1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,679 Speaker 1: Welcome to How the Money. I'm Joel and I'm Matt 2 00:00:02,800 --> 00:00:06,120 Speaker 1: and today we're discussing COVID travel information and your debt 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 1: collection rights, Eduel. This is our Friday episode where we 4 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: covered a bunch of different topics h and specifically we're 5 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:34,200 Speaker 1: gonna be speaking with Scott Kais on the second half 6 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,159 Speaker 1: of this episode. Scott the founder of Scott's Cheap Flights. 7 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:39,080 Speaker 1: He's gonna have a lot of great information for Uce 8 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:43,680 Speaker 1: regarding travel, specifically airline travel, and we're gonna cover cancelations, 9 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:46,040 Speaker 1: you know, flight delays and the different rights that we 10 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:48,080 Speaker 1: have to to get our money back. So I'm looking 11 00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:50,599 Speaker 1: forward to that part of this episode. But first, man, 12 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: I saw that your favorite e bike company, Uh, they 13 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: are now offering an affordable e bike for a thousand bucks. Yeah, 14 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:00,200 Speaker 1: so rad Power Bikes. I have a rad y Agon 15 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 1: actually interesting story. Just sold my rat my rat Wagon, 16 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:06,360 Speaker 1: and I pre ordered the new rad Wagon, which is 17 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 1: Wagon four. Yeah, so it's got some extra special things 18 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: happening there. So I'm excited to get that in September. 19 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:15,920 Speaker 1: But yeah, they just announced this week that they're about 20 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 1: to offer a bike that cost less than a thousand dollars. 21 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 1: And for an e bike, that's really incredible. Their their 22 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: bikes are already pretty affordable in the range if you're 23 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:28,479 Speaker 1: an ebike enthusiast. Obviously a regular bike with no ePower 24 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: is going to be, you know, a whole lot cheaper 25 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 1: than that, or a lot of them are. But I've 26 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:34,680 Speaker 1: enjoyed my rat Wagon for a lot of years. I 27 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:38,320 Speaker 1: put like almost miles on it, and the rat four man, 28 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: I'm looking to put at least that on that one too, 29 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 1: so uh, but I was excited to see that people 30 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:46,000 Speaker 1: are gonna be able to get an e bike that 31 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 1: looks good, that has decent components for a thousand bucks man. 32 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:51,320 Speaker 1: That's not bad. That's it's a really good deal. And 33 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:53,320 Speaker 1: I wanted to share one thing that I noticed about 34 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: So I saw the different videos and like the promos 35 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 1: for the new rad Wagon right and the rat Wagon 36 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: four they're goofy well specifically, but caught my I was 37 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: that in a lot of the footage of people riding 38 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 1: the bike, they're literally just riding it. They're not peddling 39 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 1: and twisting the throttle and going yea. And so, as 40 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:12,239 Speaker 1: someone I guess who's maybe more of like a purist, 41 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 1: you know, when it comes to bikes, I guess I 42 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 1: am happy that more folks are riding bikes, even if 43 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:19,119 Speaker 1: it is an ebike, and even if they're only using 44 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 1: the throttle and then I really moving their feet. But 45 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 1: I think it's just funny that they are specifically targeting 46 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:25,880 Speaker 1: those folks. It's like, look, look at all these folks 47 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 1: getting around town and they're they're not even peddling at all. 48 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 1: I know that's not how you use your bike. You 49 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:33,240 Speaker 1: certainly use it in a more assist manner. Folks are 50 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 1: treating it more like a little electric scooter and it 51 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: looks like they're riding a bike, but not really. No, 52 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 1: that's honestly. There are a lot of people that have 53 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 1: purchased radbikes in particular and e bikes in general in 54 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:45,359 Speaker 1: our neighborhood, and I feel like most of them twist 55 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:47,320 Speaker 1: the throttle and go. Most of them are not peddling 56 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:50,080 Speaker 1: almost at all. And no judgment here, That's not how 57 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 1: I like to use it. I really like to actually 58 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 1: get a workout. I like to get exercise when I'm 59 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: riding a bike. And for me, it's just like, oh, 60 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 1: it helps up the hills with two kids on the back, 61 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 1: or whatever. Um And you know, Atlantic can be pretty hilly, 62 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:03,760 Speaker 1: but I'm also commuting long distances on it, and so 63 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 1: that extra little assist helps me show up to work. 64 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 1: Not just a complete sweat bomb. But yeah, no, there 65 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 1: are a lot of people riding it like that, and 66 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 1: no wonder they would put that name their little commercial 67 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:14,920 Speaker 1: because they want people to know that they don't actually 68 00:03:14,960 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 1: have to do any work if they don't want to. Sure. Yeah, 69 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 1: so you said that, no judgment passed by you. I 70 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:21,960 Speaker 1: am trying and working to not pass judgment. But also 71 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,359 Speaker 1: don't neglect any of the great companies out there who 72 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:27,639 Speaker 1: are are making non motorized versions of of bikes as well, 73 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:30,239 Speaker 1: and specifically, Cargo Bikes is the company that makes the 74 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: bike that I have, and they came out with this 75 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 1: one thousand dollar version of their cargo bike, and so 76 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 1: it's this nice affordable baseline sort of addition, and you're 77 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: gonna virtually guarantee that you get a good workout because 78 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: there's no motor Yeah, you're definitely getting a good workout 79 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 1: with a cargo bike that has no electric capabilities, that's 80 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 1: for sure. Yeah. All right, man, let's get onto our 81 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 1: Friday flight A sampling of stories that we found interesting 82 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: this week. And at first, let's quickly talk about my 83 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 1: lack of being able to find YaST. I get some 84 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 1: still well, still, yeah, no, I haven't found east. One 85 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: kind listener offered to send me some. She sent an 86 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 1: email which was very kind, and a few comments in 87 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: the Facebook group about where they've been able to find yeast. 88 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go to Costco or Walmart. A couple of 89 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 1: people mentioned they found something there. We'll see what happens 90 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 1: to a fifty pound drum of it. Yeah, exactly. Another 91 00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: person to mention going to a local bakery. And that's 92 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:19,679 Speaker 1: actually a really good idea that I had not thought about. 93 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 1: But there was an article that I read this week 94 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:23,560 Speaker 1: on Eater that really kind of drove this point home. 95 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:25,839 Speaker 1: The lack of yeast and the increase in people baking 96 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:30,720 Speaker 1: King arthur Flower, whose sales have risen SI apparently answers 97 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 1: baking questions of their customers via email on the phone 98 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 1: and apparently quoting Eater here, the hotline has become a 99 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 1: magnet for lonely, anxious human behavior and lots of questions 100 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:43,840 Speaker 1: about sour. Though sour does like obviously so hot right now, right. 101 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:46,360 Speaker 1: But I just found it neat that the now baking 102 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:48,600 Speaker 1: obsessed public has this free place to turn with these 103 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 1: specific questions, even if they might get a bit emotional 104 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:54,280 Speaker 1: at times. Oh what's interesting too about this hot line 105 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:56,440 Speaker 1: is you don't necessarily have to be a King Arthur 106 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:59,599 Speaker 1: Flower customer in order to call that number. And I 107 00:04:59,640 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 1: know this because I didn't call the call. And she's 108 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:05,400 Speaker 1: several years ago. She called and she was following a 109 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:08,279 Speaker 1: bag at recipe on their site and it wasn't turning 110 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 1: out and she couldn't figure it out, so she gave 111 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: him a call. She said. They're so incredibly kind and 112 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:14,600 Speaker 1: patient with her, but they kind of walked through all 113 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: the steps and you know, she was following the recipe 114 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: to a t and so they kind of stepped it 115 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:21,280 Speaker 1: back even further and they, you know, then they asked her, well, 116 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 1: are you are you using our flower and she had 117 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 1: to admit that she wasn't she just using the cheap 118 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:29,840 Speaker 1: didn't No. Yeah, they stayed on the line with there, 119 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:32,280 Speaker 1: and they're very kind and patient even still. But that's 120 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 1: when she learned that different types of flower have are 121 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 1: are made differently, and you know, King Arthur Flower has 122 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 1: like a different amount of protein in it, which means 123 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 1: it's going to react differently. So if you're out there 124 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 1: and you're maybe a new struggling baker, uh, that can 125 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:45,359 Speaker 1: make all the difference for you, called King Arthur. I 126 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 1: don't know what the number is. We'll post it in 127 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 1: the show notes. Sure, all right, let's get on to 128 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:52,719 Speaker 1: the next interesting topic, Matt. We've talked a lot about 129 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 1: the p PP loans that were made available because of 130 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 1: the pandemic to help keep businesses afloat right. We also 131 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:00,719 Speaker 1: talked about how to get these loans and the recent 132 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:03,960 Speaker 1: changes in forgiveness eligibility. There was also a lot of 133 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:06,920 Speaker 1: confusing language and it wasn't clear what the requirements were 134 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:09,119 Speaker 1: going to be. There were just a lot of moving parts, 135 00:06:09,279 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: and it left a lot of business owners pretty confused. Unfortunately, 136 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 1: that also meant that a lot of borrowers were reluctant 137 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:17,920 Speaker 1: to even tap those loans, which was unfortunate because many 138 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:20,719 Speaker 1: of them needed them in times of distress. But fortunately 139 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:22,840 Speaker 1: there was at least a little bit of clarity that 140 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:24,800 Speaker 1: we got last week that we felt like we we 141 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 1: had to mention on the show today. Yeah, last Wednesday, 142 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 1: the SPA released some new forms that greatly simplified the 143 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 1: forgiveness application process. Uh. And they also included this safe 144 00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: harbor option where business owners can just affirm that they 145 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:39,560 Speaker 1: weren't able to operate at the same level as before 146 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 1: the pandemic. Sounds like a much better option than the 147 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 1: eleven pages that was supposed to only take three hours 148 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 1: to complete, although I saw in one article there was 149 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 1: an individual that said he spent at least twenty five 150 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:52,680 Speaker 1: hours trying to navigate all the different checkboxes, and so 151 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 1: that was before these forms were released out right, exactly exactly. 152 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:57,359 Speaker 1: So hopefully it's gotten a lot simpler and people that 153 00:06:57,400 --> 00:07:00,880 Speaker 1: were daunted by looking at the sense of trying to 154 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 1: get forgiveness, hopefully it's a lot simpler now and they'll 155 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 1: be able to to get forgiveness without having to spend 156 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 1: a whole lot of time. And it should be, from 157 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 1: what we can tell, a pretty straightforward and simple process now. Yeah, 158 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:13,000 Speaker 1: and you know it wouldn't hurt as well as to 159 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 1: get in touch with your banker, your bank that you 160 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 1: received your PPP loan through, because they're gonna know more 161 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 1: of the specifics to your individual business a little better 162 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 1: that way, If you do have any questions you can 163 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:26,960 Speaker 1: ask them, as they'll likely be pretty up to date 164 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 1: on the information that's out there. J Let's talk about 165 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:32,120 Speaker 1: debt collection as well, my favorite topic, man, And it 166 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 1: seems that debt collectors are a little emboldened right now. 167 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: More folks are financially vulnerable, and so there have been 168 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 1: a few anecdotes and news reports that seem to show 169 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 1: that some debt collectors are becoming even more pushy and 170 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:47,240 Speaker 1: reckless in their collection efforts. And so because of that, 171 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 1: if you get contacted by a debt collector, it's really 172 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: important that you know your rights. Collectors have to follow 173 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 1: the rules that are in the Fair Debt Collection Practices 174 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 1: Act and will link to some f A queues in 175 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 1: our show notes that a lot of folks might have 176 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:03,640 Speaker 1: when it comes to debt collection. Yeah, mat And one 177 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: particular tactic that debt collectors tend to use, or the 178 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 1: shady ones at least at times, are trying to get 179 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: you to pay even just a small amount towards towards 180 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:14,640 Speaker 1: what you owe towards the debt, and that can actually 181 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:17,120 Speaker 1: restart the clock on that debt. In many states, so 182 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 1: there's something called the Statute of Limitations and in every 183 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: state it's a little bit different in how long the 184 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 1: collector has to be collecting that debt before they're not 185 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:26,680 Speaker 1: allowed to collect on it anymore. And it makes sense 186 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 1: that these debt collectors are trying to get you to 187 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 1: do that because then it makes it easier for them 188 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:32,600 Speaker 1: to sue you for that debt in court. But the 189 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:36,520 Speaker 1: CFPB has proposed a rule that consumers should be notified 190 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 1: about that debt clock restart mat because I guarantee you 191 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 1: ninety eight percent of them don't know that that's the case. 192 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:44,920 Speaker 1: But that is not a law that's been enacted yet. Sadly, 193 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:46,959 Speaker 1: we'll let you know if there's any movement on that. 194 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:48,720 Speaker 1: But one thing you need to be aware of right 195 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 1: now is that you have rights, and one right you 196 00:08:51,679 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: have is to send that debt collector a letter telling 197 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:56,400 Speaker 1: them to stop contacting you. If you're being harassed in 198 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: particular by a debt collector, file a complaint with the 199 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 1: CFPB and you state Attorney General's office. Matt, it's kind 200 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:04,439 Speaker 1: of hard to read those anecdotes that you mentioned. It's 201 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:07,679 Speaker 1: hard to see those stories of people being harassed by 202 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 1: dec collectors, and in particular in a pandemic when everybody 203 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 1: is suffering at least some hardship, many people financial and 204 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:16,280 Speaker 1: other people mental and financial. I mean, there's just so 205 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 1: many hurdles to overcome it, and it makes it's so 206 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 1: much harder with dirty dec collection tactics like piling on 207 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:23,680 Speaker 1: top of that. Yeah, well, speaking of dirty gross debts, 208 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 1: man payday loans they are probably the worst financial product ever, 209 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:31,160 Speaker 1: and recently they've been getting around Google and Facebook ad 210 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:35,440 Speaker 1: bands to reach customers with their absolutely rank offerings of 211 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 1: interest rates in the two to range. And these lenders 212 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 1: they prey on the financially vulnerable, of which there are 213 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:44,839 Speaker 1: many right now. In particular, they're using s e O 214 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:48,080 Speaker 1: SO search engine optimization to target people who are searching 215 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:51,040 Speaker 1: for help and they're feeding them these quick online loans. 216 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:53,679 Speaker 1: There are folks who might take those loans and they're 217 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 1: sure that they're gonna be able to pay them off right, 218 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 1: those small loans in just that short period of time. 219 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 1: But often, man, it becomes a terrible side of bait 220 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,680 Speaker 1: and switched tactics to go along with that high interest rate. 221 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 1: So if you are having a hard financial time right now, 222 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 1: make sure to stay away from not only the physical 223 00:10:09,160 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 1: paid a lending storefronts, but the online ones as well. Man, 224 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 1: there's one near us, and every time I drive by it, 225 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:16,520 Speaker 1: I like, look over there and glare at it. I 226 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:19,120 Speaker 1: want them to feel my disapproval. Yeah, I kind of 227 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:21,200 Speaker 1: shudder when I see him. And it is amazing when 228 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 1: you open your eyes how many there are around where 229 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 1: most of us live, and in particular small towns. It 230 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: can be so tough to go through certain small towns 231 00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:30,440 Speaker 1: these days. I feel like there's a lot of fast 232 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 1: food restaurants and paid a lending places, and yeah, those 233 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 1: are truly like the worst financial product, and and it 234 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 1: does promote, like you said, this sick cycle of debt 235 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 1: that's hard to get out of. All right, let's talk 236 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: about travel real quick before we bring Scott on. We're 237 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:45,760 Speaker 1: gonna talk to him in just a minute. But cruise 238 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: lines are voluntarily suspending trips out of US ports until 239 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:52,200 Speaker 1: September fift I'm sure that some people out there, maybe 240 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 1: you're riching to get on the cruise right now, but 241 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:56,320 Speaker 1: I'm certainly not one of them. And I've actually never 242 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:58,680 Speaker 1: been on a cruise before. I mean either, No, I 243 00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:02,200 Speaker 1: just can't imagine that demand is high given the current circumstances. 244 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,400 Speaker 1: But it will be interesting to see what happens to 245 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 1: the cruise industry when they do start to resume operations 246 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 1: from the United States in the fall. And I think 247 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 1: it's probably a smart marketing move and a smart health 248 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 1: move to say no cruises until mid September. Sure, yeah, 249 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 1: assuming the US can manage COVID nineteen. There might be 250 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:20,319 Speaker 1: deals though in the fall. So if if you are 251 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 1: all about cruises, yeah, keep an eye out. And Joe, 252 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 1: we're gonna talk more about travel and how you should 253 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:26,760 Speaker 1: be thinking about it in just a minute with a 254 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:29,600 Speaker 1: friend of the show and travel expert, Scott Kays. We're 255 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:41,120 Speaker 1: gonna talk with him right after the break. All right, Matt, 256 00:11:41,120 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: we're back from the break. We just talked a little 257 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:45,480 Speaker 1: bit about the cruise industry and now we're gonna talk 258 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:49,199 Speaker 1: about travel more broadly. And one of our our favorite 259 00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 1: travel experts to to have on the show. We had 260 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:53,840 Speaker 1: them on quite a while back, but we haven't actually 261 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:55,679 Speaker 1: talked to him. That was back in our Money Pro 262 00:11:55,760 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 1: episode Days is Scott Kais and Scott runs the website 263 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 1: Scott's Cheap Flights, and it's also an email newsletter and 264 00:12:03,679 --> 00:12:07,679 Speaker 1: it informs people about the best and cheapest places to 265 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 1: book travel. And so Scott, thank you so much for 266 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 1: taking a little bit of time to join us on 267 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:13,959 Speaker 1: the show today. Thank you guys for having me. I'm 268 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:16,400 Speaker 1: excited to be here. Yeah, ask, We're glad to have 269 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 1: a flights and airfare expert on the show. And you 270 00:12:19,360 --> 00:12:21,920 Speaker 1: know you recently you sit on an email to your 271 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:25,880 Speaker 1: newsletters subscribers describing getting a refund on a flight that 272 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:28,480 Speaker 1: hasn't yet been canceled, sort of as this like game 273 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: of chicken, and so what do you mean by that? 274 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:33,280 Speaker 1: And how can our listeners who find themselves in this 275 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:38,079 Speaker 1: predicament get their money back? Yeah? Great question. So here's 276 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:42,720 Speaker 1: the deal. By law, if an airline cancels your flight, 277 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 1: you are eligible for a refund period. Doesn't matter that 278 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 1: there's a pandemic, doesn't matter that they didn't want to, 279 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:52,160 Speaker 1: doesn't matter that they'd really like to keep your money. 280 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 1: If they cancel your flight, then you're owed a refund. 281 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 1: For a lot of people, this has been a really 282 00:12:57,240 --> 00:13:00,760 Speaker 1: urgent matter during the pandemic and during over the past 283 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:03,440 Speaker 1: few months when the airlines have been doing major surgery 284 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 1: to their schedules, canceling flights left and right. But for 285 00:13:06,840 --> 00:13:09,600 Speaker 1: a lot of folks, they didn't necessarily know that they 286 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 1: were eligible for a refund when an airline cancels their 287 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:15,600 Speaker 1: flight because the airlines didn't tell them. They tell them, 288 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:18,760 Speaker 1: you know, they'll cancel your flight and send you an email, Hey, Matt, 289 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:21,680 Speaker 1: Hey Joel, Sorry, we just canceled your flight. But here's 290 00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:25,480 Speaker 1: a We've already processed a travel voucher for you. Click 291 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 1: here to accept it, and they don't mention anywhere in 292 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:31,800 Speaker 1: it that you can get a refund if you prefer. Now, 293 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 1: if you're anything like me, you'd rather get that refund 294 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 1: because you can't go down to the grocery store and 295 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,800 Speaker 1: pay for your food with a five dollar American Airlines 296 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:44,360 Speaker 1: gift card. You need your cash to do that. You 297 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 1: can't buy craft beer with a voucher. You can't buy 298 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 1: craft beer with an airline's gift card. And so it's 299 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:52,920 Speaker 1: really important to know your rights and to be able 300 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 1: to take advantage of them, because the airlines aren't necessarily 301 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:57,320 Speaker 1: going to tell you about it. And so this is 302 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:59,600 Speaker 1: why I liken it's to a game of chicken. If 303 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:03,400 Speaker 1: you have a flight booked, even if you've decided I'm 304 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:06,080 Speaker 1: not taking that trip. I don't feel safe or comfortable 305 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 1: right now, it still makes sense to hold off as 306 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:12,959 Speaker 1: long as possible to cancel it, because, uh, if the 307 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 1: airline winds up canceling the flight that you're on, or 308 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:19,160 Speaker 1: if they make a significant schedule change let's say they 309 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:21,640 Speaker 1: switch it from a NonStop to a connecting flight, or 310 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:23,880 Speaker 1: they change it by at least a couple of hours. 311 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 1: If they cancel or make a significant schedule change, then 312 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 1: they owe you a refund, Whereas if you're the one 313 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:33,560 Speaker 1: who cancels, you're only going to get a travel voucher. 314 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:35,400 Speaker 1: So this is why I liken it to a game 315 00:14:35,440 --> 00:14:39,160 Speaker 1: of chicken. Whichever party blinks first loses. So, so is 316 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:42,040 Speaker 1: it a matter of when you are offered a travel voucher, 317 00:14:42,120 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 1: sticking up for yourself and saying no, no, no, no, 318 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 1: I know I'm eligible for a refund and you need 319 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 1: to you need to make that happen because you know 320 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 1: you might not always get offered that immediately from the airlines. 321 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 1: So yeah, is it just a matter of telling them 322 00:14:57,520 --> 00:15:02,080 Speaker 1: that you know what you're eligible to receive. Unfortunately, Yes, Uh, 323 00:15:02,120 --> 00:15:05,640 Speaker 1: it is oftentimes a matter of showing them that you 324 00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 1: know your rights mentioning it sometimes, you know, most of 325 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 1: the time, it's pretty simple. You can call up the 326 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 1: airline and they'll tell you, uh, yeah, you know, we 327 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 1: can see we canceled your flight. Therefore we're going to 328 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: process a refund that I would say, and maybe ten 329 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: to of cases they might put up a fight. Um 330 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:24,680 Speaker 1: whether because that is uh, we've got an agent who 331 00:15:24,760 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 1: might be misinformed about the law, or whether that's because 332 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 1: the airline itself the executives have decided they're just going 333 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:35,000 Speaker 1: to flout the law, which is frankly uh shameful and 334 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,560 Speaker 1: and and disgusting in my book. But there are a 335 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 1: number of airlines, especially around the world, less so US 336 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:44,640 Speaker 1: airlines these days, but airlines like Air Canada, uh tap At, 337 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: Portuguese Airline, a couple in Mexico Laris and Interjet that 338 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:51,400 Speaker 1: have been really just just dragging their heels, throwing up 339 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:55,800 Speaker 1: roadblocks whenever they can to try to avoid giving customers 340 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:59,680 Speaker 1: the refunds that they're legally owed. And so in those situations, 341 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 1: if you called a couple of times and they're still 342 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 1: just saying no, no, we're not giving you a refund 343 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 1: even though you're legally owed one, you've got two other 344 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:11,960 Speaker 1: options at your fingertips. Step one, you can file a 345 00:16:12,040 --> 00:16:15,040 Speaker 1: complaint with the Department of Transportation. Now you might be 346 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:17,640 Speaker 1: thinking file a complaint that sounds like just kind of 347 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:20,480 Speaker 1: spitting in the wind, doesn't actually do anything well in 348 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:23,280 Speaker 1: this case. Actually, the Department of Transportation, what they do 349 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:25,600 Speaker 1: is that they'll take your complaint and they immediately afford 350 00:16:25,640 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 1: it to the airline. They're like, airline, you need to 351 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:32,640 Speaker 1: rectify this situation promptly. And we're watching, you know, and 352 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:35,240 Speaker 1: and and they're kind of keeping tabs on the airlines 353 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 1: and threatening enforcement action if the airlines don't comply. I've 354 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:41,720 Speaker 1: had enough, you know. I've seen tons and tons of 355 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:44,800 Speaker 1: different of Scotts Flights members who have said that they 356 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:47,760 Speaker 1: were denied a refund until they filed that complaint, and 357 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 1: then the airline, you know, got it together and gave 358 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:53,520 Speaker 1: him the refund. If that doesn't work, the last option 359 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 1: you've got your fingertips is to dispute the charge on 360 00:16:56,160 --> 00:17:00,080 Speaker 1: your credit card. Every credit card, every bank guarantees you 361 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 1: that if you pay for something with their credit card 362 00:17:02,960 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 1: and you don't receive what you paid for. Let's say 363 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: you booked a flight and that canceled the flight, uh 364 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 1: that you can get your money back. You know that 365 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 1: they're not going to to hold you to that. And 366 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:15,760 Speaker 1: so if the airline won't process a refund, you can 367 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 1: dispute the charge. The the bank will reimburse you, and 368 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 1: then they'll go fight the air with the airlines to 369 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:24,520 Speaker 1: try to get the money back for themselves. So it's 370 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 1: a nice way to make it your credit cards problem 371 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:30,879 Speaker 1: rather than your problem. Right yeah. Another great reason to 372 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:34,400 Speaker 1: not pay for your your plane tickets in cash, however, 373 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:36,440 Speaker 1: it is that you're supposed to do that, you don't 374 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:39,200 Speaker 1: want to do that, and also trying to avoid paying 375 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:42,600 Speaker 1: with it with debit cards. Credit cards have stronger protections 376 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:44,840 Speaker 1: along these lines. And so if you have a credit card, 377 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 1: good idea to pay to use that to pay for 378 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 1: your flights, right yeah. Yeah, so we're talking about cancelations. 379 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 1: What about just like massive delays, right, Like a lot 380 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:57,000 Speaker 1: of flights are are just being rescheduled, and so like 381 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 1: what rights to passengers have who have had their travel 382 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:03,440 Speaker 1: times change, you know significantly where it massively alters their 383 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:06,760 Speaker 1: their itinerary you know, including hotel stays and like connecting 384 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:10,200 Speaker 1: flights as well. Right, So the Department's transportation. Again, this 385 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 1: is federal law says that if an airline makes a 386 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 1: significant schedule change to your itinerary, that also makes you 387 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:22,480 Speaker 1: eligible for a refund. Now, what's frustrating is that they 388 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:26,600 Speaker 1: didn't spell out exactly what is a significant schedule change. 389 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:30,360 Speaker 1: They leave that up to each individual airline, but each 390 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:34,040 Speaker 1: so each individual airline actually has this in there what's 391 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:36,879 Speaker 1: called their contract of carriage, essentially the fine print. You know, 392 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 1: I agree through these terms and conditions when you when 393 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:44,879 Speaker 1: you hit purchase on a flight, uh most airlines, it 394 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 1: is uh two hours. So they'll say if going to 395 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:53,520 Speaker 1: change your flight times by more than two hours, then 396 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:57,440 Speaker 1: you're eligible for refund. What was interesting, United Airlines tried 397 00:18:57,480 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 1: to really get away with some stuff during the pandemic. 398 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:03,720 Speaker 1: Where before the pandemic there their um their policy was 399 00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:06,680 Speaker 1: two hours, but during the pandemic, all of a sudden 400 00:19:06,840 --> 00:19:10,560 Speaker 1: they quietly tried to shift it to twenty five hours, 401 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:14,159 Speaker 1: saying like, oh, yeah, we can change your flight by 402 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:16,639 Speaker 1: an entire day twenty four hours, and we would not 403 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 1: consider that a significant schedule change and thus eligible for 404 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: a refund. You know, people understandably had a h away 405 00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 1: with them on on social media there's a big, big 406 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:33,399 Speaker 1: dust up about it. And what was funny was the 407 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 1: Department's Transportation actually ended up essentially sub tweeting United Airlines 408 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 1: in a memorandum that they put out saying that airlines 409 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:47,120 Speaker 1: cannot retroactively change their policies on significant schedule changes. They can't, 410 00:19:47,160 --> 00:19:49,480 Speaker 1: you know, try to like, whatever the policy was when 411 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:51,680 Speaker 1: you booked, is the policy that you're owned. They can't 412 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:57,320 Speaker 1: retroactively apply this new policy. Had a lot of pressure, 413 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 1: right exactly, it's common sense. And so anyway, they backed down. 414 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:04,840 Speaker 1: They said, Okay, we'll go back to the two hour policy, thankfully, 415 00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:08,239 Speaker 1: but um yeah, in general two hours you should be 416 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 1: good for a refund. I thought you're gonna say that. 417 00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:11,600 Speaker 1: They kind of quietly went in there and trying to 418 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:15,199 Speaker 1: try to change hours to like weeks, just two weeks. 419 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:20,879 Speaker 1: Oh did you think hours now? It'd be even worse? Right, Uh, 420 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:23,240 Speaker 1: it's got to. We've seen some some kind of interesting 421 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:27,119 Speaker 1: things happen in travel insurance during the pandemic, right, A 422 00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:30,080 Speaker 1: lot of policies don't seem to be covering people as 423 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:32,239 Speaker 1: well as they would have hoped. So what guidance can 424 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:35,320 Speaker 1: you offer people who are booking travel about how they 425 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:38,240 Speaker 1: should go about thinking about and then buying travel insurance 426 00:20:38,320 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 1: right now when they're when they're going on a trip. 427 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:43,720 Speaker 1: Really good question, and I'm gonna try to simplify this 428 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:45,679 Speaker 1: as much as possible because I've made I have a 429 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:49,200 Speaker 1: lot of thoughts on travel insurance. UM. The first thing 430 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:54,480 Speaker 1: that I recommend people is know what protections you already have. UM. 431 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:58,000 Speaker 1: Many people don't realize how much they are already covered 432 00:20:58,160 --> 00:21:01,800 Speaker 1: without having to spend a single time. UM. When you 433 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:05,560 Speaker 1: purchase a ticket from an airline, they're already make certain 434 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:08,359 Speaker 1: guarantees that and they will give you forms of compensation 435 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:10,679 Speaker 1: if they break those guarantees. So if there's you know, 436 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:13,720 Speaker 1: you book a flight and there's a huge delay or 437 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:16,560 Speaker 1: a cancelation that that's not like weather relating, you know 438 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:19,560 Speaker 1: that's a mechanical issue or something, or their computer system 439 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:23,440 Speaker 1: went down, you can ask for compensation. They'll typically give 440 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:25,919 Speaker 1: it to you. As a result. If they lose your 441 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:28,800 Speaker 1: bags or damage your bags, or or you know they're delayed, 442 00:21:29,119 --> 00:21:31,640 Speaker 1: you can ask for compensation. They'll typically give it to you. 443 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:34,199 Speaker 1: So not only are you do you have certain protections 444 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:37,960 Speaker 1: already from the airline, you also have certain protections through 445 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:40,479 Speaker 1: your credit card that you book with. Now, these are 446 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:43,840 Speaker 1: going to vary credit card to credit card, but UM 447 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:47,240 Speaker 1: in general, many of them will give you similar protections 448 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:49,800 Speaker 1: as well, where if there's a big delay or cancelation 449 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 1: on your flight, you can get UH money for that. 450 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:55,480 Speaker 1: If your bags get messed up, if there are other 451 00:21:55,560 --> 00:21:58,119 Speaker 1: sorts of issues, even if you need things like you know, 452 00:21:58,280 --> 00:22:01,960 Speaker 1: medical evacuation or of like that, some some credit cards 453 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:06,560 Speaker 1: will cover that. And so knowing what you're already protected 454 00:22:06,560 --> 00:22:10,359 Speaker 1: for so that you're not buying something that's superfluous, I 455 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:14,400 Speaker 1: think is really really important. But then it's also if 456 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:18,600 Speaker 1: you're really kind of gung ho on buying insurance, making 457 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:23,640 Speaker 1: sure you're really clear on what it is that you're purchasing. UM, 458 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 1: many people kind of will just click yes on the 459 00:22:26,880 --> 00:22:29,879 Speaker 1: travel insurance page when you're booking their flight because they're 460 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:34,280 Speaker 1: thinking about it almost philosophically. They're thinking about it in 461 00:22:34,440 --> 00:22:37,719 Speaker 1: moral terms like, oh, I want to be protected, you know, 462 00:22:37,800 --> 00:22:39,960 Speaker 1: I want to I want to watch my downside and 463 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:42,320 Speaker 1: want to make sure that that I don't lose everything, 464 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:44,520 Speaker 1: so I'm gonna click yes, not realizing that they can't 465 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:47,520 Speaker 1: just this doesn't make them eligible to just cancel their 466 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:52,800 Speaker 1: flight and get anything exactly exactly like, so much of 467 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:56,639 Speaker 1: the fine print is there to deny giving you claims, 468 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:59,520 Speaker 1: and they have time that most people realize this is 469 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:02,560 Speaker 1: when they're trying to collect on a claim, not when 470 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:04,920 Speaker 1: they're making in the purchase, and obviously by that time 471 00:23:05,080 --> 00:23:07,119 Speaker 1: it's too late. And you know, a lot of people 472 00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:11,360 Speaker 1: learned this really unfortunately firsthand when the pandemic first hit, 473 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:14,480 Speaker 1: before the airlines loosened up their refund policies, and they 474 00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:17,040 Speaker 1: realized that the insurance that they had bought did not 475 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:20,840 Speaker 1: let them just cancel their tickets or change the dates 476 00:23:20,840 --> 00:23:23,800 Speaker 1: and get compensation for that. They would have had to 477 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:27,359 Speaker 1: buy a much more expensive form of insurance called cancel 478 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:32,320 Speaker 1: for any reason insurance. And so man, I hate saying like, oh, 479 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:35,200 Speaker 1: just read the fine print, because look, I almost never 480 00:23:35,240 --> 00:23:38,720 Speaker 1: read the fine print. I'm a normal person now. But 481 00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:42,320 Speaker 1: with something like travel insurance, if you really, if if 482 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:45,720 Speaker 1: all you're trying to do is kind of assuage your 483 00:23:46,119 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 1: your your guilt or feel better about it, you know 484 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:54,240 Speaker 1: understand what that is, then you're paying to just kind 485 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:55,960 Speaker 1: of feel better. But if you really want to make 486 00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 1: sure that you would be protected and insured, it really 487 00:23:59,560 --> 00:24:01,960 Speaker 1: does make sense to to read the fine print and 488 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:05,760 Speaker 1: contrast that with the protections you already have from the 489 00:24:05,800 --> 00:24:08,239 Speaker 1: airline and the credit card you used. I think it's 490 00:24:08,280 --> 00:24:10,439 Speaker 1: also important to mention to Scott that you can buy 491 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:13,719 Speaker 1: travel insurance from websites that aren't the airline website, right. 492 00:24:13,720 --> 00:24:15,480 Speaker 1: You can go out there on the open market and 493 00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:17,640 Speaker 1: shop travel insurance. You can often get a better deal, 494 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:19,879 Speaker 1: you can get better coverage for a lower price, all 495 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:21,879 Speaker 1: that kind of stuff. So you're not subject to just 496 00:24:21,920 --> 00:24:24,399 Speaker 1: buying it on the checkout screen of American Airlines or 497 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:27,800 Speaker 1: wherever you're getting your your airline ticket from, yes, and 498 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:30,000 Speaker 1: and and shopping around like that is almost certainly going 499 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 1: to get you a better deal. I mean, if you 500 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:35,080 Speaker 1: think about it, if the default option when you buy, uh, 501 00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:38,119 Speaker 1: you know, flight from American or Delta or wherever, the 502 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:41,000 Speaker 1: default option they show you is almost certainly not going 503 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:43,800 Speaker 1: to be as good or as valuable as if you 504 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:47,280 Speaker 1: shopped around for it. So that's a really good point. Nice. 505 00:24:47,480 --> 00:24:50,440 Speaker 1: So Scott, let's let's ask maybe an obvious question, you know, 506 00:24:50,480 --> 00:24:52,080 Speaker 1: let's kind of zoom out a little bit here, like 507 00:24:52,240 --> 00:24:55,560 Speaker 1: do you feel comfortable at this point in time traveling 508 00:24:55,840 --> 00:24:57,600 Speaker 1: right like, like, do you feel comfortable getting on a 509 00:24:57,600 --> 00:25:01,080 Speaker 1: plane and going somewhere if it wasn't necessary, I personally 510 00:25:01,119 --> 00:25:03,679 Speaker 1: would feel comfortable getting on an airplane right now. And 511 00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:08,639 Speaker 1: the reason why is that airplanes are not as dangerous 512 00:25:08,760 --> 00:25:11,800 Speaker 1: as we might think they are. That they don't tend 513 00:25:11,880 --> 00:25:14,320 Speaker 1: to be vectors of disease, they don't tend to be 514 00:25:14,359 --> 00:25:17,320 Speaker 1: hotspots of transmission, they don't tend to be kind of 515 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:22,680 Speaker 1: super spreading events. And that's not me talking. That's epidemiologist 516 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:26,760 Speaker 1: Dr Joseph Allen from Harvard, you know, Harvard train professor 517 00:25:26,800 --> 00:25:30,200 Speaker 1: who really studies kind of air quality and airplanes, talking 518 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:33,520 Speaker 1: about this in the Washington Post and elsewhere. That look, 519 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:38,680 Speaker 1: millions and millions of people have flowns on airplanes since February, 520 00:25:38,680 --> 00:25:42,800 Speaker 1: since marchin the pandemic began. If airplanes were super spreading events, 521 00:25:43,119 --> 00:25:45,280 Speaker 1: if there were, you know, tons and tons of people 522 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:47,640 Speaker 1: getting sick on them in these big clusters, we would 523 00:25:47,720 --> 00:25:50,919 Speaker 1: know about it by now. The fact that is that 524 00:25:50,960 --> 00:25:54,640 Speaker 1: there's only been one instance that we've identified where multiple 525 00:25:54,680 --> 00:25:58,200 Speaker 1: people on an airplane came down with coronavirus. Now, you 526 00:25:58,280 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 1: might be asked, why is that you know it seems 527 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:03,960 Speaker 1: so like such a an obvious place for disease transmission. 528 00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:05,399 Speaker 1: You've got a lot of people in a kind of 529 00:26:05,520 --> 00:26:09,200 Speaker 1: confined space. It's not outdoors. The reason why, and this 530 00:26:09,280 --> 00:26:11,879 Speaker 1: is why I would personally be comfortable on a plane, 531 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:15,080 Speaker 1: is that contract the sort of idea that, oh, it's 532 00:26:15,119 --> 00:26:18,639 Speaker 1: all recycled air onboard, it's all recirculated. There is a 533 00:26:18,720 --> 00:26:21,640 Speaker 1: lot of fresh air when you're up at thirty feet. 534 00:26:21,720 --> 00:26:24,359 Speaker 1: It kind of boggles the mind. But and this is 535 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:27,520 Speaker 1: something that we didn't really need to think about before 536 00:26:27,640 --> 00:26:30,399 Speaker 1: all of a sudden the air quality on planes became paramount. 537 00:26:30,720 --> 00:26:33,680 Speaker 1: But it's true that the airline airplanes are sucking up 538 00:26:33,680 --> 00:26:37,399 Speaker 1: fresh air from the outside through the like a complex 539 00:26:37,440 --> 00:26:42,240 Speaker 1: series of vents and hoses, where essentially they're continuously throughout 540 00:26:42,280 --> 00:26:46,120 Speaker 1: the flight bringing fresh air, fres fresh oxygen in from 541 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:50,960 Speaker 1: the outside. Obviously, we need fresh air, fresh oxygen to breathe, 542 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:53,840 Speaker 1: so that obviously that helps kind of makes a lot 543 00:26:53,880 --> 00:26:56,359 Speaker 1: of sense. But it's not just to that the air 544 00:26:56,440 --> 00:26:59,639 Speaker 1: that's on board is the exact same air that was 545 00:26:59,720 --> 00:27:03,800 Speaker 1: there at takeoff. There are these really kind of powerful 546 00:27:04,160 --> 00:27:07,920 Speaker 1: hospital grade air filters on board called Heppa filters that 547 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:11,800 Speaker 1: are continuously recycling the air to to clear out. I 548 00:27:11,800 --> 00:27:17,800 Speaker 1: think it's since like of particles on board. I say 549 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:20,280 Speaker 1: all this not to be like Polly Anish. Oh, you know, 550 00:27:20,359 --> 00:27:24,120 Speaker 1: nobody could ever get sick on an airplane. Like, yes, 551 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:28,160 Speaker 1: if somebody is sitting next to you and has coronavirus 552 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:31,200 Speaker 1: and they sneeze like I would not want to be 553 00:27:31,280 --> 00:27:35,439 Speaker 1: in that situation. The Heppa grade air filter and fresh 554 00:27:35,440 --> 00:27:37,359 Speaker 1: air from the outside is probably not going to protect 555 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:40,760 Speaker 1: you in that situation. But if somebody has sneezes, you know, 556 00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:44,000 Speaker 1: twenty rows back, I'm not sitting there where like, oh, 557 00:27:44,040 --> 00:27:47,159 Speaker 1: the entire plane is going to get sick because of 558 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:50,120 Speaker 1: all these sorts of protections that are on board. Add 559 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:52,359 Speaker 1: on that the fact that you know, everybody is wearing 560 00:27:52,640 --> 00:27:56,000 Speaker 1: masks now or or should be. Most people are wearing masks, 561 00:27:56,040 --> 00:27:57,879 Speaker 1: which is really helpful, and they say they think it 562 00:27:58,280 --> 00:28:00,679 Speaker 1: might cut down a transmission as much as ten x. 563 00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:05,040 Speaker 1: All those factors are reasons why planes haven't been the 564 00:28:05,119 --> 00:28:08,639 Speaker 1: super spreading events that we might have anticipated, given that 565 00:28:08,720 --> 00:28:11,600 Speaker 1: it's indoors, given us a lot of people in confined spaces, 566 00:28:12,040 --> 00:28:15,080 Speaker 1: and that you can't really have social distancing per se. 567 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:18,760 Speaker 1: I think it's important to know that the science here 568 00:28:18,800 --> 00:28:21,520 Speaker 1: if it's helpful and comforting, but at the end of 569 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:23,960 Speaker 1: the day, vacation it should be fun like, it should 570 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:27,960 Speaker 1: be like something enjoyable, not something that's stressful in And 571 00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:30,160 Speaker 1: so if you're gonna be if if if you know, 572 00:28:30,240 --> 00:28:32,159 Speaker 1: like I'm just gonna be really worried, I'm gonna be 573 00:28:32,200 --> 00:28:34,800 Speaker 1: stressed out, and I mean not enjoying myself. That doesn't 574 00:28:34,840 --> 00:28:36,719 Speaker 1: sound like a very fun vacation to me. Like, I 575 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:39,200 Speaker 1: think I don't think that's something that you should feel 576 00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:42,200 Speaker 1: like you have to do. I think you should do 577 00:28:42,240 --> 00:28:45,480 Speaker 1: it when you feel comfortable and and and able to 578 00:28:46,040 --> 00:28:48,160 Speaker 1: do so without feeling like you're putting your life at 579 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:51,280 Speaker 1: risk to get on that plane. How will that answer 580 00:28:51,560 --> 00:28:53,640 Speaker 1: makes me feel less bad about the last question I 581 00:28:53,680 --> 00:28:57,200 Speaker 1: want to ask you. So, let's say hypothetical here, somebody 582 00:28:57,240 --> 00:29:00,600 Speaker 1: had a tenure anniversary coming up in October and and 583 00:29:00,760 --> 00:29:04,959 Speaker 1: they hypothetical congratulations, Yeah, thank you very much to the 584 00:29:05,040 --> 00:29:08,320 Speaker 1: hypothetical person. So, like, where where have you been seeing 585 00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:11,120 Speaker 1: great deals recently? And yeah, is there any place that 586 00:29:11,160 --> 00:29:13,760 Speaker 1: you would be like, man in October, you should totally 587 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:18,200 Speaker 1: go there. That is an excellent, excellent question. Now, presumably 588 00:29:18,320 --> 00:29:21,640 Speaker 1: this person may be flying out of somewhere like Atlanta. 589 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:27,040 Speaker 1: There's a good all right. So I'll tell you one 590 00:29:27,080 --> 00:29:31,160 Speaker 1: place where we have been seeing some really surprisingly great 591 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:35,680 Speaker 1: deals lately, and that has been uh Japan. Japan typically 592 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:37,560 Speaker 1: one of the most expensive places to fly to in 593 00:29:37,600 --> 00:29:39,640 Speaker 1: the s because it's so popular, like it's an amazing 594 00:29:39,680 --> 00:29:42,240 Speaker 1: I mean, for for good reason. I it's one of 595 00:29:42,320 --> 00:29:45,360 Speaker 1: my favorite countries in the world to visit, alongside Mexico. 596 00:29:46,040 --> 00:29:49,360 Speaker 1: And normally flights, especially from Atlanta to Japan can be 597 00:29:49,440 --> 00:29:52,960 Speaker 1: in twelve fourteen hundred dollars. We found it last week 598 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:57,080 Speaker 1: for five five bucks round trip, including in October. That's 599 00:29:57,120 --> 00:30:00,880 Speaker 1: pretty good. Yeah, over to to Tokyo. That's one of 600 00:30:00,920 --> 00:30:03,959 Speaker 1: the places that definitely kind of springs to mine if 601 00:30:03,960 --> 00:30:06,960 Speaker 1: you're looking to say somewhere maybe a little bit closer 602 00:30:07,000 --> 00:30:10,240 Speaker 1: to home. I'll be honest, some of the best deals 603 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:12,960 Speaker 1: and popping up lately have been domestic deals because that's 604 00:30:12,960 --> 00:30:15,560 Speaker 1: where there's been the most capacity, that's where it's been 605 00:30:15,600 --> 00:30:19,360 Speaker 1: the most planes flying. So a few recent deals that 606 00:30:19,400 --> 00:30:22,920 Speaker 1: we found on full service airlines, including in uh sort 607 00:30:22,960 --> 00:30:26,680 Speaker 1: of the fall Atlanta NonStop to Philadelphia or Chicago for 608 00:30:26,680 --> 00:30:29,640 Speaker 1: fifty one bucks round trip. Again, this is not on Spirit, 609 00:30:29,720 --> 00:30:32,000 Speaker 1: this is not in Frontier, this is on full service 610 00:30:32,080 --> 00:30:36,760 Speaker 1: airlines or even to somewhere uh like um l A 611 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:40,960 Speaker 1: for bucks NonStop round trip. So those are the places 612 00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:42,640 Speaker 1: that that you know. Look, if I was going to 613 00:30:42,720 --> 00:30:46,240 Speaker 1: take my wife on a on a on a anniversary 614 00:30:46,280 --> 00:30:49,320 Speaker 1: trip this October first, might be thinking Japan. But if 615 00:30:49,360 --> 00:30:51,280 Speaker 1: we're looking to stay somewhere a little closer to home, 616 00:30:51,880 --> 00:30:55,040 Speaker 1: Chicago or l A would be my choices. Sweet man, 617 00:30:55,160 --> 00:30:57,760 Speaker 1: Well those are good tips, so I might take listen 618 00:30:57,800 --> 00:31:00,480 Speaker 1: to consideration. Well, Scott like where else and folks go 619 00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:04,840 Speaker 1: to learn about some affordable flights. Yeah, we are working 620 00:31:04,840 --> 00:31:07,440 Speaker 1: out of Scott's cheap flights dot Com. There's no postorbary, 621 00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:12,080 Speaker 1: no dashes, no underscores, just Scott's cheap Flights dot Com. Uh. Look, 622 00:31:12,120 --> 00:31:15,040 Speaker 1: we're searching for cheap flights all day, every day, and 623 00:31:15,080 --> 00:31:16,360 Speaker 1: when we find them, we don't want to keep it 624 00:31:16,360 --> 00:31:17,680 Speaker 1: to ourselves. We want to be able to share it 625 00:31:17,760 --> 00:31:19,800 Speaker 1: with folks and help them be able to travel for 626 00:31:20,280 --> 00:31:23,600 Speaker 1: way less than they anticipated. And so you know, if 627 00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:26,760 Speaker 1: you want interested in getting cheap flights that emailed directly 628 00:31:26,800 --> 00:31:28,640 Speaker 1: to you out of your Home Airport. We'd love for 629 00:31:28,680 --> 00:31:30,240 Speaker 1: you to sign up. We'd been would be an honor 630 00:31:30,320 --> 00:31:33,240 Speaker 1: to send you those deals. Scott, thank you so much 631 00:31:33,280 --> 00:31:35,720 Speaker 1: for all the information and uh and for coming on 632 00:31:35,760 --> 00:31:38,080 Speaker 1: the show. We really appreciate it. Awesome. Thanks for having 633 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:40,360 Speaker 1: me manage all this has been a lot of fun. Absolutely, 634 00:31:40,360 --> 00:31:42,400 Speaker 1: thanks again, Man and Joel Man. How great is it 635 00:31:42,480 --> 00:31:44,600 Speaker 1: to have Scott on again? You know, someone who's an 636 00:31:44,600 --> 00:31:47,880 Speaker 1: expert within this industry, who knows air fare, who knows 637 00:31:47,960 --> 00:31:51,040 Speaker 1: flights and what's going on, uh, day in and day out. 638 00:31:51,080 --> 00:31:52,600 Speaker 1: So I'm glad that we're able to have Scott on 639 00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:54,720 Speaker 1: to share some of his knowledge, some of his wisdom 640 00:31:55,320 --> 00:31:58,720 Speaker 1: with our listeners. Yeah, Scott is an airfair nerd, kind 641 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:00,400 Speaker 1: of like on the level that we're money, they're so 642 00:32:00,520 --> 00:32:04,440 Speaker 1: I appreciate his advice and his wisdom, and hopefully that 643 00:32:04,480 --> 00:32:07,280 Speaker 1: helps our listeners who are thinking about future travel, who 644 00:32:07,280 --> 00:32:09,040 Speaker 1: are thinking about travel that they currently have a book. 645 00:32:09,080 --> 00:32:11,560 Speaker 1: Hopefully that was helpful. And how you make decisions and 646 00:32:11,560 --> 00:32:14,320 Speaker 1: and how you approach the airlines when you're looking for 647 00:32:14,360 --> 00:32:16,000 Speaker 1: a refund. So, Matt, that's going to do it for 648 00:32:16,040 --> 00:32:18,400 Speaker 1: this episode. If anybody wants show notes for this episode, 649 00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:20,320 Speaker 1: just go to our website at how to money dot 650 00:32:20,400 --> 00:32:22,640 Speaker 1: com and it's always helpful to the show if you 651 00:32:22,720 --> 00:32:25,320 Speaker 1: were to leave us a review over at Apple Podcasts, 652 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:27,400 Speaker 1: so if you haven't done that already, we would appreciate 653 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:29,480 Speaker 1: a solid review. So Joel, that's going to be it, buddy. 654 00:32:29,520 --> 00:32:32,800 Speaker 1: Until next time, Best Friends Out, Best Friends Out,