On the Sunday, November 10th 2019 edition of The Travel Guys, live from Sacramento and Kapa'a, Hawaii, on the island of Kauai… In the Travel News, Airbnb deals with a halloween party gone very bad in northern California and announces some new safety regulations. Are they enough? Homeland Security is starting to realize that Real ID may have some problems getting everyone ready to travel by October 1st of next year and is proposing putting more of the application process online. We also share the five hottest international destinations for US travelers right now. We talked with Travelers United about the upcoming airline evacuation tests. The consumer advocacy organization is concerned about how the tests are going to be conducted and if they will be a realistic look at getting today's passengers off the plane in 90 seconds in an emergency. Joe Brancatelli from the travel website Joe Sent Me talks about the points and mileage game, and gives some great information on why you should or shouldn't play, and if you play, some rules to follow.
On the Sunday, November 3rd, 2019 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, we suggest you check out a sale Princess Cruises is offering on select departures for the first half of next year (https://www.princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/) and the DOT (Department of Transportation) is looking at relaxing the tarmac rule and it's not good news for travelers. Southwest says the camera in the bathroom incident didn't actually happen (?) and we have an update on tourism in our state. Is it safe to go to areas where fires have occurred? We have an update. Travelers are starting to push back against vendors who are not using sustainable products. The future is NOT plastic, as we discuss in our Smarter Traveler segment. Mark answers your questions from the mailbox on our website (leave a question if you wish), including watching out for bogus fees from 3rd party booking sites and the importance of allowing an extra travel day before a big trip. Finally, Tom tells us all about the annual appearance of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Their holiday show is coming up November 29th in Sacramento.
On the Sunday, October 27th, 2019 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the current administration in Washington has dealt another blow to those wishing to travel to Cuba. Within the next 90 days, all air flights to any city except Havana will be banned. This will make it difficult for Cuban Americans to visit family and relatives on the island, and for travelers to create the best itineraries to visit. The president had already told cruises ships they could no longer call on the island earlier this year. Marriott Hotels appears to be making a real commitment to less waste. The Marriott Marquis in San Francisco has done away with plastic water bottles, installed "filling stations" in the lobby and some Marriott Hotels are using non-plastic straws. We also have some wisdom on words NOT to use when you are trying to resolve a travel issue on the phone, across the counter or by email. The back half of the program features a Travel Round Table with Clayton Whitehead and Gwen Duncan. Both help sell travel to people like you, and they travel often themselves. From the new problem of over-tourism, to the real cost of room service and more.
On the Sunday, October 20th, 2019 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, we talk about cities with the most fake hotel reviews (according to fraud detection company Fakespot). Houston and Chicago top the list. Remember the man who was arrested for "using a cell phone in the lobby while black" at the Doubletree Hotel in Portland last December? Even though he had his room key and was a registered guest? We update the story. Hint: It isn't going to end well for the hotel. More and more travelers are choosing a vacation home when they hit the road. But the new industry is having some growing pains. Like those nasty fees from the hotel industry are starting to become popular with landlords. Chris Elliott, our resident expert on vacation rentals shares his expertise in an extended interview. We have our share of characters who appear on The Travel Guys. This week, we have Meredith J. Eberhart. But we know him by his nickname, NimbleWill Nomad. We reconnected with Will, who likes to hike around the country, to see where he's been and where he might be headed. Learn more about him and his travels with the links below.