We’re shining a spotlight on baggage (both physical and emotional …) this week as airlines raised bag fees almost in unison. So the guys talk through what happened, why, and – most importantly – what you can do to avoid paying those higher fees altogether.
Plus, we dig into some Delta One news, break down a recent business class mistake fare, and sift through some (ridiculous) United-American merger chatter.
Thanks to Surfshark for sponsoring this week’s episode! Go to https://surfshark.com/thrifty4 or use code THRIFTY4 at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!
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Show Notes
00:00 – “Pitiful & Pathetic:” Feedback on the travel mistakes episode
04:05 – Nate, Mo, & Koko introduce the show from New Zealand!
04:50 – $410 business class fares to Europe: A mistake fare breakdown
12:20 – Translating Delta CEO’s statements about rising airfare
17:30 – New Delta One Suites & a new Delta One Lounge at MSP
22:55 – United’s (gross) new basic business class tickets
25:20 – Something Stupid: United & American merger murmurs
29:08 – Baggage fees are up … but why?
34:35 – How to avoid baggage fees
44:40 – Listener Question: Would you fly east to Asia?
47:40 – On the spot: What is Kyle’s favorite piece of baggage?
Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
I enjoyed the episode, but I have to call you out, Kyle, on the Borough Market story. Your distance estimates felt off, so I checked . According to Google Maps, it is a 1.8 mile walk from Trafalgar Square to Borough Market, not the 7-10 miles you mentioned in the episode. Also, London has busses – and the front row of the upper deck on one of those double decker busses is one of the most fun ways to ride around the city. Were they on strike too?
Hey I just rounded up by 5 miles!! Not sure how I flubbed that so bad: We must have started the morning somewhere else because I know we put on a good 15+ miles total that day alone.
Buses were jam-packed due to the strike. Plus we just like walking! Just maybe not quiteeeee as much as we did that trip.
Gunnar, Really disappointed to see You use the three letter abbreviation for such an offensive word in the title of this podcast. I’m sure you could have found a more respectful way to ask the question what is happening with flight prices. I hope you consider keeping things clean in the future.
Tell Kyle no one cares he is a straight white male and continually bringing it up is offensive. If he was a blind blonde lesbian african american pacific islander no one would care. Grow up people tune in to get the information and couldn’t care less about someone’s gender and ethnic make up.
I was just poking fun at myself/trying to show some self-awareness about the privilege of complaining about flying business class … but yeah, probably dropped that line one or two too many times.
Hey! Don’t knock the Hyatt Place Northwest/Medical Center. It is the closest and most convenient Hyatt for visiting Six Flags Fiesta Texas! 😉
*As a Globalist*…
But really, as a Globalist who travels with two kids and basically only ever uses points (other than Platinum credits for THC) I do think there are aspects that can’t really be replicated elsewhere unless you’re independently wealthy. As Gunnar pointed out the footprint is a challenge and may prevent me from requalifying this year, but there’s just so much that being a Globalist allows me to do that wouldn’t be possible without it unless I drained all of my Amex MRs at 1c each to book via FHR/THC. The combination of milestone rewards and straight Globalist benefits is second to none for a family – I can use 25k points per night (or less) and a suite upgrade award to put our whole family into a great room at a nice hotel with free breakfast and parking. And sometimes I can throw a Guest of Honor award at my extended family so that the cousins can come too! We just wouldn’t be able to travel as much or as well as we do – and with the people we love – with the other disloyal hotel options you mentioned*.
*The Edit with a Points Boost might be the next best thing for our needs but I’ve lost count of my rejections from the CSR personal card.