Modhop Podcast

The guys dial up for another check on each other's health and mental well-being. We skim a few stories including what some airlines are doing to keep their money and what hotels are doing to help in the Covid 19 crisis. Plus, Anthony's got some good ideas for passing the time on YouTube that we look forward to chatting about next time. Listen:

Jake and Anthony dial in from their lock-down spots to talk about airlines extending elite status, the struggle to get groceries and what travel might look like in after-times. While Jake continues to build his emergency basement doomsday studio, his 800 square foot “home studio” brings the noise (dishes, kids playing) but we do our best to make a podcast out of it. Listen:

We're working on our connection but are getting some old AM Stereo-style static, so apologies for the fuzz. If you can handle that part, we get caught up on how each of us order groceries and how often we're going outside during the Covid 19 crisis. Plus, we talk about the Chase Sapphire Reserve $100 statement credit for existing members and Spirit Airlines sudden cancellation of flights to/from t...

Our quickly evolving advice on upcoming travel is at a stand-still, much like most of our lives. Anthony is hunkered-down in Jersey City while we figure out how to do this remotely but Jake’s got some ideas for when you might want to start cancelling flights and takes an optimistic (and wild) guess at when we can start post Covid 19 travel-planning again.

The guys talk about old photos before diving into this week's  travel headlines. Airlines get new guidance on cleaning planes in wake of Covid 19 fears while AirBnB now recognizes "extenuating circumstances" in it's change and cancellation policy. Good deals are found in Delta SkyMiles deals and why it's better to call to make hotel reservations. Plus, Will Anthony's Dad make it back home?

Jake rambles on about getting a few birthday parties in over the weekend before diving into a refresher course in pre-pandemic hygiene. Skip ahead of if you're already skilled at covering your mouth when you sneeze to hear about something new aboard Delta flights. Plus, Jake is further convinced to keep his IHG card.

Jake and Anthony get to quite a bit of rambling on subjects like outlet shopping, golden birthdays, tax time and more. Somewhere, we work in some sweet Bonvoy redemptions at luxury-level hotels, the new Centurion Lounge at CLT and side-eye an opinion piece from USA today about "free" travel.

Southwest leads the news with an unfortunately needed pre-flight announcement addition. Plus we share speculation about potential pitfalls in Alaska Airline's entry into oneworld alliance and debate the pros of solo travel. Also, I think Anthony is sick.

Jake and Anthony talk alternatives for NY flyers now that Global Entry is suspended by the feds. Plus we're excited about a possible Delta One business class lounge and curious as to why neither of us has flown on Southwest Airlines. Also, Anthony buys BTS tickets.

Jake and Anthony chat about flight cancellations, the extended Lunar New Year and we  dig into new rules for "emotional support" animals on planes. Plus, Black Tomato's Tom Marchant stops by to talk about elevating your travel in 2020 and beyond.

Jake tries (and fails) to make his new battle with shingles sound not gross. Once we get past it, there’s news about a pretty fantastic IHG/Chase signup bonus. Plus, United restricts window shade usage and loses those pesky bag sizers at the gate. Listen:

Jake and Anthony go over the newly added Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits to determine if they're worth paying an extra $100 a month for. Plus we give new reasons to love Delta, talk about an out-of-the-ordinary culinary experience in Southern Spain and we check in on the price of shrimp in Chinatown. Listen:

Anthony knew better than to go anywhere near Times Square on New Years Eve so Jake is solo from the SiriusXM Pandora tower in NYC. It’s just a 4+ minute roundup highlighting a favorite year end tradition of someone else’s blog and a peek into some popular travel spots for 2020.

Jake and Anthony get feels for a new (and very temporary) Virgin Atlantic promotion before turning sad about lost bags in Seattle and floods in Ft. Lauderdale. Plus, a quick look back at our favorite travel moments of 2020.

We're both recovering nicely from the SiriusXM Pandora holiday party the night before. Listen as we sleepily slur news on American's new menu partnership, Delta's new anti-upgrade and an IHG hotel booking trick we learned from a Boarding Area partner...

After the guys talk about their favorite grocery delivery services and Jake finishes rambling about last week's sermon at church, we get to the good stuff... Mobile passport is enjoying it's rise while some of it's users get shuffled through customs faster. Plus, a Frontier Airlines reservation scare and more. Listen:

Anthony & Jake mumble plans for our third year of podcasting while getting ready for news. News brings outages for Air Canada, Alternate airport alerts from Google Flights and dig up advice on when to fly in December. Plus, a loose-rules trivia game that lets us know where NOT to visit.

After he rambles on about how tired he is, Jake's airport critique skills are put to the test (using airline-issued pics) as Swiss opens their new Alpine Lounge at Zurich Airport. Plus, get Delta "status" for free and fly a United regional jet...with your bag. All this and Anthony plays game-show host in our first and only "You Can't go There!" segment. Listen now!

An American Airlines flight attendant gets momentary fame for his pre-arrival wakeup call, Delta introduces a status-like subscription and new kiosks make it easier to get into Canada. Plus we discover a guide that breaks down Priority Pass Select membership differences among credit cards that offer them. All that and Anthony & Jake differ on another pronunciation.

United has new rules for achieving elite status beginning next year. We voice our opinion on that and Southwest’s decision to discontinue one of it’s popular discount fares. Plus, an instagram-getter warning if you’re headed to Hanoi. Listen now:

A favorite new travel site of ours, Culture Trip, explores new ways to encourage travel with inciting video and travel guides. Founder Dr. Kris Naudts talks to us about the importance of travel and tells us what the future holds. But for starters, we get into news about a new flight to Paris, a new hotel brand for Hyatt and a way to avoid kids on planes.

Another quick headlines and opinions episode brings news about the return of recently defunct WOW airlines, nasty quipping from United's Twitter team and possible new seats aboard your next Spirit flight. Plus, we'll talk about why it's still a great idea to go to Hong Kong.

A recent American Airlines flight had an unusual passenger this past week. We tell you what it is, talk about our favorite premium credit card and why your Global Entry renewal is taking so long. First, Jake reveals his musical past. Listen now!

More Italy?! Yep. 2019 has been a year dedicated to planning and eventual podcast highlighting Anthony’s trip, but we’re not finished. Former NY Boxing Commissioner and author of the new book “Glove Affair” visits to talk about all-things Amalfi. Plus, we’ve got news on fuzzy-faced flights from Newark and miles that don’t expire!

If plans have you flying to or from Hong Kong, recent protests at the airport mean you’ll need extra time and a map. We touch on recent events there and talk about Southwest’s newest flights to and around Hawaii. Plus, find out why my kids are singing the Canadian national anthem. Listen now!