Tag: CLEAR

On the Saturday, April 27th, 2024 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, we have a double heads up for Swifties heading for Europe for her tour this summer, United Airlines is in hot water over letting passengers into an open door cockpit and we have news on possible changes to seating on Southwest Airlines flights. TSA Pre-Check is a valuable tool for many a road warrior, and even though it's good for five years, ultimately you have to renew your membership. We tell you how and explain Pre-Check to the rookies. None of us like "junk fees," and travelers certainly see more than their fair share. This week brings double good news on that front. A new California law which goes into effect July 1 will eliminate "drip pricing" (where it takes multiples screens to find out the REAL price) and already companies are falling in line to follow the new rules. Plus, the President's office issued two new rules on air travel this week which favor consumers, and force airlines to provide cash refunds instead of vouchers for a variety of offenses. True steps forward. Now we just have to see how the enforcement works. Voices of California is hosting a concert at El Camino High School's Performing Arts Center next weekend. One of their members gave us an update on their Salute to Tony Bennett and a link to tickets can be found on this page. Two Orange County state lawmakers are whining about how the "Clear" lane at the airport allows people to "pay to cut the line." They want to pass a law to do away with the practice. But they forget many companies, Disney and Southwest among them, monetize moving up in line. Mark says the two legislators are way off base.

On the Sunday, July 30th, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, we ask the question, "Can it get too hot for planes to fly?" The answer is yes and it has happened before. Plus, national parks close for snow or floods or other natural disasters, but not for heat. We have a warning for hikers. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about seat switching on planes. You get on board and someone is sitting in your seat. They ask you to switch so they can be with family or friends. What is the proper etiquette here? Is there a time to say yes and a time to say no? Absolutely. And what if the person in question won't give up the seat you paid for? CLEAR is a paid airport program that allows you a line pass in exchange for paying a fee and providing a private company with a lot of personal information. Last summer, CLEAR had what is proving to be a major security breach. Is it time to do away with this private program, or is all this much to do about nothing? In our Odds and Ends segment, we have story that reminds all of us the importance of taking pictures of rental cars on their return; and if you run into a ridiculous priced airport hotel, there just might be an easy way around it.

On the Sunday, July 16th, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, we have an update on the around the world cruise offer we talked about a few weeks ago, and then there's the story of the college student who found it cheaper to commute from southern California to UC Berkeley by air. Mark shares an experience he had that left him grounded last week and pointed out the importance of having the airline's app on your cell phone. If you're a camper, we have a story for you. It's about a portable toilet you can take just about anywhere with you. CLEAR is a program at the airport that allows people to zip through security. But changes are coming and it might not be as quick as it used to be. We have an update.

On the Sunday, April 25th, 2021 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, airlines are expanding summer flight schedules to meet growing travel demand and Hawaii reports hotel numbers are going up each month. Sadly, the Hotel Pennsylvania, the New York Hotel whose phone number, Pennsylvania 6-5,000, became a hit for Glenn Miller, is likely to stay closed. It shut down during the pandemic and its owner wants to demolish the hotel and turn it into a mixed-use tower, something it has been trying to do for nearly 20 years. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we introduce you to CLEAR, a better way to get through security lines at airports. CLEAR arrived in Sacramento in March and we have Mitch Nadler from the company with us to explain how it works, how much is costs and how you can join. In Mark's Just One Man's Opinion piece, he warns us that fuel surcharges are coming to travel very soon, and why on some level, the charges are legit. The second half of the show is for your input on the restart of travel. We open the phone lines, bribe you with an offer of possibly winning a See's Candy Gift Card, and give you the opportunity to share your opinions. Are you ready to travel now? Still waiting for a while? Where are you on vaccines for getting into theaters and events? It's always interesting to hear our audience's take. If you are reading this after the show is broadcast, you can hear the comments on the podcast. The link can be found on this page.