Tag: San Francisco, Page 3

On the Saturday, May 18th, 2024 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, both TSA and AAA say the number of people traveling on Memorial Day Weekend will set a record; the Mirage is closing in Las Vegas and we tell you about a cruise ship that failed a CDC inspection. The FAA reauthorization bill has made it through Congress, and with it come some long overdue passenger protections. We’ll review them and tell you about the goofy lawsuit a number of airlines to try and block them from taking effect. “After all, if consumers know the costs up front, how can they possibly be trusted to make an informed decision.” Carnaval San Francisco is the largest and longest running cultural event in the country. We’ll tell you how you can be a part of it in the Mission District next weekend. Susie Stocking and her group of dedicated volunteers continue to look after the veterans who make the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery their final resting place. Be a part of their annual golf tournament and support their efforts to decorate 35,000 graves at Christmas. Our final story focuses on currency exchange when you travel outside the country and how to avoid onerous fees.

On the Saturday, April 20th, 2024 edition of The Travel Guys… In The Travel News, San Francisco reacts to Oakland's decision to change the name of the Oakland Airport to include the words "San Francisco Bay Oakland Airport" and Amsterdam takes a number of steps to try and reduce over-tourism, the latest destination to do so. "Would you trade seats with me," has become a common passenger-to-passenger request on planes. But with airlines charging extra for many seats, it's become a request that doesn't get a positive response more and more often. Mark talks about how to handle both sides of the "seat swap" equation. Personal flying vehicles (cars in the sky) might be closer than we think. Consumer advocate Chris Elliott (www.elliott.org) joins us from Aruba to talk about his recent column on the subject, and to talk a bit about Aruba. Clayton Whitehead joins us to talk about the recent eclipse. He experienced it with 70 Sacramento travelers and offers some fascinating insights.

On the Saturday, September 30th, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Pier 39 in San Francisco celebrates its 45th birthday, and Delta Airlines, they who boldly wiped out their frequent flyer program two weeks ago, admit perhaps they went too far. The Chief Health officer of a major airline says there are five things he absolutely would not do before or during a flight. We share those with you in our Smarter Traveler segment. The junk fee situation is spreading and getting more ridiculous. Now restaurants are adding bogus surcharges to their bills. The latest update on how travel vendors are digging into our wallets. Our Odds and Ends segment includes some good news for travel advisors and Mark's lament on the disappearance of the "shoulder season" for travel.

On the Sunday, May 14th 2023, Mother's Day edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, pilots from several airlines have voted to authorize a strike? What does this mean for summer travel? We share an important take on the situation. Airfares dropped a bit in April. Does this mean the long upward climb in fares is over? Clearing customs is always a bit stressful, whether you are coming to or going from the United States. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we give you some tips on how to make your customs encounter as brief as possible by helping you be prepared. Carnaval in San Francisco is a fun, all-free event that is back for its 45th year this Memorial Day weekend. Find more info on the event here. Chris Elliott, Consumer Advocate, joins us from Christchurch, New Zealand, to discuss the automation of the travel industry and why it might be moving just a little too fast, from a customer services standpoint. Plus, why does it take so long to get a refund everyone agrees you are owed. Chris reminds us the importance of being patient, polite and persistent when chasing your money.