16 - Thanks to our sponsor, Bilt Rewards! 31:27 - Recapping Gunnar’s Hilton-and-SLH-fueled Italian vacay 51:00 - Revisiting our Hilton vs. Hyatt debate 57:40 - A listener asks: What’s it worth to fly Emirates First Class? 01:02:00 - On the Spot: Regional cuisine in airports Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas Video editing by Kyle Thomas Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!  Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com [podcast@thriftytraveler.com] Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium [https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/?couponId=TTPOD] - use promo code TTPOD to save even more! See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com [https://thriftytraveler.com] - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile! Follow us on… Instagram [https://instagram.com/thriftytraveler] YouTube [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/flights/best-ways-to-book-flights-to-japan/] Facebook [https://facebook.com/thethriftytraveler] Bluesky [https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdcyegcigt4q37z4l3og52qs] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Biggest Winners & Losers from Hyatt’s Massive Changes

It’s a Brave (?) New World … of Hyatt. The hotel chain (almost) everybody loves officially brought down the hammer with some sweeping and painful changes to its award program. So with Gunnar overseas - probably crying into his Italian red wine - Nick joins Kyle to delve deep into the data behind what’s changed: the good, the bad, and the ugly. And yes, there is good news here. Plus, they try to answer the most important question: What does this mean now for Hyatt and your transferable credit card points? Thanks to Bellroy for sponsoring this episode! Get 10% off your next great Bellroy travel bag with our special link! [https://bit.ly/4v71cEo] Watch us on YouTube [https://youtu.be/sSU7CznYZaw]! 01:20 - Nick fills in to catch you up on Hyatt 06:13 - Cali & Waverly welcome us back from a Hyatt in Hawaii!  08:00 - The nuts & bolts of Hyatt’s big changes 10:15 - Analyzing 1,200+ Hyatt properties [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/hotels/hyatt-devaluation-analysis/], before & after… 12:24 - Our big-picture takeaways 15:35 - How Hyatt handled the changeover 18:40 - The big winners in the new World of Hyatt 22:46 - & the bigger losers 31:38 - Get your tickets [https://thriftytraveler.com/live] for our live podcast event now! 32:38 - Big surprises: Availability & top-priced nights 34:56 - What’s next? Will this get worse?  36:35 - An introspective conversation about hotels 40:51 - What to do to maximize your Hyatt points now 44:58 - & what to do with your transferable points 48:46 - Helping Jessica pick the right hotel booking 52:04 - On the Spot: Nick’s Hyatt hotel that got away Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas Video editing by Kyle Thomas Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!  Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com [podcast@thriftytraveler.com] Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium [https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/?couponId=TTPOD] - use promo code TTPOD to save even more! See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com [https://thriftytraveler.com] - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile! Follow us on… Instagram [https://instagram.com/thriftytraveler] YouTube [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/flights/best-ways-to-book-flights-to-japan/] Facebook [https://facebook.com/thethriftytraveler] Bluesky [https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdcyegcigt4q37z4l3og52qs] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Roasting YOUR Worst Travel Mistakes

Gunnar and Kyle have already made fools of themselves with their most embarrassing travel mistakes. Now it’s your turn in the spotlight. After a deluge of emails, the guys share your big mishaps and goofs … plus a few more of their own, for good measure. What have we learned? Check your dates and reservations closely, don’t book a 10-hour bus ride in Cambodia, and definitely don’t eat nickels. Watch us on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/X0ljy5FQ40E] 00:00 - Turning the mirror on your big, embarrassing travel mistakes 01:15 - But first, Gunnar has another one 04:20 - Kurt welcomes back the show from Emirates’ spa 05:18 - Watching Heated Rivalry at 35,000 feet 08:01 - Bryan’s booking blunder to Paris 09:28 - How Liz’s boyfriend won the hotel lottery in London 11:04 - Peter’s too-close connection in Madrid 13:29 - Gunnar coins “The Trojan Rule” 13:56 - Travis & his trash bag in Costa Rica 15:58 - Learn from Gauri’s husband: Double-check your wallet 18:03 - Claudia’s flipped dates & a miracle in Ireland  20:32 - Rick roasts his boneheaded son-in-law 21:47 - Gunnar’s big revelation 23:40 - Buy your tickets [https://thriftytraveler.com/live/] for The Thrifty Traveler Podcast … Live! 24:28 - Jon got too thrifty in Cambodia 26:17 - Jennifer forgot to check her schedule 29:40 - Dana goes full “sicko” after a booking error 31:45 - Ranking Rachel’s 6 mistakes 35:06 - Katie’s grueling & traumatic road trip 38:30 - Learn from Nita: Souvenir passport stamps are a no 40:48 - Melissa & her hubby doubled down 45:11 - On the spot: The mistakes Kyle fears most 48:01 - Dan shares his favorite Gunnar gem Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas Video editing by Kyle Thomas Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!  Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com [podcast@thriftytraveler.com] Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium [https://thriftytraveler.com/premium/?couponId=TTPOD] - use promo code TTPOD to save even more! See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com [https://thriftytraveler.com] - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile! Follow us on… Instagram [https://instagram.com/thriftytraveler] YouTube [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/flights/best-ways-to-book-flights-to-japan/] Facebook [https://facebook.com/thethriftytraveler] Bluesky [https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zdcyegcigt4q37z4l3og52qs] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.