Travel Guys Radio
341 episodes - English - Latest episode: 25 days ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsA Travel Show for Everyday People...
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Episodes
Interview with 20 Year Burning Man Veteran
August 26, 2018 19:07 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBOn the Sunday, August 26th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, ASTA has changed its name from the American Society of Travel Agents; to the American Society of Travel Advisors. The name change doesn’t require a change in monikers, it still remains “ASTA.” * Ryan Air, one of Europe’s low fare carriers, has endured several strikes by its cabin crews. As Mark relates, one of the crew’s issues is having to buy their...
Purchasing a Ghost Town
August 19, 2018 21:05 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBOn the Sunday, August 19th edition of The Travel Guys: In the Travel News, Southwest Airlines joins the crowd by limiting which animals can join us in the cabin, and United Airlines announces a new way to push the average traveler further to the back of the plane… In our Smarter Traveler segment, we remind you that screenshots with your phone can be your friends. Whenever you are delayed by anything other than weather or...
An app for the best and worst seat on an airplane
August 12, 2018 01:53 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MBOn the Sunday, August 12th edition of The Travel Guys: In the Travel News, Mark has a story about two elderly German guys who went missing…only to turn up at a big heavy metal festival 25 miles away! Alaska Airlines is changing a number of their consumer/traveler friendly policies to bring them in line with their competition. Too bad. In the Smarter Traveler segment, Mark talks about seatguru.com, an app that can help you find the best (and worst) seats on...
Is there ever a good reason to purchase miles?
August 04, 2018 23:21 - 44 minutes - 41 MBOn the Sunday, August 5th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Volaris Airlines is the latest to announce a new service at Sacramento International. The twice weekly red eye flights will take travelers to Leon, the largest city in the state Guanajuato. They will begin November 21st. American Airlines has a dud on its hands. Their *new* buy-on-board BBQ Chicken Sandwich didn’t turn turn quite like they had hoped. It has been discontinued and will be served...
How to protect your electronics while traveling
July 29, 2018 19:16 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBOn the Sunday, July 29th edition of The Travel Guys… * In The Travel News, Marriott says the combining of its frequent guest program with that of Starwood, scheduled to happen in the next two weeks, won’t be automatic. You have to do it yourself. Click here for help. Boeing says they are interested in bringing back Supersonic flights; China says refer to Taiwan the way China wants it referred to, or take your business elsewhere. * In our...
Tips on Hotel Fire Safety, Rental Cars, and More
July 22, 2018 15:56 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBOn the Sunday, July 22nd edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, TSA has a new rule about what you can put in your carry on. We tell you how to avoid extra screening. Hint: It involves powdered substances. * In our Smarter Traveler segment, Clayton Whitehead, sitting in for Tom, asks if you know how to get out of your historic hotel if there’s a fire; and Mark tells you what to do if you show up at the car rental...
Tips on how to get the best airfare
July 13, 2018 03:49 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MBOn the July 15th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, airlines are unbelievably making airplane restrooms SMALLER, and an era ends at Southwest Airlines… In our Smarter Traveler segment, Gwen Duncan shares a couple of hacks to help you get the very best airfare, and maybe even take advantage of a fare mistake by the airlines. Mark digs into the mailbag and answers as many of your questions as time allows, including topics like...
Does your credit card have trip delay protection?
July 08, 2018 15:27 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBOn the Sunday, July 8th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, the FAA says the decreasing size of seats isn’t a safety issue, and Mark reports Christmas season airfares are already high. * In our Smarter Traveler segment, we remind you an important point about Southwest “travel funds,” give you a heads up on booking hotels on “blind” sites and give you a tip about where to find Trip Interruption coverage in your...
A TV Show Featuring the Quirky, Unique Side of America
July 01, 2018 20:42 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MBOn the Sunday, July 1st edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Marriott reveals more details of the new rewards program after their merger with Starwood. The new program rolls out in August. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of the president’s travel ban last week, the travel industry is asking the White House for support as international arrivals are falling off. * In our Smarter Traveler segment, we tell you how to...
Traveling Advice from a TSA Federal Security Director
June 24, 2018 16:10 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBOn the Sunday, June 24th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Alaska Airlines announces the first ever service from Sacramento to the Big Island of Hawaii, 3x a week, starting in time for the holidays. * If you rent an Airbnb in El Dorado County, you will pay more. The popular service is now collecting bed taxes in the county (which includes Lake Tahoe), leveling the playing field for area hotels. * A...
New ‘Do Not Disturb’ Policies Following Vegas Shooting
June 17, 2018 14:09 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBOn the Sunday, June 17th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Delta employees have beautiful new uniforms, but there’s just one catch. Or scratch. And the latest hotel scam seems to involve housekeeping. Not housekeepers mind you, but housekeeping. * In our Make You a Smarter Traveler segment, Mark reports on post-Las Vegas shooting hotel Do Not Disturb policies, and how they might impact your stay. He also addresses the issue, is the Early Bird Boarding Fee...
Outdoor Fire Safety Tips and Remembering Anthony Bourdain
June 10, 2018 15:17 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBOn the Sunday, June 10th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Southwest is selling fewer tickets since the engine incident; and the travel industry appears to be waking up to the dangers of plastic in our ocean, as NCL and a Galapagos Islands tour operator both announce initiatives to keep plastic out of our ocean. Plus soccer fans traveling to Russia for the World Cup are being warned about using their electronic...
Hawaiian Island volcano update…is it safe to go?
June 03, 2018 17:47 - 44 minutes - 41 MBOn the Sunday, June 3rd edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Southwest Airlines decides once a week non-stop to New Orleans isn’t enough, and announces that starting in November, daily non-stops will begin to the Crescent City. Southwest is also adding a Sunday non-stop to Houston’s Hobby Airport, as our air service from Sacramento continues to improve. Steve LaRosa is on hand to share one of his What’s Going On segments. Steve gives us ideas on things...
What to do when a vacation rental goes bad
May 27, 2018 19:31 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBOn the Sunday, May 27th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Mark updates the situation in Hawaii. If you have a trip planned, should you go? If you are thinking of planning a trip, should you? We have an update from Governor and our personal observations based on previous eruptions. Also, tourism is up in Mexico (in a big way), and Southwest Airlines might be thinking about Canada. Our Smarter Traveler segment...
How to Avoid Crowds on your Summer Vacation
May 19, 2018 17:10 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBOn the Sunday, May 20th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, American Airlines is the last of the major airlines to update their policies on animals on board. Miniature horses are in, goats, snakes and insects are out. See the new policy here. The eruption of a volcano on the Big Island is getting in the way of tourists there for a visit….or is it. Mark’s update from the islands says there is no reason...
Tips for Traveling to Third World Countries with Gwen Duncan
May 13, 2018 19:32 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBOn the Sunday, May 13th Mother’s Day edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, the TSA sets a record for one day gun seizures. The alarming news – 3/4 of them were loaded. Mark explains that for the first time a major airline (Southwest) is actually planning to feed passengers to a flight originating from Sacramento. The new Hawaii service will do just that. It’s a major change for our city. Mark...
European Walking Tours and Risks of Traveling with Low-cost Airlines
May 06, 2018 14:27 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBOn the May 6th edition of The Travel Guys: * In The Travel News, McDonald’s has created a new restaurant in Chicago which features all of the products served in McDonald’s Restaurants around the world, read about it here. United Airlines is changing the rules for emotional support animals and it’s good news for those of us who don’t want to share their leg space with a large pooch. * Frontier Airlines has announced they are returning to Sacramento...
Steps for Handling Hotel Reservation Issues with Christoper Elliott
April 29, 2018 15:11 - 42 minutes - 39 MBOn the Sunday, April 29th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Puerto Rico was the winner in the Spring Break sweepstakes, with thousands of visitors pouring onto the island. Probably didn’t hurt that room rates were at all-time low prices. There was a major hack into the electronic hotel key system. Does it mean those electronic keys are no longer safe? * You get to your hotel late at night and...
A Journey Through Route 66
April 22, 2018 17:11 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MBThis Sunday, on the April 22nd edition of The Travel Guys. * In the Travel News, Alaska Airlines has modified their non-service animal pet policy and Marriott has announced details of the new rewards program, post-Starwood merger. The news is great if you stay at Marriott/Starwood a LOT. Not so good if you don’t. * Steve LaRosa is on hand with an updated “What’s Going on” segment. He features the Sacramento Film Festival and has...
Are travelers still seeking out help from consumer advocates?
April 15, 2018 04:37 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBOn this Sunday, April 15th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, the National Park Service has rolled back its plans for a massive price increase in 2020 to something more reasonable after receiving 110,000 public comments on the issue. Alaska Airlines says the price of last minute upgrades are going up while the amount of carry on luggage you can bring on board is getting smaller. There’s a new idea in hotels...
What are the pros and cons to purchasing travel insurance?
April 08, 2018 04:35 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBOn the April 8th edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Mark tells us about a great new Southwest promotion and has two stories about travelers where something went really wrong. One on an airplane and one in a hotel. A Canadian man is being asked to pay $13,500 after his plane was diverted, and another man was banned from a hotel for 17 years after birds ransacked his hotel room. * Clayton Whitehead...
Why to NOT put your room at Marriott on your Marriott credit card
March 31, 2018 23:51 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MBOn the April 1st edition of The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, American Airlines CEO says lousy routes get lousy planes. We sorta knew that, but did you really want to publicly SAY that…and the cell phone service is FINALLY getting better at LAX. * In our Smarter Traveler segment we tell you why your Marriott credit card isn’t the best way to pay the bill for your Marriott stay. Yup, your Starwood AMEX actually...
How to Taste the World with Locals
March 25, 2018 19:47 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBTravel Guy Mark Hoffmann was at the March For Our Lives in Washington, DC yesterday and will share his thoughts on the show On the March 25th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Giants fans may have to pay more to park at A’s games this year……and...
Tom and Steve’s Food Tasting Experience at Milagro Centre
March 18, 2018 16:46 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBOn the March 18th edition of The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Mark takes time to break down the Year of the Dog at United Airlines. The good folks at United sent a dog home to Kansas from Japan in a PRIVATE JET, then diverted another plane to deliver...
What is Dynamic Airfare and is it Legal?
March 11, 2018 20:28 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBOn the March 11th edition of The Travel Guys…. In the Travel News, upscale Ubers and Lyfts in NYC will soon be getting those obnoxious TV screens in the back of the car; and we have a strong warning for those of you who rent cars without knowing the company you are...
Discover the Country of Jordan with Clayton
March 04, 2018 17:41 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBThis Sunday, March 4th, on The Travel Guys: In the Travel News, New York and Virginia tell Delta Airlines if Georgia doesn’t want you, the red carpet is down in their states. Speaking of states, we tell you which are the most sinful ones, according to the Wallet Hub index....
Listener Ride Share Experiences
February 25, 2018 17:05 - 45 minutes - 42 MBThis Sunday, February 25th, on The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Southwest Airlines is charging more to jump to the front of the line at the airport, Caesars says they are coming in your room once a day no matter what, travel companies are abandoning NRA discounts quickly and it’s...
Tips for Traveling Mothers and Those Around Them
February 18, 2018 17:24 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBThis Sunday, February 18th, on The Travel Guys… Gwen Duncan of Cordially Yours Travel joins Mark as Tom is away for a week. In the Travel News, Mark explains that the airlines are coming after consumer rights in Washington, and why it is time to pay attention. Summer Hull from Mommypoints.com returns to the show after a...
Mark and Chris Review a Travel Device
February 11, 2018 06:04 - 42 minutes - 39 MBThis Sunday, February 11th, on The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, did a Spirit Airlines employee really tell a student traveler to flush her support hamster down the airport toilet? And if you fly with American Airlines and you regular complain and get bonus miles, the airline is watching you...
We Want to Hear from Our Listeners!
February 04, 2018 18:07 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBThis Sunday, February 4th, on The Travel Guys… In The Travel News, United Airlines jumps on the Emotional Support Animal controversy after a passenger tries to board in Newark with a support peacock. Megabus is offering tickets to San Francisco for $1, and our airport is growing again, this time with two new lounges...
2018 New York Times Travel Show Interviews
January 28, 2018 20:51 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBThis Sunday, January 28th, on The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Delta’s new rules or service animals are all the talk among travelers. We have an update from a flight attendant here, which offers one point of view. And the Uber CEO says if you tip more, you will have...
Upcoming Changes for Sacramento International Airport
January 21, 2018 19:23 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MBThis Sunday, January 21, on The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, hear about the guy who decided to avoid baggage fees by wearing ALL of his clothes on board, including 10 shirts and 6 pair of pants. He ended up arrested! Mark also warns cruise travelers he has uncovered...
We Chat with Travel Experts about Japan and Iceland
January 14, 2018 17:29 - 45 minutes - 39.8 MBThis Sunday, January 14th, on The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Mark reports on Marriott’s screw up in China, which has cost them their website for a week; and which airlines are listening when you tweet them. It’s become a legitimate way to get the attention of at least...
A Unique Vegas Attraction
January 07, 2018 20:53 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBThis Sunday, Janaury 7th, on The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Mark reports a new extension of the hated hotel “resort fee” is spreading like wildfire in major cities across the country; looks like Guy Fieri has struck out in Times Square once again and a Ryan Air passenger decided...
Airplane Seat Etiquette and Security Tips from TSA Officials
December 24, 2017 01:46 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBThis Sunday, December 24th, on the Christmas Eve edition of The Travel Guys: * In The Travel News, Hyatt changes its cancellation policy and the Department of Transportation has decided not to bring a halt to resort fees, and it’s not good news for consumers. * In our Smarter Traveler segment,...
Airline Bonus Points and the Best Hotel Rewards Program
December 17, 2017 20:58 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBThis week, Sunday, December 17th, on The Travel Guys… In the Travel News, Hilton is working to make your hotel room totally controlled by your phone. When? Where? We have details. In our Smarter Traveler segment, Mark warns against the allure of bonus points from your airline credit card for...
Bare-Bones Economy Seats and River Cruising with Sports Leisure Vacations
December 10, 2017 18:41 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBThis Sunday, December 10th, on The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, American Airlines confirms the seats are moving closer together on their new planes; and Mark has a strong opinion to share on the many opportunities being presented to buy airline and even hotel points. If you...
Discover Important Safety Information about Your Upcoming Destination
December 03, 2017 17:29 - 43 minutes - 39.4 MBThis Sunday, Dec. 3rd, on The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, American Airlines seems to have found enough of their pilots to fly over the holidays…at double holiday pay. American Airlines stockholders should be thrilled. Plus, Mark has the schedules for the new Vancouver – Sacramento service on...
Avoiding Travel Scams and Airport Screening Questions Answered Live
November 26, 2017 21:56 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MBThis Sunday, November 26th, on The Travel Guys: * In the Travel News, Mark has details on an airline and a cruise line that have financial issues. One is out of business, the other probably worthy of a closer look before selecting a cruise. Mark has all the details. * Gwen Duncan has a...
Airport Pet Peeves and Christoper Elliot’s Upcoming Ancestral Trip
November 19, 2017 22:09 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBThis Sunday, November 19th, on The Travel Guys… * In the Travel News, Alaska Airlines fires the next shot in the “California War” with Southwest, offering 5,000 bonus miles on your first flight upon signing up for their frequent flyer program. Click here for details. * Gwen Duncan has a...
Discover Castro Street with a Walking Tour
November 12, 2017 05:48 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MBThis Sunday, November 12th, on The Travel Guys: * In the Travel News, Mr. Marriott, Jr., is suing Mr. Marriott, Sr. – something about a divorce; and Mark has a hint on how to rent a Frank Lloyd Wright House on your next vacation. * The guys answer questions from The...