# American Airlines has new tech allowing them to hold planes for connecting passengers

- URL: https://travelguysradio.com/2025/05/16/american-airlines-has-new-tech-allowing-them-hold-planes-connecting-passengers
- Image: https://travelguysradio.com/sites/default/files/2025/05/aa-gate-scaled-e1747462464572.jpg
- Audio (MP3): https://audio.travelguysradio.com/2025/05/travelguysshow051725.mp3

*On the Saturday, May 17th, 2025 edition of The Travel Guys…*

- In the **Travel News**, American Airlines says they have new technology which allows them to hold some planes for connecting passengers; and a new rule involving junk fees went into effect last week. But will it be enforced?
- In our **Smarter Traveler** segment, we address two topics: The sudden dramatic reduction in value for Hilton Honors points, and we explain what it means if your boarding pass has "SSSS" on it.
- Caroline Beteta, the President and CEO of **Visit California**, joins us to talk about California's National Parks and some of the challenges of being the state's lead tourism official.
- Our **Odds and Ends** segment features a update on REAL ID. Turns out most people either have a REAL ID, a passport or another acceptable ID. But for those who don't, you will still need one. The day when you won't be allowed on the plane will come.

## Highlights

- [Visit California Leadership & Staff - Caroline Beteta](https://industry.visitcalifornia.com/about/team/leadership-staff)
- [Elliott Confidential - Consumer Alert: The world is becoming more dangerous. Here are the countries to avoid](https://www.elliottconfidential.com/p/consumer-alert-the-world-is-becoming?utm_campaign=email-post&r=257yv&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozNjAyODM5LCJwb3N0X2lkIjoxNjMzNjI5OTcsImlhdCI6MTc0NzA1MzExNywiZXhwIjoxNzQ5NjQ1MTE3LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTYyMTk2Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.eZVdMSSR8vnSBhYSyrY_n2Pd_--Pl1rgAdyiCZmBs-E&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email)
- [Elliott.org - Chris Elliott](https://www.elliott.org/)
- [Cool Michigan song we used](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB_lytx-i3I)
- [The Poodle Booked It](https://www.thepoodlebookedit.com/)
- [Oh My: Frustrated American Airlines Passenger Tackled By Flight Attendant](https://onemileatatime.com/news/frustrated-american-airlines-passenger-tackled-flight-attendant/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=today_on_omaat&utm_term=2025-04-29)
- [Get reservations for Sports Leisure Vacations Tour Preview Day](https://www.sportsleisure.com/contact)
- [Staying at White Lotus](https://www.aol.com/heres-much-costs-stay-white-160100182.html?guccounter=1)
- [Apply for REAL ID - California DMV](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/real-id/)
- [Travefy Unveils 'New Travel Agent Program' for Early-Career Advisors](https://www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Business-Features/travefy-new-travel-agent-program)
- [Marriott Bonvoy Unveiled as Official Hotel Partner of ‘Cowboy Carter Tour,’ Drops Beyoncé Ticket Sweepstakes](https://variety.com/2025/shopping/musicians/marriott-bonvoy-beyonce-cowboy-carter-tour-tickets-hotels-1236354227/)
- [Best Frequent Flyer Programs](https://wallethub.com/edu/best-frequent-flyer-program/25943)
- [The Wreath Project Golf Tournament](https://www.wreathproject.org/fundraising-events)
- [The Wreath Project Golf Tournament Flyer](https://travelguysradio.com/sites/default/files/2025/03/2025-rememberavet-net-golf-tournament.pdf)
- [Best Frequent Flyer Programs](https://wallethub.com/edu/best-frequent-flyer-program/25943)
- [Where to eat before an A's game](https://www.visitsacramento.com/blog/stories/post/where-to-eat-before-an-as-game-in-sacramento/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Act-On+Software&utm_content=email&utm_term=Read%20more%20here%20%5Cu2192&utm_campaign=Sacramento%27s%20Going%20Green%20and%20Gold%20&cm_mmc=Act-On%20Software-_-email-_-Sacramento%27s%20Going%20Green%20and%20Gold%20-_-Read%20more%20here%20%5Cu2192)
- [In Europe, what is best - Rental Car or the Train?](https://www.travelersunited.org/whats-best-for-traveling-in-europe-train-or-rental-car/?utm_source=newsletter)
- [Consumer Alert: Latest twist in the government travel ban could upend your next vacation](https://www.elliottconfidential.com/p/consumer-alert-latest-twist-in-the?utm_campaign=email-post&r=257yv&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozNjAyODM5LCJwb3N0X2lkIjoxNTkyMTY0NTAsImlhdCI6MTc0MjIxNDgxMywiZXhwIjoxNzQ0ODA2ODEzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTYyMTk2Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.5WugubqvduMsxIEqQW94hnXcTGJIBfhV-GUqYkLXAr8&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email)
- [Black as Hell, Strong as Death, and Sweet as Love - The Coffee Book](https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-HELL-STRONG-DEATH-SWEET/dp/B0DS2G4TLM)
- [Devalued points and no free bags at Southwest](https://onemileatatime.com/news/southwest-devaluing-rapid-rewards-points/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=today_on_omaat&utm_term=2025-03-12)
- [Southwest Credit Card offers](https://money.usnews.com/credit-cards/southwest#:~:text=With%20the%20Southwest%C2%AE%20Rapid,Best%20Feature)
- [The Unauthorized Travel Manual: Secrets For a Smarter Trip From a Nationally Syndicated Columnist and Consumer Advocate - by Chris Elliott](https://www.amazon.com/Unauthorized-Travel-Manual-Nationally-Syndicated-ebook/dp/B0DY56Z8HS)
- [What if the airline doesn't have a seat for you?](https://www.travelersunited.org/denied-boarding-rules/?utm_source=newsletter)
- [Eight Travel Planning Mistakes to Avoid](https://www.travelersunited.org/eight-air-travel-planning-mistakes-to-avoid/?utm_source=newsletter)
- [Find warnings about foreign travel here](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email)
- [Amazon.com: New Apple AirTags](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=new+apple+air+tags&hvadid=694305169405&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9032537&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12990220475300111538&hvtargid=kwd-1301407839982&hydadcr=28188_14513108&mcid=4935161b60cf3d8abc5c4c50fa843c13&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_74tim0gfjx_e)
- [Top Tips for Choosing a Cruise Ship Cabin](https://travelguysradio.com/sites/default/files/2025/02/ten-tips.pdf)
- [Know the TSA firearms travel rules for passengers on planes](https://www.travelersunited.org/tsa-firearms-travel-rules/?utm_source=newsletter)
- [Tourism Cares](https://www.tourismcares.org/)
- [100 Hotels of a Lifetime](https://www.amazon.com/100-Hotels-Lifetime-Ultimate-Retreats/dp/1426223153)
- [How you can find on-time statistics on airline websites](https://www.travelersunited.org/how-to-find-on-time-statistics-on-airline-websites/)
- [Check parking lot availability at the Sacramento International Airport before leaving home](https://sacramento.aero/smf/to-and-from/parking)
- [Locate a cruise ship anywhere in the world](https://www.cruisemapper.com/)
- [Renew your US Passport online here](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew-online.html)

Tags: [air travel](https://travelguysradio.com/tag/air-travel), [airlines](https://travelguysradio.com/tag/airlines), [American Airlines](https://travelguysradio.com/tag/american-airlines), [Hilton](https://travelguysradio.com/tag/hilton), [junk fees](https://travelguysradio.com/tag/junk-fees), [national parks](https://travelguysradio.com/tag/national-parks), [Odds & Ends](https://travelguysradio.com/tag/odds-ends), [REAL ID](https://travelguysradio.com/tag/real-id), [smarter traveler](https://travelguysradio.com/tag/smarter-traveler), [travel news](https://travelguysradio.com/tag/travel-news), [visit California](https://travelguysradio.com/tag/visit-california)

Previous Episode: [Mackinac Island: the most magical of destinations](https://travelguysradio.com/2025/05/09/mackinac-island-most-magical-destinations) — May 10, 2025
Next Episode: [Tariffs are not only impacting vacationers from other countries, but business travelers too](https://travelguysradio.com/2025/05/23/tariffs-are-not-only-impacting-vacationers-other-countries-business-travelers-too) — May 24, 2025

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