About this episode
This week, a bonafide travel hacker and self-proclaimed “bad boy of the travel industry” joins the show to discuss his two services that help millions travel more for less.Jonathan Weinberg is the founder and CEO of our beloved AutoSlash and, more recently, HotelSlash. So who better to hop on the podcast and make both Gunnar and Kyle smarter about the worlds of hotel and car rental booking? Jonathan talks about his career before getting into travel – including his firsthand experience being in the Twin Towers on 9/11 – and then walks us through how and why he founded the two money-saving booking platforms that Gunnar and Kyle use all the time. Plus, we chat about Georgia (the country, not the state) and get a little giddy about a handful of new Park Hyatt properties in the pipeline.Watch us on YouTube!Thanks to HotelSlash for sponsoring this episode of the show! Try it out today: Use promo code THRIFTYTRAVELER for a free 90-day trial – plus, get $20 off your first prepaid booking!00:00 - A quick note about today’s episode00:18 - Introducing AutoSlash and HotelSlash CEO, Jonathan Weinberg!01:48 - Ruffling feathers in the travel industry06:55 - Something Hot: Why we can’t stop talking about Georgia (the country, not the state) and a flight deal to get you there12:45 - Something Hotter: Park Hyatts are renovating, opening, and expanding all over the world - our favorites are…16:40 - A word from our sponsor: HotelSlash, the easiest way to book a cheaper hotel stay - and rebook when prices drop17:47 - Jonathan’s path into the travel industry: A travel-filled childhood, working on Wall Street, finding flight deals, & more24:00 - A harrowing experience inside World Trade Center Tower 2 on Sept. 11, 2001 - read Jonathan’s firsthand account29:20 - The how & why behind AutoSlash33:43 - Pivoting to HotelSlash and how it’s different from other hotel booking sites41:10 - Becoming “bad boys of the travel industry” 47:15 - International driver’s permits: Do you need them?50:35 - Listener Feedback: Amy’s wins in Montana,including a sweet rental car deal53:00 - On the spot: Gunnar and Kyle’s thoughts on hidden city ticketing (or “Skiplagging”)Produced and edited by Sylvia ThomasShow music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
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