J.R. Whalen

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37,077 appearances 1,141 recordings 1 series first heard Sep 2017 last heard Jan 2025

J.R. Whalen’s voice in public audio — every appearance, attributed to the second.

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Here's your Money Briefing for Tuesday, January 14th.

I'm J.R.

Whalen for The Wall Street Journal.

Sweet-talking the airline gate agent to get an upgrade.

Mixing yourself an espresso martini before boarding your flight.

They're among scores of shortcuts and hacks on social media.

Then there's the game of check-in chicken.

We'll talk to Wall Street Journal travel columnist Dawn Gilbertson after the break.

So what works and which could get you in trouble?

She joins me now.

Dawn, on TikTok, for example, the travel hacks hashtag surged more than 90% last year.

Why have these posts become so popular?

Sometimes when I go to the airport, I see passengers ask the gate agent if there are any upgrades available for first class.

They almost always say no.

But some people online claim that dressing nicely or sweet-talking the agent might do the trick.

Is that likely to work?

Some people have posted about something called check-in chicken.

But if you wait longer and longer, don't you run the risk of getting a really undesirable seat?

It's nice to settle into your seat with a nice cup of coffee, but I've seen some posts of people buying coffee before boarding.

Then they spike it with all kinds of alcohol.

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