$200,000 for 40 Hotel Stays: The Wildest Travel Promotion Ever
Landings and Layovers
This week on Landings and Layovers, we cover everything from government-mandated flight chaos to one of the boldest hotel promotions ever attempted. Marty breaks down the recent air traffic control disruptions, what travelers are actually entitled to when flights get canceled, and how airline agreements affect your rerouting options. Then we’re joined by Sten Christiansen, an attorney by day, elite-status traveler by night, who spent roughly $35,000 flying around the world to stay at 40 different hotel brands in one summer… and won a $200,000 prize in the process. From ordering 25...
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Looking Back to Leap Ahead: What 2025 Taught Us About Travel
Landings and Layovers
In this reflective year-end wrap-up, Marty and Matthew talk through everything 2025 threw at travelers—from new airline plays and loyalty shakeups to surprise wins, frustrating fare rules, and the gear that saved our sanity. It’s equal parts therapy session and future-facing strategy sesh. We don’t just look back—we take notes so you don’t have to. 📌 In This Episode: The single most chaotic moment in travel this year What airlines did right (and what they absolutely didn’t) Our top gear and apps of the year What loyalty programs got worse (and which ones still deliver) ...
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Luxury Travel on a Budget: Hotel Loyalty Secrets with Ben Komenkul
Landings and Layovers
From free suite upgrades to turning daily spending into first-class flights, this episode is a crash course in making luxury travel accessible — even on a budget. ✈️ Fare of the Week: SAS Deals to Europe This week’s Fare of the Week (powered by ): Roundtrip flights from major U.S. cities (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, LA, Miami, NYC, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C.) to European hubs like Amsterdam, Athens, Paris, Prague, and Zurich for $430–$500 on SAS Airlines. Travel window: September 2025 – May 2026 Includes food and drink, but basic economy rules apply (limited...
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Turkish Airlines’ Wild Ride, JetBlue’s 25-Stop Hustle, and First Class with Meyy
Landings and Layovers
✈️ Landings and Layovers | Season 2, Episode 5 🎙 Hosted by Matt Fleischman & Marty Paz 🗒 Quick Note Since we recorded, the Turkish Airlines million-mile promotion has been suspended without notice. Still, the strategies, planning, and points talk are timeless—so we’re keeping the conversation going. ✈️ Fare of the Week: NYC to Eastern Europe for Under $500 LOT Polish Airlines is slinging serious deals: roundtrip flights from New York to multiple Eastern European cities—Krakow, Sofia, Vilnius, and more—for under $500. In some cases, closer to $400. Lufthansa is...
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Flying Far, Earning Big, and Traveling With Teens
Landings and Layovers
From Vegas to Vietnam for $700? Plus: JetBlue’s Insane Promo and Traveling With Teens 🎟️ Fare of the Week (Sponsored by Notiflyr.com) Las Vegas → Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City on Korean Air | ~$700–800 roundtrip One stop via Seoul, excellent availability (Jan–May, Jul–Dec 2026), and great connections make this a steal. Whether you’re craving Thai food in Bangkok or street coffee in Vietnam, this long-haul deal is smoother than a layover bibimbap. Korean Air’s inflight meal? Legit top-tier. 📌 Pro tip: Stopover in Seoul for a few days—yes, there’s a high-speed...
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Flying Solo, Flying Smart: Women’s Travel Tips, Airline Mishaps & Vancouver to Aruba Fare Deals
Landings and Layovers
From springbok biltong and A380 landings to navigating the world solo as a woman, this episode packs in travel chaos, comedy, and a whole lot of smart advice. 🧳 This Week on Landings and Layovers We’re back with a packed episode featuring travel misadventures, smart gear upgrades, some very real talk about traveling as a woman, and a jaw-dropping fare from Vancouver to Aruba that’s making us rethink our summer plans. Here’s what’s inside: 🛫 Marty’s VIP behind-the-scenes tour of United Airlines’ Denver ramp (yes, there’s an A380 involved) ✈️ What really happens when...
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Wheelchairs, Layovers, and a Surprise Fare Drop With Matt Tasker
Landings and Layovers
From missed connections in Rome to surprise upgrades and baby sleep battles at 30,000 feet, this episode is a wild ride. Plus, our guest shares travel hacks that could shave serious money off your next big trip. ✈️ This Week on Landings and Layovers After a short hiatus, we're back with an episode that’s part travel therapy, part fare-hunter's dream, and 100% relatable if you’ve ever had a flight—or an entire trip—go sideways. Highlights include: Marty’s robotic wheelchair fiasco in Rome (and the business class seats that got away) Matthew’s “just one more fight with the...
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Million Miles, Budget Flights & European Rail Adventures
Landings and Layovers
Welcome to Season 2 of Landings and Layovers! We’re kicking things off with a deep dive into budget-friendly European travel and the latest airfare deals. Matt and Marty break down an incredible United Airlines sale to Europe with round-trip fares starting at just $427, plus a look at how low-cost carriers are reshaping transatlantic travel. We also welcome special guest MattNav, a European rail travel expert, to discuss how competition is making train travel cheaper, easier, and more accessible than ever before. Whether you're looking to earn a million miles, book an open-jaw ticket,...
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End of the Year Recap and Travel Highlights
Landings and Layovers
Welcome to the final episode of Landings and Layovers for 2024! In this exciting end-of-year episode, hosts Matthew Fleischman and Marty Paz reflect on the year in travel. From thrilling deals and unforgettable adventures to major milestones and travel tips, this episode is packed with insights for every traveler. Highlights from the Episode: Fare of the Week: Los Angeles to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City for under $700 with Korean Air—a fantastic deal for transpacific travel! Marty’s Million-Mile Achievement: Marty breaks down his epic journey flying 15 airlines to earn a million miles,...
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Million Miles and Global Adventures: Kenneth’s Quest for SAS Status
Landings and Layovers
Episode Summary: Join us for an extraordinary journey with Kenneth, a globetrotting guest undertaking the SAS Mileage Millionaire quest. Kenneth shares his ambitious plan to conquer 15 airlines, his insider tips for international travel, and his experiences flying through exotic locations like Dubai, Jeddah, and Jakarta. Marty and Kenneth dive into the highs and challenges of long-haul travel, from navigating time zones to making the most of layovers. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast or a seasoned traveler, this episode is packed with valuable insights! Highlights: Fare of the Week:...
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Episode Description: Welcome to "Landings and Layovers," the podcast for affordable travel adventures. I'm your host, Matt, and with me today, as always, is Marty. We have a special guest, Jody Nichols, who will share his invaluable insights on traveling with kids. From managing long-haul flights with a four-year-old to preparing for a new addition on the way, Jody's experiences and tips are sure to make your family travel smoother and more enjoyable.
Episode Highlights:
Marty’s Travel Adventure:
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Marty shares a recent adventure involving a bus detour that led to a delayed podcast recording but made for an interesting story.
Deal of the Week:
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Check out an incredible roundtrip fare from Kuwait to New York City in first class for just $1,150. Normally costing around $10,000, this deal includes luxurious experiences with Qatar Airways and American Airlines.
Interview with Jody Nichols:
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Background: Jody talks about his journey from Alabama to Atlanta, then Sydney, and now Singapore. He also discusses his work as a data streaming software sales specialist and his love for travel hacking.
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Traveling with Kids: Jody shares practical advice on managing family travel, including tips for traveling with young children and maximizing travel points.
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Unique Travel Experiences: Hear about Jody’s family trips to Bali, the Maldives, and Japan.
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Travel Hacks: Learn about using local thrift stores for travel clothing, the benefits of flying coach with kids, and useful travel tech tools like portable Wi-Fi routers and noise machines.
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Kids’ Entertainment: Recommendations for keeping kids entertained on flights, including favorite shows and apps.
Sponsor Information:
This episode is brought to you by Notiflyr.com. Sign up and select your favorite airports to receive the best airfare deals right when they happen. Use promo code PODCAST for 20% off your annual premium membership.
Call to Action:
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Subscribe: Don't miss an episode—subscribe to "Landings and Layovers" on your favorite podcast platform.
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Exclusive Deals: Sign up at Notiflyr.com with promo code PODCAST for 20% off your annual premium membership.
Amazon Links:
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Flight Logbook: https://amzn.to/3YzWotF (Amazon)
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Pocket Travel Router: https://amzn.to/3YBgLGB (Amazon)
https://amzn.to/3AeDI8B (Amazon)
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Kids' Headphones: https://amzn.to/4dvJWiI (Amazon)
https://amzn.to/3AcD8bo (Amazon)
https://amzn.to/3WRZiZq (Amazon)
Producer Credits:
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Produced by Briefly Distracted Media. Join us next week for more exciting travel deals and insights. Safe travels!
Sponsor Information:
This episode is brought to you by Notiflyr.com. Sign up and select your favorite airports to receive the best airfare deals right when they happen. Use promo code PODCAST for 20% off your annual premium membership.