EPISODE · Jan 15, 2026 · 49 MIN
Cheaper Fares Abroad, Big Bilt News, a Merger & 7 Other Big News Stories
from The Thrifty Traveler Podcast · host Gunnar Olson, Kyle Potter
Watch us on YouTube!00:00 - About Gunnar’s controversial “Chicago-O’Hare is good” take…02:55 - Are airlines ditching higher one-way fares for international flights? 12:45 - Why Allegiant’s surprise acquisition of Sun Country matters23:15 - Bilt 2.0 is here, with good and bad news30:00 - A word from our sponsor: us! Get Thrifty Traveler Premium today33:10 - American Airlines (kinda) launches free Wi-Fi34:10 - No mileage or status on AA basic economy tickets35:10 - No status changes for American this year, but is bad news ahead?36:20 - Hawaiian Airlines’ big plans for aircraft upgrades and a fancy new Honolulu lounge38:40 - The next Capital One Lounge: Charlotte (CLT)40:15 - Delta orders 787 Dreamliners 42:20 - Listener Question: What to do if you’re “product-swapped”? 46:10 - On the Spot: What does Kyle tell people he does for a living? Produced and edited by Sylvia ThomasVideo editing by Kyle ThomasShow music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts! Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at [email protected] 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!Follow us on…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What this episode covers
The news has been relentless to kick off the New Year, so the guys are devoting the latest Thrifty Traveler Podcast to 10 big news stories you need to know in 2026. That includes much cheaper one-way international fares, the surprising Allegiant-Sun Country merger, Bilt Rewards 2.0, a pair of new lounges, and much more. Plus, a listener wonders what to do about the dreaded “equipment swap” and Gunnar keeps digging a deeper hole with his recent O’Hare take…
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Cheaper Fares Abroad, Big Bilt News, a Merger & 7 Other Big News Stories
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