May 21, 2026
Hotels, airlines, and rental car companies are using AI to boost efficiency, cut costs, and increase revenue. New technologies are also being used to create new “gotchas” for travelers. In this episode, we discuss the new fees and how you can protect yourself. More from Checkbook: Avoid a Vacation Rental Nightmare Hotels: Tips for Finding
Read More : 109 – Travel Troubles: New Hotel, Airline, & Rental Car ‘Gotcha Fees’»
May 7, 2026
Travel is always a challenge, but right now, the war with Iran has added a whole new layer of turbulence and uncertainty—especially for those who plan to fly. Airlines around the globe are raising prices, adding fees, and cutting flights. Planning your trip now requires extra care because of travel scams fueled by AI. It’s
Read More : 108 – The Travel Show 2026»
April 9, 2026
A recent Checkbook investigation found widespread problems with vacation rentals, including fake listings and stolen deposits. Even worse, many victims get little or no help from Booking.com or Vrbo to recover their lost money. In this episode: We share results of our investigation and provide tips on how to protect yourself when booking a vacation
Read More : 106 – Avoid a Vacation Rental Nightmare»October 9, 2025
Checkbook’s editors and researchers love to save you time and money, and they use a broad range of consumer-oriented websites and apps to do so. In this episode, we’ll highlight some of their favorites and why they find them to be valuable tools. More from Checkbook : Our Editors’ Favorite Websites and Apps Not a
Read More : 94 – Our Editors’ Favorite Websites & Apps»July 24, 2025
Saving you time. Saving you money. Helping you score great deals—and steer clear of rip-offs and scams. That’s what we’re all about at the Consumerpedia podcast. In this episode, Checkbook staffers share their favorite life hacks—simple tricks and workarounds they’ve used and swear by—that will help you shop smarter, spend wiser, and stay one step
Read More : 91 – Checkbook’s Life Hacks»June 26, 2025
A bad hotel room can ruin your vacation or business trip, so you need to be careful when making your reservations. Hotel websites and online booking sites have great photos and glowing descriptions, but what you see isn’t always what you get. In this episode, tips for booking a room so you don’t end up
Read More : 89 – Avoid a Hotel Horror Show»May 15, 2025
Travel is always a hassle, but this year, it comes with some added twists. There’s growing uncertainty about the economy, and concerns about being an American tourist in a foreign country. Will you be welcome? In this episode: What to expect when booking flights, hotel rooms, or vacation rentals; how to spot travel scams that
Read More : 86 – Travel Tips: How to Find Deals and Avoid Scams»April 17, 2025
Whether it’s a complimentary dessert, an unexpected upgrade to a better hotel room, or you find a $20 bill in your coat pocket, we all like freebies. The staff at Checkbook sifted through member benefits for credit cards, warehouse clubs, health plans, and AAA. We discovered dozens of perks that are often overlooked. If you
Read More : 84 – Free Perks You Didn’t Know You Had»September 5, 2024
Want to spend a few days in Dublin before going to Munich? Sightsee in Madrid or Lisbon on the way home from Paris or Rome? Maybe break up that long-haul flight to Australia or New Zealand with a few nights in Tokyo or Honolulu? Dozens of airlines (mostly foreign carriers) let you visit two places
Read More : 69 – Free Airline Stopovers»May 2, 2024
It’s going to be a busy summer for travel, especially for those headed abroad. It’s late in the booking season, but some deals may still be available. In this episode, we’ll look at what you can expect to pay for airfare, hotel rooms, and rental cars. Plus, tips from travel experts Haley Berg of Hopper.com
Read More : 62 – The Travel Show 2024»