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The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Thrifty Traveler
Points and Miles
Google Flights
Hyatt
Airlines
Delta Skymiles
Travel Rewards
Travel Tips
Award Travel
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Delta Airlines
Credit Cards
Airline Loyalty Programs
Travel
United Airlines
Thrifty Traveler Premium
American Airlines
Thrifty Traveler
Travel Deals
Capital One Venture X
Flighty

Welcome to the Thrifty Traveler Podcast – a travel podcast where we dig into the latest travel news and trends and discuss all the best ways to earn and redeem your points and miles! From the ins and outs of booking cheap flights, exploring the best ways to use your airline miles, or diving into other next-level money-saving travel tips, your hosts Gunnar Olson and Kyle Potter will bring you the b... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes104Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelAviationLeisureSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Latest Episodes

Learning how to earn a ton of points and miles is critical to award travel. And while there are some tried-and-true earning strategies … sometimes, we do some seemingly strange things to add to our stashes. Nobody has gone further than Thrifty Travel... more

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. Th... more

YouTube

There’s nothing quite like booking a lie-flat seat using points instead of forking over $3,000 or more. But it’s no slam dunk: Finding award availability to book business class seats can be a chore. So this week on the Thrifty Traveler Podcast, Gunna... more

YouTube

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 wr... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Zach Griff
Travel writer, airline and loyalty insider, and author of the From the Tray Table newsletter
From the Tray Table
Episode: Inside the Airlines & the Future of Points, with Zach Griff
Katie Rollins
Thrifty Traveler Premium Flight and Hotel Alerts analyst; leads Premium Plus Hotel Alerts
Thrifty Traveler
Episode: Which Airline Miles Are Actually Worth Using in 2026?
Peter Thornton
Thrifty Traveler Premium's Senior Award Analyst
Thrifty Traveler Premium
Episode: The Current State of Points & Miles Deals in 2026
Jason Matheson
Moderator, The Jason Show
Media / Thrifty Traveler Fan Club
Episode: Live From Minneapolis! The Highs and (Disgusting) Lows of Travel
Nick Zirotti
Co-founder, Thrifty Traveler
Thrifty Traveler
Episode: Booking 5-Star Hotels in Italy, Airline Upgrade Scams & More News
Nick Cerati
Co-founder of Thrifty Traveler
Thrifty Traveler
Episode: The Biggest Winners & Losers from Hyatt’s Massive Changes
Kim Oh
Listener who submitted a story
Episode: Roasting YOUR Worst Travel Mistakes
Kyle Thomas
Award travel content creator and video editor for the show
Thrifty Traveler
Episode: How to Earn a Million Points & Fly Delta One for Less
Jon Schallbetter
Guest reviewer of Ostrich Pillow
Ostrich Pillow
Episode: The 14 Things We Never Travel Without (& the 1 Thing We Hate)

Hosts

Gunnar Olson
Host of The Thrifty Traveler Podcast with a focus on points, miles, and practical travel tips; co-creator of the Thrifty Traveler workflow.
Kyle Potter
Executive editor and Points and Miles expert; co-host covering deals, transfers, and strategy.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 426 ratings
  • Best Podcast in Points and Miles

    This podcast is the best in the points-and-miles/"travel hacking" genre. There’s a whole landscape of ”Always Be Selling" pods/newsletters that pump the “cards of the moment” to earn referral revenue, or hold their heads and moan every time there’s a devaluation (there always have been and always will be devaluations). This is not them: it’s a balanced and actionable take on “travel hacking” from knowledgeable hosts and guests. They know what they’re talking about and what’s both good and bad ab... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    michaelcee
    United States21 days ago
  • LOVE the Starter Kit!

    Such a great podcast for beginner all the way up to seasoned travelers! The bonus Starter Kit episodes have been fantastic to share with friends just starting in the hobby.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Not worth listening
    United Statesa month ago
  • Fantastic Information and Entertaining

    My new favorite travel podcast. Each episode includes new bits of information for the beginner and move advanced levels in the point and mile world. Each episode also has a funny story to make me laugh out loud. Thank you to the entire team.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    More Nicknames 2020
    United States2 months ago
  • Great show

    This guys keep it real and funny with all sorts of advice and puns that make it for a favourite in our family!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    traderaxxx
    United States3 months ago
  • Best Travel Podcast

    Absolutely best travel podcast out there! They are easy to listen to and understand, yet make me laugh during each episode. Love listening each Thursday!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lkkwi522
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans value actionable tips and up-to-date loyalty program insights.
Regular guests and on-location segments add depth and practical context.
Listeners praise the hosts' chemistry and banter.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

12 Biz Class Seats You Can Actually Book with Points
Q: How do I narrow down which flights and partners to check when planning a trip to Spain from Chicago?
Kyle recommends starting searches with Iberia as far ahead as possible, expanding the search to other departure cities, and booking a flexible option that can be canceled. The traveler can keep searching and replace the booking if better availability appears, rather than trying to plan the entire trip at once.
Inside the Airlines & the Future of Points, with Zach Griff
Q: What are some things you do with points and miles to chip away at skiing costs?
Griff recommends flexible dates, avoiding early nonrefundable bookings, and using points for flights and resort hotels; he notes that peak holiday periods are difficult to book with points.
Inside the Airlines & the Future of Points, with Zach Griff
Q: Is this where every airline program is eventually going?
Zach Griff expects airlines to increasingly tie elite status and access to saver award space to co-branded cards, as airlines seek more card ownership and spending.
A New Tool to Save on Flights, Pricey Airports, Hyatt’s Continued Slide & More
Q: What's the biggest, most important travel story right now?
The rising overall airfare and how premium travel is driving pricing, with jet fuel costs compounding the effect; the hosts argue that despite some relief in specific markets, airfare remains a dominant, long-term concern.
Which Airline Miles Are Actually Worth Using in 2026?
Q: What is Katie most excited about in hotel awards right now?
Katie highlights Amex transferring leading hotels of the world as a potential opportunity, though the 4:1 ratio and taxes/fees require careful evaluation; she notes a resource from Max Smiles Points and related coverage as a guide.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

What is The Thrifty Traveler Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on practical travel hacking: earning and redeeming points and miles, finding cheap flights, and staying current with loyalty programs and airline strategies. Hosts Gunnar Olson and Kyle Potter deliver data-driven insights, live testing of tools (like Google Flights), and timely industry updates, often supplemented by on-location guests and real-world travel stories. The format mixes strategy, current news, and actionable tips with upbeat banter, making it approachable for beginners while still valuable to seasoned points-and-miles enthusiasts. Notable is the consistent emphasis on maximizing value through transfers, portals, and card sign-ups, plus a community-driven feel with live events and listener Q&A segments.

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How many listeners does The Thrifty Traveler Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Thrifty Traveler Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does The Thrifty Traveler Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Thrifty Traveler Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Thrifty Traveler Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Thrifty Traveler Podcast:

1. Award Travel 101
2. Frequent Miler on the Air
3. Points Talk®: Your Travel Dreams, Made Possible by Points
4. Takeoff: A Points and Miles Podcast by 10xTravel
5. Let's Get To The Points

How many episodes of The Thrifty Traveler Podcast are there?

The Thrifty Traveler Podcast launched 2 years ago and published 104 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Thrifty Traveler Podcast?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Thrifty Traveler Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Thrifty Traveler Podcast?

Recent guests on The Thrifty Traveler Podcast include:

1. Zach Griff
2. Katie Rollins
3. Peter Thornton
4. Jason Matheson
5. Nick Zirotti
6. Nick Cerati
7. Kim Oh
8. Kyle Thomas

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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