Tag: Southwest Airlines
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TravelCommons Redux — Same Suitcase, Different Traveler
After wrapping up the podcast with Episode #200, TravelCommons is back — in writing this time. With retirement replacing road warrior life, Mark will balance destination stories with advice about trip logistics that actually matters. He leans into serendipity, shares examples from Maine and Hungary trip planning, and lays out his future plans for the blog. Continue Reading →
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Podcast #192 — New Year Travel Planning Tips; Gin Conquers the World
Are people going back to their old travel planning ways? Should you book direct with travel providers or use a 3rd-party? Unpacking Southwest’s cancellation chaos. Gin goes global with a local twist. Continue Reading →
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Podcast #186 — Mask Mandate Scramble; Small Airport Survival
We recap the bouncing ball history of the in-flight mask mandate as we try to figure out where it’s going land now that it’s in the courts. But before that, I recap my trip to Santa Fe, NM, take the flight tracking app Flighty for a spin, and wonder why CLEAR keeps giving away annual subscriptions. Then we dig into… Continue Reading →
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Podcast #185 — Notes on Louisville; Changing Mask Mandates
As the great American philosopher Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast” and in this episode, we talk about the rapid changes in hotel service, and in-flight mask mandates. Then I go into detail about our recent trip to Louisville, complete with recommendations for food and drink. All this and more – click here to download the podcast file,… Continue Reading →
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Podcast #184 — Figuring Out Stealth Travel Inflation
In the travel world, what goes up — rules, fees, prices — often stays up. It’s the ratchet effect and it’s a theme running through this episode. Inflation is on everyone’s mind, and so we dig into travel inflation, comparing today’s prices with pre-pandemic levels. We also talk about US passport renewals ahead of the summer vacation season, and some… Continue Reading →
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Podcast #179 — High-Tech Airport Lines; Business Travel Still Missing
Not much travel, but a lot of travel planning for our first post-lockdown international trip to Italy. Trying to thread our way through changing COVID rules and Alitalia’s bankruptcy throes. I’m getting inundated with discount offers for Clear’s fast-pass service. I’ve resisted them so far, because I remember back to when the first incarnation of Clear wanted to sell its… Continue Reading →
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Podcast #178 — What Remains from Pandemic Times; Best Restaurant and Bars
Last month’s travel got me wondering what travel changes are going to stick after the COVID pandemic begins to recede. With all the restaurant and bar closures caused by COVID lockdowns, I’m updating my recommendations list based on recent travels. And I’m way overthinking our first post-lockdown international trip. All this and more – click here to download the podcast… Continue Reading →
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Podcast #172 — Timeshares Without the Pitch; Notes on Tucson
Escaped Chicago winter for a week of hiking and eating in Tucson; CEO of Koala talks about renting timeshares; travel planning gets hot and then cools back down Continue Reading →