smarter traveler Page 71

On the Sunday, January 31st, 2021 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, President Biden has made masks officially mandatory on trains and planes (or in/on federal land/property); Tauck Tours has launched its first trip in 10 months, and American Airlines is watching for cheaters - skiplaggers, you know who you are. The idea was floated last week to require passengers on domestic airline flights to be COVID tested before flying. The airlines were not enamored by the idea, nor was the public. Where do you stand? We talk about it in our Smarter Traveler Segment. Travelers United, in Washington, D.C., is always looking out for the traveler on the road. They believe airlines need a Sick Passenger Rule. Charlie Leocha, President and Co-Founder, joins us to explain how he thinks it could work, and why it's important. Rob Stewart has been the host of Rob on the Road on KVIE Channel 6 for a decade. We celebrate 10 years on the road with Rob and talk about the differences in virtual vs. in person broadcasting.

On the Sunday, January 24th, 2021 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, several of President Biden's Executive Orders during his first week on the job have impacted the travel industry; and could you live inside an airport for three months? We'll tell you about one man who did. Vaccines and travel are undoubtedly going to be linked in the short term. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we discuss when this might happen and what alternatives might be available for someone who doesn't have one of the COVID vaccines. The Cowboy Poetry Festival in Elko each January is a unique cultural arts event, but this year it will be virtual. That means you can buy a ticket and attend online. Learn more about this long-running event. Southwest Airlines has announced how they are handling their A-List traveler benefits. The monarch butterflies come to Pacific Grove each winter. But not this winter. We have an update on this vanishing natural wonder.

On the Sunday, January 17th, 2021 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, if you are coming or returning to the US, you will need a covid test. Norwegian Airlines, famous for super low fares across the Atlantic, has become the latest victim of covid. The airline will no longer fly across the pond, rewriting itself as a much smaller regional carrier. The rules for traveling to Hawaii continue to evolve, and in our Smarter Traveler segment, we will update you on the new way to visit Kauai without a quarantine, and review the rest of the current Hawaii covid travel rules. Normally, in the days leading up to the inauguration of a president, Washington, DC would be abuzz. But, because of covid and recent violence at the Capitol, there won't be spectator events. But you can still "attend" the inauguration. Destination DC has prepared a virtual tour of the city, taking you to dozens of sites related to the event. You can link to the virtual itinerary here. The Mail Bag segment is always popular. Mark answers your questions on animals in the air, hacker fares on airlines, travel credit cards and vaccinated travel.

On the Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Uber is telling riders wear a mask, properly, or you aren't riding again. Alaska Airlines is tightening which animals are allowed on its planes, and its bad news for those with "emotional support animals." Norwegian Cruise Lines is waiting until at least April to sail again and the island of Kauai is trying to find its way with tourism. Many people have flight credits on a variety of airlines for trips they couldn't take in 2020. You need to watch the expirations dates and a few other things so your "asset" doesn't lose its value. We help in our Smarter Traveler segment. Click here for a list of things you should know about your flight credits. Our friend and Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott opined about travel, covid and vaccines last week. We asked him on to talk about how the vaccines might help travel and how that could impact you. The late song writer and vocalist Dan Fogelberg has a tune which is played a lot this time of year. Same Old Lang Syne is about meeting an old flame by chance on New Year's Eve. It's a longtime holiday standard. Bet you didn't know it's a true story! Our entertainment segment gives you the rest of the story.