Travel Guys Radio
341 episodes - English - Latest episode: 25 days ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsA Travel Show for Everyday People...
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Episodes
New Musical Coming to Broadway
August 17, 2019 18:52 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBOn the Sunday, August 18th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Southwest announces the first of their Sacramento – Hawaii service, Stockton’s new United service to LA debuts next week, and there are new regulations regarding animals on airplanes. * Steve LaRosa is on hand with an updated What’s Going On in and around the Sacramento area (links below). * Clayton Whitehead joins for an update on an exciting new show...
Airline Policies for Passengers of Size
August 11, 2019 12:48 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBOn the Sunday, August 11th edition of The Travel Guys…. * In The Travel News, there are updated travel warnings for Hong Kong, Mark and Tom talk about what the rest of the world is saying about travel to these United States in light of recent mass public shootings and the Sacramento Airport has been named one of the best in the country. * Mark talks about being a smarter traveler when it...
Travel Benefits Cut by Citi Credit Card and Answering Listener Questions
August 04, 2019 18:25 - 45 minutes - 31 MBOn the Sunday, August 4th edition of The Travel Guys…. * In the Travel News, Universal Studios is opening a new theme park, SFO is getting rid of plastic water bottles very soon and Cathay Pacific IS watching you with those seat back cameras. * In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark talks about Citi Bank making drastic cuts to some of the travel related benefits on its credit cards, and we share some basic “idiot”...
How to Avoid Hotel Reservation Cancellations Fees
July 28, 2019 18:08 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBOn the Sunday, July 28th edition of The Travel Guys: * In the Travel News, the Attorney General for Nebraska has joined his counterpart in the District of Columbia by filing suit to stop resort fees. Nebraska filed against Hilton, DC had gone after Marriott. Watch this space for updates. A new Grand Hyatt is opening at SFO and is now taking reservations. Amtrak has announced the first non-stop Acela train, connecting New York...
Hotel Reservation Mishaps with Gwen Duncan
July 21, 2019 16:42 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBOn the Sunday, July 21st edition of The Travel Guys: * In the Travel News, a lawsuit with a former concessionaire has been settled, allowing the National Park Service to call the Ahwahnee Hotel by its actual name again. Confused? We have all the details. And by now, you’ve probably heard the story about the early closing of Daffodil Hill this spring, pointing out how social media is exasperating the “over-tourism” problem…. * ...
10 Great Hotel/Resort Etiquette Tips
July 14, 2019 20:34 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MBOn the Sunday, July 14th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, the battle against Marriott Hotels, and the way they have charged their resort fees for years, has stepped up this week. The District of Columbia A.G. is seeking a court order to require Marriott to change the way they price their product immediately. Perhaps these hated fees may soon have to be rolled directly into the room rate, which would...
New Mexico Travel Guide Part 2: Santa Fe Tips with Steve LaRosa
July 07, 2019 19:29 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBOn the Sunday, July 7th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Mexico has a report on tainted liquor in tourist destinations, and Tauck Tours has added a very unique experience to one of their packages. * Two new lounges have opened at our airport in Sacramento. We have an update on the cost of admission and what those dollars get you. Plus, who is grandfathered in the door…hint, think American Express...
Travel Smarter with These Security Tips
June 30, 2019 21:33 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBOn the June 30th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Boeing is being sued by pilots who say they are losing money and patience with the world’s largest builder of airplanes over the Max aircraft issue. Three California cities are on the list of best places to celebrate the 4th of July, with Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco all breaking the top ten. And what about the lady who...
Tips for Working with Tour Operators
June 23, 2019 20:55 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBOn the Sunday, June 23rd edition of The Travel Guys… * In The Travel News, Hawaii is cracking down on vacation rentals. The rentals have caused an already tight housing situation, particularly on Oahu, to get much worse, both in terms of availability and cost of housing for local residents. TSA is disappointed in the number of people enrolled in Pre-Check, and they are studying an idea that might allow people to pay for the...
Avoiding Fake Travel Reviews with Christopher Elliott
June 16, 2019 19:12 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBOn the Sunday, June 16th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, a recent move by Booking.com may have an impact on the future of resort fees; and Rome has had it with tourists who can’t behave. * In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark once again emphasizes the need to book early and allow plenty of time when you are traveling, particularly if you are utilizing the airport(s). * Chris Elliott joins...
Campfire Safety Tips from Cal Fire
June 09, 2019 17:29 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBOn the Sunday, June 9th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, we tell you how to find out how clean your cruise ship is, and travel to Cuba is being impacted by political maneuvering. Effective immediately, cruise ships will no longer be able to call at Cuban ports. We have details. * In our Smarter Traveler segment, Tom talks to Cal Fire about safety tips for your camping trips this summer. ...
Prepare for Record Breaking Air Travel this Summer
June 02, 2019 20:45 - 34 minutes - 23.4 MBOn the Sunday, June 2nd edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, the signs are everywhere. TSA officers have been reassigned. Summer flying crowds are expected to break records. You must rethink your airport experience. Allow a little more time. And have a plan B. * Employees at the world renowned Louvre Museum in France went on strike to protest overcrowding and a lack of staff. * We offer a replay of our interview with Cynthia...
How to take Advantage of Southwest Sales
May 26, 2019 19:42 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBOn the Sunday, May 26th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, it appears the state of Hawaii is about to take some serious action against Airbnb. A critical housing shortage is being made worse by homeowners ignoring current laws, so stiffer ones are in the making. * In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark tells you how to take advantage of fare sales by Southwest Airlines…the only major carrier who allows you...
Life on the Road with Sacramento Kings Sportscaster Gary Gerould
May 19, 2019 21:31 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBOn the Sunday, May 19th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Boeing says the new software for the 737 MAX is done, they are just waiting on FAA certification. Would you fly in a Max? Listen to what Tom says when Mark asks him that question. FAIRBnB is the new competitor to Airbnb. It promises to be socially responsible to communities as well and renters and home owners. Mark thinks they may...
Recent Service Rankings of Hotels, Airlines, and More!
May 12, 2019 21:15 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBOn the Sunday, May 12th, Mother’s Day edition of The Travel Guys…. * In the Travel News, the Utah Attorney General’s office is investigating Expedia for collusion with some major hotel chains. Speaking of major hotel chains, Hilton has taken over the top spot from Marriott in “brand value,” as measured by Brand Finance Hotels ranking. Marriott’s brand value suffered a 30 percent reduction, while Hilton’s was climbing 17 percent. The brand value is based in part on marketing investment,...
Tips for Visiting Japan and Beach Blanket Babylon’s Last Year
May 05, 2019 16:31 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBOn the Sunday, May 5th edition of The Travel Guys…. * In The Travel News, Marriott is going into the hotel rental business, aka Airbnb. Believe it or not, the same week Marriott makes that announcement, Airbnb announces they are going into the hotel business. Coincidence? We think not. The SAP Arena in San Jose has announced they are joining the growing ranks of public venues adopting a Clear Bag Policy. Basically, it means any bag you...
Basic Economy Airfare and Upcoming Performances in Sacramento
April 27, 2019 19:57 - 45 minutes - 31 MBOn the Sunday, April 21st edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Expedia has struck new deals with suppliers, keeping hotels and air available on their platform. A lack of customs officers is causing problems at airports around the country. The problem: Many of the agents have been sent to the southern boarder by the president and there aren’t replacements available. Lines at Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport have reached 2-3 hours on several...
Safety Tips for Your Hotel Stay
April 21, 2019 14:24 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBOn the Easter Sunday (April 21st) edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, United and Expedia are in a p-ssing contest, which could end up with United flights not being available on Expedia’s various platforms. Sacramento has new air service. Once a day non-stops to Santa Barbara on Contour Airlines. When should you reserve your summer travel? Survey says 5-8 weeks ahead of your flight. Only one problem. That’s based on history. ...
Full-Immersion Cooking Experience in Tuscany
April 14, 2019 18:18 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBOn the Sunday, April 14th edition of The Travel Guys…. * In the Travel News, Mark talks about his trip to Disneyland…..er, Washington, DC this week, to lobby on behalf of the travel industry. Delta Airlines decides to reduce conflict over reclining seats with a simple solution…reduce the amount of recline for their seats. And American quietly introduces a new plane. You know, the one with 15 more seats stuffed into the same sized...
Tips to Stay Safe when Ridesharing
April 07, 2019 21:13 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBOn the Sunday, April 7th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, United has become the latest airline to blow up its award ticket chart. United claims some routes, shorter routes at non-peak times, will go down in price. But there will be no cap, and seats to popular destinations at peak times are going to coast a LOT more points. And you will never know how many. A serious downgrade of...
Why You Might Fly on a Different Airline than the Airline You Purchased From
March 31, 2019 20:05 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBOn the Sunday, March 31st edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, United Airlines cuts the miles needed for some short distance flights, Wow airlines calls it quits and the Simon and Garfunkel Story may be coming to Broadway. * Airline Code Shares are one of life’s great mysteries. You buy a ticket on one airline, and you fly on another. How is a traveler to know when this is happening? Can...
Ways to Prevent Your Accounts from being Hacked
March 24, 2019 17:56 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBOn the Sunday, March 24th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, the big story of the weekend is the rescue of nearly 500 people off the Viking Sky cruise ship off the coast of Norway Saturday and Sunday. 20 passengers were injured in the daring rescue after the ship lost power in extremely rough seas. The ship has now regained its engines and is heading to Nolde Harbor to disembark....
Hidden Challenges of Airbnb/Home Away Rentals
March 16, 2019 15:12 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBOn the Sunday, March 17th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, the Max 8 airplane has dominated the news this week. After its second fatal crash, the planes were pulled from the air all over the planet. We have an update on when the planes will be back in the sky, and how you can get a leg up on the situation in the meantime. American Airlines is bragging about the new...
2019 Customer Service Award Winners
March 10, 2019 19:38 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBOn the Sunday, March 10th edition of The Travel Guys… * In The Travel News, on Friday, the European Union announced that travelers from the United States will need a new type of visa to visit the European Schengen Area. A European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS visa will be required of U.S. travelers trying to enter Europe effective January 1, 2021. The exact cost of the visa is not known at this time. *...
Clayton Returns with Tips for Surviving Long-Haul Travel
March 03, 2019 18:57 - 45 minutes - 31 MBOn the Sunday, March 3rd edition of The Travel Guys… * In The Travel News, Mark has a cute story about a grandmother who posed for a picture on a small iceberg….which was grand, until…grandma floated away! She was rescued by the Iceland version of the Coast Guard. Or maybe you heard the one about the man who threw coins in the engine of a Lucky Airlines plane for good luck. It didn’t turn out...
Potential Solutions for Airline Overbooking
February 24, 2019 22:57 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBOn the Sunday, February 24th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Princess is upgrading the wi-fi on their ships and New Jersey is creating the Anthony Bourdain Food Trail, based on the stops in one of his episodes. In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark has a rant about the weird designs in new hotel rooms. What were they thinking? Plus, his ideas on how to solve airline overbooking and a comment on traveling...
Marriott Rewards Launches Name Change
February 17, 2019 18:43 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBOn the Sunday, February 17th edition of The Travel Guys… Steve LaRosa is in for Tom Romano and joins Mark in the studio. In the Travel News, United Airlines is offering TV for free. That’s on the 211 aircraft which have the in seat back screens. Previously there was a charge, but now you can watch the screens or on your own device for free. Southwest Airlines has declared a “operational emergency.” It appears a...
New Zealand Cruise Vacation Tips with Paul Robins
February 10, 2019 05:59 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBOn the Sunday, February 10th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Britain has declared war on resort fees and other “add-ons,” by declaring all fees must be included in the initial price. FTC in Washington, DC, are you listening? Plus, we tell you whether it’s best to use soap and water or hand sanitizer in the airplane restroom (spoiler alert, hand sanitizer is the right answer). And there’s a flight attendant who went out...
A tip from Mark about booking flights with layovers
February 03, 2019 20:06 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBThis Sunday, on the February 2nd edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, we’ll tell you how you can win a cruise while you are watching the Super Bowl; why the super cold weather they experienced in the east last week is really bad for your phone; and a British newspaper issues a warning about a possible eruption at Mt. St. Helens. But the warning is 15 years old. * In our Smarter Traveler...
The 2019 New York Times Travel Show
January 27, 2019 20:26 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MBOn the Sunday, January 27th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, the shutdown is over, and as predicted on this program last week, it was a crack in the air travel system which finally brought it down. * Mark made his annual visit to the New York Times Travel Show Friday and Saturday, and he has interviews from Provincetown, MA; the San Juan Islands of Puget Sound; and Tahiti. * In...
How the Government Shutdown is Impacting Travel
January 18, 2019 23:35 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBOn the Sunday, January 20th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, bed bugs continue to plague popular destinations. We tell you where they are, and how to keep the little hitchhikers off your stuff. Mohammed Ali’s hometown names it’s airport after him (Louisville). Interesting twist: Ali was terrified of flying. And we take a look at the number one current compliant from vacation share/Airbnb fans…..the rising cost of cleaning...
Update on Enterprise “Ding and Dent” Scam
January 13, 2019 15:45 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MBOn the Sunday, January 13th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, a man is caught trying to smuggle kittens in his pants at the Singapore airport. Four of them in fact. Air Traffic controllers are suing the federal government over the shutdown that has them working without pay checks. * Chris Elliott joins Tom and Mark to share an update on the “ding and dent” scam which appeared to be happening at certain...
Importance of Regularly Checking Your Travel Miles/Points
January 06, 2019 23:22 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBOn the Sunday, January 6th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, the city of Venice is fighting overcrowding by charging visitors a fee, even “day trippers”; and the partial government shutdown may be about to hit airports in a big way, starting next week, as more TSA screeners are starting to look for other employment to pay the bills. Herb Kelleher, the man who helped build Southwest Airlines into a low...
An Entertainment Special Featuring Celebrity Interviews
December 30, 2018 05:46 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBPhoto taken by Matt Becker from Row 8 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN on January 11, 2008, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BarryManilowKeys.jpg On the Sunday, December 29th edition of The Travel Guys, Tom hosts a very special show. We call ourselves the Travel and Entertainment Guys on occasion, because we sometimes are able to set up an interview with a celebrity in the entertainment world. Since folks often include entertainment, festivals and shows in their itinerarie...
How You Might Be Irritating Your Neighbor on the Plane
December 16, 2018 18:38 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MBOn the Sunday, December 16th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, a cruise ship has installed a roller coaster and a U.S. hotel is using robots to deliver room service. Finally, would female travelers like to see “women’s only” sections on flights? Airline passengers do some mighty strange things while flying, many of them to EACH OTHER. In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark shares the list, which features his personal pet-peeve. Mark...
Avoid Making 3 Common Travel Mistakes with Gwen Duncan
December 09, 2018 22:19 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBOn the Sunday, December 9th edition of The Travel Guys: In the Travel News, a woman is suing Hilton Hotels for $100 million dollars after she says an employee video-taped her in the shower and tried to extort money from her. The fear is there may be more videos and more victims. Southwest Airlines is inching closer to service to Hawaii. Mainland employees who have volunteered for Hawaii jobs have been told to report to...
Holiday Travel Tips from a TSA Professional
December 02, 2018 21:17 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBOn the Sunday, December 2nd edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Delta Air Lines has announced new service from Sacramento to Detroit. It begins in June. The westbound flight leaves Detroit at 7:55pm. The return flight is a red eye, arriving back in Detroit at 6am. * Marriott Hotels confirmed a major data breach impacting millions of Starwood customers. The incident began four years ago. Marriott has just begun notifying impacted...
How to know if online reviews are legit
November 25, 2018 21:33 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBOn the Sunday, November 25th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, United flight attendants are setting up picket lines on December 13th at major United hub airports, to protest the cutting of a flight attendant on some long haul flights and other work-condition related issues. Carnival Cruise Lines has announced a change to their on board smoking policy that is a bit draconian. In addition to the possible $500 fine, you could...
Number 1 Tip for Booking Hotels
November 18, 2018 20:06 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBOn the Sunday, November 18th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, the guys break a story about what industries might take advantage of driverless cars. Could they become “hotels on wheels?” And Rome is issuing a handful of new urban regulations designed to take tourists from throwing things into or otherwise abusing the city’s most popular tourist spots. * Amy Travieso from the American Hotel and Hotel Association stops by to...
3 Frequent Mistakes Made When Visiting New York City
November 11, 2018 21:26 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBOn the Sunday, November 11th edition of The Travel Guys… * In The Travel News, the Seattle Airport is beginning an experiment which allows 50 people each day to secure gate passes to meet or say goodbye to their loved ones at the gate. The new program is a trial, and after it ends on Dec. 14th, the airport will decide if the program is made permanent. The final episode of Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain airs...
Ways to prevent getting sick while traveling
November 03, 2018 04:07 - 43 minutes - 40 MBOn the Sunday, November 4th edition of The Travel Guys: * In The Travel News, Southwest Airlines is making is easier to distract yourself by device while in the sky; and we talk about the rise of the single female traveler, and what this growing category of traveler is looking for when they hit the road. * In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about some simple ways to narrow down the opportunity of catching...
Ways to prepare for a more comfortable travel experience
October 28, 2018 06:56 - 42 minutes - 39 MBOn the Sunday, October 28th edition of The Travel Guys: * In the Travel News, Mark reports on a couple who found a camera capable of recording their actions in their stateroom on board a Carnival cruise; and Southwest is getting a little closer to launching lights to Hawaii, but they will not start until after the first of the year. * Our Smarter Traveler segment features tips on things to do BEFORE you travel. ...
Best and Worst Days to Travel Around the Holidays
October 21, 2018 21:40 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MBOn the Sunday, October 21st edition of The Travel Guys… * In the travel news, the Mexican government has created a new higher level of security in Cancun and cruise lines are raising the cost of beverage packages and pre-paid gratuities for your cruise. The increases are fairly robust, as you can see here. * We make you a smarter traveler with updates on the best and worst days to travel around the holidays this year and even share...
Marriott Hotel Strike Update and Smoking Room Charges
October 14, 2018 16:46 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBOn the Sunday, October 14th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, concession prices at Disney World/Land have seen a recent quiet price boast. Some of the increases are as much as 20-25%. The first snow storm of the year is hitting the Rockies today and flight delays in Denver are very possible. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we focus on the wildcat Marriott Hotel strikes happening in mostly large cities in the...
Improve your travel literacy with Christopher Elliott
October 07, 2018 18:52 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBOn the Sunday, October 7th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, the first Krispy Kreme donut store opened in Ireland. It was intended to be a 24-hour a day operation, but after only a week, the overwhelming crowds and traffic problems caused the store to close overnight. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker makes a strange argument. He says seats on his planes with LESS room are actually more comfortable. We find out what...
10 Misleading Travel Terms
September 29, 2018 16:59 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBOn the Sunday, September 30th edition of The Travel Guys… * In The Travel News, a U.S. judge says no to the grizzly bear hunt in Yellowstone, American Airlines is raising the price of alcohol in the sky and one of our favorite hotels might be on the verge of being voted the most haunted hotel in the country! * When you are shopping for travel, certain words and phrases are found often. We’ve corralled 10...
Airbnb’s Hidden Fees and an Update on Redding, CA
September 23, 2018 19:46 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBOn the Sunday, September 23rd edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, American Airlines says if Congress limits what they can charge in ridiculous ticket change fees, they will just make the tickets completely non-refundable/changeable. Where is this spat going? Who knows, but it’s fun to watch… * Hidden fees have come to Airbnb type vacation rentals, and we have some words of wisdom for potential renters. * The Redding area is...
When to cancel travel plans during hurricane season
September 15, 2018 17:12 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBOn the Sunday, September 16th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Sacramento International Airport has a new Director of Airports. She is Cynthia Nichol, a long time airport executive most recently from Portland. The FBI has announced they have found a pair of Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers and returned them to their owner. The slippers had been missing for over a decade since they were stolen from a museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Judy’s...
The importance of doing research before booking your travel
September 09, 2018 17:52 - 45 minutes - 42 MBOn the Sunday, September 9th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, seems as though some travelers buying their Delta tickets through Google Travel may think they are buying a premium economy seat when they really are not. American Airlines is thinking of changing their boarding process just a bit to allow those with nut allergies to pre-board, allowing the traveler to wipe down their immediate seating area to try and make it...
One reason why the cost of travel is increasing…
September 02, 2018 20:12 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBOn the Sunday, September 3 edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Disney Cruise Line has tightened/lengthened the time before your final payment is due and cancellation penalties take effect. United’s president says it’s ok to charge families to sit together, “Because that’s what we do,” and Mark has an update on Alaska Airlines animals on board policy. * In our Smarter Traveler segment, the topic is the cost of travel. Mark...