The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

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.

Cheap Flights Are Still Out There: How to Find Them

We know, we know: The flight prices have gotten rough out there, travelers … but not everywhere. So on this week’s pod, Gunnar and Kyle devote the show to spelling out the quintessential steps to take to find cheaper fares this summer, fall, and beyond. Plus, some exciting news about our (now officially award-winning!!!) show, an update on Hyatt’s dastardly deeds, and perhaps the strangest hotel-restaurant collab nobody asked for. Thanks to Cozy Earth for sponsoring this episode! Head to https://cozyearth.com [https://cozyearth.com] and use code THRIFTY for up to 20% off! Watch us on YouTube [https://youtu.be/ygVGy5YbXMs]! 01:02 - Are the guys still gettin’ booksy? 03:54 - Michelle welcomes us back from Taipei! 04:30 - Something Hot: We won the Shorty Award + live show updates! 10:15 - Something Cold: Hyatt drops the hammer 15:29 - Something Stupid: Room service … from Applebees? 18:29 - A word from our sponsor, Cozy Earth 22:41 - Why Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays are key 19:28 - The Extra Mile: How we’re finding cheaper fares now 20:25 - The #1 tool to save on travel: Be flexible with your dates 23:43 - Why Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays are key 25:45 - #2: Use those points! 27:59 - #3: & use partner award programs for big savings 29:56 - #4: Do some inventory [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/credit-card/credit-card-tracking-tool/] & maximize your travel card credits 33:10 - #5: Follow the deal, use Google Flights Explore [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/google-flights/explore/] & “unplan” your trip 36:03 - #6: Book earlier (or much later) than normal 40:32 - Heelys in the airport & the “Bevledge” on the plane 43:00 - A listener asks about when positioning flights go wrong 46:03 - Kyle’s on the spot about his upcoming trip to Tokyo 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.

Dropping Airfare, Thailand & The Case Against Points & Miles

It’s the episode where we all get to be jealous of Kyle’s trip to Thailand. Luckily, he tells us how to book it and why his inkling to avoid using points and miles (for part of it) made the trip that much better. Plus, the guys make a bold prediction about airfare, wonder if the lounge overcrowding problem is solved, and ask the question: are hotel points and status even worth it anymore? 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/Ag0ZZU7rvqE] 00:00 - Post-trip clarity: Getting home from vacation 02:18 - Kyle welcomes us back from the pool in Thailand 02:45 - Are we heading for an airfare cliff [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/flights/an-airfare-cliff-is-coming/]? 10:00 - SkyMiles & Airbnb [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/points/earn-delta-skymiles-with-airbnb/]: More earnings, weird rules 12:20 - Points & miles rates [https://thriftytraveler.com/deals/flights/points-and-miles-rates-arent-rising-with-airfare/] aren’t rising with airfare 14:38 - United cardholder discounts are getting better 18:30 - Why Jackson is souring on hotel loyalty [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/points/why-ive-soured-on-hotel-points-elite-status/] 21:40 - Is the lounge overcrowding problem solved [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ylTCgQF23-k]? 27:25 - A word from our sponsor: Bilt Rewards!  28:40 - Everything about Koh Kood in Thailand 37:00 - Kyle’s Thailand trip logistics: Flights, hotels, Hong Kong & more 45:14 - Vote for our live podcast topic at thriftytraveler.com/vote [http://thriftytraveler.com/vote]!  46:00 - A listener asks: Should you avoid London due to high fees? 49:00 - What is Gunnar’s Koh Kood?  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.

How to Earn a Million Points & Fly Delta One for Less

This week, we go in-depth on Delta One business class from a person who is too young to know this much about flying Delta’s premier product around the world. Thrifty Traveler’s Kyle Thomas joins the show to talk about how he earned more than a million points and miles as a college student. We break down all the best Delta One deals, how to book them, and also touch on some news about credit card offers and wonder why it is we got so wistful about Spirit’s demise? Thanks to Cozy Earth for sponsoring today's episode! Head to https://cozyearth.com [https://cozyearth.com] and use code THRIFTY for up to 20% off! Watch us on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/jU4bhXcw2pQ] 00:00 - Cool Kyle earning a million points as a college student 02:17 - Kyle welcomes us back from the Great Barrier Reef! 03:30 - Start, Bench, Cut: 3 new credit card offers to know 10:20 - Getting wistful about the official end of Spirit Airlines [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/spirit-airlines-shutting-down/] 15:13 - Thanks to our sponsor Cozy Earth! 16:10 - Flying Delta One [https://thriftytraveler.com/reviews/flights/delta-one-suites-video/]to Tokyo, Seoul, Paris, Brisbane, and more 17:15 - The Delta One experience at check-in [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/delta-one-check-in-area/] & the lounge 18:50 - Making sense of Delta’s different Delta One seats [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/airlines/delta-one-seats-ranked/] (Always use Aerolopa [https://www.aerolopa.com/]) 23:15 - Delta’s new suites are coming [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/delta-new-business-class-suites/] and other upgrades 26:20 - What it’s like onboard Delta One – meals & service 32:10 - The best ways to book Delta One [https://thriftytraveler.com/deals/flights/how-to-fly-delta-one-without-spending-500k-skymiles/] 36:40 - Are Delta One bookings through partners officially dead?  38:30 - The Best Delta Skymiles deals we’ve sent in 2026 (so far!) 41:00 - Thrifty Traveler Premium Destination Filters [https://thriftytraveler.com/news/premium-destination-filters-announcement/] 43:20 - How to earn a million points [https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/points/earning-1-million-points-on-a-college-budget/] as a college student 51:15 - Kyle’s Australia trip: Qantas, scuba certification, and more 54:00 - Helping worried listeners with their Europe trips 58:00 - Kyle’s 23 countries in 23 years adventure 59:20 - What would Gunnar do with a million miles? Catch Kyle’s brand new Delta One Review to Brisbane on YouTube! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgN1mt6_SHs] 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.