Something’s off with airfare pricing this summer, and we’re breaking down exactly where the deals are hiding. Plus: Marriott’s points just got a little less valuable, Flighty may have just solved your biggest connection anxiety, and a reader flew Delta One to Sydney for the price of economy.
- 🌍 The First Signs of Dropping Airfare … But Not Everywhere
- 🤝 Deal of the Day: Alila Ventana Big Sur from 55k points/night
- 📱 “Am I Going to Make My Connection?” Answered.
- 📖 Gettin’ Booksy: Debjyoti Flies Delta One to Sydney!
- 🥳 Hey, Fargo: Join us July 29 for the Thrifty Traveler Podcast LIVE!
- 🎙️ On the Pod: An Incredible Hawaii Points Deal
- ✈️ Other Travel Tidbits
🌍 The First Signs of Dropping Airfare … But Not Everywhere
When airfare goes up, travelers instinctively start looking closer to home to save on travel. But as airfare begins to drop after months of sky-high prices, it’s the close-to-home flights that are most expensive while international fares are tumbling.
I feel you. I have a summer and fall of weddings and get-togethers, and domestic flight prices are gnarly. The value play right now is for trips abroad, to some regions more than others.
Here’s an example that some Thrifty Traveler Premium members will recognize from their inboxes yesterday:
Flights from New York (JFK) to Brussels (BRU) are only $347 roundtrip right now! But what if you wanted to fly to your cousin’s wedding in Missouri?
Same dates. Same departure airport. Almost the same price, but a little cheaper to go to Europe.
🔮 I predict we’re going to see this pattern play out even more starkly in the coming weeks because of travelers’ instincts to stay closer to home when prices go up. Savvy travelers should be keeping their scope big for a trip this year or next.
Here are regions where you can already take advantage of dropping international fares:
⛰️ Iceland (KEF) & the Faroe Islands (FAE) – $300s and $400s roundtrip
🇩🇰 Scandinavia and Finland – $400s and $500s roundtrip
🍀 Dublin (DUB) – $300s and $400s roundtrip
🇨🇱 Santiago, Chile (SCL) – $400s and $500s roundtrip
🏖️ Cancún (CUN) & the Caribbean – $300s and $400s roundtrip
Check out our full breakdown of where to find cheap flights right now.
– Gunnar Olson, flight deal analyst & travel reporter
🤝 Deal of the Day: Alila Ventana Big Sur from 55k points/night
Heat scale (out of 3): 🔥🔥🔥
Why we love it: One of the most popular Hyatt hotels – the Alila Ventana Big Sur in California – has some solid availability for next summer you should know about!
Book from 55k World of Hyatt points per night mid-week in June and July 2027 right now – with several dates still available! Weekend and peak rates are slightly higher.
Sign up now to get all the details on this deal & don’t miss the next hotel deal alert.
Already a member? Log in to see all your deals.
– Gunnar Olson, Thrifty Traveler Premium deal analyst
📱 “Am I Going to Make My Connection?” Answered.
Flighty is already my favorite travel app, and it just pushed an update giving travelers the answer to the question that has plagued them for decades: “Am I going to make my connection?”
You’ll need an iPhone to use Flighty – they don’t currently have an Android version of the app – but if it works like promised, it will be a game-changer for international connections.
🤖 What’s in the Update
- Custom-tailored, step-by-step guides to your layovers. It will show you where to go, whether you need to clear passport control, re-check your bag, go through security again, or change terminals.
- Estimates of how long each step will take you – giving travelers the clearest look ever at exactly how long a connection might take.
- Gate predictions – telling travelers where they are likely to end up departing from based on historical flight data.
🛃 What This Solves
- No more blindly following airport signage. Based on the flight, passport, and baggage info you give Flighty, it will tell you exactly which line to go to and when.
- An answer to the question: Will I make my connection? After you book your flights (or before), add them to the app for a more accurate estimate of how long your connection will take.
Bottom Line: If it works like Flighty promises, this update is possibly the app’s best yet. Flighty was already the best app on my phone. I’m excited to try it out.
Check out our full breakdown of the Flighty Connection Assistant app update.
– Gunnar Olson, flight deal analyst, travel reporter
📖 Gettin’ Booksy: Debjyoti Flies Delta One to Sydney!
Welcome to Gettin’ Booksy, a celebration of our favorite feeling: Booking something awesome! Book something lately? Let us know at [email protected] if you want to be featured in a future edition of the Extra Mile.
What Did Debjyoti Book?
Debjyoti reached out to let us know how he booked Delta One to Sydney (SYD) for economy prices thanks to his highest-level Delta Diamond status.
How’d He Book It?
He booked a roundtrip flight from Austin (AUS) to Sydney (SYD) with a stop in Los Angeles (LAX). He said he booked from a Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alert, but we’ve had so many Delta deals to SYD, I can’t figure out which one!
What Makes it So Awesome?
After booking, Debjyoti used a Global Upgrade Certificate he gets for being a Delta Diamond Medallion status holder and used it to put himself in a Delta One Suite (presumably from a Delta Premium Select booking) for the long-haul down to Australia.
From Debjyoti:
Thrifty Traveler Premium has been one of my favorite travel resources. Their outstanding flight deals and expert insights have helped me explore more of the world, experience different cultures, and enjoy amazing food—all while staying within budget. I recommend them to anyone who loves to travel smarter.
You’re making us blush, Debjyoti! Thanks for the kind words. I hope that the trip to Australia was as good as the flight down there!
– Gunnar Olson, flight deal analyst and travel reporter
🥳 Hey, Fargo: Join us July 29 for the Thrifty Traveler Podcast LIVE!
Fresh off our (massively successful!) live podcast in Minneapolis earlier this month, we’re officially taking this show on the road – and returning to our roots!
That’s right: The Thrifty Traveler Podcast is going live again in Fargo, North Dakota! Join us on Wednesday, July 29 for an hour of our usual blend of travel insights, tips, and unhinged takes.
Pssst: If you’re a Thrifty Traveler Premium member, use your exclusive promo code PREMIUM2026 for a $5 discount on your ticket(s)!
Fargo is near and dear to our hearts – that’s why it’s one of the airport maps in our podcast studio. Our founder, co-founder, and COO are all native Fargoans. I myself worked (and met my wife!) there for a year and change out of college.
Our live recording of the pod is part of the run-up to TEDxFargo, an amazing annual event that our CEO, Jared, spoke at a few years back. Getting involved with this amazing community again was an absolute no-brainer.
See you in downtown Fargo, folks!
– Kyle Potter, executive editor & podcast co-host
🎙️ On the Pod: An Incredible Hawaii Points Deal
✈️ The guys break down all the news – including Kyle’s discovery of one of the best points deals for Hawaii flights, some Delta news, and both of your hosts got a little booksy – so where are the guys heading and what did they book?
Tune in now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
✈️ Other Travel Tidbits
- 🏨 Marriott Bonvoy points just got a little less valuable. Some hotels saw a 5-10% devaluation over the weekend. (Loyalty Lobby)
- 📰 SkyMiles Members who sign into their seatback screen now get a 24-hour free trial of the Wall Street Journal – no credit card required. (Delta News Hub)
- 🏨 Hilton struck an exclusive deal to bring YOTEL’s 23 hotels across 10 countries into its network as the first brand under a new “Select by Hilton” umbrella. Hilton Honors members will be able to earn and book there once it’s integrated later this year. (Hilton Newsroom)
- 💳 Check your Chase Offers. A new targeted offer gets you up to $200 back on stays at Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection resorts – think Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Secrets, and Dreams. (Danny Deal Guru)
