The Thrifty Traveler Podcast The Best Bets for Flight Deals in 2025
14 snips
Mar 13, 2025 Explore 2025's top travel destinations where the strong dollar stretches further, like Japan and South Africa. Discover the competitive landscape of airport lounges with Chase Sapphire leading the way. Delve into Southwest Airlines' controversial rewards changes and their impact on budget travelers. Uncover affordable flight deals to breathtaking Italy and Japan, plus tips for visiting Iceland during the best seasons. Get inside info on booking spring break flights to snag the best deals and hear tasty travel tales from Istanbul!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Affordable Destinations
- Gunnar finds the U.S. expensive but highlights global destinations where the dollar is strong, like Japan and South Africa.
- Kyle suggests Canada for affordable travel and plentiful options due to political dynamics.
Chase Winning the Lounge Wars
- Chase is winning the airport lounge wars by rapidly expanding its Sapphire Lounges and focusing on premium travel experiences.
- They offer competitive quality and perks like QR code ordering and a la carte dining.
Southwest Reduces Rewards
- Southwest now offers reduced rewards on cheaper fares, pushing travelers towards pricier options or co-branded cards.
- This follows a trend of airlines making it less rewarding to fly on budget-friendly options.