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Tag: Odds & Ends, Page 5

Firefall

An update for travelers heading to Yosemite for “Firefall”

On the Saturday, January 17th, 2026 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, if you are heading to Yosemite National Park for the annual phenomenon known as “Firefall,” we have an important update for you; and did you hear the story about the two ladies who are Only Fans models, and couldn’t find their proper seat on the airplane? When you travel, car rental companies are always in your pocket. They are the nickel and dime kings. Tips on how not to get taken too badly when you rent a car at the airport or elsewhere in our Smarter Traveler segment. Chris Elliott checks out the water served on airlines and shares his thoughts (hint - it isn't pretty) on water that doesn't come out of a bottle, and we also chat about seating on airplanes and how to get what you want/need when it comes to switching seats on board. Our Odds and Ends segment includes info on getting tickets for the 2028 Olympics and we talk about 25 ways travel has changed in the first 25 years of the 21st century.
Greenland houses

United Airlines is returning to Greenland next summer

On the Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the US is getting ready for the World Cup this year and the six million visitors who are coming – if they can get in the country; and United Airlines is returning to Greenland next summer. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we have some passport reminders for you. And if you STILL don’t have a Real ID, TSA now has a policy to get you through security. Not a FREE policy, but at least a way to pay to get on the plane. We pose the question, would you, or have you, let AI book your flights? Our buddy Chris Elliott has penned a column talking about just that. Chris isn’t here in person, but we’ll share his insights with you. Our Odds and Ends portion of the program has some insight from a Travel Guys listener about booking your cabin on a cruise ship; And we take a look at what travel experts see in their crystal ball for 2026.
Death valley

An ancient lake's reappearance adds to the mystery of Death Valley

On the Saturday, December 20th, 2025 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel Guys, the San Francisco Giants have purchased a legendary theater in The City, an ancient lake's reappearance has added to the mystery of Death Valley, and American is cutting back the miles earned on cheap tickets. United Airlines has upgraded its already excellent app and we go over the changes in our Smarter Traveler segment. Airport lounges are all the rage these days, with even Southwest talking about adding places for travelers to escape within the airport. Why is that? We talk with our resident lounge lizard Clayton Whitehead to find out why they are so popular. In our Odds and Ends segment, Mark talks about how new Embassy Suites Hotels aren't so "suite-ish," and it appears hotel lobbyists are trying to curb vacation rentals. Updates on those and other "behind the scenes" stories.
Yosemite view

New entrance rules at Yosemite National Park

On the Saturday, October 4th edition of The Travel Guys, our first broadcast on Sactown Sports 1140… In the Travel News, the government shutdown continues. We have an update on the TSA situation at Sacramento International and the entrance rules at Yosemite National Park. There's a tentative re-opening date for for Hwy 1 near Big Sur and Carnival Cruise Lines has invented Sun Screen flavored ice cream. We aren't kidding. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about rules from hosts of Airbnb properties. If you checked into a hotel room, there would be certain expectations of the condition you would leave your room in when your checked out. But some vacation rental properties are coming up with long lists of rules visitors must follow, or risk additional charges. So where do you draw the line? Chris Elliott (www.elliott.org) joins us to talk about how mistakes by AI are messing with travel, the possible rollback in traveler rights and we ask the question, "are $900 credit cards worth it?" Our Odds and Ends closer points out that many people are mispronouncing the name "Marriott." It's not "Marr-i-ott, it's Marr-i-ett." Did you know Robert Redford loved national parks, in part based on his visit to Yosemite at age 11? He also worked there summers during his high school years.