100 episodes

Listen in to The Travel Guys where everyday people come to learn how to become a smarter traveler. Hosted by Mark Hoffmann and Tom Romano. The show airs live every Saturday, from 11am-12pm on KFBK AM 1530 and Newstalk 93.1 FM in Sacramento, CA. The show also streams live from kfbk.com.

Travel Guys Radio Travel Guys Radio

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 11 Ratings

Listen in to The Travel Guys where everyday people come to learn how to become a smarter traveler. Hosted by Mark Hoffmann and Tom Romano. The show airs live every Saturday, from 11am-12pm on KFBK AM 1530 and Newstalk 93.1 FM in Sacramento, CA. The show also streams live from kfbk.com.

    New York City has toughened up the rules for renting out your place

    New York City has toughened up the rules for renting out your place

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    On the Saturday, March 9th edition of The Travel Guys… 



    * In the Travel News, New York City has toughened up the rules under which you can rent out your place in The Big Apple, and hotels appear to be benefiting from the change. Plus, Costco has a great discount deal for Southwest flyers.

    * In our Smarter Traveler segment, we discuss “authentic” travel experiences. If you want authentic, be careful and do your homework. Authentic in another country might be a fried dog hanging in a shop window (Viet Nam) or cooked eel (Sweden). Maybe authentic to you is having your hotel room overlook the town square. Except if there’s a big celebration and noise continues until 4am, you might think that wasn’t the best decision. Homework. Do your homework before making any major travel purchase.

    * Charlie Leocha from Travelers United is our guest. Charlie explains that just because Congress passes a law, it isn’t really a law until it’s written and put into effect. That can often take years and more than one administration for things to actually be enforced. Family seating and compensation for delayed bags are two examples of things Congress approved but we are still waiting for the rules to be put in place. For 6-7 years we have been waiting.

    * Our odds and ends segment offered tips on how to resolve issues with a vacation rental, the scary thought that dynamic pricing could be coming to restaurants and there is a new tipping app to cover those folks you never seem to have a couple of bucks in your pocket to reward their services.



    Highlights



    * Consumer Alert: Please stop booking trips with these ailing companies!

    * Travelers United

    * Tipping with the server standing right over the top of you

    * California State Parks Parking and Use Fee info

    * Wheelchair polices, airline by airline

    * Uber from the airport – where it costs the most

    * How to get a digital ID

    * Tips for driving in winter weather

    * Say hello to the ocean on Icon of the Seas new cabins

    * Traveler’s United Mobility Friendly Travel Guide

    * Reports from on board the 9 month cruise

    * Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott

    * a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.travelersunited.org/should-we-mask-again-to-prevent-covid-flu-a...

    • 42 min
    Marriott’s Bonvoy Rewards Program passes 200 million members

    Marriott’s Bonvoy Rewards Program passes 200 million members

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    On the Saturday, March 2nd edition of The Travel Guys… 



    * In the Travel News, Marriott’s Bonvoy Rewards Program passes 200 million members, we talk about why Hertz’ move to electric cars bombed and how your next “flight” could actually be a bus ride.

    * Your boarding pass has SSSS written across it. What does THAT mean? Extra security screening is the answer. We explain in our Smarter Traveler segment.

    * Mark spent a week on the island of Kauai and has a broad range of ideas and suggestions. From accommodations to things to do and where to eat.

    * The IRS baggage fees are not taxable. Which starts to explain why they are so popular with the airlines. The story is part of our odds and ends segment.



    Highlights



    * Tipping with the server standing right over the top of you

    * California State Parks Parking and Use Fee info

    * Wheelchair polices, airline by airline

    * Uber from the airport – where it costs the most

    * How to get a digital ID

    * Tips for driving in winter weather

    * Say hello to the ocean on Icon of the Seas new cabins

    * Traveler’s United Mobility Friendly Travel Guide

    * Reports from on board the 9 month cruise

    * Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott

    * Is it time to mask up while traveling again?

    * Sacramento Airport Parking

    * Double check for things you can and can’t bring through security at the airport

    * Carry On Bag Size Requirements

    * TSA Renewal

    * Seating tips for major US Airlines

    * Denied Boarding Rules/Giving up Your Seat

    * a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.elliott.

    • 45 min
    United and American Airlines raise baggage fees

    United and American Airlines raise baggage fees

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    On the Saturday, February 24th edition of The Travel Guys… 



    * In the Travel News, United and American Airlines raise baggage fees, and American Queen Voyages (the river cruise line) is out of business.

    * A new piece of technology in restaurants is a hand-held software system that allows the server to total your bill, then hand you the machine, in their presence, to decide on a gratuity amount. Is it just us, or is that “in your face” system designed to pressure the diner into a higher gratuity?

    * Carry-on bags have been a pain for airlines ever since they started charging for baggage. If only they would enforce their own carry-on rules, the problem might be solved. We discuss carry-ons and how airlines on one hand are telling you to check your bags, when in many instances there is plenty of room for them in the overheads. What’s up?

    * The mailbag addresses a variety of issues you wrote us about, everything from airline customer service, to state park entry/parking fees and parking charges at hotels.



    Highlights



    * Tipping with the server standing right over the top of you

    * California State Parks Parking and Use Fee info

    * Wheelchair polices, airline by airline

    * Uber from the airport – where it costs the most

    * How to get a digital ID

    * Tips for driving in winter weather

    * Say hello to the ocean on Icon of the Seas new cabins

    * Traveler’s United Mobility Friendly Travel Guide

    * Reports from on board the 9 month cruise

    * Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott

    * Is it time to mask up while traveling again?

    * Sacramento Airport Parking

    * Double check for things you can and can’t bring through security at the airport

    * Carry On Bag Size Requirements

    * TSA Renewal

    * a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-major-airline-with-the-most-space-in-economy-and-the-one-with-the-least/ss-AA1k6xCy?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=bcec585d5bd949398dfd27c5cb3c55bc&am...

    • 44 min
    US Travel Agencies set a January record for air sales

    US Travel Agencies set a January record for air sales

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    On the Saturday, February 17th edition of The Travel Guys… 



    * In the Travel News, US Travel Agencies set a January record for air sales; plus Uber drivers and flight attendants protest in selected cities across the country. Those and other stories in the news.

    * Our Smarter Traveler segment focuses on how travel hackers are looking for your information online every day. We have a few common sense solutions anyone can use.

    * Surge, peak, high season, whatever you want to call the highest prices for hotels, airline tickets and attractions, they are all managed by dynamic pricing. With summer just around the corner, Mark and Tom explain how dynamic pricing impacts your vacation and other travel.

    * Our Odds and Ends segment features an update on the future of America’s biggest river cruise line….the news isn’t good, but it isn’t horrible…yet.



    Highlights



    * Wheelchair polices, airline by airline

    * Uber from the airport – where it costs the most

    * How to get a digital ID

    * Tips for driving in winter weather

    * Say hello to the ocean on Icon of the Seas new cabins

    * Traveler’s United Mobility Friendly Travel Guide

    * Reports from on board the 9 month cruise

    * Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott

    * Is it time to mask up while traveling again?

    * Sacramento Airport Parking

    * Double check for things you can and can’t bring through security at the airport

    * Carry On Bag Size Requirements

    * TSA Renewal

    * Seating tips for major US Airlines

    * Denied Boarding Rules/Giving up Your Seat

    * How to win your consumer dispute using the Elliott Method

    • 43 min
    Boeing’s planes are back in the sky, but would you fly on one?

    Boeing’s planes are back in the sky, but would you fly on one?

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    On the Saturday, February 10th edition of The Travel Guys… 



    * In the Travel News, Boeing’s planes are back in the sky, but would you fly on one (hint there have been very few cancellations)? Protesters have blocked the train tracks leading into Machu Pichu in Peru, keeping tourists from visiting.

    * You are considering taking a cruise. Friends and/or family have decided to join you. Sounds wonderful, right? Sounds like a situation that will thrive with some advance planning and open discussion. Mark and Tom talk about how to take a cruise with first-time traveling friends and survive with your relationships intact. All part of our Smarter Traveler segment.

    * The president’s war on junk fees has had little impact. He’s tackling family seating on planes now, and could potentially have more success.

    * Our odds and ends segment features a story about a group that thinks they have found the remains of Amelia Earhart’s plane on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. And Senator Ted Cruz wants more secure airport experiences for lawmakers. Private screenings included. But he may have some alternative reasons for his wish list. We’ll discuss Cancun Cruz.



    Highlights



    * Uber from the airport – where it costs the most

    * How to get a digital ID

    * Tips for driving in winter weather

    * Say hello to the ocean on Icon of the Seas new cabins

    * Traveler’s United Mobility Friendly Travel Guide

    * Reports from on board the 9 month cruise

    * Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott

    * Is it time to mask up while traveling again?

    * Sacramento Airport Parking

    * Double check for things you can and can’t bring through security at the airport

    * Carry On Bag Size Requirements

    * TSA Renewal

    * Seating tips for major US Airlines

    * Denied Boarding Rules/Giving up Your Seat

    * How to win your consu...

    • 42 min
    Las Vegas hotels and restaurants are raising fees/prices for the Super Bowl

    Las Vegas hotels and restaurants are raising fees/prices for the Super Bowl

    Listen Now





    On the Saturday, February 3rd edition of The Travel Guys… 



    * In the Travel News, most of the news is BAD. Las Vegas hotels are raising resort fees and restaurants are raising their prices for the Super Bowl, Uber’s rides continue to cost more, Jet Blue is going to charge you for advance seat selection for more seats on every flight, and the fees on Delta’s credit card are going up 50%.

    * Our Smarter Traveler segment talks about an endangered species – customer service. Case in point, American Airlines is cutting hundreds of call center positions that handle travel issues and complaints. And telling us it’s going to make American BETTER. Can you say BS?

    * Our Odds and Ends segment features stories about how travel companies are collecting your private information to create pricing, hidden cameras in vacation rentals and why you might need a special class to learn how to negotiate a Disney theme park.

    * Charlie Leocha from Travelers United joins us to talk about the crowd coming in the skies. Charlie says flying cars, drones and other traffic is about to compete with airplanes and it’s time to consider some regulations. Crazy? Maybe not.



    Highlights



    * Uber from the airport – where it costs the most

    * How to get a digital ID

    * Tips for driving in winter weather

    * Say hello to the ocean on Icon of the Seas new cabins

    * Traveler’s United Mobility Friendly Travel Guide

    * Reports from on board the 9 month cruise

    * Consumer Advocate Chris Elliott

    * Is it time to mask up while traveling again?

    * Sacramento Airport Parking

    * Double check for things you can and can’t bring through security at the airport

    * Carry On Bag Size Requirements

    * TSA Renewal

    * Seating tips for major US Airlines

    * Denied Boarding Rules/Giving up Your Seat

    * How to win your consumer...

    • 43 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
11 Ratings

11 Ratings

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