How to Earn 1 Million Points & Fly Delta One

This week, we go in-depth on Delta One business class from a person who is too young to know this much about flying Delta’s premier product around the world.

Our podcast editor Kyle Thomas joined the show to talk about how he earned more than 1 million points and miles as a college student. We break down all the best Delta One deals, how to book them, and also touch on some news about credit card offers and wonder why it is we got so wistful about Spirit’s demise?

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 Tuesday bonus episode!)

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Show Notes

Thanks to Cozy Earth for sponsoring today’s episode! Head to https://cozyearth.com and use code THRIFTY for up to 20% off!

Watch us on YouTube!

00:00 – Cool Kyle earning a million points as a college student
02:17 – Kyle welcomes us back from the Great Barrier Reef!
03:30 – Start, Bench, Cut: 3 new credit card offers to know
10:20 – Getting wistful about the official end of Spirit Airlines
15:13 – A word from our sponsor, Cozy Earth!
16:10 – Flying Delta One to Tokyo, Seoul, Paris, Brisbane, and more
17:15 – The Delta One experience at check-in & the lounge
18:50 – Making sense of Delta’s different Delta One seats (Always use Aerolopa)
23:15 – Delta’s new suites are coming and other upgrades
26:20 – What it’s like onboard Delta One – meals & service
32:10 – The best ways to book Delta One
36:40 – Are Delta One bookings through partners officially dead?
38:30 – The Best Delta SkyMiles deals we’ve sent in 2026 (so far!)
41:00 – Thrifty Traveler Premium Destination Filters
43:20 – How to earn a million points as a college student
51:15 – Kyle’s Australia trip: Qantas, scuba certification, and more
54:00 – Helping worried listeners with their Europe trips
58:00 – Kyle’s 23 countries in 23 years adventure
59:20 – What would Gunnar do with 1 million miles?

Catch Kyle’s brand new Delta One review to Brisbane on YouTube!

Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot