Podcast Summary: Life Kit (NPR)

Episode: "Want to avoid flight delays this holiday season? Follow these tips now"

Host: Marielle Segarra
Guest: Scott Keyes, Founder and Chief Flight Expert at Going.com
Date: October 28, 2025

Episode Overview

In this holiday travel-focused episode of Life Kit, host Marielle Segarra sits down with Scott Keyes—expert traveler and founder of Going.com—to unpack the best strategies for minimizing flight delays, cancellations, and stress during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. The episode offers practical, data-driven advice for booking, preparing, and reacting to flight disruptions, with a dash of humor and relatable travel anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Should You Even Fly During the Holidays? (00:17–01:20)

• Scott’s “secret best advice”:

  “If at all possible, just don't do it.”
  (Scott Keyes, 00:51)

• Why?
  • Highest rates of disruptions, crowds, and expensive flights.
  • Best to delay travel until after the holidays; prices and crowds drop dramatically around Jan 8.

2. Booking Smart to Prevent Cancellations & Delays (03:36–05:30)

• Two Types of Flights with Best Odds:
  • Early Morning Flights:
    • 25% higher on-time arrivals than later flights.

      "Those first flights of the day have an on time arrival that's about 25 percentage points better."
      (Scott Keyes, 03:46)

    • Planes are at the airport overnight—less likely to be impacted by incoming flight delays.
  • Nonstop Flights:
    • Fewer connections, fewer chances for something to go wrong.

      “If you take a connecting flight that gets delayed... all of a sudden you’ve missed your connecting flight and you have to get rebooked.”
      (Scott Keyes, 04:53)

3. Choosing the Best Days to Fly (05:30–07:22)

• Best Days:
  • On the holiday itself (Thanksgiving Day, December 25, December 31, January 1) = lowest crowds, fares, and disruptions.
• Busiest (Worst) Days:
  • Days leading up to the holiday (e.g. Tuesday/Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Dec 21–23).

    “You can pretty confidently predict that that is when the busiest air travel days are going to be.”
    (Scott Keyes, 06:32)

• Pro Tip: Travel before/after peak, or on the holiday itself if possible.

4. What to Do if Cancellation Is Likely or Announced (07:22–09:26)

• Day Before Cancellation:
  • More options available: reschedule, reroute, choose a city not affected by weather.

    "If your flight gets disrupted the day before... you have a lot more options at your disposal."
    (Scott Keyes, 07:37)

• Federal Law on Cancellations:
  • Entitled to full cash refund (not just credit), no matter the reason (airline’s fault, weather, etc.).

    “You’re entitled to a full cash refund period.”
    (Scott Keyes, 08:28)

5. In-Airport Disruptions: Tactical Steps (09:26–12:33)

• If Already at the Airport:
  • Don’t Check Bags (if possible):
    • “You're going to have a lot more just versatility, able to switch plans quickly if you don't also have a checked bag..."
      (Scott Keyes, 09:45)
  • Three-Step Plan:
    1. Get in Line:
       • Airline agents help rebook on a first-come basis.
    2. Use the Mobile App:
       • New, improved apps allow self-rebooking faster than the counter.
    3. Call International Airline Hotlines:
       • Bypass long US agent queues by calling overseas numbers; agents anywhere can rebook you.

       "Call up one of the airline's international hotlines... they can help re accommodate you just the same as a US based agent can."
       (Scott Keyes, 11:31)

6. What Are You Entitled to? Vouchers & Compensation (13:40–16:51)

• Depends on Cause of Delay/Cancellation:
  • Airline’s Fault:
    • Meal vouchers if 3+ hours delay; free hotel if overnight (all US airlines except Frontier).
    • Taxi between airport/hotel.
  • Weather/External:
    • No legal obligation, but credit cards may cover costs (hotel, delayed bags, etc.).

      "Credit cards... in many cases will include certain travel protections."
      (Scott Keyes, 14:49)

  • Reimbursement Process:
    • Airlines often use physical hotel vouchers; credit cards have specific requirements—always check policies first.

7. Should You Buy Travel Insurance? (16:51–19:02)

• Three Built-in Protections:
  1. Federal Law: Entitled to refund.
  2. The Airline: Must still deliver you to your destination (eventually).
  3. Credit Card Protections: Delay/cancellation coverage.
• When to Consider Extra Insurance:
  • Complex trips (e.g. cruises, where missing the connection is critical).

    “If your flight gets canceled and... you’re not able to make it... they’re not going to hold the ship for you.”
    (Scott Keyes, 18:23)

8. Packing for Comfort & Delays (19:02–20:16)

• Scott’s Essentials:
  • Noise-canceling headphones
  • Home-packed snacks

    "Taking the extra five or ten minutes before you leave to pack a little snack box... that's the way I tend to approach things."
    (Scott Keyes, 19:34)

  • Books/movies downloaded offline
• Marielle’s Tips:
  • Toothbrush, tiny toothpaste, face wash, favorite tea bags

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the sorrows of airport food:

  "It's terrible. It's terrible. Nobody's really glad and grateful after they ate airplane food."
  (Scott Keyes, 19:34)

• On Santa and traveling kids:

  “I'd like to think that the pilot is in charge of at least doing a handoff with Santa in the air, making sure that because you’ve taken it upon yourself to travel on Christmas Day, you should be rewarded during flight.”
  (Scott Keyes, 21:33)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:17 — Introduction to holiday travel woes; “Super Bowl of travel”
• 00:51 — Scott’s #1 tip: “Don’t travel during the holidays if possible”
• 03:46 — Importance of early morning and nonstop flights
• 05:41 — Which days are best (and worst) for holiday travel
• 07:37 — If you detect a disruption coming, act early!
• 08:28 — Your right to a full refund under federal law
• 09:45 — At the airport: to check or not to check a bag?
• 10:00–12:33 — Scott’s three-step plan when things go wrong at the airport
• 13:50 — What compensation you get, and when
• 15:58 — How to ensure you get reimbursed for delays/hotels
• 16:56 — When does extra travel insurance actually make sense?
• 19:13 — Scott and Marielle’s favorite comfort items for travel delays
• 20:20 — Quick recap of travel tips
• 21:33 — The Santa handoff, for traveling kids

Recap: Core Holiday Travel Survival Tips

• Book early morning, nonstop flights
• Avoid checking a bag if possible
• Travel on the actual holiday for lighter crowds
• Get in line, use the app, and try airline international hotlines in case of disruption
• Know your rights: cash refund if cancelled/delayed
• Credit cards may offer additional compensation—check your benefits
• Pack snacks, creature comforts, and essentials for unexpected waits

This summary covers all major insights, practical advice, and lighter moments from the episode, ensuring listeners (and non-listeners alike) are ready to take on the holiday travel rush with confidence and humor.