Travel Guys Radio

Travel Guys Radio episodes:

• September 21, 2024The Alaska and Hawaiian airlines merger has been approved

  Listen Now

  On the Saturday, September 21st edition of The Travel Guys… 

  In the Travel News, the merger of Alaska and Hawaiian airlines has been approved, with the stipulation that frequent flyer miles not be devalued and some other never-seen-before concessions by the airlines involved. The Grand Prix is coming back to Las Vegas in November. Want to go? Bring your wallet, for sure, ’cause it ain’t gonna be cheap.

  In our Smarter Traveler segment, we discuss the difference of buying travel components from a third party (Trip Advisor, Booking.com, etc.) as opposed to booking direct. Mark points out that direct booking is almost always the way to go. Tom suggested sniffing around the third party sites to check out pricing. If you find a deal, you can always go direct to the travel supplier and ask them to match, which they often will. Beware of third party sites that have paid to be at the top of the page when you log on your phone/computer. Also, third party sites may have cancellation/change rules that are different from the actual supplier.

  The government is investigating Frequent Flyer programs, something which is long overdue. Chris Elliott, Travel Advocate and Blogger, joins us to discuss why this is happening.

  Our Odds and Ends segment shares a list of five things international visitors like about our country and its culture. Plus, a reminder about what type of picture NOT to post to social media while you are on vacation.

  Highlights

  How to not be deceived by airline seating hanky-panky

  When airline passengers can get refunds on non-refundable tickets

  Spooky Road Trips

  The Poodle Booked It – CCCs of River Cruising

  The Poodle Booked It – River Cruising Escapades

  The Poodle Booked It – More Information

  Sorry about your tail buddy

  Trans-Siberian Orchestra | Tour

  List of California Wine Month Activities

  A company with alcohol-free travel packages

  JoeSentMe, the home page for business travelers

  CHR66A Gold Shield

  Sydney’s Albania ideas

  What Can I Bring? | Transportation Security Administration

  Antarctic Skiing and Expeditions

  Rocky Mountaineer

  Free Cruises & More for Heroes | Margaritaville at Sea

  Find our new Travel Gal here

  Pete Buttigieg Reads Angry Airline Tweets

  Dig This Las Vegas: Heavy Equipment Playground & Operator School

  Choose the Best of Sacramento

  An App to Help Vegans and Vegetarians find food and more

  Yosemite National Park blasts tourists for gross behavior

  How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites

  Evacuation Takes a Long Time, Because Everyone Wants to Take Their Carry-on Bags

  Check parking lot availability at the Sacramento International Airport before leaving home

  Sacramento International Airport Availability Map

  Elliott.org – Chris Elliott

  How to win your consumer dispute using the Elliott Method

  ...more

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• September 14, 2024A bag of dropped Cheetos has a dramatic impact on Carlsbad Cavern National Park

  Listen Now

  On the Saturday, September 14th edition of The Travel Guys… 

  In the Travel News, numbers show that the Taylor Swift tour of Europe moved the economic needle MORE than the Paris Olympics, and we explain how ONE bag of dropped Cheetos dramatically impacted Carlsbad Cavern National Park.

  Avis Car Rental says they were recently hacked, with everything from addresses and phone numbers, to social security credit card numbers exposed. Is it really safe to be giving your personal info to travel companies (among others)? What guarantee do we have that they are really protecting that information?

  The Department of Transportation is FINALLY going to open an investigation of Airline Frequent Flyer programs. Will they hold the airlines to some sort of standards? Chris Elliott joins us to discuss.

  Travel Gal Sydney is on hand to talk about her favorite subject, River Cruising. She has some tips on cruising, plus a deal on a European River adventure you might want to check out.

  Highlights

  The Poodle Booked It – CCCs of River Cruising

  The Poodle Booked It – River Cruising Escapades

  The Poodle Booked It – More Information

  Sorry about your tail buddy

  Trans-Siberian Orchestra | Tour

  List of California Wine Month Activities

  A company with alcohol-free travel packages

  JoeSentMe, the home page for business travelers

  CHR66A Gold Shield

  Sydney’s Albania ideas

  What Can I Bring? | Transportation Security Administration

  Antarctic Skiing and Expeditions

  Rocky Mountaineer

  Free Cruises & More for Heroes | Margaritaville at Sea

  Find our new Travel Gal here

  Pete Buttigieg Reads Angry Airline Tweets

  Dig This Las Vegas: Heavy Equipment Playground & Operator School

  Choose the Best of Sacramento

  An App to Help Vegans and Vegetarians find food and more

  Yosemite National Park blasts tourists for gross behavior

  How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites

  Evacuation Takes a Long Time, Because Everyone Wants to Take Their Carry-on Bags

  Check parking lot availability at the Sacramento International Airport before leaving home

  Sacramento International Airport Availability Map

  Elliott.org – Chris Elliott

  How to win your consumer dispute using the Elliott Method

  ...more

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• September 07, 2024New survey tells us what benefit flyers consider to be the most value

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  On the Saturday, September 7th edition of The Travel Guys… 

  In the Travel News, wildcat hotel strikes in California and Hawaii have mostly ended without an agreement; and a new survey tells us what one benefit flyers consider to be the most value. Can you guess what it is?

  Tipping is a touchy subject and travelers face situations where tips are requested (or expected) often. But there is one set of people Mark always leaves a little something for. He shares his thoughts in our Smarter Traveler segment.

  September is California Wine Month. There are a ton of special events and activities…including one at a Livermore winery where you can catch a falconry demonstration. How do falcons help wineries? You’ll hear the story and it’s a fascinating interview.

  Our odds and ends segment features frequent complaints by hotel guests. If you are the person slamming you door at 1am, there is a special place in “Traveler Heaven” for you…ok, maybe not heaven.

  Highlights

  List of California Wine Month Activities

  A company with alcohol-free travel packages

  JoeSentMe, the home page for business travelers

  CHR66A Gold Shield

  Sydney’s Albania ideas

  What Can I Bring? | Transportation Security Administration

  Antarctic Skiing and Expeditions

  Rocky Mountaineer

  Free Cruises & More for Heroes | Margaritaville at Sea

  Find our new Travel Gal here

  Pete Buttigieg Reads Angry Airline Tweets

  Dig This Las Vegas: Heavy Equipment Playground & Operator School

  Choose the Best of Sacramento

  An App to Help Vegans and Vegetarians find food and more

  Yosemite National Park blasts tourists for gross behavior

  How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites

  Evacuation Takes a Long Time, Because Everyone Wants to Take Their Carry-on Bags

  Check parking lot availability at the Sacramento International Airport before leaving home

  Sacramento International Airport Availability Map

  Elliott.org – Chris Elliott

  How to win your consumer dispute using the Elliott Method

  ...more

  ---

• August 31, 2024Learn which airports in the country have the most TSA complaints

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  On the Saturday, August 31st edition of The Travel Guys… 

  In the Travel News, we tell you which airports in the country have the most TSA complaints (and all ten of them are on the east coast); plus the late Tammy Faye Bakker has made it to Broadway. The show named for her premieres at the Palace Theater in The Big Apple in October.

  COVID is back in the news for two reasons in recent weeks, so we’ll take a few minutes to remind travelers how to protect themselves and all listeners the importance of considering the newly released vaccine.

  Joe Brancatelli is one of our favorite online bloggers. He pens Joe Sent Me each week for paid road warrior subscribers online (Including Mark). This week, he wrote a column titled Travel Sucks Right Now. We invited him to share details about his obviously strong feelings on the show with us.

  Mark was in Seattle with one of his tour groups last weekend, and he has a few dining and sightseeing tips from the Emerald City.

  Highlights

  JoeSentMe, the home page for business travelers

  CHR66A Gold Shield

  Sydney’s Albania ideas

  What Can I Bring? | Transportation Security Administration

  Antarctic Skiing and Expeditions

  Rocky Mountaineer

  Free Cruises & More for Heroes | Margaritaville at Sea

  Find our new Travel Gal here

  Pete Buttigieg Reads Angry Airline Tweets

  Dig This Las Vegas: Heavy Equipment Playground & Operator School

  Choose the Best of Sacramento

  An App to Help Vegans and Vegetarians find food and more

  Yosemite National Park blasts tourists for gross behavior

  How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites

  Evacuation Takes a Long Time, Because Everyone Wants to Take Their Carry-on Bags

  Check parking lot availability at the Sacramento International Airport before leaving home

  Sacramento International Airport Availability Map

  Elliott.org – Chris Elliott

  How to win your consumer dispute using the Elliott Method

  ...more

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• August 24, 2024Southwest adds to the growing number of red-eyes to the east coast

  Listen Now

  On the Saturday, August 24th edition of The Travel Guys… 

  In the Travel News, Southwest adds to the growing number of red-eyes to the east coast, and if you know someone who wants to come to the US for the world cup in 2026, warn them they need to apply for a visa now.

  On our Smarter Traveler segment we share the results of a survey among airline travelers. What are the six worst things you can do on an airline, according to the survey? We have these lists often, but this one really cuts to the chase.

  It’s mailbag day! We dig into the mailbag and answer your questions on everything from charges for charging your car to a complaint about disappearing hotel rewards points.

  On our Odds and Ends segment we talk about Mystery Tours. What are they? Would you pay a tour operator a pile of money without knowing where you are going? Hint…these adventures are growing in popularity!

  Highlights

  Sydney’s Albania ideas

  What Can I Bring? | Transportation Security Administration

  Antarctic Skiing and Expeditions

  Rocky Mountaineer

  Free Cruises & More for Heroes | Margaritaville at Sea

  Find our new Travel Gal here

  Pete Buttigieg Reads Angry Airline Tweets

  Dig This Las Vegas: Heavy Equipment Playground & Operator School

  Choose the Best of Sacramento

  An App to Help Vegans and Vegetarians find food and more

  Yosemite National Park blasts tourists for gross behavior

  How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites

  Evacuation Takes a Long Time, Because Everyone Wants to Take Their Carry-on Bags

  Check parking lot availability at the Sacramento International Airport before leaving home

  Sacramento International Airport Availability Map

  Elliott.org – Chris Elliott

  How to win your consumer dispute using the Elliott Method

  ...more

  ---

• August 17, 2024Albania is one of Europe’s best kept secrets

  Listen Now

  On the Saturday, August 17th edition of The Travel Guys… 

  In the Travel News, West Jet of Canada had nearly two dozen planes suffer damage in a hail storm in Calgary, and some of the planes will be out of service for a while (if you are flying in Canada on a Delta flight number, double check, it could be a West Jet flight). There’s a drive underway to re-name the Sutter Buttes, and we’ll tell you why. Plus, Frontier Airlines starts flights to San Diego and LAX.

  Many of us use ridesharing. Uber, Lyft, whatever your choice, there are some basic guidelines and safety rules to follow. Our Smarter Traveler segment shares some of them.

  Albania is one of Europe’s best kept secrets. Our Travel Gal, Sydney, joins us to tell you about this mostly undiscovered country, and she’ll even give you some ideas on how to see Albania.

  Our Odds and Ends section features everything from a new way to get to the Sacramento airport, to the question “Would you pay more to pick the gender of the person you are sitting next to on the plane?” One airline is betting the answer is yes.

  Highlights

  Sydney’s Albania ideas

  What Can I Bring? | Transportation Security Administration

  Antarctic Skiing and Expeditions

  Rocky Mountaineer

  Free Cruises & More for Heroes | Margaritaville at Sea

  Find our new Travel Gal here

  Pete Buttigieg Reads Angry Airline Tweets

  Dig This Las Vegas: Heavy Equipment Playground & Operator School

  Choose the Best of Sacramento

  An App to Help Vegans and Vegetarians find food and more

  Yosemite National Park blasts tourists for gross behavior

  How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites

  Evacuation Takes a Long Time, Because Everyone Wants to Take Their Carry-on Bags

  Check parking lot availability at the Sacramento International Airport before leaving home

  Sacramento International Airport Availability Map

  Elliott.org – Chris Elliott

  How to win your consumer dispute using the Elliott Method

  ...more

  ---

• August 10, 2024Airbnb says business is slowing

  Listen Now

  On the Saturday, August 10th edition of The Travel Guys… 

  In the Travel News, Airbnb says business is slowing and TSA Pre-Check now has over 20 million people enrolled.

  Taking selfie pictures is a favorite pastime, especially while traveling. But many travelers take unnecessary risks while trying to get that perfect shot. We have some guidelines for selfie-takers in our Smarter Traveler segment.

  Many of us have a travel “bucket list.” Our friend Steve Ryan from Rudy’s Hideaway is working through his and reporting back to the home office. This week, he takes us to Spain and Portugal. Steve always has a good story or two about his adventures and this time is no exception.

  Speaking of travel bucket lists, Antarctica is on many. We have a guest who does cross-country ski adventures, and offers other coastal journeys on the continent (Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions).

  Highlights

  Antarctic Skiing and Expeditions

  Rocky Mountaineer

  Free Cruises & More for Heroes | Margaritaville at Sea

  Find our new Travel Gal here

  Pete Buttigieg Reads Angry Airline Tweets

  Dig This Las Vegas: Heavy Equipment Playground & Operator School

  Choose the Best of Sacramento

  An App to Help Vegans and Vegetarians find food and more

  Yosemite National Park blasts tourists for gross behavior

  How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites

  Evacuation Takes a Long Time, Because Everyone Wants to Take Their Carry-on Bags

  Check parking lot availability at the Sacramento International Airport before leaving home

  Sacramento International Airport Availability Map

  Elliott.org – Chris Elliott

  How to win your consumer dispute using the Elliott Method

  ...more

  ---

• August 03, 2024Delta says the computer meltdown may cost it half a BILLION dollars

  Listen Now

  On the Saturday, August 3rd edition of The Travel Guys… 

  In the Travel News, Delta says the computer meltdown may cost it half a BILLION dollars; and Disneyland averts a strike by park workers with a new contract.

  Restaurants have a new way for you to pay. Imagine not having to wait for your check, just paying when you want, and walking out the door. But is this new system a plus or a minus for diners?

  The airline industry and their lobbying group (Airlines for America) are doing everything they can to keep from following new rules about disclosing the REAL cost of travel. We’ll explain who the good guys and the bad guys are in this story.

  The Travel Guys are welcoming a new Travel Gal, Sydney Schellinger. She has an interesting connection to a “poodle,” and Sydney will be a regular contributor to the program, filling us in on bargains and adventure travel for our younger listeners.

  Highlights

  Find our new Travel Gal here

  Pete Buttigieg Reads Angry Airline Tweets

  Dig This Las Vegas: Heavy Equipment Playground & Operator School

  Choose the Best of Sacramento

  An App to Help Vegans and Vegetarians find food and more

  Yosemite National Park blasts tourists for gross behavior

  How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites

  Evacuation Takes a Long Time, Because Everyone Wants to Take Their Carry-on Bags

  Check parking lot availability at the Sacramento International Airport before leaving home

  Sacramento International Airport Availability Map

  Elliott.org – Chris Elliott

  How to win your consumer dispute using the Elliott Method

  ...more

  ---

• July 27, 2024Southwest is making some major changes to their business model

  Listen Now

  On the Saturday, July 27th edition of The Travel Guys… 

  In the Travel News, Sacramento’s dominant airline, Southwest, is making some major changes to their business model; and a major wildfire damages the popular Canadian Rockies town of Jasper.

  In our Smarter Traveler segment, we have tips for picking the right hotel with the right amenities at the right price on your next trip to Las Vegas.

  Speaking of Las Vegas, years ago we told you about a new attraction there called “Dig This.” Fast forward a decade and our buddy Ed Mumm is still digging holes in the desert. Learn more about this unique attraction for kids of all ages.

  Getting off an airplane in an emergency is something you hope you’ll never experience first hand. We talk with Ned Levi of Travelers United about his personal experience on airplane evacuations. It’s a wake up call for all of us.

  Highlights

  Dig This Las Vegas: Heavy Equipment Playground & Operator School

  Choose the Best of Sacramento

  An App to Help Vegans and Vegetarians find food and more

  Yosemite National Park blasts tourists for gross behavior

  How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites

  Evacuation Takes a Long Time, Because Everyone Wants to Take Their Carry-on Bags

  Check parking lot availability at the Sacramento International Airport before leaving home

  Sacramento International Airport Availability Map

  Elliott.org – Chris Elliott

  How to win your consumer dispute using the Elliott Method

  ...more

  ---

• July 20, 2024A historic landmark is being rebuilt on the Hawaiian island of Kauai

  Listen Now

  On the Saturday, July 20th edition of The Travel Guys… 

  In the Travel News, we have updates on threatened strikes by flight attendants at American and United; and a historic landmark is being rebuilt on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

  Our Smarter Traveler segment talks about the current surge in COVID infections, and offers a few reminders for travelers on how to minimize your exposure to the dangerous virus.

  Reporter Clayton Whitehead spent ten days exploring Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. He’s returned home and shares his experiences with us. Perhaps you’ll be adding these countries we know little about to your wish list.

  People do strange things in National Parks. Like leaving trash behind and using the hillside as a latrine. We talk about how to fight back against people who go to sacred places and then treat them like “crap.”

  Highlights

  Yosemite National Park blasts tourists for gross behavior

  How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites

  Evacuation Takes a Long Time, Because Everyone Wants to Take Their Carry-on Bags

  Barcelona Anti-Tourism Protesters Fire Water Pistols At Visitors

  15 tips to help you interpret hotel reviews to choose the best hotel for you

  Check parking lot availability at the Sacramento International Airport before leaving home

  Sacramento International Airport Availability Map

  Jobs at the Sacramento International Airport

  Elliott.org – Chris Elliott

  State Fair Tickets

  How to plan, pack, and cope with a heatwave while you travel

  Packing systems may be the right way to improve your trip

  American Airlines Takes 8 Men of Color Off a Flight for…

  How to Earn and Maximize Travel Points

  For Travel – Put Your ID in Your Phone

  Follow The Ride on it’s way to Sacramento

  Tips for Sleeping on a Long Flight

  The world’s best nude beaches

  The 9 Best Airline Stopover Programs to Book in 2024

  Avoiding Taylor Swift in Europe this summer

  Yosemite National Park Requiring Reservations on Busy Days

  How to win your consumer dispute using the Elliott Method

  ...more

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