Thrifty Traveler Premium Review (2026): Get Flight Deals Sent To Your Inbox With Jared Kamrowski

An honest Thrifty Traveler review. Learn why we’ve been loyal subscribers since 2018. Plus, an insightful interview with founder and cheap flight expert Jared Kamrowski. Struggling to find cheap flights? As a loyal Thrifty Traveler subscriber since 2018, I’ve saved hundreds – sometimes thousands – on airfare. In this Thrifty Traveler Premium review, I’ll share exactly how it works, why it’s worth it, and how you can start saving too.

Whether you’re looking for cheap international flights, award flight deals, or mistake fares, this membership delivers.

Are you tired of endlessly scouring the internet for the best flight deals, only to come up empty-handed or unsure if you’re truly getting the best price? Look no further.

Thrifty Traveler Premium is revolutionizing the way you approach airfare. With exclusive access to flight deals departing from over 200+ U.S. and Canadian cities, comprehensive coverage of economy, business, and first-class fares, as well as points and miles award sales, Thrifty Traveler Premium is the best flight deal service out there. Say goodbye to the endless search and hello to unbeatable savings!

Continue reading or listen to the podcast episode.

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We cover:

• [1:25] How Jared Kamrowski knew he was ready to take the leap, quit his job, and pursue Thrifty Traveler full-time.
• [5:26] How Thrifty Traveler Premium (TTP) works
• [6:32] What makes TTP different from other flight deal alert services?
• [10:02] Misconceptions people have about finding cheap flights.   
• [23:10] Mistake fares and how they work

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a small commission if you use our links.

Thrifty Traveler Review: My Honest Experience Saving on Flights

Thrifty Traveler is a budget travel and news website focusing on flight deals and maximizing credit card rewards. Its flagship product is Thrifty Traveler Premium, a flight deal subscription service.

Thrifty Traveler has been one of my go-to travel newsletters for nearly ten years.

In the early days, through their newsletter, I booked international “cash” flights, including trips to Montreal, Toronto, and Lisbon (Portugal). I also owe multiple domestic trips to Chicago, Florida, and more. These experiences really show its value and reliability.

I also saved 5,000 Delta SkyMiles on round-trip tickets to Rome a few years ago. Without a heads-up, I would never have known about these Delta SkyMiles flash sales! Most recently, we booked round-trip award flights to London for 30,000 Delta SkyMiles.

I wouldn’t be the financially savvy traveler I am today without them.

What is Thrifty Traveler Premium?

Jared launched thriftytraveler.com in 2015 with the mission of helping people afford to travel and take more trips. His vision was simple: ‘Let the cheap flight be your guide.’ 

By 2017, Jared launched Thrifty Traveler Premium, a paid flight deal email subscription service. It had everything I loved about their free newsletter but even more valuable perks.

With Thrifty Traveler Premium, you can get cheap flight deals from 200+ U.S. and Canadian departing cities directly to your inbox.

These are sales the airlines don’t advertise. We have no idea what will pop up. We have a bunch of automated and manual tools we use to find these flight deals, and once we do, we send out alerts directly to our customers’ inboxes. – Jared Kamrowski

Who Should Subscribe to Premium?

• Frequent travelers
• Travel enthusiasts
• Anyone looking to maximize their savings on flights and travel experiences.

Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or a budget-conscious traveler seeking high-value flight deals, this subscription offers unparalleled benefits that will help you save money on airfare. If you value convenience and expertly curated flight deals, Thrifty Traveler Premium is designed with you in mind.

Why choose Premium?

The decision for us was simple.

We loved the concept of receiving flight alerts directly in our inbox. This way, we could choose which deals to pursue, as we lacked the time, patience, or expertise to find them ourselves.

Although many fare alert sites claim to offer “exclusive” flight deals, err on the side of caution. We can’t count how many times we’ve gotten excited about a flight deal only to find out the deal expired or it didn’t exist — way to play with our emotions! 

Avid, cheap flight seekers aren’t easily impressed by fare alert sites. That’s because not every “good” deal is a “great” deal. After lots of trial and error, we now rely on Thrifty Traveler Premium.

Click here to sign up for Thrifty Traveler Premium.

For those who think paying for a flight deal email subscription is counter-productive, here’s why you’re wrong. 

Here are some cheap flights that landed in my inbox because I’m a premium subscriber.

• Ten cities to Lisbon & Porto, Portugal, from $317
• 12 cities to Barcelona, Spain, from $291
• 30+ cities to Havana, Cuba, from $190
• 20+ cities to Calgary, Alberta, from $189
• 20+ cities to Mexico City, Mexico, from $137

If you started with their free newsletter, here’s why you should upgrade to Premium.

If you started with their free newsletter, here’s why you should upgrade to Premium. Firstly, the free newsletter subscribers only receive 10% of deals. That means you miss opportunities to save cash (or miles) on flights from your home airports. Upgrading to Premium ensures you never miss out on a great deal.

Premium subscribers get exclusive domestic and international flight deals departing from over 200+ U.S. and Canadian cities right to your inbox.

Jared Kamrowski: There are some flight notification services out there that are just first-class and business class focused. And to be honest with you, there aren’t that many business and first-class deals out there – the flight pricing doesn’t change that much. But for economy tickets, flight pricing can change so, so much. So yes, we do see business and first-class flights on sale, and we send those deals out; we probably see a couple of those a month.

But for the most part, there’s going to be more economy flight deals than there are business and first-class. But we all love sitting up front, so when we find those deals, we send them out as quickly as we can.

How much does Thrifty Traveler Premium cost?

A one-year Premium subscription costs $99.99.

Your annual subscription includes domestic and international flight deals, economy fares, business and first-class fares, and points and miles award sales. You’ll also get text message alerts for rare airline mistake fares.

Sign up for Thrifty Traveler Premium to get flight deals in your inbox.

What’s the Refund Policy?

If Premium is not what you expected, the subscription comes with a 100-day money-back guarantee. That means there’s zero risk of trying it out. That’s how confident they are in the value they deliver.

How Does Thrifty Traveler Premium Work?

Thrifty Traveler’s travel hacking team searches for the best flight deals 24 hours a day and sends you an email when they spot one. Access deals via email notifications or login to your Premium dashboard.

Are these deals last-minute? No, these deals are not last-minute deals. I’ve found many deals up to 11 months out.

Expect 1-3 emails a day, and on average, you can save anywhere from $250 to $500 per flight or up to 90% off.

Every deal email includes:

• Discounted offer and full-price
• Travel dates
• Deal summary
• Departure cities and airports
• Step-by-step booking instructions
• Flight change and cancellation policies
• Login to adjust premium settings

To summarize, here’s what you get as a Premium member:

• Domestic & international flight deals from your home airport(s)
  • Economy fares
  • Business & First Class fares
  • Points & Miles award alerts
• Text message alerts for ultra-rare “Unicorn” fares
• FREE travel rewards credit card consulting

Jared Kamrowski: We talk to so many people who assume the only good flight deal is a last-minute flight deal. We realized that 99% of us need time to plan.

We want to be able to send you a deal you can book and actually fly. So we’re all about finding flight deals up to 11 months out. That’s how far you can book flights ahead of time.

I would never send out a flight deal that my mom couldn’t book. We want to make it simple and easy enough to book a great deal. We are all about keeping it simple.

Search for flights directly through Google Flights (one of my favorite flight booking search engines).

Key Features and Unbeatable Benefits

Discover the unbeatable perks of Thrifty Traveler Premium, the flight deal subscription service that has transformed the way we travel. From exclusive access to flight deals to comprehensive coverage of economy, business, and first class fares, as well as points and miles award sales, Premium offers a wealth of benefits that make it a must-have for any financially savvy traveler.

1. Select Airports and Deal Filters

While most fare alert websites cover only major airports across the country, Premium offers subscribers more departure options.

Beyond the email alerts, you can also see deals via your member-only dashboard. Login to set your preferences.

Click on “Setting” then “Airport Settings.”

Select a primary home airport for high deal frequency and additional airports for medium. Pick from airports in over 200 U.S. and Canadian cities. Edit your preferences at any time.

One of the newer features we’ve been loving is the ability to customize our alerts with the ability to filter.

Only want economy ticket alerts? Only want business or first class tickets? Want to fly only with Delta? These are all possible when you select filters.

Helpful Tip: We recommend logging in and reviewing/updating your settings at least twice a year so you’re getting the right deals sent to you.

Features you can toggle on/off include:

• Domestic and international deals
• Basic economy and main cabin
• Premium economy, business, and first-class deals
• Award sales bookable with points and miles
• Incredible last-minute award deals, unique aircraft, or premium cabin routes wholly outside the U.S. & Canada

Need to update your account? You can easily change your email address and email preferences at the bottom of each email.

Are smaller regional airports covered?

Yes, absolutely! Since Premium includes smaller regional airports, you’ll save more money catching flights closer to home.

2. No Budget Airlines

If you avoid budget airlines at all costs, then this subscription service is for you.

Premium stands out by not sharing budget airlines. While many other flight deal services may include budget airlines in their offerings, Premium focuses exclusively on curated flight deals from major airlines. This approach ensures you have access to high-quality, reputable carriers, providing peace of mind and reliability throughout their travel experiences.

3. Points & Award Fares

We love that TT is growth-focused.

We’ve seen their features expand from only cheap “cash” airfare to now business and first class sales, and now you can even get alerts for points and miles deals as well as business and first class fares.

As our travel styles have evolved, flying premium cabins has become more of our preference. We love that Premium offers a wide variety of cash and points options.

The comprehensive coverage makes it a one-stop solution for all our flight deal needs. Plus, the convenience of receiving text message alerts for rare airline mistake fares ensures that we are always aware of the best travel deals.

4. Text Message Alerts

Every few months you may receive a “Unicorn Deal” text message from the TTP team. These ultra rare finds are the absolute best deals. Oftentimes they won’t depart from your home airport so keep that in mind. These alerts are from any U.S. and Canadian city. It might be worth flying to that airport to take advantage of that deal.

Remember, the hotter the deal, the shorter it lasts!

5. Incredible Value

Premium costs $99.99 USD per year, and with a price lock guarantee, the price of your subscription will never change. Since most subscribers save on average $500 off normally priced fares, the ROI (return on investment) is incredible.

Even if you only book one flight a year, the savings are worth it!

Tired of reading? Listen to the episode on Spotify here:

5. Price Lock Guarantee

We love that we never have to worry about rate increases.

Your premium subscription rate will always stay as long as you do not cancel.

We started our subscription at t$60 per year and have seen Premium’s rate increase to what it is today. Get in early while the price is affordable.

Here’s what you get when you upgrade to Premium:

• At least 40+ flight deals per month.
• Ability to select departure cities (200+ U.S. and Canadian departure cities).
• Only get alerts from preferred airports.
• No last-minute deals.
• No budget airlines.
• 100-day money-back guarantee.

6. Thrifty Traveler Hotel Alerts Add-On

Consider adding hotel alerts to your subscription to expand your travel savings further. Since rolling out hotel deals, you can access 3-5 exclusive discounts and offers on accommodations per month. This allows for a seamless and comprehensive approach to cost-effective travel planning for domestic and international hotel stays. Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott are all options.

7. Credit Card Consulting

The credit card consulting service is another stand out service which provides personalized guidance on maximizing credit card rewards for travel. Receive expert advice on selecting the best credit cards to earn points and miles, as well as tailored strategies for optimizing rewards for your specific spending profile and travel goals.

After utilizing this perk, you’ll feel empowered and confident in your ability to make informed decisions regarding credit card rewards, maximize your travel benefits, and unlock new opportunities for savings and experiences. You might even close a few cards that are less effective.

The TT team knows their stuff, so take advantage of this complimentary service.

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Thrifty Traveler Premium Frequently Asked Questions

Is Thrifty Traveler Premium legit?

Yes, Thrifty Traveler Premium is 100% legit.

Founded in 2015 and trusted by thousands of travelers (including me since 2018), this flight deal subscription service has helped members save millions on airfare.

With 200+ departure cities covered across the United States and Canada, and a track record of finding real, bookable deals, on both cash fares and award flights, Thrifty Traveler Premium is a trusted name in the cheap flight alert space.

Is it worth the cost?

Absolutely! If you book at least one or two flights a year – whether domestic, international, or using points and miles, it is well worth the $99 a year price tag.

Many members (myself included) save anywhere from $250 to $500 or more on a single trip, making the subscription pay for itself quickly.

Is there a free version?

Yes, there’s a free daily newsletter that includes general travel tips, industry news, and the occasional flight deal.

However, free subscribers only receive about 10% of the flight deals that Premium members get.

If you want real-time cheap flight alerts, award flight deals, mistake fare texts, and the ability to filter deals by your home airport, upgrade to Premium.

Does Premium cover business class flight deals?

Yes, Premium includes business and first-class flight deals.

When premium cabin fares drop significantly, Premium members get an alert.

They also send out award flight alerts for business and first-class, so you can redeem your points and miles more strategically.

Is Thrifty Traveler Premium Worth It? My Final Thoughts

Can Thrifty Traveler help you save money on airfare?

Yes, I highly recommend it because it has ultimately changed how I travel—this is coming from a loyal paying customer since 2018. We highly recommend subscribing, and we believe it’s essential to every financially savvy traveler’s toolkit.

Without a Premium subscription, we would have missed visiting so many incredible places. Traveling is much more accessible now.

Premium sets itself apart from other subscriptions by offering exclusive access to flight deals departing from U.S. and Canadian cities, comprehensive coverage of economy, business, and first-class fares, points and miles award sales, and text message alerts for rare airline mistake fares. This level of coverage and convenience makes it a standout choice for travelers looking to maximize their savings on flights.

Premium is great for travelers open to booking flight deals without a destination. Their emails feature all the important things you need to start your flight search, including departure cities, dates and prices, airlines, booking instructions, travel requirements, and change and cancellation policies.

Here’s the only downside: Thrifty Traveler flight deals are not always exclusive.

If you follow other flight deal websites regularly, you may find a few deals listed on other sites for free.

Nevertheless, Premium has the competitive advantage of delivering these custom deals to your inbox. These email notifications include all the information you need to book your next vacation confidently. Spend less time aimlessly browsing for deals by knowing one is certainly coming your way soon.

Jared Kamrowski: I’m a little biased, given the situation. But there’s really no other service that finds flight deals like we do. We find cash flights, but we also find flight deals with points and miles.

People often think they only want to go to Hawaii every year. But then they’ll sign up for Premium and get flight deals, of course, to Hawaii. But they can also go to Ireland for $350 nonstop from many U.S. cities.

It really broadens people’s horizons, encouraging them to expand their perspective, visit new places, and have unique interactions.

Ready to stop overpaying for airfare? Sign up for Thrifty Traveler Premium!

Noteworthy Quotes by Jared Kamrowski

• [18:35] – “Cheap flights are here to stay.”
• [23:10] – “Mistake fares are just like they sound, fares where the airline has made a mistake. And usually, instead of a flight costing $1,000, it’ll cost you maybe $50.”
• [24:06] – “We’re just trying to get that information to you as soon as possible. Because sometimes these deals, these mistake fares, last minutes, not hours.”

Connect With Jared Kamrowski

Thrifty Traveler has become the leading source for flight deals and maximizing travel rewards.

Jared Kamarowski, the founder and CEO of Thrifty Traveler, established the website in 2015 as a side hustle while working in corporate America. He frequently traveled for his job and honed his travel hacking skills by traveling over 100 nights a year as a Federal bank examiner.

Jared left his job in 2017 and now runs Thrifty Traveler full-time with 25 employees. With a passion for travel and a knack for trip planning, Jared created a service that would assist others in finding affordable flights and exploring the world on a budget.

Jared believes there is no such thing as a “once-in-a-lifetime trip.” He’s a firm believer that travel should be accessible for all.

Instagram: @thriftytraveler

YouTube: Thrifty Traveler

Twitter: @thriftytraveler

Did you enjoy this Thrifty Traveler review? Let me know in the comments if you’re considering signing up!

Danielle Desir Corbett

Danielle Desir Corbett is an award-winning and 6x grant-funded travel writer and podcast host who went from financial struggle to visiting 27+ countries all without waiting until retirement. Her story is proof that budget doesn’t limit adventure. Tune into The Thought Card Podcast for practical strategies to travel smarter and live on your terms. Say hello: thethoughtcard (at) gmail (dot) com.

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