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The NewsWorthy
Special Edition: Travel Smarter – Avoid Long Lines, Find Great Deals & Plan Ahead
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- [00:00]
A
Today is Saturday, March 28th. Travelers across the country have been dealing with the longest airport security wait times in the history of the tsa, at least according to the agency's top official just this week. And even though President Trump signed an emergency order to get TSA officers paid again, the agency says it could take months to replace the hundreds of officers who already quit. Remember, the partial government shutdown has lasted over a month now, leading to unpaid TSA workers missing shifts or leaving their jobs completely. So today we're joined by Katie Nastrow, travel expert and spokesperson for the travel platform Going. She's sharing what you can do right now to avoid getting stuck in long lines that are still expected as TSA tries to get back to business as usual. We also talk about travel trends and top destinations and how to get the best deals for summer as the cost of flights continues to rise. Welcome to the Newsworthy Special edition Saturday when we sit down with a different expert or celebrity every Saturday to talk about something in the news. Don't forget to tune in every Monday through Friday for our regular episodes where we provide all the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica Mandy. It's now time for today's Special Edition Saturday. Katie Nastro, thank you so much for joining us here on THE newsworthy.
- [01:10]
B
Yeah, thanks so much for having me, Erica.
- [01:12]
A
So I actually want to start with what a lot of travelers are dealing with right now, long airport security lines. How bad is it? And which airports are being hit the hardest?
- [01:21]
B
We've seen multiple occasions wear lines for airports, large and medium and small airports, reporting lines out the door in some cases at very early hours in the morning, like in Austin at like 4, 5am and some airports even had to close various TSA lines because they just didn't have the staff to meet the capacity of travelers that were coming through. And that's pretty alarming because that just means that the longer this continues, the higher the likelihood we're going to see the those long processing and even potential for some smaller airports to close. Like we heard from the TSA administrator that resources are so strained in another month if this still goes on that we could potentially see small airports, those agents get redistributed, which is pretty crazy. That really cuts off transportation for people in more remote areas or rural areas. And yeah, just makes things a lot worse for travelers.
- [02:21]
A
So I guess is the general advice that no matter where you're flying from that you need to arrive like what, two or three hours early for every flight for the foreseeable future or is there a way to check what are you telling people right now?
- [02:33]
B
We have no sense of where or when this could happen next, where you're going to see lines snake out the door. But what we do have at travelers disposal is the My TSA app for historical knowledge around when it might be busy from the airport you're departing out of. So while it's not updating in real time, it is going to give you a sense of okay, if I'm traveling on Thursday at 8:00am what is it looking like? And it'll give you based on historical data, roughly an idea. We have seen that Sundays are typically leading in terms of the worst days and the morning hours have seen some pretty rough patches in select airports across the country. Sunday is the busiest day in general, but because of spring break it's got this added layer of pressure and then we would take it a step further, further and we'd actually well, I've done this multiple times and I swear by it. Going to the airline website directly to see if they have any real time updates built into their homepage, which a lot of airlines are doing now, and then also following them on social media. And I'd even take it one step further typing in your airport to see if it's trending in social media. Because if it is, it's likely it's not trending for the right reason.
- [03:45]
A
Right, right.
- [03:46]
B
But it's helpful.
- [03:48]
A
I'm sure people with Precheck are wondering if they would also be impacted. What are you seeing when it comes to the PreCheck line?
- [03:54]
B
TSA PreCheck is definitely the way to go at any given point. But our best piece of advice is if you haven't opted into TSA PreCheck Touchless ID which not available every airport, not available on every airline, but available on most major carriers and in most large airports across the country. Separate dedicated line, you input your details before you take that flight. That's key. You cannot do this in line while you're waiting through security. You wanna just remind yourself to add it, if you haven't already done so, to your traveler profile. It is really a game changer, especially now. I've used it myself and I actually did a moonwalk backwards because I didn't think that I processed because it's so quick.
- [04:37]
A
Well, I just heard about this recently and didn't even know it was an option and I just did it for myself. Just so we are clear, how do people do this? It's actually in the airlines app, not through the Same channels that you applied for precheck, right?
- [04:51]
B
Correct. So you go into your traveler profile with the airline apps. The easiest way to do it, you have to add your passport, you have to fill in some details and then it should be in theory added to your boarding pass. So you want to make sure you have that to be able to take advantage of it.
- [05:07]
A
So you mentioned it's kind of that spring break time. What are this year's trends when it comes to spring break travel? And anything to know for last minute travel in case someone hasn't yet made plans.
- [05:19]
B
We're seeing a lot of demand this year, meaning that a lot of people are going away, they're looking for beachy nature based getaways. People were cooped up this winter and gosh, I think everybody is just looking to spend as much time outside and in better weather. So places like Hawaii, Honolulu, one of the top trending airports that most search for spring break dates, we're seeing increased interest in these smaller airports or airports that aren't necessarily what you would consider big spring break meccas. But because they have great proximity to national parks or mountain ranges, we're seeing increased interest. So think Boise, Kalispell, various airports in Alaska. People are looking for that outdoor adventure this year for spring break.
- [06:04]
A
I've even heard the trend be called quietcations, where people are actually seeking more downtime, more time outside, less stimulus from the hustle and bustle of everyday modern life and the noise of screens. Is that something you've heard of, Quietcations?
- [06:22]
B
That's definitely a trend that we've heard of, come about in sort of the last two years. We're seeing that more and more, especially in younger, in a younger demographic, which, I mean, I think that's great. Spending more time outdoors is never a bad thing. So I think we can all agree, regardless of the reasoning behind it, it's very much warranted, especially due to all the headlines.
- [06:43]
A
Let's talk about the cost of travel right now, perhaps what people have already paid for spring break and how that compares to previous years, as well as what people can expect as they start to book summer travel.
- [06:53]
B
We have actually sort of rerun the numbers because unfortunately we are seeing higher fares this year for spring break for a multitude of reasons. Prior to February 28, we did see higher fares, roughly around 5%. Now those are trending upwards. If you are looking for a last minute trip, we're seeing demand at an all time high. But also we're seeing some ripple effects from these spikes in oil. People are panic buying. And they're thinking, okay, if airfare is going to skyrocket, I'm going to take a quick trip now because I might not be able to over the summer. Or I'm booking flights no matter what, and I'm going to lock them in now because it could potentially get even more expensive because of the price of oil. I want people to understand that higher prices aren't necessarily because of higher oil prices, but they are related. And our biggest piece of advice, book your summer flights now, if you know where you're going, especially, and you want to make sure you're booking that main economy ticket so you can price track. And if it does actually drop from now until whenever you're departing in the summer, you can take advantage of that by calling the airline, getting it rebooked at that lower price, and getting a credit that you're likely going to use in the future. So you're never going to not saving after you've booked.
- [08:07]
A
Are you saying the main economy versus the basic economy?
- [08:11]
B
Correct.
- [08:11]
A
So that's an important point because I think now that all the airlines have this basic economy option, it feels like, why shouldn't I just take the cheapest option?
- [08:21]
B
Sure.
- [08:21]
A
Can you talk through your advice there?
- [08:23]
B
Yeah. You know, there's nothing wrong with booking a basic economy ticket if you're looking for the absolute cheapest fare. I call it's basic economy for a reason. If you're looking for any type of flexibility, any type of added extras built into the cost, you're going to want to look at that main economy ticket. With so much volatility and plans changing, you want to give yourself the opportunity for not basically locking yourself into one seat. If your plans do change, they have a likelihood of changing. It is in your best interest to look at that main economy ticket so you can make changes if something happens. Especially also weather. You know, even when we head into the summer months, people tend to forget thunderstorms can wreak just as much havoc as winter weather can. And if you booked a basic economy ticket, if the airline doesn't put out a weather waiver allowing you to make changes at no additional cost, you're kind of out of luck. So if you see bad weather in the forecast, you're sort of rolling the dice there.
- [09:23]
A
What are the best ways to find a reasonable price for summer travel?
- [09:27]
B
Right now, there's no best place to look for fares. It's really a user preference. I prefer Google flights. If you're looking for a deal, obviously I'm going to recommend going, but a lot of times people have a specific place in mind, and I would actually argue that this summer it's important to be a little bit flexible. I know we want to fly in a certain carrier at a certain time of day during specific windows, but if you're really looking for affordability this year, having that flexibility is really key. One feature in the Going app that can help is being able to search seven days out on either end of the dates that you think you might want to travel. So you know having tools at your disposal that's going to give you the best option is really key and really just taking advantage of flexibility when and if you have it.
- [10:18]
A
Still ahead, more travel tips that will save you money, time and stress from the rule many people forget about. That will help you find the best deal to what travel insurance really does and doesn't cover. Plus, why choosing the right credit card to book your trip with actually matters. But first, a quick break for our sponsors One thing I've learned about traveling for special events, whether it's a wedding, a celebration, or even just a big dinner, is that packing the right pieces makes everything easier. Not just the outfits themselves, but what really helps is how you feel your best in them. That's why I've started packing Honeylove whenever I travel for an event. Their shapewear has become one of those go to items I know I can rely on to help me feel polished yet still comfortable. It smooths everything out in a really natural way, but it doesn't feel restrictive or stiff. It's designed with targeted compression so it works with your body and it actually stays in place so no constant adjusting. And when you're traveling, that matters. You want something that looks great in photos, feels good through long dinners or dancing, and doesn't take up much space in your suitcase. Treat yourself to the most advanced bras, shapewear and more on the market. Use our exclusive link to save 20% off honeylove@honeylove.com newsworthy that's honeylove.com newsworthy after you check out, they'll ask where you heard about them. So please support our show and tell them we sent you. Experience the new standard in comfort and support with HoneyLove. The newsworthy is also brought to you by Gainbridge. If you're someone who doesn't want to constantly track the market or overthink every financial move, you're not alone. A lot of people are just looking for a simple, reliable way to grow their savings without turning it into a second job. That's exactly what Gainbridge is designed for Gainbridge is an online platform offering financial products with a guaranteed rate over a set term that you choose. That means you decide how long your money is invested and how much you want to put in. And from there it grows at a fixed rate. There are no hidden fees or commissions, which makes it easier to understand exactly what you're getting. And the setup is straightforward. Open an account, fund it, and let it do its thing. They offer two main products, one for shorter term goals like saving for a major purchase or milestone, and another design for longer term planning and retirement. If that kind of approach resonates with you, you can check it out@gainbridge.com Gainbridge let your money work for you. Okay, now back to my conversation with Katie Nastro from the travel platform Going and I always like to go over some of those basic tips that you all tend to give, which is like you can legally always cancel within 24 hours of booking. Right. What are a few of those?
- [12:47]
B
Booking directly with an airline is sort of a golden ticket moment because it gives you that flexibility to cancel within 24 hours. If you booked at least seven days out, talk to your partner, your family, or just really look at your calendar, you're giving yourself that time to do so. Whereas when you book with an online travel agency, that might not be the case. And hey, something cheaper might pop up in that 24 hours or that price might drop in 24 hours.
- [13:15]
A
And when we're talking about international travel, we've heard more recently about people getting stranded in kind of uncertain, sometimes scary situations like the fires and riots that we saw in Puerto Vallarta. We talked with Americans who found themselves stranded in the Middle East. So what should people know before they book a trip and what can they do to prepare or protect themselves while abroad?
- [13:35]
B
Yeah, I think the first thing before you're booking any type of international travel, you know, obviously paying attention to headlines, you know, tuning in to the newsworthy.
- [13:45]
A
Obviously our listeners are good about that.
- [13:47]
B
Yeah, yeah. I mean, you know, staying up to date on sort of what's going on is sort of the first step in equipping yourself with, okay, maybe I shouldn't be traveling to this specific part of the world at this juncture. But also asking yourself, okay, if I do go, knowing what I know now, am I going to be able to feel comfortable on this trip? Am I really going to be able to experience it to the fullest knowing what I know? And really is my gut saying otherwise? And travel insurance is something to look into, but we would always advise to look into all the ways that you're already protected or have the flexibility to make changes first. I think a lot of people were surprised to learn that travel insurance, most standard policies don't cover for acts of war. But we live in a day and age where unfortunately we really need to be sure what we're getting into in terms of travel insurance policies. I hate suggesting reading the fine print, but this is actually where AI can be like a paralegal dropping that policy into AI, working with it to really read the fine print without having to dive into a super long policy yourself. So I think a really great resource is the Foley foundation has a travel safety guide that everybody should explore if they've never traveled overseas or are considering traveling overseas this summer. It's a really great resource that gives you sort of, okay, having specific numbers on the ground. 911 is not universal.
- [15:14]
A
And going back to what you said about really knowing ways you might already be covered even before you consider travel insurance, that could include like a travel credit card. Right. Sometimes those have pretty good coverage.
- [15:26]
B
I'm so glad you brought that up. That is one of the ways that people are already protected and might not realize that they are airline credit cards as well as various credit cards with banks that are travel focused. You know, typing into Google or dropping it into AI again and just seeing what coverage is and super simple, explain it to me like I'm five, what am I protected when it comes to travel with this credit card is a really great tool. Say you have a, you're still dealing with winter weather and your bag gets lost. Are you able to buy clothes and can you get those reimbursements even faster than filing it with the dot? There are definite benefits to having a travel credit card, especially if you know you have trips coming up.
- [16:08]
A
And to be clear, you have to book the trip with that travel credit card. Owning it is not enough, correct?
- [16:13]
B
Yes.
- [16:14]
A
Is there anything else that people you think maybe aren't realizing or not considering enough as they prepare for travel either now or in the summer?
- [16:22]
B
Anybody that doesn't have a real ID now more than ever should give you more incentive to go out and get one. Using a passport totally still works. We have heard of people not realizing that they could still use a passport. You totally still can. But yeah, just going ahead and getting that real ID updated is definitely worth it, especially due to the fees. Yeah, I just think it's sort of a no brainer at this point.
- [16:49]
A
Can you leave us with like a final takeaway when it comes to spring and summer travel in 2026.
- [16:54]
B
We're not seeing crazy prices, meaning June 2022, when airfare was at its peak prices. However, the demand is there and it's likely that airfare could take some swings upwards. So best advice is get your trips booked now.
- [17:12]
A
Thank you so much to our guest, Katie Nastrow, and thank you to the travel platform Going. Be sure to check out going.com for great deals and travel alerts. Going helps save travelers on average between 40 to 90% off flights. And as always, join us again during the week to stay updated and informed on the day's news. We provide daily roundups that are less than 15 minutes long every Monday through Friday in our fast, fair, friendly style. So we'll be back on Monday with the latest news to know. Until then, have a great rest of your weekend.