It’s the halfway point in 2026, so Gunnar ranked the 10 best flight deals (and three best hotel deals) of the year so far … and Kyle got to air out all of his gripes and grievances about Gunnar’s list.
In a six-month span that will surely be remembered for high airfare, we’re celebrating the deals that just kept coming – from flights to Asia in the $300s roundtrip to a business class mistake fare, and more. Plus, we help a listener with their “phantom” space problem, and Gunnar revisits the Taco Bell Cantina at DEN … again …
Tune in now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! And be sure to subscribe now to get each new episode every Thursday morning (plus the occasional extra bonus episode!)
Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at [email protected]. Or help us kick off the next episode of the pod: Leave your “Welcome Back to the Thrifty Traveler Podcast” video message at thriftytraveler.com/voicemail today!
Please consider supporting the show by spreading the word and leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts! That helps other travel lovers, like yourself, find our podcast.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Download SAILY's app and use code THRIFTY at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/thrifty ⛵
Book your next flight at FargoAirport.com!
Join us for our next Live Show in Fargo, North Dakota on Wednesday, July 29! Tickets are on sale now!
In This Episode
Join the conversation: Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.
- 00:00 – What’s the big story from the first half of 2026?
- 04:00 – And why is that the Taco Bell Cantina DEN …
- 05:05 – Dana, Clayton, & Stan from White Sands, New Mexico
- 06:15 – A new best way to book Hawaiian Airlines Biz Class
- 09:30 – Qantas Biz Class on one of the world’s longest flights
- 11:25 – A rare sale on Delta’s flights to South Africa
- 13:05 – Delta One SkyMiles sale to Hong Kong
- 15:55 – Flights to Tahiti for $463 roundtrip
- 17:34 – A word from our sponsor: Fargo Airport (FAR)!
- 18:25 – A word from our sponsor: Saily!
- 19:18 – Some love for hotels, starting with Hermitage Bay Antigua
- 20:35 – Availability at the renovated Park Hyatt Tokyo
- 21:30 – The new Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica
- 22:45 – The first widespread Qsuites availability in years
- 26:50 – Delta One to Europe from 97k SkyMiles each way
- 31:10 – Flights to Asia from $359 … roundtrip!
- 33:15 – Turkish Airlines Biz Class mistake fare
- 35:50 – The best deal of the year … so far …
- 39:00 – How did Gunnar do on his top 10 list?
- 39:50 – Kyle’s honorable mentions
- 41:15 – What is “phantom” award space?
- 45:10 – What’s the best thing we’ve booked in 2026?
Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
Can I have more info about the vpn to use for getting more points?
Hi Mary, search Rakuten for “Express VPN” or “Nord VPN.” Both regularly offer close to 100% back – 100x points when you have your Rakuten account set up that way – for these purchases. At 100% cash back (100x points), you’re essentially buying points for 1 cent apiece if you don’t plan to use the service. Just don’t forget to cancel before the promo rate expires!