The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Get ready to elevate your travel game! The hosts share the 10 Commandments of Points and Miles, from starting slow to maximizing spending. They discuss the impact of rising award rates and offer clever strategies for managing your credit cards. Tune in for hilarious moments, like roasting Gunnar’s wardrobe, alongside serious tips on navigating the complex world of travel rewards. Plus, learn how to collaborate with your partner for double the points!

Gunnar and Kyle dive into the exciting new 100,000-point welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. They discuss eligibility, strategic reapplication, and the implications for travelers. The hosts even speculate on Chase's motivation behind this lucrative offer. Exciting redemption options are shared, highlighting the potential for luxurious travel experiences. Plus, they emphasize the importance of strategic spending and point optimization to make the most of this rare bonus. Don't miss their tips on maximizing Chase Ultimate Rewards!

A lively discussion unfolds around hotel loyalty programs, with Hyatt's need for improvement highlighted as Hilton gains ground. The hosts delve into lucrative hotel credit card sign-up bonuses, offering savvy tips for maximizing travel rewards. They playfully contemplate ideal settings for the next season of 'The White Lotus.' Frustrations with Hyatt's free night certificates are aired, emphasizing the need for more flexibility. The episode wraps up with charming comparisons of favorite hotel stays, showcasing unique travel experiences.

Jared Kamrowski, Founder and CEO of Thrifty Traveler, recounts the wild journey from launching the company in his garage to its current success. He shares his best and worst travel experiences, including the luxurious Emirates First Class and a Ryanair mishap. The challenges of booking from smaller airports and the evolution of travel deals over the last decade provide fascinating insights. With a blend of humor and nostalgia, the conversation emphasizes the importance of adapting in a rapidly changing travel landscape.

Gunnar and Kyle dive into Southwest Airlines' controversial baggage changes and how these could affect travelers. They highlight dropping airfare prices and the urgency to book Hyatt properties before point costs rise. Listeners also discover a helpful travel card selection tool and explore amusing travel stories related to drinking. With insights into the shifting airline landscape, the hosts tackle the company's dilemma of balancing customer satisfaction with profitability.

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!

Watch us on YouTube instead! Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts - and if you’re excited, give us a five-star rating to help spread the word.Your hosts Gunnar Olson and Kyle Potter from Thrifty Traveler are (almost) ready to bring you the best in travel once a week. They’ll dive deep into the world of flight deals, redeeming points and miles, destinations, travel tips, and so much more. Publishing Thursday mornings. Get ready for the Thrifty Traveler Podcast.More on Thrifty Traveler: https://thriftytraveler.com/Follow us on…InstagramFacebookBlueSkyYouTube 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.comGet 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!Follow us on…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky