Tag: smarter traveler, Page 42

On the Sunday, May 21st, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Uber says child seats will be available in some cars soon, and if you want to rent a boat, check with Uber. This past week, United Airlines instituted one of the biggest points/awards devaluations in the history of points programs. What your points bought yesterday are not what they will buy today. We discuss in our Smarter Traveler segment. Getting through the TSA checkpoint at the airport is something that stresses a lot of travelers. Syd Hanna of Sacramento TSA joins us to give you some tips on what you can and cannot take through TSA. What are the best and worst cities in the country for hotels? Speaking of hotels, there's a small one in rural northeastern Oregon looking for a manager. Both stories are part of the show's final segment.

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.

On the Sunday, May 7th, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, turns out car crash test dummies are only designed to test MALE reactions to crashes. FEMALE crash dummies don't exist, and the figures say they should. Ladies are different. Plus, we share some wisdom on exchanging currency in foreign countries. Our Smarter Traveler segment warns you about a new fee some smaller hotels are slipping in, and there is some good news on the Resort Fee front. Mark returns from a trip through Nevada with one of his Sports Leisure Vacations tour groups, and shares details of his journey, filled with tips so you can create your own Ghost Town journey in Nevada. There is another warning about public charging stations in airports, this time from the FBI; and Wallet hub tells us what it's survey says are the best and worst airlines.

On the Sunday, April 30th, 2023 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, a woman got arrested in Sydney, after arriving on a flight from LA with a 24-carat gold-plated gun in her luggage. Yosemite National Park is closed after warm temperatures brought the much dreaded spring melt flooding. Mark relates two situations which occurred on a flight he was on Saturday night, as examples of games people play with flight attendants. Hiding over-the-limit carry-ons and not following rules regarding pets on board are two examples he witnessed. Conceding it's possible for a flight attendant to have a bad day, one has to keep in mind they can have you removed from the aircraft, or worse. Mark suggest picking your battles carefully, or maybe just not playing stupid little games. Do you really think you are the first person ever to use a coat to conceal an extra carry-on? Be a smarter traveler and give the flight attendants a break. Is inflation having a bearing on the travel decisions you make for this summer? Or just ridiculously high prices. The guys talk about why this might be the year to pick a less-popular destination. Finally, Mark shares some of his experience from the second half of his journey with 29 travelers down the Chicago-Oklahoma City portion of fabled Route 66. He highlights some of the classic attractions, hotels and restaurants along the old highway and talks about why you might consider a short journey if you can't make an extended trip.