03.09.26 SAVE MORE On Groceries / NEW Airline Credit Card Advice

Summary

The Clark Howard Podcast

Episode: SAVE MORE On Groceries / NEW Airline Credit Card Advice
Date: March 9, 2026
Host: Clark Howard

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Episode Overview

This episode is packed with Clark’s signature money-saving advice, focusing on two big themes:

1. How to save more on groceries using the latest data comparing major grocery retailers
2. Updated recommendations on airline credit cards, with a special focus on recent industry trends affecting frequent and casual travelers alike

Alongside these headline topics, Clark and his team field listener questions about government surveys, family phone plans, maximizing savings account returns, and travel tips, providing actionable, down-to-earth guidance throughout the show.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Where to Get the Cheapest Groceries – What Data Shows

[00:35–07:41]

• Clark shares new findings from Consumer Reports on grocery pricing, using Walmart as a price baseline due to its dominant market share and historically lower prices.
• Warehouse Clubs Lead Savings:
  • BJ’s Wholesale Club and Costco sell groceries at 21% cheaper than Walmart.
  • Clark notes: “It's no surprise to me because of my obsession, but two companies sell groceries not just a little cheaper than Walmart, but much, much, much cheaper than Walmart. And they are BJ's Wholesale Club...and Costco.” ([02:15])
• Aldi & Lidl:
  • Both are over 8% cheaper than Walmart.
  • Clark questions this: “Consumer Reports said I’m wrong, that the savings are only 8%. I find it hard to fathom.” ([04:18])
  • Caveat: Difficult brand comparison due to private labels.
• Other Notables:
  • WinCo Foods: Employee-owned, low-priced, heavily in mountain states and West Coast.
  • H.E.B.: Popular in Texas, roughly tied with Walmart for price.
• The Expensive End:
  • Whole Foods ("Whole Paycheck"): 40% more expensive than Walmart.
    • “Whole Paycheck...40% more expensive than going to Walmart. Forty. I mean, come on.” ([05:30])
  • Trader Joe’s: 25% more expensive than Walmart, despite Aldi connection.
  • Publix: 20% more expensive.
• Kroger (Second-Largest Supermarket Chain): 15% more expensive.
• Sam's Club: Not included, but Clark "has to believe" it would also be 20% cheaper than Walmart.
• Key Takeaway:
  Shopping at warehouse clubs or discount grocers like Aldi and Lidl can bring the greatest savings—empirical data matches instinct.

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2. Listener Q&A: American Community Survey

[07:42–09:51]

• Listener Concern: The census-like American Community Survey feels invasive.
• Clark’s Guidance:
  • Legally, you could be charged for not completing it, but enforcement is nonexistent.
  • Expect repeated mailings and potentially a home visit if ignored.
  • Advice: “If you find questions invasive, don’t answer the questions you find invasive. Answer the most basic stuff...don’t make stuff up.” ([09:39])
• Clark’s Tone: Empathetic, lighthearted (“I would have been married nine times. Let them put that in their database. No, don’t make stuff up.”)

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3. Listener Q&A: Family Phone Plans and Device Upgrades

[09:51–11:39]

• Listener is on a Verizon family plan and wonders about upgrading through Verizon.
• Clark’s Advice:
  Normally, avoid "free" carrier phones because of contractual handcuffs, but:
  • “Because you're all in with Verizon, take the free phone.” ([10:33])
  • Especially if there's no intent to switch carriers.

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4. Listener Q&A: Savings Platforms (“Max My Interest”)

[11:39–13:57]

• Question: Is Max My Interest safe for big money?
• Clark’s Analysis:
  • Legitimate, helps users find highest savings rates.
  • Brokered accounts can carry risks if the third-party intermediary goes under before your money reaches FDIC-insured accounts.
  • Quote: “That is what makes me nervous about the brokers. And I have not been able to find how max my interest protects you...” ([12:40])
  • Users do get better rates, but with a “little touch” taken as a cut.

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5. Airline Credit Cards: Time for a Change in Strategy?

[16:48–23:55]

• Industry Update:
  • Airlines now make more money from co-branded credit cards (through banks like Amex, Citi, Chase) than from flying passengers.
  • Example: Delta earned $10 billion from Amex partnership in a recent year.
• Clark’s Previous Stance:
  • Stay a “free agent,” stick to general-purpose travel cards (e.g., Capital One Venture X, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Strata Elite, Amex Platinum).
• What’s Changed:
  • Airlines use baggage fees and lounge privileges to incentivize holding their cards.
  • Clark’s New Advice:
    • If you or your family fly a single airline regularly (3+ times/year) or often check bags, consider getting that airline’s $100/year card for free checked bag privileges.
      • “They’re using this as the way to get you to...three check bags over the course of a year covers the cost of the entry-level credit card.” ([21:37])
    • Airline cards may grant better access to loyalty award seats (United and Delta offer discounts or more availability to cardholders).
• Warning About Premium Cards:
  • Delta’s highest-tier card is now $650/year. Only worth it if you travel frequently and use perks/lounges.
  • Memorable Moment: “If you’re walking right now...hold on tight because the annual fee on that card is $650 a year!” ([23:23])
• Still Recommend:
  For most, Capital One Venture X and similar cards remain the best value, especially if you’re not loyal to one airline or live in a hub city.

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6. Practical Travel Advice for Europe

[24:13–34:07]

• Booking Flights:
  • Book early if you see great fares, but beware basic economy limitations (consider paying more for flexibility and seat selection).
  • Avoid tight connections that add stress—choose longer layovers for peace of mind. ([27:57])
• Ground Transportation:
  • Clark panned Scottish rail (old, crowded, and slow) versus flying or considering other alternatives to Inverness.
• European Payment Tips:
  • Use tap-to-pay with your smartphone for maximum convenience and security.
  • Avoid ATM and card “dynamic currency conversion”—always pay in local currency to dodge hidden 10% fees.
    • “They make it seem like it’s a favor. It ain’t.” ([26:00])
• Maritime SIM Cards:
  • Useful for minimal data, but most cruise lines now offer faster, unlimited Starlink Internet that’s better for heavy usage.
• Currency Prepay (Revolut/Wise):
  • Can “dollar-cost-average” your way into holding euros/pounds ahead of a trip; Revolut/Wise are reputable.
• Story Time:
  • American Express excels in traveler support: Clark recounts a relative’s friend in Rome who, after being mugged and losing wallet/phone, was able to get a new Amex card same day from the regional office. ([33:13])
  • Classic advice: Keep a spare card and your passport separate—never carry all payment methods together when traveling.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On warehouse shopping:
  “We got a dog named Kirkland. Signature. You know where my mind's at? It's with the warehouse clubs.” ([07:34])

• On Whole Foods pricing:
  “For some reason they're building, say something called Whole Foods, but their actual name is whole paycheck. 40% more expensive.” ([05:27])

• On airline cards & bag fees:
  “Three check bags over the course of a year covers the cost of the entry level credit card. So this is the change in advice I’m giving.” ([21:37])

• On dynamic currency conversion in Europe:
  “Always say no. Always have it converted…You want to buy your purchase in euro. Do not. They make it seem like it's a favor. It ain't.” ([26:00])

• On American Community Survey:
  “What I recommend is that if you find questions invasive, don't answer the questions you find invasive. Answer the most basic stuff on there and you could make something up. ... No, don't make stuff up.” ([09:19])

• On premium airline cards:
  “If you’re walking right now...hold on tight because the annual fee on that Card is at $650 a year.” ([23:23])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Groceries Price Analysis: [00:35–07:41]
• American Community Survey Advice: [07:42–09:51]
• Family Phone Plan/Verizon Question: [09:51–11:39]
• Max My Interest (Savings Account Broker): [11:39–13:57]
• Airline Credit Card Strategy Update: [16:48–23:55]
• Travel Abroad: Flights, Payments, SIMs, Safety Tips: [24:13–34:07]

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Clark’s Tone and Style

Clark maintains his signature conversational, friendly, and humor-laden style (“Whole Paycheck,” “dog named Kirkland Signature”). He never talks down to listeners, interspersing personal anecdotes and relatable advice with clear, direct instructions for savvy consumer behavior.

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Summary Conclusion

Clark Howard’s March 9, 2026 episode is loaded with actionable information—from grocery shopping hacks, revamped airline credit card recommendations to down-to-earth advice for travelers venturing abroad. Whether you’re trying to stretch your dollar at the supermarket, maximize card points, avoid government survey headaches, or travel confidently, Clark’s advice is practical and empowering, delivered with the wit and clarity that makes The Clark Howard Podcast a go-to resource for smart consumers.

Transcript

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[Clark Howard]

I'm so glad you're with us here on the Clark Howard Show. You know, our mission is to serve you with advice and information that empowers you so you make better financial decisions in your life. In today's episode. Well, other than a relative of mine who eats out every meal meal of every day all year long, all the rest of us buy groceries. So how do you really find the best price? How do you get savings? Everybody says they have the best price. But what's the real scoop? I have actual empirical, objective data on where the cheapest and most expensive prices are and also something we all don't have to do. But I certainly have an extreme passion for travel. I have an update for you on travel, credit cards and what I recommend. I have a little bit of a tweak on what I'm recommending to you. So the largest grocery store in the United States is Walmart far and away. Walmart sells a massive percent of groceries in the United States and their prices are actually lower than most anywhere you can buy groceries. Consumer Reports did extensive research on where groceries are the cheapest and where they're the most expensive in comparison to Walmart, which they used as a baseline because Walmart is generally cheaper than others. And so I wanted to tell you what Consumer Reports found. It's no surprise to me because of my obsession, but two companies sell groceries not just a little cheaper than Walmart, but much, much, much cheaper than Walmart. And they are BJ's Wholesale Club, the regional warehouse club chain, and Costco, both of which, according to Consumer Reports research, sell groceries at 21% cheaper than Walmart, which is already. Walmart's already a really great price. A lot of people dis Walmart because of produce, feeling like their produce just isn't up to standards. I buy produce at Walmart and nobody complains. So I think they've improved that. But who else is there beating Walmart day in and day out? According to Consumer Reports research? Aldi and Lidl, these two German arch rival supermarket companies. Aldi has been in The United States for 50 years, I guess Lidl. Much more recent in the United States, mostly along the eastern seaboard. They're both over 8% cheaper on average than Walmart. Now what Consumer Reports found is less than what data has said over the years, which is that Aldi and Lidl will save you roughly 20% versus Walmart like they found with Costco and BJ's wholesale. But consumer Reports said I'm wrong, that the savings are only 8%. I find it hard to fathom. But the real hard part about comparing Lidl and Aldi is most of what they sell are private labels. So it's hard to compare apples to apples because there's not brand names. You can compare us and shop against each other. Who else is cheaper than Walmart? WinCo Foods. I've talked in the past about how much I love employee owned Winco Foods, which is heavily in the mountain states and a little bit on the West Coast. Wonderful place to shop. And then a company that people in Texas love, H E B that is tied in price with Walmart, who's a fortune. Okay, so this will shock no one. Whole Paycheck that for some reason they're building, say something called Whole Foods, but their actual name is whole paycheck. 40% more expensive for 0% more expensive than going to Walmart. 40. I mean, come on. I know that people who shop at Whole Foods have an economic profile like triple the average family income in the US and maybe they're not price sensitive. And 40% more is like, oh well, it's a beautiful store. And look at all these cool things here. 40%. Really? How about Trader Joe's, which my wife would like to have our next dog named TJ in honor of Trader Joe's. Same parent. Well, their cousins Aldi and Trader Joe's are both the same family owns them, two different corporate entities. So where Aldi is 8% cheaper, Trader Joe's is 25% more expensive than shopping at Walmart. Sure is fun though. And then one of the most popular supermarket chains in the eastern part of the United States, Publix, 20% more expensive than Walmart. 2. 0. And that's kind of a clear indicator because historically Walmart's been considered to be 20% cheaper than traditional regional supermarket chains. And this shows pretty clearly in this test who was left out. Sam's Club. I have to believe shopping at all, as I do at all three warehouse clubs, that if Sam's Club had been included, they would also be 20 or so percent cheaper than going to Walmart itself and just along with Costco and BJ's Wholesale. So there you have it, this instinct you may have where you save money and where you don't. Empirical data shows that it really is clearly a difference. Shopping. You know, I miss Krista.

[Caller/Listener]

What?

[Clark Howard]

The second largest supermarket chain in the United States, which is Kroger. 15% more expensive than shopping at Walmart.

[Caller/Listener]

Wow.

[Clark Howard]

So Walmart, if you don't mind. The experience is really great. Some people don't like going to Walmart. I don't get it. I shop at Walmart. But the real savings. We got a dog named Kirkland. Signature. You know where my mind's at? It's with the warehouse clubs.

[Caller/Listener]

Okay, we'll go to questions. Mike in Ohio sent this one in. He says, hi, Clark. I've received an American Community Survey from the US Census Bureau, and it says I legally have to complete the survey. I verified it's legitimate, but it is a very invasive survey. They ask the dollar amounts for each of my utilities, my property taxes, homeowners insurance and mortgage, how many marriages I've had, how many hours I worked this month, et cetera. The questions seem over the top. And frankly, I don't feel comfortable providing this information to the federal government or see why it's necessary. What is your opinion on this, Clark?

[Clark Howard]

So under the law, it's, you've committed a crime if you don't fill out the American Community Survey. Think how many times people have asked us.

[Caller/Listener]

Also called the census, right?

[Clark Howard]

Yeah, it's the Census Bureau. But the survey, both I get them as business owner and people get them as individuals. The American Community Survey comes with teeth about being able to come after you. Federal government has chosen not for, like, I think 50 years to go after anybody criminally for not doing the survey. So what they'll do if you ignore it is they'll badger you and they'll send you one demand after another after another. And then, believe it or not, one day a surveyor will show up at your home or your business. They will literally ring your doorbell, knock on your door, and say, we're here to help you complete your American Community Survey.

[Caller/Listener]

That must be a brutal job. Yeah. Can you help people react?

[Clark Howard]

Right. So what I recommend is that if you find questions invasive, don't answer the questions you find invasive. Answer the most basic stuff on there and you could make something up. Yeah, I've been married more than Elizabeth Taylor. How many times was she married? Eight.

[Caller/Listener]

The gate. Yeah.

[Clark Howard]

Yeah. I would have been married nine times. Let them put that in their database. No, don't make stuff up. But anything you don't want to answer that you feel is too invasive in your life, don't answer it.

[Caller/Listener]

Okay. Katie in Florida says I'm quote unquote stuck in a Verizon family plan, but I think in a good way. My portion of the bill is $45 for phone and watch, and while I could probably save a few bucks using one of Clark's favorite carriers, it's not worth the family strife. For minimal savings. I've not taken advantage of any of the many phone discount offers Verizon advertises. I typically buy a new iPhone from Apple every three to four years, trade in my old model for a couple of $100 discount, and pay cash for the rest. Now I'm wondering if I'm leaving money on the table by not trading in and upgrading my phone through the carrier. I was hesitant to extend my contract, but given I've been on this plan for over 15 years and see no end in sight, it seems like that's not an issue. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

[Clark Howard]

Okay, so Katie, this is funny because you're exactly the opposite case of what I usually say. You are the exception to my rule that you don't ever get suckered by Verizon AT&T and T Mobile into getting one of their free phones because they're doing that as a backdoor way of handcuffing you to them. For now, they're pretty much all three years. But because you're all in on sticking with Verizon as part of this family plan, next time you want a new iPhone, take advantage of the free offer. Now, the way it works is you're entering into a contract that obligates you for the full cost of the phone that you would already be paying at the Apple store. You're instead getting a credit every month for the three years that makes the new phone free. Free. And you're paying more for service every month with Verizon overall as a family. But because you're all in with Verizon, take the free phone.

[Caller/Listener]

Sue in California says, I just heard about this website as a way to get higher interest rates on my savings. What's your impression of this? Is it safe to place large amounts of money in it?

[Clark Howard]

So I haven't had a question about

[Caller/Listener]

sure, max my interest.

[Clark Howard]

Max my interest in a while. So this is one of the broker services that competes with the discount brokers I've talked about in placing CDs and, and money market kind of stuff. And savings accounts. So what they do is they get a cut on the interest that you earn from the financial institutions they place your money at. So everything I've ever known about them is that they are legit and they do the shopping that you most of us aren't going to do ourselves. So you'll get nearly the best rates on savings. Giving up just a little touch.

[Caller/Listener]

And they say all the accounts are FDA FDICure insured.

[Clark Howard]

Now the issue that's happened in the past that we dealt with with some of the fintechs is that the money passes through a third party and if the fintech evaporates, your money may not make it into an FDIC insured account. So I was nervous about this kind of brokerage service after that happened with the FinTechs2, three years ago when hundreds of millions of dollars went missing that never made it to the FDIC insured accounts. And so that is what makes me nervous about the brokers. And I have not been able to find how max my interest protects you from any possibility of something like that happening through using their channel. But as far as you as a typical consumer getting a better rate on your savings doing it, I think you do get a better rate on your savings with max my interest than most of us are able to find on our own. Coming up ahead, I want to talk about something we get so many questions about and that's travel credit cards. I have an update for you. I've got a little tweak of the advice I've given on them coming straight

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[Clark Howard]

Ouch.

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have moments when we could have done better. Like cutting your own hair. Yikes. Or forgetting sunscreen so now you look like a tomato.

[Clark Howard]

Ouch.

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[Clark Howard]

so when I give advice on something, there's always new circumstances that you can't just stick with what you've been saying if the world around you changes. And what I'm about to talk about has been something creeping through the airline industry and now has reached a point that I have to modify. And it's kind of a subtle modification of the advice I give about all these airline travel cards that are pushed over and over again. I think how often I'm on a plane and the poor flight attendants after they do the safety announcements have to say and today we have a special promotion for you on our blah blah blah airline credit card that if you apply while you're on the flight on our free Wi Fi, we're going to blah blah blah. And I'm sure they hate it. And then I was on a flight recently that a flight Attendant was walking down the aisle offering applications for the credit card, physical applications for the airline credit card. And the fact is that airlines have discovered they make more money in their partnerships with the giant monster mega banks that partner with them on the co branded cards than they do flying you on the airplane in the seat. Delta, who figured this out before anybody else? I think the most recent year made 10 billion bucks from their partnership with American Express. More money from that than they did from flying anybody around the world. And it's not a straight 10 billion. Whereas those points people earn, they can turn into free seats using up their sky pennies. And then you've got American Advantage which is the oldest and was the largest of these programs at United Mileage plus and then Alaska Hawaii Atmos, Southwest used to be called rapid rewards. Now I'd call it slow rewards because they've devalued their points so much. And JetBlue has their own cards that get you Mosaic status in certain cases. And so this is a big money business and I've been very specific that most of us are better off staying free agents. And if you want a travel card because you travel regularly but you're not loyal to a particular airline that the first card you look at is the Capital One Venture X, then you've got the others with much higher annual fees than Venture X. You've got the Strata Elite from Citi, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the granddaddy of all these, the American Express Platinum. And for people who just follow the deal, don't live in what's known as a hub city of a particular airline where they dominate that market, that having free agent status is the best. But I've had to modify something and here it is. The airlines are using baggage fees as a way to pull push us to having their cards and that brought in a certain number of people. But now airlines are starting to give more and more privilege depending on which level of their co branded card you get. More and more privilege comes with the card and the big money cards with everybody gives you access to those airline lounges which are pretty crowded places now. But anyway, for a lot of people who don't fly that often each year it may make sense, may so hard for me to say this for you to get the hundred dollar card from the airlines right around 100 bucks that gets you a free. I know this thing exists. It's called a checked bag. Oh my goodness. I mean people check bags and the airlines have been bumping those up. It's almost like I was thinking when I was in Salt Lake just recently visiting my brother and sister in law who live there. And there were all the people coming in with their skis and their big, big suitcases from ski trips, long lines to check the bags. And I'm thinking what a money machine, the airlines, one after another after another. So they're using this as the way to get you to where like the ski mountains sell these annual passes. And so three days of skiing costs more than buying the annual pass. That's what the airlines have figured out with the baggage. That three check bags over the course of a year covers the cost of the entry level credit card. So this is the change in advice I'm giving. Particularly if you live in a hub city for one of these airlines where they have the biggest market share. You're going to fly them three or more times a year or you travel with a group of family members who for some reason all believe that checking bags is something they should do. Then you'll make up on one trip. If it's let's say mama bear, papa bear, baby bear and each are checking a bag, you'll cover the annual fee from that one. First flight, round trip, you're way ahead of the game. So I got to say it. And then the other thing is United to try to coerce people to get the United plus credit cards. Now when you go to try to redeem points, if you don't have the United plus card, you don't see the same inventory, even the same mileage rewards. Under their new revised system, if you don't have the card is people who have the card. And Delta has Long offered a 15% discount on redemptions. If you have one of their sky miles cards and you have the highest level one, don't you? And that gets you the lounge access, do you find you really use it enough that it's worth the.

[Caller/Listener]

We'll see how it goes this year. I mean last year definitely I used it enough and I also got a huge bonus for joining and stuff like that. So I may cancel it before the anniversary. We'll see.

[Clark Howard]

Well, but anyway, if you're walking right now, listening to our podcast, you're on a treadmill or exercise equipment, hold on tight because the annual fee on that Card is at 650 a year. Yeah, you don't know. So when you get into this arms race with these cards, the annual fees are often hard to justify unless you really travel often on that airline. But you do you fly a lot on Delta?

[Caller/Listener]

I do. Okay, we'll go to questions, Eric in Georgia says, my wife and I found a deal and booked a trip to northern Italy. We're staying on Lake Maggiore. Is that how you say it?

[Clark Howard]

I don't know. It's not a lake I've stayed on.

[Caller/Listener]

Flying into Milan. We're renting a car and driving. It's our first time going to Europe and we have two credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.

[Clark Howard]

Good job, Clark.

[Caller/Listener]

Can you give some advice for someone that's never traveled overseas? We're in our 50s taking our 15 year old son the trips for five nights and we're going the first week in June. Also, I've been using a Southwest priority credit card and flying Southwest. I know we're a free agent now with the airlines. Do you have a suggestion for a travel credit card? My first suggestion is go more than five nights. Five days.

[Clark Howard]

Yeah. Italy can get in your blood. And once you get there, if you're like most people when you're leaving, you're already thinking, when are you going back? I just, oh, do I love Italy. Anyway, so I would go back to what I just said a minute ago, that if you're looking for a card that is ultra low risk, the Capital one Venture X $395 annual fee, but they give you a $300 travel credit right off the top. All you got to do is use it and your annual fee net outs 95 bucks. Then they give you every anniversary 10,000 points which is worth 100 bucks making the annual fee even if you travel relatively infrequently each year, negative five bucks in Clark math. So I love that. Now something you got to know that is the biggest ripoff going on in Europe right now. Number one, when you go to an atm pretty much across Europe, they will try to trick you into withdrawing the funds in dollars, not in euro. The machine will spit out euro, but they then charge you a 10% approximately conversion fee. You want to pull it out in euro and let your financial institution back in the United States handle the conversion from euro into dollars that they debit from your account. Second, when you use a credit card tap to pay. You need tap to pay. Add your cards to your iPhone or Android and Apple Wallet. Apple Pay, Apple Pay and Google Wallet. Google Wallet because tap to pay is much easier in Europe because otherwise they want you to have a pen for your card. So having it on your phone is safe, safest. And you want to do tap to pay. Most credit card terminals are now going to default halt across Europe into doing this. Rip off conversion of your purchase into dollars. Always say no. Always have it converted. If you're in England, you want it to buy in pounds. Across the European continent, you want to buy your purchase in euro. Do not. They make it seem like it's a favor. It ain't.

[Caller/Listener]

Daniel in Iowa says I'm traveling to Europe in late September. I'm going to Scotland and either Italy or Amsterdam, depending on where the deal is. My question is about FL to Scotland. I've been checking around. There are some relatively cheap flights from the Des Moines area at around $250 one way. But with a catch. The transfer times at Chicago and Dallas are around 90 minutes. This seems too short for me. So for the same price I can drive to Chicago and fly from o' Hare to London Heathrow. I could fly to Inverness, which is my destination, but that would require a long layover at Heathrow. So I'm wondering if taking the train Scott Trail. I think I'm thinking of taking the Scott Trail train. Have you taken the train in Scotland? It seems like the cost in terms of time and money, it would be a wash between flying from the US to Inverness or flying to London and then taking the train there. I'd like to hear your thoughts and should we wait to book flights now until or until later this year?

[Clark Howard]

Okay, first of all, those fares are great. And when you do your fare search and you're finding those 90 minute connect times that make you nervous, I don't want you. Those are very cheap fares you're finding from Des Moines. You can usually. You said going through Chicago back through Dallas. So we're talking American Airlines here. So if you're going on American, you will have an option on American's website to pick a longer ground time connect time in Dallas and Chicago, which will give you more ease. And American has made that easier recently for people to do that. So I would say it's not an either or. Just modify what flight you go into o' Hare out connecting back through Dallas so you have more connect time. You don't sweat it. That's number one. Those fares are so good. 500 round trip is incredibly cheap. I would say buy it. Now that 500 may be basic economy. Understand that American or any other airline is posting that fare to make your life as miserable as possible that you will turn around and say, okay, I'll pay you $200 more and be able to change my flight or use the credit a future date, get seats, get seat assignments. Not being a center seat all the way to Europe and all that. So the bait and switch of the basic economy. You got to be really, really cheap. Now, Scott, Scottish rail, I have been on that. It is not the same as the train system in the rest of Britain. I do not recommend it. Trains are old, crowded, decrepit, dirty, all right and slow. And to our Scottish listeners, I know it's coming as a Clark stinks, but I've done it enough. That's my opinion. Inverness, phenomenal town. In fact, going to Scotland is so very fun. Have you been there?

[Caller/Listener]

No. Would love to go.

[Clark Howard]

Oh, okay.

[Caller/Listener]

Robert in Pennsylvania says, can you explain what maritime coverage SIM cards are? They're advertised to be used on cruise ships and seem to be cheaper than the actual cruise Internet. Is this a deal or a scam?

[Clark Howard]

It's neither a deal nor a scam. If you need to have access on your phone and you need minimal data for let's say a week long cruise in the Caribbean or Europe or whatever, you can have one of these. But they have very tight data caps and if you want significant data caps there a ton. If you get Internet for most cruise lines now, it's going to be really fast, probably going to be Starlink and it's unlimited for the time you're on the ship on most ships. So it's a different kind of thing. But I find that if staying connected and using data without worrying about how much you're using that these maritime sims are not really there. A limited use kind of case market.

[Caller/Listener]

Okay. And then John in Hawaii has a follow up. He says, I wanted to share a quick thought on a recent question about whether someone traveling to Italy later this year should prepay their hotels. The concern was that the dollar might weaken before their trip and their current reservations were set to pay on arrival. Alongside the great advice you already gave, there's another option worth mentioning using an account or card that lets you hold foreign currency. Revolut and Wise are two examples. Travelers can convert small amounts over time when the dollar is stronger, essentially dollar cost averaging into the currency they'll need. And yes, I live in Hawaii, but I'm sure you can guess my football team. Not the best outcome this year, but I'll always remember 28 to 3.

[Clark Howard]

John, you expect me to answer that question if you rub my nose in the Falcons being up late in the third quarter 28 to 3 in the Super bowl nine years ago.

[Caller/Listener]

And you were in person at that game?

[Clark Howard]

In person in Houston. Great stadium. That was the only good part of the game. And I was sitting with my Brother and his wife. Anyway. Oh, man, you hurt me. You hurt me to the core. So it's funny because I happen to have in my wallet right now my Revolut card. People who travel regularly around the world should do just what you said, John. So even though you're a Patriots fan, you gave great advice here for people who travel routinely overseas to sign up with Wise or with Revolut. I want to tell a story here, Krista. Sorry, I'm going to drag on. Just a minute. A friend of a relative was traveling in Rome, and usually you got to worry with pickpockets in Rome, but this guy was young. He was out the bars late at night, and he got mugged. Got beaten up a little. Didn't get his passport, but got his wallet and his phone. You're never going to believe what saved his bacon. But he had an American Express card.

[Caller/Listener]

Like, not in his wallet.

[Clark Howard]

No, it was in his wallet. Taken.

[Caller/Listener]

Okay.

[Clark Howard]

But American Express. This is the one giant advantage for people who travel around the world. American Express has offices in big cities all around the world. He goes to the American Express office in Rome. Fortunately, he still has passport, proved identity. Walked out of the office with a new American Express card.

[Caller/Listener]

Wow.

[Clark Howard]

Is able to then go buy a new phone, carry him through the rest of the trip. I don't know if he bought a used one or. And was able to not be in a mess on his trip that had a really bad event.

[Caller/Listener]

Wow. Yeah.

[Clark Howard]

Just because he had an American Express card. Wow. So don't leave home without it. That was your old slogan.

[Caller/Listener]

Yeah. And I always keep one credit card and definitely my passport separate, that I'm not carrying, like in a safe or something, you know, just to be sure.

[Clark Howard]

Yeah, we should mention that.

[Caller/Listener]

Yeah.

[Clark Howard]

When you travel, whether it's to the Caribbean, you travel, whatever, you always keep a separate card somewhere in the room, safe. Although those are not always 100% safe. But you keep a card there. So if you do get pickpocketed, you do get mugged, you lose your wallet. You're not without any ability to pay for things. And of course, you want to have stuff loaded on your iPhone or Android in the pay system, because even if they get the plastic, you're still going to be able in most cases to

[Caller/Listener]

function and make sure that it's protected with a passkey. Like, I use my fingerprint to open up my Google wallet.

[Clark Howard]

In my case, iPhone, people use their phone.

[Caller/Listener]

Yeah.

[Clark Howard]

Yeah. So that is the annex to today's podcast. And I want to tell you, I hope that your week this week is wonderful. I hope you're enjoying the extra hour of daylight. I'll tell you, I loved when we had year round daylight saving time back in the early 1970s and we didn't have to change our clocks but it got light later and got dark later. That's what I love because I love evening sunshine and light. But anyway I'm staying away from okay, you can post a Clark Stinks. If you're mad at me about saying I love daylight 10, go right ahead and know that all week long we have free one on one advice available to you as we've been doing now for we're in our 34th year of providing free one on one advice on clark.com just go to clark.com cac to see how to get that free one on one advice. Everything we do every week we reach you is all about your empowerment with knowledge so you can save more, spend less and avoid getting ripped off. Have a wonderful day.