1 00:00:01,040 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: Conversations on life, style, beauty, and relationships. It's The Velvet's 2 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:08,200 Speaker 1: Edge Podcast with Kelly Henderson. 3 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:16,280 Speaker 2: Okay, we are recording now. It's always so interesting when 4 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:19,759 Speaker 2: I'm doing podcasts with friends because some of my actual 5 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 2: like podcast technique goes out the window. So we'll see 6 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:25,880 Speaker 2: what's about to happen, y'all. My good friend Tyler Deal 7 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 2: is here and he is a travel agent with Zapdog Travel. 8 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:32,199 Speaker 2: You've actually been on the podcast before. Hi, Ti, Hi, 9 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 2: You're like you're one of the OG guests. I feel 10 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 2: way backway. 11 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 3: I actually I end up being like anonymous callers. Every 12 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 3: now and then. 13 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 2: Too, we get random voicemails. We haven't been using our 14 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:48,200 Speaker 2: voicemail system as much. I need to actually go check 15 00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:49,159 Speaker 2: that and see what's happening. 16 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 3: You should check it. 17 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:53,519 Speaker 2: Oh boy, there's probably some gifts for me if you 18 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:56,400 Speaker 2: follow me on Instagram. I recently went on a rant 19 00:00:56,440 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 2: about Expedia. I had some really bad travel well dynamics 20 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:04,600 Speaker 2: happened with them over the holidays, and I had to 21 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:08,160 Speaker 2: eat my words because Tyler told me multiple years ago, 22 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:12,760 Speaker 2: do not ever book through a third party, and so 23 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 2: whenever I was going on this rant and I'll get 24 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:16,760 Speaker 2: more into like the Expedia story in a minute for 25 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 2: those of you who don't didn't see that on Instagram. 26 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 2: But we went back after that happened and we were 27 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:27,399 Speaker 2: thinking about our first podcast. It kind of came back 28 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 2: up because again Tyler had warned me never to use 29 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:33,560 Speaker 2: third party travel for booking, and we were like, whoa, 30 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:37,120 Speaker 2: the whole travel world has changed immensely because that was 31 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,400 Speaker 2: pre COVID. So we're going to kind of get into 32 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 2: some of the same topics, but the updated version, and 33 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:47,360 Speaker 2: Tyler's going to give tips on easy ways to travel, 34 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:49,960 Speaker 2: tips that we should know if you're thinking of booking 35 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 2: a big trip, how things have changed over the years. 36 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 2: But you actually do entertainment travel, which is how we 37 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 2: know each other. So explain to the listeners what you 38 00:01:58,800 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 2: do and how you got into this. 39 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:02,920 Speaker 3: When I was living in Los Angeles, I was working 40 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 3: in hotels as an entertainment sales manager, which is kind 41 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:10,520 Speaker 3: of like when you go and travel, someone is calling 42 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 3: the entertainment sales manager at that hotel to get the 43 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 3: groups set up. Okay, so they're specifically in charge of 44 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 3: the entertainment industry. 45 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 1: Okay. 46 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 3: So that's that's what I was doing in hotels. 47 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:25,600 Speaker 2: So there's like a specific rep for that at each hotel. 48 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:30,960 Speaker 3: Not every hotel, but like the nicer hotel, bigger ones, yeah, boutiques. Yeah. 49 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:36,320 Speaker 3: And so part of that job was me going to 50 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 3: travel agencies and basically selling the hotel, here's our property, 51 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 3: this is what we have, this is what we can 52 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:46,920 Speaker 3: do for you, and then hoping that that agency would 53 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 3: push some of their bookings to our property. 54 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 2: Okay, So that. 55 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:53,960 Speaker 3: Kind of introduced me to the travel agent world because 56 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 3: I didn't before that. I didn't know anything about it. 57 00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:00,240 Speaker 3: And I went to school for hotel restaurant management really 58 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:01,079 Speaker 3: even mentioned I. 59 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 2: Didn't even know that was the thing either, hotel restaurants. 60 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 2: I mean, I get, I's just like I don't know 61 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 2: that you can major in that. 62 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 3: Oh my gosh. Yeah, yeah, it's pretty wild. So I 63 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:14,799 Speaker 3: was seeing these travel agencies, and I think a lot 64 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 3: of people have an idea in their head of what 65 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 3: a travel agent is or does. Yeah, you know, you 66 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:23,960 Speaker 3: think of like someone sitting with like a headset and 67 00:03:24,160 --> 00:03:27,600 Speaker 3: they're booking a cruise or we've talked about this before, 68 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 3: but that's not what I was seeing. I was seeing 69 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 3: these like younger people driving these really nice cars, and I. 70 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 2: Was like, what is it? 71 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 3: Like, I didn't understand what was happening. Yeah, so I 72 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:43,480 Speaker 3: just got tuned in, I guess. And then an opportunity 73 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 3: came up. One of the agents that I was visiting 74 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 3: she was hiring an assistant. And it was kind of 75 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 3: crazy because I was on a track and I decided 76 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 3: to leave this like secure, you know, situation of a 77 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 3: steady paycheck and health insurance and all that to go 78 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 3: work for her as her assistant to learn that side 79 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 3: of our business. And it just went from there. I 80 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 3: worked for her for a little while. She's crazy, but 81 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 3: she did teach me a lot, and she was like 82 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 3: old school Hollywood, like she worked on like Dances with Wolves. 83 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 2: Oh my God, some really big favorite movie. 84 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:28,279 Speaker 3: And because of her, really I got moved into the 85 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:31,480 Speaker 3: entertainment space. And then I went out on my own 86 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:33,720 Speaker 3: and I've been on my own ever since. That was 87 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:37,359 Speaker 3: in twenty fourteen, twenty thirteen. I had an office in 88 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 3: Beverly Hills and then you know, now I'm in Nashville. 89 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:44,919 Speaker 3: I've worked on big budget movies and I do a 90 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 3: lot of music touring and there's more to it than 91 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 3: just that. But it's like the bulk of it is, 92 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 3: you know, moving the tours around from city to city, 93 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:55,720 Speaker 3: and the crew and people like you. 94 00:04:57,560 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 2: I don't That's what I don't think a lot of 95 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 2: people understand about. Like the music industry is a great example, 96 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:05,920 Speaker 2: for instance, with all this touring, you don't really think 97 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:09,039 Speaker 2: about all of the pieces that go into that puzzle 98 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,280 Speaker 2: on a day to day and when you show up 99 00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:13,600 Speaker 2: in the job, like either one of ours, and you 100 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 2: see all of the people and all of the pieces. 101 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:20,279 Speaker 2: I mean, there is so much that goes into people seeing, 102 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:24,320 Speaker 2: especially these big stadium shows and stuff, and you're kind 103 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:26,920 Speaker 2: of at the beginning stages of that. So what kind 104 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:29,839 Speaker 2: of thing are you booking like rooms, flights, all of 105 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:31,279 Speaker 2: that stuff for the tours? 106 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:34,920 Speaker 3: All of it? Yeah, I mean everything from you know, 107 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 3: the plane ticket to the hotel room, to the greeter 108 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 3: at the airport, at the car service that's picking up 109 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 3: the talent and taking them, you know, to dropping them 110 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 3: off backstage waiting for them. I mean we basically anything 111 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:49,640 Speaker 3: that falls under the umbrella of. 112 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 2: Travel, movement basically, yeah, yeah, movement from one place to another. 113 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 3: And it is really crazy, like when you see the 114 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:01,839 Speaker 3: big picture, like you said, you know, somebody goes to 115 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:05,280 Speaker 3: a two hour long movie or a two and a 116 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:09,520 Speaker 3: half three hour show, but like all the work that 117 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:13,640 Speaker 3: went into just that show is just so wild. 118 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:18,440 Speaker 2: It is wild. What's the craziest request you've ever gotten 119 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 2: or kind of demand you've had to fulfill in the 120 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:23,560 Speaker 2: line of work that you do. 121 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,160 Speaker 3: There have honestly been so many. 122 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:29,479 Speaker 2: And like you can't even pick one. 123 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 3: I I thought about this before. I wish I had 124 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:36,000 Speaker 3: like written them down along the way. I used to 125 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:39,560 Speaker 3: have a sheet that I would write like ridiculous things 126 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:41,880 Speaker 3: that people said and we would laugh about it, and 127 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:45,240 Speaker 3: that I don't know where that is now. But some 128 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 3: of the weird or like out there requests. There was 129 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:53,479 Speaker 3: a pop musician who every time we did rental cars 130 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:57,359 Speaker 3: for her, we would have to reserve like three to 131 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:00,719 Speaker 3: four different options so that when. 132 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:03,400 Speaker 2: Oh boy, and. 133 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:06,280 Speaker 3: Like calling your hurts rep and like talking to them 134 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:09,720 Speaker 3: about this, of course they're like rolling their eyes, right, 135 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 3: but you do it, you make it happen, So that 136 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 3: that was up there. She also had a weird like 137 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 3: nothing could have a scent, so if she would get 138 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 3: into a car service and like the driver head on cologne, 139 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 3: you would get out, oh boy, need another car. 140 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 2: Was this pre pandemic or post. 141 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 3: This was post Actually wow, because. 142 00:07:32,760 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 2: I do feel like, and we'll get into some of 143 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 2: the other big changes. I feel like after the pandemic, 144 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 2: some of the diva behavior has had to go. That's 145 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 2: been my experience because everyone's been a little shut down 146 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 2: in the world that I work in. Obviously it's country, 147 00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:52,760 Speaker 2: and so maybe people are a little more chill. I 148 00:07:52,760 --> 00:07:54,680 Speaker 2: don't know, the pop world seems a little more diva, 149 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 2: but it feels like after the pandemic, people kind of 150 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 2: got to grasp on yo, that's not important, like get 151 00:08:01,280 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 2: some perspective. 152 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 3: I don't know if I would fully agree, but like 153 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 3: maybe that is your experience, but I have kind of 154 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 3: experienced pretty much the opposite. Oh really, COVID was it 155 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 3: forced everybody to slow down, well not everybody, but most 156 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:18,960 Speaker 3: people to stop and just kind of like take a 157 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 3: breath and like really look inward. Yeah, And I my 158 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 3: biggest hope during COVID was that we were going to 159 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 3: come out of it and people were going to be 160 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:33,240 Speaker 3: a little more relaxed because there's some bad behavior We're 161 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 3: lent around COVID, And I think some people got the memo, 162 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 3: but then some people like double down. Yeah, and what 163 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:49,080 Speaker 3: happened was the customer service aspect after COVID has changed. 164 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:52,880 Speaker 3: I think before COVID, we were still functioning on that 165 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 3: customer is always right, and that is not the case anymore. 166 00:08:57,760 --> 00:09:03,440 Speaker 3: And you see push back from people in customer service 167 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 3: jobs when people are behaving badly or whatever, or even 168 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 3: not behaving badly. You know, people are just fed up. 169 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:13,760 Speaker 3: And so so all of a sudden you have these 170 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 3: people who double down after COVID, and now they're met 171 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 3: with the customer service agent who is not entertaining that behavior. 172 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 3: So it's been this like and I've seen a lot 173 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 3: of that, and I actually have been like the last 174 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 3: couple of years, We've all been through it. But like 175 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:36,200 Speaker 3: even myself with some of the people that I was 176 00:09:36,240 --> 00:09:38,719 Speaker 3: working with, I was like, this isn't really lining up 177 00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:41,600 Speaker 3: with like what I want to be doing or who 178 00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 3: I want to be dealing with. I mean, I've made 179 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 3: some changes too. I do think the country world is 180 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:49,160 Speaker 3: a little. 181 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:50,960 Speaker 2: Different, Yeah, a little more so. 182 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:51,880 Speaker 3: It's softer. 183 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, well you brought up obviously customer service, which is 184 00:09:55,880 --> 00:10:01,240 Speaker 2: the perfect transition into my Expedia round own. So when 185 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 2: we recorded, I think it was twenty eighteen when the 186 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 2: podcast first started, or maybe the beginning of twenty nineteen 187 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 2: that we were first discussing these things, and you literally 188 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:14,600 Speaker 2: said to me, straight up, verbatim, do not ever book 189 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:18,199 Speaker 2: through a third party site. And I was like, okay, okay, 190 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 2: I hear you. Your reasoning being, if something goes wrong 191 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 2: you can't really get in touch with anyone that can 192 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:29,199 Speaker 2: make changes for you, then the hotel or the airline 193 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:31,240 Speaker 2: is out of luck with helping you too, because you 194 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:34,240 Speaker 2: booked through this third party. And I heard you, I 195 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 2: believed you, but I hadn't experienced it for myself, and 196 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 2: so I think I still was taking shortcuts on some things. 197 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 2: And that's what that feels like to me. It's like 198 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:47,160 Speaker 2: if you go into I mean, my experience is Expedia. 199 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:49,839 Speaker 2: So I'll say that if I go into plug in 200 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 2: something into that, it makes it a lot easier for me. 201 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 2: It takes out some of the research things like that, 202 00:10:56,160 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 2: and so I would just do it a lot of 203 00:10:58,040 --> 00:10:59,959 Speaker 2: times they advertise lower prices. 204 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:00,599 Speaker 3: You know. 205 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:02,200 Speaker 2: I didn't do this all the time, but if I 206 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 2: was going somewhere like I was over the holidays where 207 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 2: I had never been, it just felt like it made 208 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:13,319 Speaker 2: it a little easier. However, my experience the customer service 209 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 2: piece that you just mentioned is exactly right. There was 210 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:19,960 Speaker 2: no at all like customer service, the customer's right, Oh, 211 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 2: we see where you could have read our tiny little 212 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:27,000 Speaker 2: fine print in that vein and applied it in a 213 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 2: different way than we meant it. There was none of that. 214 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:33,080 Speaker 2: They didn't care. It was fair, but yeah, exactly like, 215 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 2: seems like you're out of luck, but you're still paying 216 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 2: for two nights even though you're staying for one. And 217 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:40,400 Speaker 2: that was the instance, and it became this thing where 218 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 2: I was like, I don't even care about the money. 219 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:45,560 Speaker 2: It's the principle of how much they don't care and 220 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:50,319 Speaker 2: how much I am proving my point of the misleading 221 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 2: website information and they just didn't care. It was very 222 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 2: much like if I would prove a point, oh well, 223 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:58,840 Speaker 2: you didn't look at this part and that part. And 224 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 2: it was like when I say fine print teeny tiny 225 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 2: in the background of some eight emails that I didn't 226 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 2: get or you know whatever, and they didn't care. And 227 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 2: so I texted you and I was like, wow, you 228 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 2: are right. So let's talk through third party sites and 229 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:17,679 Speaker 2: give people maybe the inside that you gave me before, 230 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:20,520 Speaker 2: but also with how things are now a little different, 231 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:24,400 Speaker 2: Like why would you say don't use a third party site. 232 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:28,360 Speaker 3: When you're booking with those third party sites, you're basically 233 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:33,360 Speaker 3: booking with them and not the hotel or airline or whatever. Yeah, so, 234 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 3: like hotels participate in those because they kind of have 235 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 3: to because so many people use them. It would be 236 00:12:42,040 --> 00:12:49,320 Speaker 3: missed revenue if those hotels didn't participate. But it's low rates, 237 00:12:49,520 --> 00:12:52,480 Speaker 3: soout making a lot of money. It's just the volume. 238 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 3: And they just don't touch those reservations. I mean even 239 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:01,679 Speaker 3: years ago when I was working in hotels still, I 240 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 3: would go print in a rival's list and I would 241 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:08,400 Speaker 3: see who was coming in that day and how they 242 00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:11,840 Speaker 3: booked the reservation. So I could see like, oh, came 243 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 3: from this travel agency in Nashville, Oh, Kelly Henderson booked 244 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 3: through booking dot Com. And the ones that came in 245 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 3: through the third party website, like you. 246 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 2: Just don't touch them. 247 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 3: Don't touch them. 248 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 2: They're at the bottom of the list. 249 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:29,360 Speaker 3: And if you got to the hotel, yeah, literally, And 250 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:31,719 Speaker 3: if you got to the hotel and there was an issue, 251 00:13:32,440 --> 00:13:36,360 Speaker 3: they would most likely refer you back to the website 252 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:36,840 Speaker 3: that you use. 253 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:41,360 Speaker 2: Well that's what kept happening. But then the website like Expedia, 254 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 2: would then say, oh, well, this is the hotel's issue. 255 00:13:44,559 --> 00:13:46,800 Speaker 2: So they were both sending me back and forth, and 256 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 2: it became very apparent to me nobody actually gives a 257 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 2: shit about my travel booking. They were just like, yeah, 258 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:55,840 Speaker 2: we're not going to deal with you. Like Expedia very 259 00:13:55,920 --> 00:13:57,840 Speaker 2: much was like we got your money. And then the 260 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 2: hotel was very much like what you're saying. I was 261 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 2: at the bottom of the list, and it was easy 262 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 2: for them to be like, you didn't book through us, 263 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 2: So we're not making this our problem. This is a 264 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 2: you problem. 265 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, totally. So. I don't think those websites are 266 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:17,680 Speaker 3: all bad. I think what you were saying earlier about 267 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 3: I take some of the research work away. I agree 268 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 3: with you. If you don't know much about where you're going, 269 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 3: or like what flights operate in that destination or whatever, 270 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 3: if you want to look around on those websites, right, 271 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:37,040 Speaker 3: that is totally cool. And even if you know, you 272 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:40,760 Speaker 3: find a hotel that you like and it's saying that's 273 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:43,560 Speaker 3: a little cheaper there than it is on the hotel's website. 274 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 3: A lot of times the nicer hotels. If you call 275 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 3: and ask to talk to someone in reservations or even sales, 276 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:57,520 Speaker 3: just kind of explaining what's happening, they'll try to work 277 00:14:57,560 --> 00:15:01,760 Speaker 3: with you, maybe honor that rate that you're seeing Expedia 278 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:04,360 Speaker 3: or whatever, or meet you in the middle. Some of 279 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 3: them won't, but I used to do that. I would 280 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 3: tell people if I had a corporate account or something 281 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:13,600 Speaker 3: and they're like, hey, our rate is two hundred, but 282 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:16,440 Speaker 3: I see a one hundred and fifty dollars rate on Expedia. 283 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:20,440 Speaker 3: I would just honor the Expedia rate for them. So, 284 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:24,240 Speaker 3: like I said, it differs from hotel to hotel, and like, 285 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 3: that's not going to happen at like a you know, 286 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 3: two hundred dollars a night price point, probably right, because 287 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 3: if you call the Court air by Marriott or the 288 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 3: Hilton Garden In or whatever, they're like, what are you 289 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 3: talking about? So it's that really only works when you 290 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 3: get to like a certain level of property. 291 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 2: But it's nice to have in your back pocket, and 292 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 2: like what you're saying about, you can still utilize those 293 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 2: sites for research. And here's the thing. In the past, 294 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 2: I would never have said utilize a business and not 295 00:15:56,520 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 2: pay them. But because of how bad my experience was. 296 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:01,520 Speaker 2: Like I'm not even exaggerating, you guys, this is how 297 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 2: adamant I feel about this. I will in the future 298 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 2: use them as research platforms, but I'm not going to 299 00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:11,400 Speaker 2: ever book again through a third party, Like I might 300 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 2: get the information, but then I'm always going to either 301 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:18,240 Speaker 2: call the hotel, call the airline and book direct and Expedia. 302 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:20,600 Speaker 2: If you're listening, this is what you get. Like that 303 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,840 Speaker 2: is literally like you treat people like shit and this 304 00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 2: is how things will happen. When I posted about that, 305 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:29,400 Speaker 2: even I had so many dms saying the same thing, 306 00:16:29,880 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 2: and so I think it's like we all have to 307 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:33,760 Speaker 2: unite because they're treating their customers like shit. 308 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,360 Speaker 3: Sadly, I don't think they're going to go anywhere. Yeah, 309 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:41,040 Speaker 3: I mean, they'll always be a thing. But to try 310 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:46,720 Speaker 3: to smell the word mean awareness. 311 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 2: Podcast, it's all about what's the biggest myth that you 312 00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 2: would say about people booking online? Like why do we 313 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:04,800 Speaker 2: think that that seems like such a good idea versus 314 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:09,280 Speaker 2: actually maybe even using a professional or utilizing someone like you, 315 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:11,760 Speaker 2: Do you think there's a myth like why do we 316 00:17:11,840 --> 00:17:12,200 Speaker 2: do that? 317 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,800 Speaker 3: I think it was like it was good marketing, and 318 00:17:15,840 --> 00:17:19,920 Speaker 3: it was kind of sold to people is like come here, 319 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 3: we have it for cheaper and it's all here. It's 320 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:24,640 Speaker 3: for the masses. 321 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:27,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, like, yeah, I. 322 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:31,120 Speaker 3: Don't think people in that are doing corporate travel and 323 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:34,760 Speaker 3: entertainment industry travel and like high end leisure travel, like 324 00:17:34,760 --> 00:17:38,359 Speaker 3: they're not using those sites. It's people like, you know, 325 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:42,160 Speaker 3: taking their vacation Myrtle Beach every summer or like that. 326 00:17:42,160 --> 00:17:45,119 Speaker 2: That kind of right, So you want something easy. I 327 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 2: think it's like one thing I realized about our society, 328 00:17:48,119 --> 00:17:49,240 Speaker 2: and I think we're seeing this in a lot of 329 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:53,400 Speaker 2: different places, is that we want things that are easier, 330 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:55,400 Speaker 2: you know, And that's why influencers blew up the way 331 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:57,159 Speaker 2: they did. You're like, tell me how to live my 332 00:17:57,240 --> 00:18:00,240 Speaker 2: life to make it easier. Take the like research out 333 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:02,960 Speaker 2: for me, take the time out, just tell me what 334 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:04,840 Speaker 2: to do so I don't have to think about it 335 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 2: because I'm so overloaded in my life. And so maybe 336 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:11,919 Speaker 2: things like those sites have grown because of that. It 337 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:16,440 Speaker 2: takes out the extra effort, it seems, until something goes 338 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 2: wrong exactly. 339 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:21,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, And I mean it probably is lovely if everything 340 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:25,520 Speaker 3: goes as it should, sure, yeah, but when it goes wrong, 341 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:26,920 Speaker 3: it goes it goes. 342 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:30,359 Speaker 2: Really really wrong. Well, let's talk about how travel has 343 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 2: changed since the last time we did the podcast. I know, 344 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:36,959 Speaker 2: obviously we've kind of touched on the fact that the 345 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:42,639 Speaker 2: pandemic happened, and you had this idea like, Okay, the 346 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:46,200 Speaker 2: world has shut down, so one we're getting a reframe 347 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:49,560 Speaker 2: on what's important. And two when you can't travel, it 348 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:53,320 Speaker 2: seems like you would just be so excited and grateful 349 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:56,040 Speaker 2: and happy to have any sort of travel experience. But 350 00:18:56,080 --> 00:18:58,760 Speaker 2: the world has changed, so we need to be more 351 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:02,720 Speaker 2: patient and understanding. But what's been the truth about post 352 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:03,639 Speaker 2: pandemic travel. 353 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:07,480 Speaker 3: Well, like, right after when things started to open back up, 354 00:19:08,119 --> 00:19:10,119 Speaker 3: it was a bit of a struggle. Like there weren't 355 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 3: rental cars to be had anywhere. Like it was really 356 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:15,359 Speaker 3: not that there were all these like weird things, and 357 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:19,480 Speaker 3: like people weren't fully staffed, and it was just so 358 00:19:19,520 --> 00:19:23,400 Speaker 3: there were so many issues, and like travel came roaring 359 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 3: back because people wanted to go places of course. Yeah, 360 00:19:28,280 --> 00:19:32,439 Speaker 3: so it was pretty challenging and I think, like I 361 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:35,720 Speaker 3: had said earlier, some people like doubled down on the 362 00:19:35,760 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 3: bad behavior and when it was met with all of 363 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:43,239 Speaker 3: you know, those staffing shortages and things like that, like 364 00:19:43,280 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 3: hotels took away, like room service and just like weird 365 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:50,760 Speaker 3: things that you don't think about. It made things difficult. 366 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:56,159 Speaker 3: I would say that it's normalized at this point, but 367 00:19:56,200 --> 00:19:58,880 Speaker 3: it's not really the same. I don't think we'll ever 368 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:01,919 Speaker 3: go back to what it was before. But good things 369 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:02,679 Speaker 3: did come out. 370 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:05,120 Speaker 2: Of it, Okay, tell us the good things. 371 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:08,159 Speaker 3: Well, airlines, a lot of them used to charge like 372 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:10,639 Speaker 3: the two hundred dollars change fee if you needed to 373 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:14,040 Speaker 3: you like switch your flight or something that went away. 374 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:17,359 Speaker 3: I mean there still is some change fees on like 375 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:22,119 Speaker 3: international stuff, but as a whole, there isn't. That doesn't 376 00:20:22,119 --> 00:20:23,160 Speaker 3: really exist anymore. 377 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:25,360 Speaker 2: I don't think I realized that was a pandemic thing, 378 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:28,399 Speaker 2: a pandemic change. I guess that airlines needed business. So 379 00:20:28,440 --> 00:20:32,120 Speaker 2: they were like, yeah, so well you were talking earlier 380 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:36,280 Speaker 2: about the movement of people and how you know, we 381 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 2: just have these high expectations and I think we thought 382 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:42,640 Speaker 2: after COVID, surely people are going to have better behavior, 383 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:44,399 Speaker 2: and it almost was like the opposite. 384 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:47,920 Speaker 3: Of course, Yeah, I think it just got worse and. 385 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:50,080 Speaker 2: Like impatience or what do you see. 386 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:54,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, I do think that there have been more delays 387 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 3: and disruptions. 388 00:20:55,720 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 2: It does seem that way with airlines specifically. 389 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:02,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's at least what I said see and people 390 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:07,120 Speaker 3: are just like everybody is just so ready to be angry, 391 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:11,600 Speaker 3: and it's like you're not the only one that can't 392 00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:16,439 Speaker 3: get to their destination. Like that's all just chill for yelling, 393 00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 3: yelling at the ground crew or the gate agent. Like 394 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:23,080 Speaker 3: it's not going to get you anywhere because people don't 395 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:26,200 Speaker 3: people don't respond to that anymore. I feel like before 396 00:21:26,720 --> 00:21:29,920 Speaker 3: you could kind of yell and maybe get your way, 397 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:34,040 Speaker 3: and that's not really a thing anymore. You're going to 398 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:38,199 Speaker 3: get yourself into a deeper hole if you're you know, 399 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:43,440 Speaker 3: mistreating someone. But people just aren't willing to be flexible. 400 00:21:44,119 --> 00:21:47,239 Speaker 3: What I have seen though, And I actually kind of 401 00:21:47,320 --> 00:21:51,160 Speaker 3: like this. Some clients will book a flight and they 402 00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:53,400 Speaker 3: also book a backup. 403 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:56,919 Speaker 2: Can delays happen or things like that. 404 00:21:57,160 --> 00:22:00,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, like if it's like a where they have 405 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:03,480 Speaker 3: to be there, and like it's if they you know, 406 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:05,800 Speaker 3: that flight doesn't take off or they miss it or whatever, 407 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:09,959 Speaker 3: So I do book more of that. Now, Okay, you 408 00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:13,080 Speaker 3: can't do that on the same airline, but you know, 409 00:22:13,119 --> 00:22:16,080 Speaker 3: you can use another airline as a backup option and 410 00:22:16,160 --> 00:22:19,080 Speaker 3: then just buy a refundable fare and refund that if 411 00:22:19,119 --> 00:22:19,719 Speaker 3: you don't need it. 412 00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:24,720 Speaker 2: Basically, what I'm hearing you say is be prepared and 413 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:28,520 Speaker 2: be flexible. So be prepared for delays and disturbances to 414 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:31,840 Speaker 2: your travel, and then also be flexible have a backup 415 00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:32,840 Speaker 2: plan kind of thing. 416 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, and like as soon as we're done here, we're 417 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:38,880 Speaker 3: driving to the airport, flying to New York, and any 418 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:42,400 Speaker 3: anytime I travel now, I just kind of I mean, 419 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:44,960 Speaker 3: I want it to go smoothly and everything to be 420 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:46,800 Speaker 3: on time and all of that, but like I just 421 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:51,240 Speaker 3: kind of mentally prepare for it to not be smooth 422 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:53,680 Speaker 3: because it might not be and it's a. 423 00:22:53,600 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 2: Little extra meditation maybe. 424 00:22:55,520 --> 00:22:57,960 Speaker 3: Exactly, It's not the end of the world either, so. 425 00:22:58,160 --> 00:23:01,520 Speaker 2: Right, we have lived through work said this life than 426 00:23:01,560 --> 00:23:06,200 Speaker 2: your flight being delayed, Okay, so get some perspective, have 427 00:23:06,240 --> 00:23:09,400 Speaker 2: a backup plan, and then also just prepare for there 428 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:12,080 Speaker 2: to be delayed so that you're not like mentally and 429 00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:15,159 Speaker 2: emotionally so you're not freaking out if that does happen. 430 00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:17,679 Speaker 2: I love that tip. Let's do a little more Like 431 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:20,680 Speaker 2: I love these travel hacks. What are some common mistakes 432 00:23:20,680 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 2: you see people make when they're booking travel. 433 00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 3: Booking basic economy on the airlines, What does that even mean? 434 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:30,080 Speaker 3: The airlines ruled this out a couple of years ago, okay, 435 00:23:30,840 --> 00:23:36,200 Speaker 3: before the pandemic. It's another fair category, so it's their 436 00:23:36,320 --> 00:23:40,560 Speaker 3: cheapest okay, and it will say somewhere on their website 437 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:44,080 Speaker 3: like basic economy, but it's usually kind of small. They 438 00:23:44,119 --> 00:23:46,119 Speaker 3: don't look at that. They see like the cheaper price 439 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:48,199 Speaker 3: and they're like, oh, you know, let's go with that. 440 00:23:48,480 --> 00:23:52,680 Speaker 3: But it's super restrictive, so that way you can't change it. 441 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:55,560 Speaker 3: If you want to change it, you basically forfeit the 442 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:58,360 Speaker 3: amount of that ticket. You don't get a seat assignment 443 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:01,400 Speaker 3: until like you check in, you're at the airport, there's 444 00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:04,960 Speaker 3: restrictions on baggage. Like it's just such a mess, and 445 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:07,760 Speaker 3: we actually have a like an overlay in or system 446 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 3: that doesn't even let you pull that price or book 447 00:24:11,960 --> 00:24:16,120 Speaker 3: the basic economy ticket because it's so problematic. I've had 448 00:24:16,160 --> 00:24:20,119 Speaker 3: people like, similar to your Expedia story, book a basic 449 00:24:20,160 --> 00:24:23,479 Speaker 3: economy ticket and then like lose their mind because they 450 00:24:23,480 --> 00:24:25,640 Speaker 3: can't do it, make any change it, and the airline 451 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:29,960 Speaker 3: will basically like you booked it it said everything was 452 00:24:29,960 --> 00:24:30,359 Speaker 3: there in the. 453 00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:34,760 Speaker 2: Fine print is giving total trauma or memory media. 454 00:24:35,560 --> 00:24:38,119 Speaker 3: So that I would say is a big one because 455 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:41,840 Speaker 3: you know, people don't know. They go on, well, we. 456 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:43,720 Speaker 2: See cheapest and that's what we're gonna go with. 457 00:24:44,119 --> 00:24:47,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, but a lot of times, most of the time, 458 00:24:47,560 --> 00:24:50,840 Speaker 3: it's not really that much cheaper. It's like twenty to 459 00:24:51,359 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 3: maybe fifty bucks cheaper. It's like not worth it. 460 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:57,880 Speaker 2: So that's like emotional and a mental fee that would 461 00:24:57,920 --> 00:25:01,119 Speaker 2: be worth it to pay. Yeah, I do find that 462 00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:04,640 Speaker 2: with travel it's hard because obviously, especially if you're doing 463 00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:07,600 Speaker 2: a big trip, you want to cut costs anywhere you can, 464 00:25:07,720 --> 00:25:11,680 Speaker 2: because the costs add up very fast, especially on big trips. 465 00:25:12,280 --> 00:25:14,439 Speaker 2: But really a lot of times it ends up not 466 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:17,960 Speaker 2: being worth it because you'll end up coming across problems, 467 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:20,560 Speaker 2: you can't make changes, and it puts such a damper 468 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:24,959 Speaker 2: on your trip. When that's the experience that truthfully, the 469 00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:28,440 Speaker 2: mental and emotional fee of whatever that is is kind 470 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:31,760 Speaker 2: of worth it if you can afford it. Yeah, So 471 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:35,160 Speaker 2: definitely don't book the basic economy for reasons. Like we've 472 00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:39,359 Speaker 2: discussed before, don't book through a third partying. It's all 473 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:42,680 Speaker 2: about changes and difficulty with that. It sounds like. 474 00:25:43,560 --> 00:25:46,760 Speaker 3: I've always said this, but like I get to the 475 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:51,439 Speaker 3: airport on the earlier side, not like crazy, but I 476 00:25:51,480 --> 00:25:54,639 Speaker 3: know you like to play a little closer than me. 477 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:57,600 Speaker 2: It's not that I like to, it's just it's a 478 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:02,159 Speaker 2: thing you're wiring problem. I literally could have all the 479 00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:04,000 Speaker 2: time in the world, and somehow I'll find a way 480 00:26:04,040 --> 00:26:05,040 Speaker 2: to be late for something. 481 00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:07,960 Speaker 3: You're like the scene and home alone when they're running. 482 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:13,160 Speaker 2: Through, and sometimes it works and I'm like, nailed it. 483 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:15,760 Speaker 2: You know, Yeah, I got there later than everyone. I 484 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:18,520 Speaker 2: didn't waste a lot of extra time. But the times 485 00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:21,040 Speaker 2: where it's stressful, it's really stressful. 486 00:26:21,640 --> 00:26:25,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, And see I get so worked up like stuff 487 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:30,200 Speaker 3: like that. So I just don't put myself in the situations. Yeah. 488 00:26:30,280 --> 00:26:33,439 Speaker 3: So I'm all about getting to the airport early, although 489 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:36,960 Speaker 3: I'd have to say that probably all of my clients 490 00:26:37,119 --> 00:26:41,280 Speaker 3: don't right as much as much as I say do 491 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:42,280 Speaker 3: they don't. 492 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:45,240 Speaker 2: But yeah, so I have noticed that since COVID we 493 00:26:45,280 --> 00:26:48,080 Speaker 2: need to allot a little more time, Like it seems 494 00:26:48,160 --> 00:26:50,639 Speaker 2: like everything just moves a little slower. It was really 495 00:26:50,680 --> 00:26:53,760 Speaker 2: bad right after the pandemic. Do you think it's gotten 496 00:26:53,760 --> 00:26:56,399 Speaker 2: a little better? But especially here in Nashville, like our 497 00:26:56,440 --> 00:27:00,399 Speaker 2: airport's grown, you really do have to add in traffic 498 00:27:00,480 --> 00:27:04,000 Speaker 2: time getting around things like that. So do you think 499 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:07,000 Speaker 2: it's about knowing your city, knowing your airport, and maybe 500 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:10,160 Speaker 2: giving yourself that little extra bit of time. I'm gonna 501 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:12,040 Speaker 2: work on that, you know, it's a constant work in 502 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:12,680 Speaker 2: progress on that. 503 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:16,359 Speaker 3: I know you have gotten better, I will say. 504 00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:19,560 Speaker 2: Sometimes I don't know, you know, I always hear about 505 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:23,200 Speaker 2: people being like, oh, I got upgraded or I got 506 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:25,960 Speaker 2: this extra perk. Do you have any tips for people 507 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:27,919 Speaker 2: like me who just I don't even know where to 508 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:31,679 Speaker 2: look for that stuff or how to go about that, Like, 509 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:34,640 Speaker 2: what would you say is a good way to set 510 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:41,439 Speaker 2: yourself up to get an upgrade, have a better travel situation, 511 00:27:41,680 --> 00:27:42,320 Speaker 2: things like that. 512 00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:46,119 Speaker 3: I mean, it all comes down to how much you're traveling. Okay, 513 00:27:46,200 --> 00:27:49,400 Speaker 3: so you know, if you're taking a few flights a year, 514 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:53,560 Speaker 3: like domestically, you're not going to get upgrades and you're 515 00:27:53,600 --> 00:27:56,240 Speaker 3: not gonna have a high status or anything like that. 516 00:27:56,680 --> 00:27:59,159 Speaker 3: Those people, I think you just have to pay to 517 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:04,440 Speaker 3: have that experience. But people that travel frequently somewhat frequently 518 00:28:05,119 --> 00:28:09,840 Speaker 3: should really pick an airline that they enjoy and that 519 00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:12,600 Speaker 3: they've had a good experience on and just try to 520 00:28:12,720 --> 00:28:16,320 Speaker 3: stick with that airline to get to a level of status, 521 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:19,600 Speaker 3: and then once you're there, then you get to enjoy 522 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:26,320 Speaker 3: things like free bags or potential upgrades, lounge access. The 523 00:28:26,359 --> 00:28:29,359 Speaker 3: other thing is that there are credit cards out there 524 00:28:30,160 --> 00:28:32,880 Speaker 3: that will kind of get you some of this stuff. 525 00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:39,240 Speaker 3: I think the airline loyalty programs are literally ever changing, 526 00:28:39,520 --> 00:28:44,120 Speaker 3: like they just constantly all the time, and I think 527 00:28:44,280 --> 00:28:48,120 Speaker 3: some changes are good. Like Delta has it used to 528 00:28:48,160 --> 00:28:50,280 Speaker 3: be that you could essentially just like buy your way 529 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:55,680 Speaker 3: into their lounges with a credit card with the Delta 530 00:28:55,720 --> 00:29:00,520 Speaker 3: American Express. They've changed the program so now you have 531 00:29:00,600 --> 00:29:04,160 Speaker 3: to have like the the top card, like the Reserve 532 00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:08,840 Speaker 3: to get you lounge access. But those things do help. 533 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:12,920 Speaker 3: I mean that I have the Delta Reserve Amex okay, 534 00:29:13,400 --> 00:29:18,960 Speaker 3: and Brian has the American Airlines MasterCard, so like we 535 00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:22,600 Speaker 3: get lounge access with American and with Delta and the 536 00:29:22,600 --> 00:29:24,040 Speaker 3: free bags. 537 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:26,960 Speaker 2: And saying like as a couple, it's a really good 538 00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:29,400 Speaker 2: thing to invest in two different I think that's great. 539 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:34,320 Speaker 3: The split the points, yeah, yeah totally, and we travel 540 00:29:34,920 --> 00:29:39,200 Speaker 3: like separately, you know, And he has switched over to American, 541 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:42,280 Speaker 3: like he he's got status for life on American because 542 00:29:42,360 --> 00:29:46,840 Speaker 3: of his years and then the music business flying place. 543 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:50,400 Speaker 3: But yeah, so, like there are credit cards out there 544 00:29:50,840 --> 00:29:52,720 Speaker 3: that and I'm not an expert on all of them. 545 00:29:52,720 --> 00:29:55,360 Speaker 3: There are quite a few. But I just went with 546 00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:59,320 Speaker 3: the reserve ax with Delta because I have pretty much 547 00:29:59,360 --> 00:30:03,960 Speaker 3: always been a Delta person. I have status on Delta, 548 00:30:04,040 --> 00:30:07,680 Speaker 3: so it just felt like the right choice. But you know, 549 00:30:07,800 --> 00:30:12,320 Speaker 3: outside of those things, I have joked about this with 550 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:14,640 Speaker 3: friends in the industry, I feel like you just have 551 00:30:14,720 --> 00:30:20,320 Speaker 3: to pay now to make travel. Traveling is kind of miserable. 552 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:23,719 Speaker 2: It's not cush like it used to be. 553 00:30:23,920 --> 00:30:27,160 Speaker 3: No, Like I hate going to the airport. I hate 554 00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:30,960 Speaker 3: I just people are on their worst behavior, Like it's 555 00:30:31,000 --> 00:30:31,960 Speaker 3: not really fun. 556 00:30:32,360 --> 00:30:34,800 Speaker 2: That's really funny coming from a person who works in 557 00:30:34,840 --> 00:30:35,800 Speaker 2: the travel industry. 558 00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:39,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, I know, I know. So I think you know 559 00:30:39,800 --> 00:30:42,800 Speaker 3: there are things you can do they have to pay 560 00:30:42,840 --> 00:30:46,840 Speaker 3: for that make the experience a little better, and I 561 00:30:46,920 --> 00:30:49,040 Speaker 3: do the I do those things usually now when we 562 00:30:49,160 --> 00:30:50,200 Speaker 3: travel because. 563 00:30:51,880 --> 00:31:03,520 Speaker 2: Peace of mind. Yeah, I want to circle back to 564 00:31:03,640 --> 00:31:05,600 Speaker 2: the credit card thing. Like I was saying to you 565 00:31:05,760 --> 00:31:08,560 Speaker 2: before we did this podcast, Yes, I actually want a 566 00:31:08,560 --> 00:31:11,280 Speaker 2: new credit card. I want to switch because, like you said, 567 00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:14,160 Speaker 2: some of these points and the card that I currently have, 568 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:16,440 Speaker 2: they've changed their program so much that I don't feel 569 00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:19,400 Speaker 2: like I'm benefiting anymore. And so I was going to 570 00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:23,280 Speaker 2: look into, Okay, which card would be best suited for me. 571 00:31:23,360 --> 00:31:25,920 Speaker 2: So that's a great tip of pick one airline like 572 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:29,320 Speaker 2: pick or pick one kind of hotel properly, like a Marriott, 573 00:31:29,360 --> 00:31:32,800 Speaker 2: a Hilton, whatever, all of those properties, and stick with 574 00:31:32,840 --> 00:31:35,480 Speaker 2: it because you'll get the most points throughout a year. 575 00:31:35,840 --> 00:31:38,719 Speaker 2: But didn't you tell me there's a certain place that 576 00:31:38,760 --> 00:31:42,040 Speaker 2: you've gone, Like that guy with the points guy or something. 577 00:31:42,200 --> 00:31:45,440 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, he's on Instagram. I think it's just the 578 00:31:45,480 --> 00:31:49,520 Speaker 3: points Guy. And he also does a blog or has 579 00:31:49,560 --> 00:31:52,680 Speaker 3: like a website with all kinds of information like h'll 580 00:31:53,080 --> 00:31:58,160 Speaker 3: he talks about like the new aircraft that whatever airline 581 00:31:58,200 --> 00:32:01,800 Speaker 3: is rolling out, and like the gets into the specifics 582 00:32:01,840 --> 00:32:06,760 Speaker 3: and it's really informative. And he talks about credit cards too, 583 00:32:06,800 --> 00:32:10,480 Speaker 3: and like the frequent flyer programs and the changes and 584 00:32:10,680 --> 00:32:14,840 Speaker 3: the pros and cons. He's definitely one that I follow. 585 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:19,600 Speaker 3: There's also I believe a website called nerd wallet. 586 00:32:20,240 --> 00:32:22,360 Speaker 2: Oh I've seen nerd wallet. Yeah, and it. 587 00:32:22,800 --> 00:32:25,520 Speaker 3: Does like comparisons in it. I think you can like 588 00:32:25,560 --> 00:32:29,160 Speaker 3: filter out like travel and it'll pull the best like 589 00:32:29,240 --> 00:32:33,200 Speaker 3: travel cards and what the perks are, and because there 590 00:32:33,200 --> 00:32:36,200 Speaker 3: are others out there, like Chase has a good one, 591 00:32:36,400 --> 00:32:39,040 Speaker 3: but I think it's kind of like a broad just 592 00:32:39,560 --> 00:32:43,920 Speaker 3: it's it's not specific to any like brand I don't believe. Okay, 593 00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:47,600 Speaker 3: so they're out there, but no one should be using 594 00:32:47,840 --> 00:32:50,400 Speaker 3: like a debit card or you know what. 595 00:32:50,400 --> 00:32:54,160 Speaker 2: I mean, figure out to do that. 596 00:32:54,640 --> 00:32:58,840 Speaker 3: I never really understood that until this job. But you 597 00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:02,479 Speaker 3: absolutely should be points and using them for something. 598 00:33:03,080 --> 00:33:05,240 Speaker 2: The way I always do it is because I know 599 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:06,400 Speaker 2: a lot of people are like, well I don't like 600 00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:08,400 Speaker 2: to use credit cards. We'll just pay it off every month, 601 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:11,560 Speaker 2: like use it like a debit card, but make the 602 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:14,600 Speaker 2: payment after so that you get the points too. 603 00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:18,520 Speaker 3: The amx app like it literally if you if you 604 00:33:18,560 --> 00:33:21,400 Speaker 3: open up the app, it'll have like the charge that 605 00:33:21,440 --> 00:33:24,040 Speaker 3: you just made on you know whatever, and it has 606 00:33:24,080 --> 00:33:27,520 Speaker 3: a pay now like oh it's lyrically just but. 607 00:33:27,480 --> 00:33:30,800 Speaker 2: You're getting the points. Yeah, okay, that's a great tip. 608 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:33,200 Speaker 2: So the points guy is a good one in nerd wallet. 609 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:35,800 Speaker 2: That's so interesting. I literally got an email from them 610 00:33:35,880 --> 00:33:37,840 Speaker 2: or a ping from them or something this week, so 611 00:33:38,360 --> 00:33:41,080 Speaker 2: you go check those out. Personally. We did talk a 612 00:33:41,120 --> 00:33:43,480 Speaker 2: little bit about all this changes Southwest is making because 613 00:33:43,520 --> 00:33:46,760 Speaker 2: in our last podcast I was such an avid Southwest 614 00:33:46,760 --> 00:33:50,760 Speaker 2: person at that point because the clients that were traveling 615 00:33:50,840 --> 00:33:53,880 Speaker 2: me for work, they all flew Southwest, and so I 616 00:33:54,040 --> 00:33:56,840 Speaker 2: had high status. And it does change, like your whole 617 00:33:57,000 --> 00:34:00,400 Speaker 2: entire experience if you have, like with South left West, 618 00:34:00,440 --> 00:34:02,320 Speaker 2: it's like a list or a list preferred, or I 619 00:34:02,360 --> 00:34:04,320 Speaker 2: had a companion pass for a while where I got 620 00:34:04,320 --> 00:34:07,200 Speaker 2: someone could fly with me for free at all times, 621 00:34:07,200 --> 00:34:10,040 Speaker 2: which is crazy. I mean, all of these benefits, but 622 00:34:10,080 --> 00:34:12,240 Speaker 2: you were very anti Southwest. 623 00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:14,839 Speaker 3: I threw some shade in that part. 624 00:34:14,960 --> 00:34:18,600 Speaker 2: I totally did. It's changed, though, I think this is 625 00:34:18,640 --> 00:34:20,799 Speaker 2: what we've seen with all of the airlines. I think 626 00:34:20,840 --> 00:34:25,839 Speaker 2: it fluctuates, and Southwest went through some big problems for 627 00:34:25,880 --> 00:34:28,920 Speaker 2: a while with their booking system. I think everything crashed, 628 00:34:29,360 --> 00:34:33,960 Speaker 2: and so now they're even changing to seat assignments, which 629 00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:36,880 Speaker 2: is totally different. Have you seen any other big changes. 630 00:34:36,920 --> 00:34:39,440 Speaker 2: I know we always talk about too that Southwest you 631 00:34:39,480 --> 00:34:42,200 Speaker 2: don't have to pay for bags, But isn't it kind 632 00:34:42,239 --> 00:34:44,880 Speaker 2: of just like equal across the board, like their ticket 633 00:34:44,880 --> 00:34:45,960 Speaker 2: prices are higher now. 634 00:34:46,080 --> 00:34:50,120 Speaker 3: So yeah, you and I were just saying this, and 635 00:34:50,200 --> 00:34:52,400 Speaker 3: Brian and I actually talked about it recently. But like 636 00:34:52,719 --> 00:34:57,640 Speaker 3: I will often find that Southwest is more expensive times 637 00:34:57,680 --> 00:35:01,279 Speaker 3: than you know, American, her Delta whatever. The bag thing 638 00:35:01,480 --> 00:35:05,680 Speaker 3: is a nice perk, the getting the two free bags. Yeah, 639 00:35:05,760 --> 00:35:09,600 Speaker 3: the seating thing, I don't know the specifics I think there. 640 00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:12,520 Speaker 3: It's like the later half of this year is when 641 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:15,319 Speaker 3: they start to roll that out, So I don't know. 642 00:35:16,080 --> 00:35:20,400 Speaker 3: I kind of like that. I thought the open seating 643 00:35:20,640 --> 00:35:24,960 Speaker 3: was like chaotic and just not cute. 644 00:35:26,040 --> 00:35:29,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, if you had status, it was great because you 645 00:35:29,760 --> 00:35:31,759 Speaker 2: boarded first and you got to pick it up you 646 00:35:31,840 --> 00:35:32,960 Speaker 2: wanted and yeah. 647 00:35:33,280 --> 00:35:36,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean I just didn't fly someth list. M h. 648 00:35:36,760 --> 00:35:38,640 Speaker 2: He was a real diva in the last podcast if 649 00:35:38,640 --> 00:35:39,239 Speaker 2: you Go. 650 00:35:40,880 --> 00:35:45,080 Speaker 3: I have flown Southwest since we did that podcast, and yes, 651 00:35:45,800 --> 00:35:47,560 Speaker 3: it wasn't terrible. 652 00:35:48,160 --> 00:35:49,239 Speaker 2: Okay, he's coming on. 653 00:35:49,960 --> 00:35:53,759 Speaker 3: It's still not my favorite because I do think that, 654 00:35:53,920 --> 00:35:58,600 Speaker 3: and I've seen these posts on Instagram, like the people 655 00:35:58,600 --> 00:36:01,320 Speaker 3: who fly Delta are different than the people who fly American, 656 00:36:01,560 --> 00:36:03,360 Speaker 3: than the people who fly Southwest. 657 00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:06,920 Speaker 2: And I've seen the true like there's a personality. 658 00:36:07,520 --> 00:36:10,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, yeah, and I just don't really align with 659 00:36:10,440 --> 00:36:11,120 Speaker 3: the Southwest. 660 00:36:11,360 --> 00:36:16,120 Speaker 2: Okay. The reason I have for so long is I 661 00:36:16,200 --> 00:36:20,560 Speaker 2: felt like Southwest somehow everyone else is canceling their flights 662 00:36:20,560 --> 00:36:23,040 Speaker 2: and Southwest is not. Like that was happening for a 663 00:36:23,040 --> 00:36:25,840 Speaker 2: lot that's changed since our last podcast, But that was 664 00:36:25,880 --> 00:36:29,040 Speaker 2: my experience at the time, and it was just easy 665 00:36:29,239 --> 00:36:32,440 Speaker 2: and their customer service was the best for me. And 666 00:36:32,480 --> 00:36:35,560 Speaker 2: that was when the old airlines there was always a 667 00:36:35,680 --> 00:36:38,160 Speaker 2: change fee, and my schedule is one that I need 668 00:36:38,200 --> 00:36:41,600 Speaker 2: to be able to have flexibility with changes. But again, 669 00:36:41,719 --> 00:36:43,520 Speaker 2: a lot of that has changed, and I do think 670 00:36:43,520 --> 00:36:46,680 Speaker 2: you're right, like each airline has a different personality, so 671 00:36:46,719 --> 00:36:50,600 Speaker 2: it really is about finding which one fits you best. 672 00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:53,560 Speaker 2: Like a lot of people would go with what's always cheapest, 673 00:36:53,640 --> 00:36:56,680 Speaker 2: but I think it's imperative if you're traveling a lot, 674 00:36:56,719 --> 00:36:59,680 Speaker 2: like you said, to stick with one more to really 675 00:36:59,719 --> 00:37:02,320 Speaker 2: reap the benefits of being a loyal customer. 676 00:37:02,880 --> 00:37:03,480 Speaker 3: I agree. 677 00:37:03,760 --> 00:37:06,360 Speaker 2: Do you feel like there's one piece of advice, Like 678 00:37:06,360 --> 00:37:08,480 Speaker 2: we're at the beginning of twenty twenty five right now, 679 00:37:08,680 --> 00:37:12,560 Speaker 2: and obviously people are probably thinking through Okay, if I'm 680 00:37:12,560 --> 00:37:14,759 Speaker 2: going to plan a big trip, or what's my big 681 00:37:14,800 --> 00:37:16,719 Speaker 2: splurge going to be. Do you have one piece of 682 00:37:16,760 --> 00:37:19,800 Speaker 2: advice that you would give as a person that sits 683 00:37:19,800 --> 00:37:22,280 Speaker 2: in your position and is booking travel constantly. 684 00:37:22,960 --> 00:37:25,040 Speaker 3: I'm going to have more than one, but I will 685 00:37:25,080 --> 00:37:29,040 Speaker 3: give us a few. I would say, first and foremost, 686 00:37:29,360 --> 00:37:33,600 Speaker 3: be flexible and be kind. You're going to get further 687 00:37:33,719 --> 00:37:38,680 Speaker 3: and have a better experience. But most people don't need 688 00:37:38,719 --> 00:37:43,319 Speaker 3: a travel agent because we're not really here to get 689 00:37:43,360 --> 00:37:48,600 Speaker 3: you a deal. Okay, We're here to get you access 690 00:37:48,960 --> 00:37:53,680 Speaker 3: and help and maybe some perks along the way. But 691 00:37:54,640 --> 00:37:57,399 Speaker 3: a lot of people just want their vacation to be 692 00:37:58,040 --> 00:38:01,759 Speaker 3: cheap and a good time, So you don't need a 693 00:38:01,800 --> 00:38:05,239 Speaker 3: travel agent for that. But if you're taking like a 694 00:38:05,400 --> 00:38:08,560 Speaker 3: once in a lifetime kind of trip and you're going 695 00:38:08,600 --> 00:38:11,359 Speaker 3: out of the country or whatever, you're spending a lot 696 00:38:11,400 --> 00:38:14,920 Speaker 3: of money and you really I mean I have felt 697 00:38:14,920 --> 00:38:18,440 Speaker 3: this when I book trips sometimes, like you, you're spending 698 00:38:18,440 --> 00:38:20,280 Speaker 3: a lot of money, so you want it to be amazing, 699 00:38:20,400 --> 00:38:22,879 Speaker 3: and there's a little bit of stress behind that because 700 00:38:23,560 --> 00:38:27,799 Speaker 3: if it's not amazing, right, So I think if you're 701 00:38:27,800 --> 00:38:33,400 Speaker 3: in that situation, it's probably a good idea to engage 702 00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:38,400 Speaker 3: a travel agent because you're really not going to end 703 00:38:38,480 --> 00:38:41,319 Speaker 3: up paying them a whole I mean it's probably going 704 00:38:41,360 --> 00:38:44,560 Speaker 3: to be for like a you know, leisure trip like that, 705 00:38:44,640 --> 00:38:48,600 Speaker 3: You're probably going to pay maybe tops like three hundred 706 00:38:48,640 --> 00:38:53,520 Speaker 3: bucks or something like that. But you're getting a professional 707 00:38:54,040 --> 00:38:58,239 Speaker 3: who knows where you're going, knows the properties, probably has 708 00:38:58,360 --> 00:39:01,040 Speaker 3: a contact at the hotel that you want to stay in. 709 00:39:01,960 --> 00:39:05,200 Speaker 3: They might be able to get you a complimentary upgrade 710 00:39:05,239 --> 00:39:08,719 Speaker 3: to the next room type. Like, there's just things that 711 00:39:08,760 --> 00:39:11,080 Speaker 3: they can do behind the scenes that you just don't 712 00:39:11,520 --> 00:39:12,359 Speaker 3: have access to. 713 00:39:12,760 --> 00:39:16,200 Speaker 2: Or even think about. Yeah, stuff we were talking about 714 00:39:16,200 --> 00:39:20,640 Speaker 2: before the podcast. You were saying, sometimes you'll use a 715 00:39:20,719 --> 00:39:23,719 Speaker 2: car booking service because the whole day has been really 716 00:39:23,719 --> 00:39:25,839 Speaker 2: stressful and you're like, I just want someone to pick 717 00:39:25,880 --> 00:39:28,480 Speaker 2: me up for me not to have to worry about it, 718 00:39:28,520 --> 00:39:30,600 Speaker 2: to help me with my bags, things like that. And 719 00:39:30,640 --> 00:39:33,319 Speaker 2: you mentioned a site that you use that I was like, wait, 720 00:39:33,360 --> 00:39:35,040 Speaker 2: what's that. I would have never been one this. 721 00:39:35,640 --> 00:39:38,239 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, it's called it's black Lane by the way. 722 00:39:38,320 --> 00:39:40,640 Speaker 2: Black Lane Okay, yeah. 723 00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:43,799 Speaker 3: Yeah, they're big in Europe and bigger cities. I don't 724 00:39:43,800 --> 00:39:47,200 Speaker 3: think they have service in Nashville. So there's a time 725 00:39:47,239 --> 00:39:49,480 Speaker 3: and a place I think for travel agent. Yeah, of 726 00:39:49,560 --> 00:39:52,920 Speaker 3: course we exist in the entertainment industry and you know, 727 00:39:53,000 --> 00:39:54,440 Speaker 3: corporate America. 728 00:39:54,200 --> 00:39:55,880 Speaker 2: And luxury travel. 729 00:39:56,120 --> 00:40:00,200 Speaker 3: Yeah yeah, yeah, but just people who are just concerned 730 00:40:00,239 --> 00:40:03,279 Speaker 3: about getting the best price. Like I don't really need 731 00:40:03,320 --> 00:40:07,239 Speaker 3: to engage a travel agent. I would say Google and 732 00:40:07,600 --> 00:40:11,520 Speaker 3: you know, go direct shop on Expedia and orbits and 733 00:40:11,560 --> 00:40:15,960 Speaker 3: then go to that vendor and book the ticket with 734 00:40:16,040 --> 00:40:19,479 Speaker 3: them or book the hotel with them. And then yeah, 735 00:40:19,560 --> 00:40:21,360 Speaker 3: if you're going to do one of those big trips 736 00:40:21,360 --> 00:40:24,080 Speaker 3: and you're spending a lot of money, find the right 737 00:40:24,120 --> 00:40:27,120 Speaker 3: travel agent because there are a lot of quacks out there. 738 00:40:27,719 --> 00:40:29,239 Speaker 2: Talk about that a little bit. I was going to 739 00:40:29,280 --> 00:40:31,400 Speaker 2: ask you this question, but you're you're bringing it up, 740 00:40:31,440 --> 00:40:32,120 Speaker 2: so it's perfect. 741 00:40:32,600 --> 00:40:35,239 Speaker 3: Yeah, there are a lot of these like you know 742 00:40:36,160 --> 00:40:40,879 Speaker 3: it like reeks of Pyramid scheme, Like it's like, come 743 00:40:40,960 --> 00:40:43,520 Speaker 3: join our agency and you can like book your friends 744 00:40:43,600 --> 00:40:46,440 Speaker 3: vacation travel and make money off of it like that 745 00:40:46,640 --> 00:40:50,359 Speaker 3: kind of a cell and people do it, and it's 746 00:40:50,440 --> 00:40:52,600 Speaker 3: just those are not the people that you want to 747 00:40:52,640 --> 00:40:55,799 Speaker 3: book a trip with. Like you want an agent who's 748 00:40:55,840 --> 00:41:00,560 Speaker 3: got an IATA number and who's honestly they should be 749 00:41:00,560 --> 00:41:04,640 Speaker 3: affiliated with a larger agency, because what comes along with 750 00:41:04,680 --> 00:41:11,239 Speaker 3: that is you get access to contracts and perks and 751 00:41:11,480 --> 00:41:16,000 Speaker 3: upgrades and those kinds of things that those like one 752 00:41:16,040 --> 00:41:20,279 Speaker 3: off travel agents in your little hometown or whatever, we. 753 00:41:20,239 --> 00:41:22,759 Speaker 2: Don't have, so we need to look. I was gonna say, 754 00:41:22,760 --> 00:41:24,440 Speaker 2: how do we find them? But you said look for 755 00:41:24,520 --> 00:41:25,640 Speaker 2: an IOTA number. 756 00:41:25,800 --> 00:41:28,360 Speaker 3: Well, you can't really look for their An IOTO number 757 00:41:28,440 --> 00:41:30,799 Speaker 3: is what a travel agency gets, and it's like an 758 00:41:30,800 --> 00:41:35,640 Speaker 3: electronic stamp like from the agency. There's no way for 759 00:41:35,680 --> 00:41:36,560 Speaker 3: you to really. 760 00:41:36,320 --> 00:41:38,640 Speaker 2: Know what if people are at Like, is it weird 761 00:41:38,680 --> 00:41:40,759 Speaker 2: to be like, can I see your IOTA number? 762 00:41:41,920 --> 00:41:44,279 Speaker 3: I mean they could, they could ask if they were 763 00:41:44,320 --> 00:41:49,239 Speaker 3: registered with an IDO number, for sure. I guess what 764 00:41:49,280 --> 00:41:51,040 Speaker 3: I would say is like, if you're planning a trip 765 00:41:51,080 --> 00:41:57,840 Speaker 3: to Italy, you could google Los Angeles travel agents specializing 766 00:41:58,080 --> 00:41:59,120 Speaker 3: in Italy. 767 00:41:59,640 --> 00:42:02,560 Speaker 2: Okay, so different agents specialize in different trips. 768 00:42:03,000 --> 00:42:07,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, for sure. You've got entertainment travel agents who were 769 00:42:07,080 --> 00:42:09,120 Speaker 3: kind of like off on our own, and then you 770 00:42:09,719 --> 00:42:14,279 Speaker 3: have leisure travel agents who are doing like the you know, 771 00:42:14,360 --> 00:42:18,759 Speaker 3: pricey vacations and safaris and things like that. But then 772 00:42:18,800 --> 00:42:21,600 Speaker 3: you have people booking cruises and that's all they do. 773 00:42:21,640 --> 00:42:24,960 Speaker 3: You have people like doing Disney stuff. That's all they do. Like, 774 00:42:25,040 --> 00:42:27,600 Speaker 3: there's there's a lot, there's a lot out there. 775 00:42:27,680 --> 00:42:30,240 Speaker 2: So those people are like I mean, not to be cheesy, 776 00:42:30,239 --> 00:42:32,799 Speaker 2: but they're like experts in that kind of trip, which 777 00:42:32,840 --> 00:42:34,719 Speaker 2: is the ones you would want because they'll know all 778 00:42:34,719 --> 00:42:37,680 Speaker 2: the ins and outs, where you can get the perks, 779 00:42:37,840 --> 00:42:39,919 Speaker 2: where you can get upgraded things like that. 780 00:42:40,840 --> 00:42:43,880 Speaker 3: And the other thing is a lot of the big agencies, 781 00:42:44,239 --> 00:42:47,440 Speaker 3: if you just call and talk to like the front 782 00:42:47,440 --> 00:42:50,920 Speaker 3: desk person, they'll put you in touch with someone. Okay, 783 00:42:51,040 --> 00:42:54,279 Speaker 3: so the Appointment Group is who I'm affiliated with, and 784 00:42:54,280 --> 00:42:57,200 Speaker 3: they have an office here in Nashville. You could call 785 00:42:57,440 --> 00:43:01,399 Speaker 3: the Nashville office and talk to the front desk and 786 00:43:02,960 --> 00:43:06,640 Speaker 3: do you guys specialize in travel too? Im, really, this 787 00:43:06,680 --> 00:43:08,160 Speaker 3: is what I'm doing, And they can point you in 788 00:43:08,160 --> 00:43:08,800 Speaker 3: the right direction. 789 00:43:09,040 --> 00:43:12,160 Speaker 2: They'll tell you who to use. Yeah, yeah, which I 790 00:43:12,160 --> 00:43:15,839 Speaker 2: think a travel agent sounds like an extra expense that 791 00:43:15,880 --> 00:43:20,600 Speaker 2: maybe it sounds intimidating to us regular folk or whatever, 792 00:43:20,760 --> 00:43:23,440 Speaker 2: but from what you've described to me, it's not. Again, 793 00:43:23,520 --> 00:43:25,480 Speaker 2: like if you're spending a ton of money on a trip, 794 00:43:25,560 --> 00:43:28,040 Speaker 2: it's not that much more to add this little feet 795 00:43:28,120 --> 00:43:31,480 Speaker 2: in and there may be a lot of things that 796 00:43:31,520 --> 00:43:34,600 Speaker 2: you get or don't even know to get, or they 797 00:43:34,640 --> 00:43:37,520 Speaker 2: can lead you in certain directions of different excursions or 798 00:43:37,560 --> 00:43:39,520 Speaker 2: things that you might want to do that you wouldn't 799 00:43:39,520 --> 00:43:42,160 Speaker 2: know would even be possible. So sometimes it just takes 800 00:43:42,200 --> 00:43:45,399 Speaker 2: out the guesswork, which to me sounds worth it. 801 00:43:45,920 --> 00:43:49,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, and while you're on that trip, you have someone 802 00:43:50,320 --> 00:43:53,360 Speaker 3: in your corner, Like if you you know, you're abroad 803 00:43:53,520 --> 00:43:57,000 Speaker 3: and something goes wrong, Yeah, and you know you need 804 00:43:57,040 --> 00:44:00,600 Speaker 3: a different flight or whatever, you can call that agent 805 00:44:00,880 --> 00:44:03,879 Speaker 3: and they can they'll help you. And then you don't. 806 00:44:04,000 --> 00:44:07,319 Speaker 3: You're not standing in line or arguing with a you know, 807 00:44:07,480 --> 00:44:09,080 Speaker 3: front desk person and whatever. 808 00:44:09,600 --> 00:44:13,160 Speaker 2: Yeah. That sounds lovely to have someone do the battle 809 00:44:13,200 --> 00:44:15,359 Speaker 2: for me. I mean, so obviously the biggest thing we're 810 00:44:15,400 --> 00:44:17,960 Speaker 2: leaving this podcast with is never use a third party. 811 00:44:18,520 --> 00:44:22,319 Speaker 2: Never never use a third party. Guys, just trust me, 812 00:44:22,520 --> 00:44:26,280 Speaker 2: trust me on that one. All right. Well, if people 813 00:44:26,320 --> 00:44:29,520 Speaker 2: want to know more about you, where could they find you? 814 00:44:30,120 --> 00:44:35,840 Speaker 3: I mean I don't, I'm just me on Instagram TJ deal. 815 00:44:36,360 --> 00:44:41,080 Speaker 3: I mean, shoot me a DM Yeah, I'll answer. Yeah, Okay, 816 00:44:41,480 --> 00:44:44,839 Speaker 3: I'm all for pointing people in the right direction. If 817 00:44:44,880 --> 00:44:48,640 Speaker 3: I don't know I can find somebody that does. That 818 00:44:48,719 --> 00:44:51,360 Speaker 3: comes up a lot, Okay in my job, like people 819 00:44:51,400 --> 00:44:52,880 Speaker 3: travel places and I don't. 820 00:44:53,160 --> 00:44:57,080 Speaker 2: Not it's not your expertise. Yeah, sure, yeah, okay, Well, 821 00:44:57,120 --> 00:44:59,279 Speaker 2: I'll put all of his info in the description of 822 00:44:59,320 --> 00:45:01,719 Speaker 2: this podcast, as well as the couple things that we 823 00:45:01,840 --> 00:45:03,960 Speaker 2: mentioned about, like the points guy and all that. I'll 824 00:45:03,960 --> 00:45:04,799 Speaker 2: link that for you guys. 825 00:45:04,920 --> 00:45:08,359 Speaker 3: We forgot to mention Erica. 826 00:45:09,320 --> 00:45:12,880 Speaker 2: Erica Kolberg on Oh yes, I actually love her because 827 00:45:12,880 --> 00:45:17,600 Speaker 2: she gives you all these like finely print legal legal issues. 828 00:45:17,600 --> 00:45:20,960 Speaker 2: She's a lawyer that specializes in kind of how to 829 00:45:21,000 --> 00:45:24,640 Speaker 2: figure out how to figure out travel and credit cards 830 00:45:24,680 --> 00:45:27,480 Speaker 2: and things like that for yourself, like get get away 831 00:45:27,520 --> 00:45:30,560 Speaker 2: with some of the things corporations are missing. 832 00:45:31,000 --> 00:45:34,279 Speaker 3: Yeah, and she'll also she dives into like what do 833 00:45:34,360 --> 00:45:40,120 Speaker 3: the airlines actually owe you when X happens? Yes, so, yeah, 834 00:45:40,160 --> 00:45:41,239 Speaker 3: she's a good one. 835 00:45:41,320 --> 00:45:44,080 Speaker 2: I'm gonna yeah, I'll link her Instagram. She's a good 836 00:45:44,120 --> 00:45:46,080 Speaker 2: follow for sure on Instagram. I'll link that in the 837 00:45:46,120 --> 00:45:48,920 Speaker 2: description this podcast as well. I know you have some 838 00:45:48,920 --> 00:45:50,480 Speaker 2: travel to go get to, so we don't want to 839 00:45:50,520 --> 00:45:51,400 Speaker 2: keep you any longer. 840 00:45:52,160 --> 00:45:54,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, headed to New York? 841 00:45:54,600 --> 00:45:56,400 Speaker 2: Was there ever? I do want to ask you do 842 00:45:56,440 --> 00:46:00,640 Speaker 2: you have a favorite place you visited recently or one spot, 843 00:46:00,840 --> 00:46:03,279 Speaker 2: like a property that you're just like, I can't get over. 844 00:46:03,320 --> 00:46:05,200 Speaker 2: I know you've done a lot of travel this last year. 845 00:46:05,600 --> 00:46:09,800 Speaker 3: I was in the UK and Switzerland in October early 846 00:46:09,880 --> 00:46:15,799 Speaker 3: November and we stayed at Heckfield Place, Okay, which is 847 00:46:15,840 --> 00:46:19,520 Speaker 3: like it's like an hour outside of London and maybe 848 00:46:19,600 --> 00:46:24,000 Speaker 3: like thirty forty minutes from Heathrow, but it's like out 849 00:46:24,040 --> 00:46:26,960 Speaker 3: in the countryside. It's an old manor house that they 850 00:46:27,120 --> 00:46:30,120 Speaker 3: converted into this like five star I. 851 00:46:31,640 --> 00:46:34,960 Speaker 2: Was blown away, like reposting about this place. 852 00:46:35,280 --> 00:46:38,239 Speaker 3: I have stayed in some nice places one of the 853 00:46:38,280 --> 00:46:41,960 Speaker 3: perks of my job, right, this was just I like 854 00:46:42,040 --> 00:46:45,960 Speaker 3: could not get over it. The whole experience, the arrival experienced, 855 00:46:46,040 --> 00:46:50,160 Speaker 3: the property itself, the room. It's on a farm, and 856 00:46:50,239 --> 00:46:53,760 Speaker 3: like everything that they do there comes from the farm, 857 00:46:54,040 --> 00:46:58,120 Speaker 3: so all the food, Yeah, it's wild, and like they 858 00:46:58,120 --> 00:47:00,759 Speaker 3: have this cabinet in your room. Open it up and 859 00:47:00,760 --> 00:47:05,000 Speaker 3: it's got like coffee and tea, and the milk in 860 00:47:05,040 --> 00:47:10,440 Speaker 3: the refrigerator is from the cows. Like the soaps are 861 00:47:10,480 --> 00:47:11,319 Speaker 3: all milled there. 862 00:47:11,680 --> 00:47:12,439 Speaker 2: Oh my god. 863 00:47:13,040 --> 00:47:15,000 Speaker 3: It was mind blowing. 864 00:47:15,160 --> 00:47:17,080 Speaker 2: That's like organic, organic, the. 865 00:47:17,000 --> 00:47:21,520 Speaker 3: Most beautiful place I've ever seen, like massive grounds and 866 00:47:21,719 --> 00:47:24,279 Speaker 3: the forest you can walk around and just kind of 867 00:47:24,320 --> 00:47:26,560 Speaker 3: like be on your own and oh my god, it was. 868 00:47:26,640 --> 00:47:28,120 Speaker 2: I want to go there. 869 00:47:28,360 --> 00:47:31,520 Speaker 3: If you're in London. It's probably a great place to 870 00:47:31,640 --> 00:47:37,480 Speaker 3: like end your London trip because it's so decompressing and 871 00:47:37,960 --> 00:47:41,960 Speaker 3: it's pretty close to Heathrows, so you can finish up 872 00:47:42,239 --> 00:47:45,319 Speaker 3: with the city and head out there and just kind 873 00:47:45,320 --> 00:47:48,120 Speaker 3: of rely their spa. I think I told you about 874 00:47:48,280 --> 00:47:51,440 Speaker 3: the medicine sauna thing that we did in the spa. 875 00:47:51,640 --> 00:47:53,120 Speaker 2: What is that it was? 876 00:47:53,640 --> 00:47:57,080 Speaker 3: They were like beating me with like bushels of oak 877 00:47:57,200 --> 00:48:01,279 Speaker 3: leaves and like burning. I know it sounds ridiculous, but 878 00:48:01,360 --> 00:48:02,839 Speaker 3: like I got emotional, Like. 879 00:48:03,080 --> 00:48:06,080 Speaker 2: I'm sure it sounds like an emotional experience. 880 00:48:05,600 --> 00:48:08,600 Speaker 3: In this room. And you went from like the sauna 881 00:48:08,920 --> 00:48:10,839 Speaker 3: to the steam room and then you would sit around 882 00:48:10,880 --> 00:48:13,000 Speaker 3: a fire and they would give you this elixir to 883 00:48:13,080 --> 00:48:16,759 Speaker 3: drink and like you're eating these leaves that came out 884 00:48:16,800 --> 00:48:18,160 Speaker 3: of the garden and it's like. 885 00:48:18,280 --> 00:48:21,400 Speaker 2: People are listening, like what, but actually my audience is 886 00:48:21,400 --> 00:48:23,279 Speaker 2: pretty pretty ready for this. 887 00:48:24,040 --> 00:48:29,840 Speaker 3: The Nordic priestesses who were like chanting and like my 888 00:48:31,120 --> 00:48:35,960 Speaker 3: it was I cannot say enough unbelievable. It is one 889 00:48:36,000 --> 00:48:39,760 Speaker 3: of the coolest hotel experiences I've ever had. 890 00:48:40,360 --> 00:48:44,120 Speaker 2: Called Heckfield Place, Yeah, heck Field Place. 891 00:48:45,320 --> 00:48:47,200 Speaker 3: London so stunning. 892 00:48:47,680 --> 00:48:49,080 Speaker 2: I love London too, so. 893 00:48:49,600 --> 00:48:55,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, that's probably The older Grand in Zurich was 894 00:48:55,400 --> 00:48:58,520 Speaker 3: also kind of blew my mind. It was just like 895 00:48:59,000 --> 00:49:05,759 Speaker 3: everything servis the property Zurich, It was just it was amazing. Yeah, 896 00:49:05,960 --> 00:49:08,040 Speaker 3: but those are other sticking out. 897 00:49:09,239 --> 00:49:13,560 Speaker 2: Okay, Well, if you are looking for international travel, that 898 00:49:13,600 --> 00:49:15,719 Speaker 2: comes from a man who has done a lot of 899 00:49:15,800 --> 00:49:21,160 Speaker 2: really great travel. So he's swimming from his teacup right now, Tyler, 900 00:49:21,280 --> 00:49:23,560 Speaker 2: thanks for doing this with me. We needed an update, 901 00:49:23,800 --> 00:49:26,960 Speaker 2: so we did. Yeah, this was this was due. 902 00:49:27,200 --> 00:49:29,520 Speaker 3: It was my pleasure. Always good to see. 903 00:49:29,400 --> 00:49:32,240 Speaker 2: You likewise and save travels. 904 00:49:32,360 --> 00:49:33,680 Speaker 3: Thank you all. 905 00:49:33,640 --> 00:49:35,560 Speaker 2: Right, thank you guys for listening. You can also hit 906 00:49:35,600 --> 00:49:38,240 Speaker 2: Tyler up if you have any questions. He is happy 907 00:49:38,320 --> 00:49:40,920 Speaker 2: to answer and direct. I think so with all that 908 00:49:40,960 --> 00:49:43,960 Speaker 2: info in the description of the podcast, thanks for listening. 909 00:49:44,680 --> 00:49:47,680 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to The Velvet's Edge podcast with Kelly Henderson, 910 00:49:47,880 --> 00:49:50,360 Speaker 1: where we believe everyone has a little velvet in a 911 00:49:50,400 --> 00:49:54,560 Speaker 1: little edge. Subscribe for more conversations on life, style, beauty, 912 00:49:54,600 --> 00:49:56,879 Speaker 1: and relationships. Search Velvet's Edge. 913 00:49:56,880 --> 00:49:58,319 Speaker 2: Wherever you get your podcasts