Yes, airlines have raised fares left and right … but they’re doing it in another way that might have flown under your radar. This week, the guys analyze why the cost to upgrade to avoid those pesky basic economy fares and what you can do about it.
They also play “Travel Tinder” – letting Kyle choose whether to swipe right or swipe left on a ton of big travel stories from the past week including Bilt’s latest overhaul, a bevy of Southwest news, some fun new routes, changes to status. Plus, they get Gunnar’s submissions for the name of the O’Hare boulder.
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In This Episode
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- 00:00 – Recapping our team retreat to Mexico City!
- 02:30 – A Lucha Libre vibe check
- 03:30 – Why it costs more than ever to avoid basic economy fares
- 13:05 – Bilt overhauls its program … again
- 19:40 – How much will it cost to earn status in 2027?
- 21:10 – Southwest: Companion Pass, Icon Lounge, & more
- 26:40 – A word from our sponsor: Kyle’s favorite Thrifty Traveler Premium deals
- 27:55 – More cool new routes: Hello, Columbus!
- 30:35 – Amex expands a few Centurion Lounges
- 31:05 – But Amex FHR hotel credits get harder to use
- 34:05 – ORD’s rock-naming contest (& Gunnar’s ideas)
- 36:10 – Air airline employee asks: What should airlines do better?
- 40:30 – Gunnar revisits his (terrible) O’Hare take
Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
How timely, Kyle and Zach’s most hated words from CEO’s and then I get this message from Southwest that will make me an Airline Free Agent in 2028 after my Companion Pass expires, “A more rewarding journey starts January 1, 2027.”
Do you think there is a chance Delta releases any additional award deals or deals in general for flights from nyc-europe again. Im hoping for a RT deal in Prem Select or D1 or at least one way to LHR or CDG from NYC. I wasn’t able to snag a deal a few weeks ago because I didn’t have enough miles, but now I do.
TBH this is closer than I imagined. Kyle has the best earning setup in my opinion, while Nick arguably would have the best year 1 setup. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a draw, or close to a draw.
We were in Japan for over a month this spring and when we tallied up our 10 favorite experiences none were in Tokyo and only one was in Kyoto. We loved Takayama, Nagano, wild areas in Shikoku and the Japanese Alps, and the rural areas in Western Honshu. For onsens that aren’t crazy crowded try the area around the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway in the mountains near Kamikochi.
BTW, before you go to Japan go online and listen to Japanese pronunciation of place names. Narita, Haneda, and even Kyoto and Tokyo aren’t pronounced the way you probably think and Japanese speakers might not understand you if you use English pronunciation. (For example, Tokyo and Kyoto are both two-syllables.)
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!