The Clark Howard Podcast – March 20, 2026

Episode Theme: Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Airfare Booking Strategy
Host: Clark Howard | Date: March 20, 2026

Overview

This episode of The Clark Howard Podcast spotlights two of Clark’s signature segments: his weekly “Clark Stinks” feedback session, where listeners critique or correct his advice, and a deep dive into strategies for booking airfare amid surging prices and global uncertainty. Listeners gain a wealth of actionable tips on personal finance, travel, and consumer savvy, all delivered with Clark’s signature blend of humor, humility, and directness.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Clark Stinks: Listener Feedback & Clark’s Responses

[00:35–16:11]

Grocery Costs and Whole Foods Stereotypes

• Stephanie from Wisconsin challenges Clark’s “Whole Paycheck” jab at Whole Foods, reporting a positive, low-cost experience getting groceries and a fresh pizza on vacation.
  • Clark's Take: Acknowledges the “grocery stores as meal providers” trend, noting they're a viable, cost-effective alternative to restaurants for travelers.
  • Quote: “The grocery store industry has become a viable option for MRE meals ready to eat…potentially better quality ingredients and better prices even from whole paycheck.” (02:46)

College Costs and Scholarships

• Kendall from South Carolina highlights that expensive private colleges may offer substantial scholarships, making the net cost lower than public universities.
  • Clark: Points to a resource listing nearly 1,000 colleges offering tuition-for-free programs.
  • Quote: "Almost a thousand colleges…where you may be able to get tuition for free." (04:26)

Credit Card Lounge Access Changes

• Feroz from Nevada flags new fees for Capital One Venture X card lounge guests.
  • Clark: Clarifies the new $45 per-visit guest fee and annual add-on costs, noting American Express has made similar changes.
  • Quote: “Those lounges aren't worth 50 bucks.” (06:22)

Gym Membership Contract Escape Tactics

• Stinky from Georgia jokes about ‘stinking up the gym’ to get a contract cancelled.
  • Clark: Admits the unorthodox, rarely-discussed tactic exists but always prefers legal, aboveboard approaches.
  • Quote: "It is a strategy I've seen…you make yourself someone who the gym would rather not have there." (07:02)

Internet Competition and Pricing

• Sam from Georgia questions why high-speed internet isn’t more affordable yet.
  • Clark: Cites new wireless-based options (T-Mobile, Mint, Verizon) and suggests negotiating with providers using those as leverage.
  • Quote: “If you find a deal from one of the cheaper Internet service providers…suddenly [major ISPs] have some kind of plan they can offer you.” (09:59)

Listener Boredom with Roth IRA Advice

• Sydney from Michigan says she’s bored by Clark's repeated Roth IRA advice.
  • Clark: Light-heartedly assures her she’ll appreciate it one day.
  • Quote: “When you have your first job and open that Roth IRA, you'll be so happy later that I bored you…” (11:38)

Mortgages After Death

• Scott from Florida corrects Clark on mortgages becoming due upon homeowner's death.
  • Clark: Agrees, clarifying that federal law protects heirs who maintain payments.
  • Quote: “It’s not subject to due on sale clause.” (12:44)

Census Survey Data Accuracy

• Cassidy from Oregon disapproves of Clark’s suggestion to provide fake answers to government surveys.
  • Clark: Admits fault and stresses honest participation or non-response.
  • Quote: “That was probably immaturity on my part.” (13:57)

Credit Card Safety While Traveling

• Carl from Alaska asks about digital vs. physical card cancellation after wallet loss.
  • Clark: Explains his approach: store certain cards digitally and not physically for redundancy; updates on widespread acceptance of contactless payment in Europe.
  • Quote: “I never had to go to an ATM…was able to use tap to pay 100% of the time without any trouble.” (15:17)

2. Airfare Booking Strategy Amid Global Tensions

[19:27–26:35]

Why Airfares Are High in Spring 2026

• Record demand for travel, especially on full-service airlines.
• Jet fuel prices have spiked due to Middle East unrest, boosting ticket costs.
  • Quote: “Jet fuel has had pretty much the highest increases of any…Most recent estimate I saw is that airfares are up 16% from the beginning of hostilities in Iran.” (19:27)

Booking Tactics and Recommendations

1. Use Travel Points Now

   • Ideal to use hoarded points for upcoming high-cost trips; most programs allow booking with risk-free cancellation/redeposit.
   • Quote: “This is one of those times…those points that you’ve been hoarding should be used to book travel.” (20:56)

2. Multi-Airline Fare Search

   • Use Google Flights or Hopper; avoid “basic” fares for flexibility.
   • Book economy, not basic, so you have options to change or apply credits later.
   • Quote: “Do not book basic fares now…You don’t want to be in a position that you’re stuck.” (22:30)

3. Leverage Days and Airports

   • Cheapest flights typically found on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays after 2pm.
   • Consider smaller or secondary airports for dramatically lower fares.
   • Quote: “Cheapest days to fly are Tuesday and Wednesday…And you’ve got all these airports people don’t know are out there.” (23:41)

Caution: Be Flexible and Resourceful

• Use calendar tools to find best deals; take advantage of obscure airports and discounter deals when available.

3. Travel Uncertainty: Insurance, Cancellations, and Getting Help

[26:11–34:57]

Trip Insurance and War Exclusions

• Standard travel insurance policies do not cover itinerary changes due to war.
• Airlines are usually flexible without fees if your plans change because of rerouted cruises, though extra costs may arise.
  • Quote: “Travel insurance policies do not cover war, period.” (26:48)

Airbnb Strict Cancellation Policies

• Airbnb often sides with hosts on refunds—even with safety concerns.
• Clark urges close review of policies before booking and recommends aiming for hosts who offer flexible or refundable bookings.
  • Quote: “Airbnb hosts often have extremely consumer unfriendly cancellation policies…and Airbnb…just tell you to go get lost and I don’t like it.” (29:09)

Hotel Cleanliness and Customer Service Nightmares

• Example of a blood-stained hotel bed leading to a confrontational staff response.
• Immediate reporting is crucial; overnight waiting undermines claims.
• Use BBB complaints and public reviews for further recourse if customer service fails.
  • Quote: “When you have a problem with a travel supplier, you deal with it right then.” (32:35)

International Cell Service and eSIMs

• Visible Wireless’ Global Pass plan is generally reliable in the UK; if not, buying a UK data SIM is easy and cheap.
• Reminder: Only purchase the UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) through the government’s official site, as many fake sites exist.
  • Quote: “ESIM can be something you don’t need to buy, but…it’s so readily available.” (35:18)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Accepting Criticism:
  • “It’s my pleasure to welcome you…But before I get the weekend going, I'm so glad that I get taken back to school in our weekly segment of Clark Stinks.” (00:35)
• On Digital Payments:
  • “It was weird to never a single time have to pull out my wallet to use cash.” (16:01)
• On High Airfares:
  • “The airlines are like between a rock and a hard place…they can’t cover their costs.” (19:27)
• On Consumer Empowerment:
  • “You’re not a sitting duck as long as you have some other options.” (09:59)
• On Persistent Parental Advice:
  • “When you have your first job and you are the one who opens that Roth IRA, you are going to be so happy later that I bored you…” (11:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:35] – Start of “Clark Stinks”
• [02:46] – Whole Foods meal deals & grocery as restaurant alternative
• [04:26] – College costs, endowments, and list of free-tuition schools
• [05:12] – Credit card lounge guest fees update
• [07:02] – Gym contract “smelly” exit strategy discussion
• [09:29] – Internet competition & negotiating lower rates
• [11:38] – Clark’s Roth IRA advice and listener fatigue
• [12:09] – Mortgages and inheritance law correction
• [13:57] – Data integrity in government surveys
• [14:39] – Travel cards: physical vs. digital safety
• [15:17] – Contactless/cashless travel in Europe update
• [19:27] – Airfare booking strategy amid global turmoil
• [26:11] – Trip insurance and war-related reroutes
• [29:09] – Airbnb cancellation policies and consumer recourse
• [32:35] – Hotel cleanliness issue: how to get recourse
• [35:18] – International cell plans in the UK and avoiding scam ETA sites

Tone & Style

Clark’s language is approachable and direct, often self-deprecating in "Clark Stinks," always reinforcing his core mission: “Save more, spend less, and don’t ever, ever let somebody rip you off.” The episode is energetic yet grounded, with Clark open to corrections and keenly focused on practical advice listeners can use right now.

Useful Resources Mentioned

• College Tuition-Free List: Clark.com college guide (per episode context)
• Airfare Search Engines: Google Flights, Hopper
• Wireless Home Internet: T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, Verizon
• UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA): Official UK government site

Summary:
This episode gives listeners a voice in critiquing Clark’s advice—in some cases correcting myths (college cost, mortgages) or sharing creative consumer tactics (the gym dodge). In the second half, Clark arms travelers with flexible, up-to-date strategies for navigating sky-high airfares amidst geopolitical turbulence, emphasizing flexibility, the smart use of points, and secondary airports. Sprinkled throughout are practical travel warnings, a few consumer horror stories, and Clark’s bedrock principle for financial well-being: stay proactive, informed, and always ready to negotiate for yourself.