Modhop Podcast

After several months and numerous podcast episodes worth of planning, it's finally here. Anthony's Italian vacation is over and he's back to tell us all about it, from Rome to Florence and a few spots in between. Plus, we'll check out a hotel credit card sign up bonus that appears to be worth the hassle of signing up and some unique new routes from American Airlines. Listen above now.

Tough decisions in daily life take up the front end of our podcast today, but then we get to the fun. Anthony hasn't stopped talking about his upcoming trip to Italy for several episodes and today's the day he finally gets to go...and we can move on. Then, in news, We hear and discuss the story of Dr. Tischa Rowe who was almost turned away from a recent American Airlines flight. Plus, we learn about a not-so-new blog on one of my favorite subjects <em>and</em> a new ride comes to Hollywood! Listen:

In reporting news of United's apperent Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits, Anthony and I accidentally discover we both benefit from a totally unrelated credit card. Plus we banter about this year's SkyTrax list of best airlines and do our best to finalize Anthony's Italy trip. Listen:

A short party horn sound effect for our 50th podcast and we're off. We chat more about airlines further nickel & diming Business Class customers, new possible sign-up options for TSA PreCheck and a new Palm Springs Hotel that's made for taco lovers. Plus, Anthony's got a dilemma he needs your help with in this week's check-in of his Italy trip-planning.

How's THAT for a provocative show title? I think we answer the question somewhere in the podcast. Plus, an update on what happened with Post Malone's emergency landing last year (The FAA answered some questions this week) and we dig into the tragic circumstances surrounding the helicopter crash this past week in NYC. All that and a game-changing life event that went down in Anthony's world this week...Listen:

It's our most abrupt ending to-date but there's some good travel stuff leading up to it. We chat about the poor folks who got stuck at LAX following it's recent power-outage and look at the latest increased SkyMiles offers from Delta's co-branded American Express cards. Plus we tap into a Travel + Leisure feature on some unique hotel amenities. By the time you've listened to this, Anthony will have shorter hair.

We're back (finally) with a bunch of travel related news that happened in the past handful of weeks. United Airlines has a new look, JFK Airport has an awesome looking new hotel and we talk about the worlds best airports for 2019! Plus, rats vs. squirrels. Listen:

Jake is back from Switzerland and very tired. He does his very best to stay awake and tell you about getting to and visiting Lausanne and hopping up to Paris. Meanwhile, Anthony asks YOU for advice on planning for Italy.

I whine about the misinformation spread in the wake of recent catastrophes involving the Boeing 737 Max 8...before adding speculation. Plus, A big benefit is leaving the American Express Platinum Card and the North side of Seattle gets a closer airport in news. No guest this week, but we update on the progress of our own upcoming trips. Anthony's frustrated by United Award availability and I'm an insane person who wants to squeeze in a third European city in an upcoming 4-day hop to Europe. Please enjoy...

Laura Stylez is back to talk about her visit to Mexico City. The main event was all she had hoped for in Frida Kahlo's Blue House (La Casa Azul). Hear how she booked her way into the museum and the unexpected vibes that came from the experience. She also tells us great tales of a creepy stop along the canals of Xochimico and what NOT to wear to the strip club. In travel news, WestJet now flies over the Canadian border wall to 2 new US destinations, British Airways is getting shiny new planes and say your final "goodbye" to the old Virgin America entertainment system and "hello" to a seatback as we dig into Alaska Airlines new interiors.

We're all over the podcast map today. I tackle songwriting rules while trying and failing to plan my kid's birthday party. In news, we take on the demise of the Airbus 380, drunk passengers and cameras in your personal space on-board. Plus Ryan discovers a trip-planning site that we both seem to like (so far).

With so much to talk about we had to sort of force our way into the podcast room. Again, we're sans guest but I found some great places to talk about after my yearly trek to the New York Times Travel show. Plus, some really good news about an airport hotel that'll be a destination itself that's taking it's first reservation soon and a couple of big US airlines are getting new, tiny planes.

Rocking my sick voice, I tell you about my experience signing up for Clear and when I think it's a great deal. Plus, we found a great way to use your Amex airline reimbursement perk(that is, if you chose the right airline) via @monkeymiles blog. We also chat about the final air-related events leading up to the end of the US government shutdown. Then, I drone on about my trip to Florida with a great booze/coffee recommendation and a beach tip.

We're all over the place with a new lounge at LAX, some new routes from BNA and what MIA is doing during the government shutdown. Plus, it just occurred to us to pick our favorite moments and places of 2018. Listen now!:

Get ready to hear Anthony get SO bored, he forgets there's a podcast happening. I maintain that he was missing out because there's news about #PumpRules star Brittany Taylor getting into a sticky situation aboard a Delta flight and I relay the news about a possible food discount for United Premier members. Plus, we lay out our own possible travel plans for 2019. Listen:

Headlines have bad news for economy flyers who like to choose their seat ahead of time and good news if you're taking the train to the airport in Paris. Plus, our pal Bryan Apple is back to tell us how he was able to make a solid vacation out of his recent visit to France amidst turmoil and tragedy in the region.

Rainbow Village may be the most Instagrammable spot in Taiwan. We chat about and point to something we read about it's artist and single inhabitant, Grandpa Rainbow. Plus United starts selling new Premium Plus seats on long-haul flights starting in March 2019 and new Centurion Loungs are coming! Plus, Jake details his 15 hour visit to Hong Kong for #platinumchallenge on United for 2018. Listen now:

Jake and Anthony talk about how music gives them the feels before talking in a disturbing manner about Delta's new face recognition technology and a popular nuclear tourist destination. Also, we'll chat about new gates opening at New York LaGuardia and preview Jake's 15 hour stop in Hong Kong.

We can't get enough Thailand. This pod, We get insider info from Thai Celebrity Hotelier Tu Issara and his take on the current state of Tourism in the country (particularly Phuket). Plus there's news! Boracay Island in the Philippines re-opens cleaner and quieter than before. An unusual but heroic good deed aboard a Philippines Airlines flight is praised by many...and us. Finally, we circle back home to find out that roughly 4,800 Wall Street Journal readers love domestic airports in the wrong order.

There's some travel news up front including a new Amex card for business that's somehow both awesome and lame. Later, Jake's list of between one and three things to do if you've got 10 minutes in Burlington,VT. Somehow, we then spiral into a couple of stories about confidence and how to lose it...fast.

It's the podcast's first birthday! Before we dive deep into Anthony's trip to Lisbon, there's a flashback to our first episode along with the usual travel news. Learn about how a small coastal town in France is storing it's wine before being grossed out about what a recent study shows about germs on planes. Plus, Delta's got good news for business class flyers. Listen now:

We chat about results of JetStar Airlines recent global passenger survey and loathe United in it's standing-firm on Basic Economy carry-on charges. Plus, we tell you how to buy some French property on the cheap.

If our click-bait title draws in tons of K-Pop fans, they'll learn about American Airlines new, more restrictive rebooking policy. Plus they'll know the top 2 cities to visit in the US in 2018 according to Conde Nast and discover a swanky new cocktail lounge inside an old airplane.

Recovering from a recent soccer injury, Anthony's cry for help isn't about physical pain. He's more upset about possibly having to drop 45k United miles to get back from Lisbon in October. Can we save him? Plus, Jake tells you about new legislation that could set standards for airplane seat size and space and a tiny town in Switzerland that might not be quiet for long. We made 30 podcasts!

Laura Stylez of the Improper Etiquette Podcast and Hot 97 morning show in NYC hangs with us! She talks about her recent hops to Phuket and Bangkok in Thailand and Ibiza, Spain. We also dive into parts of Mexico as she preps to visit Mexico City soon. I'll also dig into travel news and tell you who's got more fees and how to avoid them...the fees, I mean.

Anthony and I devise a plan that will get us and our significant others a ton of free food at SFO. Plus where to top off your miles with a big bonus and my roundup Austin, Texas and it's BBQ.

Anthony's back so we get his final take on Turks and Caicos after we dig into headlines. Aeroplan and Air Canada are back together, Delta's loves TV and where to get a Buzz.

Anthony is away on vacation so our SiriusXM Radio Andy pal Alyssa Heimrich is here to sit in on some headlines. ONE of our headlines involves Radio Andy (Cohen) himself who was turned around flying from New York to Nice, France this week. We'll talk about why his flight got sent back and talk about positive changes coming to Nashville and Frontier's remodeled frequent flyer plan...and poke fun at Anthony since he's not here.

Caught off guard we start with a swears-full recollection of an at work run-in with Disney Radio fave "JagMac", an all-family pop group I had seen the week before at a radio event in LA. If you can make it (or skip) through that, we dig into news about an unwanted cello, flying in fancy seats for cheap to the UK aboard an A380 and assume you have drink coupons. We also nonsensically preview Anthony's upcoming trip to Turks AND Caicos.

Marriott-Backed Sinfest and Real Life Themyscira | Modhop #24 by Jake Redman

Something good is returning thanks to Air France and there's more shift in the world of Basic Economy, this time by American Airlines. That's where the good news ends and the gross begins. We dig into a story that'll have you wearing Breaking-Bad style hazmat suits aboard your next flight.

WestJet is getting an upgrade and is starting to look like a grown-up airline. Singapore adds to it's trophy case with an honor that's been lost for almost a decade. PLUS Coffee talk with Jake and Anthony in this ALL news & jabber edition of Modhop.

We chat about the new "Basic Economy" in town and how it's a little less "basic" than others. Plus details on Singapore Airlines new LA - Singapore service and more news! Plus we meet SiriusXM'er Megan Kustra to talk about her recent trek to Irelend. Dublin, Blarney and more!

It's a slow week and the guest pool is slim AND Anthony is out. SO, it's just me to quickly re-review the new World of Hyatt credit card, tell you about new Aura Airlines who hope to level the domestic first-class playing field and urge you to use up some of those Marriott/Starwood points now. Plus, I'll tell you how cartoons taught me to surf:

In our longest podcast ever, we explore how you may have gotten on the list for the opening of the new United Polaris Lounge at Houston Intercontinental (IAH). We also explore new Priority Pass Select options (lounges and more)and a new long- haul flight to Asia from my hometown airport Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP). Then we go long with Senior Budget Travel correspondent Bryan Apple who just returned from two weeks in Southern Spain. He enthusiastically shares tips and must-see spots in Seville, Grenada, Marbella and more. http://modhop.com

Podcast day brought more bad news in the passing of celebrity chef and travel icon, Anthony Bourdain so we start with a somber note. On the heels of legendary designer Kate Spade’s untimely death, we take a moment to remember them both. American Express is tightening the rules on signup bonuses. We’re not over-concerned but beware if you’re an extreme churner. As Cathay Pacific is mulling new options for first class, we get a peek into the options. Plus, Anthony breaks down his second attempt at a weekend getaway in Montreal. Listen to the podcast:

There's news about Sun Country's plan to become something resembling a Low Cost Airline AND British Airways getting you to the terminal faster. Plus, we chat with our work friend Alyssa Heimrich about her trip to Santa Barbara, travel preferences and safety instructions.

We brought in our pal John Robnett to talk about how he’s using his 80k Chase Ink Preferred bonus and ended up talking British food and the royal wedding too. Before that, we get into good (yes, good) news from United Airlines, British Airways and ponder signup bonuses from American Airlines and Cathay Pacific. We also hassle Anthony about one small tech snafu from long ago…it’ll never end.

We quickly mourn the loss of Virgin America before awkwardly breaking down the new signup bonus from Chase and British Airways. Plus, we rapid-fire announce winners of this year's Freddie Awards and spend WAY too long praising a hotel we've never stayed at.

Marriott is combining it's reward program with Starwood and Ritz Carlton. Sun Country needs a plan to help stranded passengers. Southwest needs to read it's safety instructions louder. All this and a lot of rambling in podcast 14!

Marriott has an announcement, but not today. We apologize for hyping Boracay in the Phillipines. Jake is back from Cabo and offers his take on the area.

United Airlines is trying to shake off some bad press this week. In the podcast we talk about 2 major pet un-friendly incidences the airline has had to apologize for this week. Plus, details on an attractive new credit card signup and I map out my upcoming hop to Cabo! http://modhop.com/?p=12789&preview=true

My hometown airline Sun Country is mocking the model of the long defunct USA 3000 by replacing it's own ground workers with contractors. In better news, get some money back AND a bunch of points by staying at a Kimpton hotel and more. Plus we dig into alternate locations for Spring Break.

Podcast 10 page: http://modhop.com/united-hyatt-barbados-podcast-10/ We've got tech-guy humor AND hotel incentives. A google engineer laughs after a scary landing on United and Hyatt's got a bunch of points they want to give you via their first promotion of 2018. Plus, our SiriusXM pal Paula is here to chat about Barbados!

We've run out of easily-accessible guests for now but a fresh batch of SiriusXM employees should be back from vacation soon. For now we've got airline news about new Hawaii service from the west coast and an incident involving a clothes-less man aboard an Alaskan Airlines flight. Plus we take the full second segment to answer a very simple listener question.

Instagram Model Jen Selter and a Peacock both had DYKWIA moments this week, we dig into news on animals and attitudes on board. Boracay Philippines is our destination this week so we talk to fellow SiriusXM Producer John Robnett on his recent jump too the island. Plus we review some travel apps we like, new and old.

What's a "Q Suite"? We'll tell you what it is and how many people fit inside. Plus we'll dig into a new Delta amenity kit and give silent applause to American Airlines for bringing free drinks to the front part of the back of the plane.

It's all headlines while Anthony is away. British Airways squeezes seats aboard intra-Europe routes and a question: Why can't US carriers get into the economy top 20? Jake does headlines and tries to be done before boring you to tears.

We talk about United adding more seats, American Express subtracting Uber rewards and our focus city Montreal.

We dig into news about WestJet's announcement about an enhanced partnership with Delta Airlines and look at new routes from Spirit Airlines. Our guest Bryan Apple gives us the to-do list for our featured destination: Edinburgh, Scotland. Plus, we see how Anthony is feeling about the Hexwatch from Solgaard: Is it stocking-worthy? Find out...