Vicky Nguyen

Yeah, Motel 6 and Studio 6 just did a recent survey, Andrea, and they found 51% of those who were surveyed said that they do plan to drive, would rather drive, compared to the 13% who are flying.

I know. It's a really sobering statistic. So number one, budget in extra time. Even just leaving 15 minutes earlier than normal can take some of the stress out of driving in general. In that same vein, getting a nice night of sleep ahead of time and making sure that you've packed the car. And finally, it is time to check what is in your trunk, what is in your emergency kit.

I know. It's a really sobering statistic. So number one, budget in extra time. Even just leaving 15 minutes earlier than normal can take some of the stress out of driving in general. In that same vein, getting a nice night of sleep ahead of time and making sure that you've packed the car. And finally, it is time to check what is in your trunk, what is in your emergency kit.

In the event you get stuck in something and it's weather related or you just can't get off the freeway to get food, that you've got your medicines, your snacks. And if you're traveling with pets, that you have something for them as well, as well as the important items like a portable power charger for your phone, jumper cables. You know, have you checked your car for a spare tire?

In the event you get stuck in something and it's weather related or you just can't get off the freeway to get food, that you've got your medicines, your snacks. And if you're traveling with pets, that you have something for them as well, as well as the important items like a portable power charger for your phone, jumper cables. You know, have you checked your car for a spare tire?

But these are things that you should know in advance and you should know how to use them.

But these are things that you should know in advance and you should know how to use them.

It's funny because some people have this fear of flying, but statistically speaking, we know it is a very safe form of transportation. The most dangerous part of booking an air travel vacation or holiday is that scam that you mentioned, Andrea. There's a cybersecurity site called Guardio, and they say that over the last 18 months, travel scams have gone up online 900%. Wow.

It's funny because some people have this fear of flying, but statistically speaking, we know it is a very safe form of transportation. The most dangerous part of booking an air travel vacation or holiday is that scam that you mentioned, Andrea. There's a cybersecurity site called Guardio, and they say that over the last 18 months, travel scams have gone up online 900%. Wow.

And that is due in large part to AI. AI has made it so easy for scammers to design really sophisticated looking websites that also show up in Google searches, right? So you want to make sure anytime you're booking with a site that you've never used before, that you've actually gone to the URL.

And that is due in large part to AI. AI has made it so easy for scammers to design really sophisticated looking websites that also show up in Google searches, right? So you want to make sure anytime you're booking with a site that you've never used before, that you've actually gone to the URL.

You're looking in that little website address line for HTTPS, S as in security to make sure it's a secure site. Don't just click on links that are sent to you via email, via social media. Go to the actual hotel or the airline that you are looking for and make sure that you always pay with a credit card, not Zelle, not Venmo, not crypto, not gift cards. Those are all red flags for scammer sites.

You're looking in that little website address line for HTTPS, S as in security to make sure it's a secure site. Don't just click on links that are sent to you via email, via social media. Go to the actual hotel or the airline that you are looking for and make sure that you always pay with a credit card, not Zelle, not Venmo, not crypto, not gift cards. Those are all red flags for scammer sites.

And if the price is just too good to be true, that should also get your spidey senses going. My final tip here, Andrea, is consider working with a travel agent. That is a great way to protect yourself from scams.

And if the price is just too good to be true, that should also get your spidey senses going. My final tip here, Andrea, is consider working with a travel agent. That is a great way to protect yourself from scams.

Yeah. If you haven't been to the airport recently, you might be surprised by all the facial recognition technology that is now being used by TSA as well as airlines like Delta, where they ask if you want your face scanned so that they can recognize and verify who you are. It definitely speeds up the process of getting through. those security lines.

Yeah. If you haven't been to the airport recently, you might be surprised by all the facial recognition technology that is now being used by TSA as well as airlines like Delta, where they ask if you want your face scanned so that they can recognize and verify who you are. It definitely speeds up the process of getting through. those security lines.

And here's my answer to folks who are worried about this idea that, oh my gosh, my picture is being taken. What happens with all that data? Well, the companies say that they delete it, that it's just taken, it's verifying your identity, and that they get rid of it. I trust in the system. I understand people have hesitancy.

And here's my answer to folks who are worried about this idea that, oh my gosh, my picture is being taken. What happens with all that data? Well, the companies say that they delete it, that it's just taken, it's verifying your identity, and that they get rid of it. I trust in the system. I understand people have hesitancy.

But if efficiency is what you're after, this is a very fast way to get through those lines. And then to your question about the real ID, that new deadline is May 7th, 2025. Basically, the government keeps saying we're going to require you to have this special driver's license that says real ID on it in order to travel domestically.