The Travel Guys

In the Travel News, a lawsuit reveals just how much Marriott is making on “resort/destination” fees. Hint: It’s in the tens of millions annually. American Airlines is the latest melt down, canceling over a thousand flights this weekend alone; and passport wait times are starting to get shorter. Theater in Sacramento has been on hiatus due to COVID issues, but now it’s back. Hamilton had a successf...

In the Travel News, hotel occupancy in the US hits a post-COVID high over Columbus Day weekend, and the White House says the vaccine mandate won’t get in the way of holiday travel. Hotel taxes are climbing in Hawaii, Lyft finally shares a report on sexual assaults. Maybe we should have seen these numbers earlier. Our Smarter Traveler segment takes a look at on board airline etiquette. Perhaps we c...

In the Travel News, vaccinated international travelers will soon be welcome in the US, an international airline (SAS) is ditching the mask requirement for some flights, and Captain Kirk soars into space. Our Smarter Traveler segment talks about United Airlines extension of many travel credits/vouchers, and an update on the Southwest meltdown from last week. Ed Perkins, travel journalist and advoca...

In the Travel News, Southwest Airlines had another meltdown this weekend, with flight cancellations numbering well over 1,000. Depending on who you speak to, it was either due to bad weather in Florida, a shortage of staff and crew, or the alignment of the moon. Canada is telling travelers you must be fully vaccinated. This is for international AND domestic travelers, arriving by flight, train or...

In the Travel News, United lays off far fewer non-vaccinated employees than first projected, and reentering the US from an overseas country is going to be a bit more difficult. Our Smarter Traveler segment sends a red flag for car rentals over the holidays (reserve NOW), and new software is limiting fuel burning time on the runway. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra annually provides one of the most daz...

Delta Airlines says it makes no sense to ban flyers from one airline unless they are banned from all airlines. Makes perfect sense to us. Plus, knowing getting thrown off a plane for not obeying a flight attendant or refusing to wear a mask could make it so you couldn’t fly anywhere ever might be a bit of a deterrent to some. Maybe. Speaking of airlines, American Airlines made some serious changes...

In the Travel News, the DOT is investigating a number of airlines who didn’t provide refunds in a timely manner, or misled travelers into thinking they couldn’t get a refund for their ticket. Southwest announces no booze on their planes until at least next year, and we talk about the last term changes brought to travel by the events of September 11, 2001. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we remind...

In the Travel News, Maui has joined Oahu in creating a program which insures travelers who enter restaurants, and other indoor venues, have proof of vaccination, either through a unique program on your phone or by presenting a vaccination card. The Queen Mary, which has been enjoying retirement in Long Beach for the past 50 or so years, may be done as a tourist attraction. Plus, United Airlines ha...

In the Travel News, the Canadian and Mexican borders remain closed. But wait, it’s only the BORDER that’s closed, you can still get into Mexico and Canada by air. What the heck? And you’ll be masking up on planes and trains until January of next year. If you have to pre-test for COVID before traveling, there are a few really important things you should know. Also, here is an age-old simple credit...

In the Travel News, San Francisco has become the first major city to require vaccinations at many indoor venues, including restaurants. Seems as though New Orleans might be next. Mark reports on a new railroad in the Rockies, a ride which takes you to the edge of the Utah National Parks. Mark was in the Chicagoland area last week, around O’Hare Airport, attending a conference. He has reviews on a...

In the Travel News, if you want to attend theater in San Francisco or on Broadway this fall, you are going to have to wear a mask and be vaccinated or tested to get into the theater, at least until November. Two people headed into Canada found that having false documents will set you back a healthy chuck of cash and American and United follow Delta by saying to their frequent flyers: your benefits...

In the Travel News, Canada will open to US visitors on August 9th, but the US won’t open to Canadians (and perhaps people returning from Canada) until August 21st at the earliest. Is it just us, or is something wrong with the way the dates (don’t) line up? Delta has promised its frequent flyers their status will be preserved into 2022 and a report says the price of an Uber ride has gone up 9% in j...

In the Travel News: COVID and travel are making a comeback at the same time. Can tourism prevail? Or are we destined to go back into hiding? We have a breakdown. Southwest Airlines offers an apology for a string of incidents which have left many people short of their destination in the past few weeks, and an airport piano player in Atlanta is the subject of a feel-good story. Our Smarter Traveler...

In the Travel News, The mayor of Maui, Hawaii asks the airlines to cut the number of seats on flights to his home island. Too many tourists, the mayor says. Canada updates its travel policy, but it doesn’t help Americans; and Hilton becomes the first major chain to eliminate daily housekeeping at most of its hotels. In our Smarter Traveler segment, with summer flight delays and cancellations on th...

In the Travel News, Southwest and American are short staffed and it’s starting to show on the front line, Hawaii is dropping the quarantine for vaccinated travelers and if you were a fan of the TV show Friends, we have a cruise to tell you about, where you can relive those TV memories. Joe Brancatelli, author of the Joe Sent Me web site, is ranting about airlines again. Justifiably so, as fares go...

In the Travel News, Southwest Airlines had a week of computer glitches and delays throughout their system, and since they aren’t really saying why it happened, no one knows if the coming week will bring a repeat. National Parks are reporting long lines to get in, so make sure you know if you need a day pass, camping permit or whatever, because you don’t want to be turned away. One of the “voluntee...

In the Travel News, Southwest will add flights to Palm Springs and Kona this fall and we have the latest episodes of “people behaving badly on planes.” In our Smarter Traveler segment, Hawaii’s governor has spelled out when the testing and quarantines might be relaxed; cruise ships are getting back in the ocean – with one already reporting positive COVID passengers on board; and the CDC has change...

In the Travel News, Florida governor Ron DeSantis has an interesting Catch-22 on his hands. The cruise lines can’t sail from Florida, even on test cruises, until they reach 95% vaccination for passengers and 98% for crew. But DeSantis has declared no one will have to give out their vaccination status in Florida. So how do the cruise lines meet those thresholds? Mediation has broken down, cruise li...

In the Travel News, cruise ships are getting approval to begin the process of sailing again, and a Sacramento flyer will never board a Southwest plane again after attacking a flight attendant. Vaccine passports are becoming a reality in many international countries. Want to travel? You may need one, like it or not. We’ll give you an update in our Smarter Traveler segment. Plus, Airbnb is getting a...

Mark is live from Oracle Park in San Francisco, Tom is in studio in Sacramento. In the Travel News, Spain says if you’ve been vaccinated, welcome; as we predicted last week, at least half of the Alaska cruise season has been salvaged, and the Canadian and Mexican borders remain closed for another month – but there’s a glimmer of hope. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we tell you which hotel chains...

In the Travel News, Hawaii is expecting a big summer with lots of visitors – but vaccine/testing requirements remain in place for most. USTOA, one of the country’s largest tour operator groups, says despite limited cruising, Alaska is the most inquired about/booked destination for the summer, with Arizona, Florida, Wyoming and Utah close behind, as travelers continue to prefer beaches and wide ope...

In the Travel News, reopening continues at museums, hotels and attractions, especially theme parks. Southwest has announced new service to two Pacific Northwest cities, Eugene, Oregon, and Bellingham, Washington. While you would have to connect to those destinations (no non-stops from Sacramento), it’s important to note that Bellingham is very close to the Canadian border (when it reopens) and is...

In the Travel News, Carnival Cruise Lines threatens to move operations off shore if they aren’t allowed to sail from US ports, many national parks will be tied or appointment entry only this summer and we tell you about a new airline taking to the sky, headquartered in Burbank. Baby’s Away is the place to get travel supplies to help you go the distance with mini-travelers. Now you know all about t...

In the Travel News, the CDC has a host of new guidelines for travel, starting with domestic trips and including guidance for the cruise lines. American Airlines says you can travel to Italy without a quarantine and several airlines have weighed in on the laws which appear to restrict the ability to vote in Georgia and other states. Mark headed to Seattle for business and a little baseball this wee...

In the Travel News, New York City launches an effort to vaccinate all the workers in the theater district, the former president’s hotels get dumped by a major booking group and a Southwest pilot has a rant on an open mic that probably won’t end well for him. In our Smarter Traveler segment, we talk about stadiums, theaters, spring and summer festivals, cruise ships, restaurants, even crowded hotel...