The Thrifty Traveler Podcast Who Wins Our First Class & Lavatory Awards? Plus More 2025 Superlatives
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Dec 18, 2025 Gunnar and Kyle dive into 2025 travel superlatives, naming winners like 'Class Clown' for Hilton's devaluations and the 'Most Popular' for the Amex Platinum's comeback. They unveil incredible flight deals, including ultra-cheap fares to Japan and Europe. The duo also discusses the 'Best Dressed' award for American Airlines’ new livery and critiques Chase's high-fee Sapphire Reserve. Plus, they highlight the quirky branding of Ryanair and celebrate the best and worst award winners in their First Class & Lavatory Awards.
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Hilton's 2025 Point Meltdown
- Hilton's repeated devaluations in 2025 turned it into the podcast's "class clown" for undermining points value.
- Gunnar warns extreme increases like quarter-million-point nights make loyalty points feel worthless.
Amex Platinum's Surprising Comeback
- The American Express Platinum card raised its fee close to $900 yet regained popularity in 2025.
- Kyle and Gunnar note travelers accepted the trade-offs because the card's perks still resonated widely.
Jump On SkyMiles Bargains To Mexico
- Watch Delta SkyMiles flash sales and low-cost SkyMiles routes to Mexico for exceptional value.
- Gunnar highlights single-digit SkyMiles roundtrip deals as rare opportunities to snag family travel bargains.