Modhop Podcast

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...