What aren’t the airlines saying out loud? How will tech and AI shape our travels? And what’s the future of award travel look like? Those questions are big enough for the guys to bring in another expert to tackle them: Zach Griff, a longtime travel writer, airline and loyalty insider, and the author of the From the Tray Table newsletter.
Together, Gunnar, Kyle & Zach analyze the changing loyalty landscape; Zach takes you all inside splashy airline events, and he gives his best travel tips – including his favorite tech and his favorite (and least favorite) travel destinations.
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, like our new Starter Kit series)!
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In This Episode
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- 00:00 – Exposing airline talking points and jargon
- 03:30 – Hamed welcomes us back to the show from Tokyo!
- 04:00 – Inside airline media events & announcements
- 09:40 – The present and future of airline loyalty programs
- 18:20 – Zach Griff’s favorite Thrifty Traveler Premium deals!
- 21:45 – Diving into Zach’s career and From the Tray Table
- 28:15 – Is United overtaking Delta? Or is it just vibes?
- 34:30 – Why travelers should care about Apple and tech
- 41:50 – Rapid fire: Best gadgets, best (& worst) destinations & more
- 49:15 – Listener Question: Outlining our award travel ski strategy
- 53:30 – On the Spot: Would you ever move based on an airline hub?
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!