From a bizarre (and arguably absurd) Delta flight pricing quirk, new and disappearing Alaska Atmos redemptions, American’s late premium push, or the ongoing “Battle for Seattle,” there’s no shortage of travel news for Gunnar and Kyle to break down on the show this week.
Plus, the guys help a listener with that age-old question of award travel: should you book a flight with lower mileage rates or fewer fees?
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!)
And another thanks to North Dakota Tourism for sponsoring the show!
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.
In This Episode
Join the conversation: Sign up for the free Thrifty Traveler Podcast Slack community today.
- 00:00 – Being “back from Japan” is so tough
- 02:45 – Kelly & Wes welcome us back from Kona!
- 04:45 – Delta airfare absurdity: Athens for less than Atlanta?!
- 08:50 – RIP to this awesome biz class redemption
- 10:50 – But Philippine Airlines is now bookable with Alaska!
- 13:10 – Two awesome transfer bonuses this month
- 15:10 – Amex adds an interesting new hotel partner
- 18:40 – The overlooked 100K point Chase card offers
- 20:40 – A word from our sponsors: Bilt Rewards & North Dakota Tourism
- 22:45 – American adds Flagship Check-in at DFW …
- 26:45 – … but cuts some upgrades for elites …
- 29:05 – … and raises the annual fee on its top credit card
- 33:00 – SkyMiles and Starbucks switch it up (again)
- 35:30 – Delta bullies out another airline
- 40:00 – But the Battle for Seattle rages on
- 45:10 – Would you rather: Lower award rate or fewer fees?
- 49:20 – On the Spot: Predicting the next fare war
Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
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!