August 28, 2024 • 8 mins
Off-season travel offers a world of untapped potential: fewer crowds, lower prices, and authentic experiences. Yet, many people still cling to the idea that the best vacations happen during peak season. Steve Guilday, Director of Travel at AARP Services Inc., is here to challenge that notion. By simply shifting your travel plans a few weeks, you can unlock a hidden world of savings, unique experiences, and unforgettable memories.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is iHeart Cinsey. I'm Sandy Collins. My next guest
is Steve Gildan. He's the director of Travel at AARP,
formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons. Anybody
over the age of fifty is welcome to be a
member and save all kinds of money and get benefits
and they work together to look out for America's seniors. Steve,
thank you for taking time today to talk to us
(00:22):
about these travel tips and how to navigate and save
a little money this fall on travel. Steve, welcome to
the show. Thanks for being here. How you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Today, doing well? Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
We're here to talk about your money saving tips that
our listeners here in the tri State can put in
their brain about travel. Tell me a little bit about
what's winding down now. We're getting towards Labor Day. The
TSA is saying that Labor Day is going to be
so so busy, and then after that, you know, tourism
drops off. So that's a good time in your world
(00:55):
to book some vacation time. Why and how do you
save money doing that?
Speaker 3 (01:00):
It's indeed a good time to book and a good
time to take.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
A trip for a variety of reasons.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
As you mentioned, the demand drops and so you have
a little bit more elbow room in your destination. Perhaps
that's not a bad thing. One could argue the weather
is a little bit better this time of year. Perhaps
you're beating the peak of summer heat. And then here's
my favorite. Your dollar's going to go a little bit farther,
and who doesn't want that. So whether you're flying driving
(01:28):
to your destination, your trip too is going to cost less,
and when you're there, your hotel room is going to
cost less. So these things add up and it's a
great time of year to take a trip.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
The question for me is always travel insurance. Why do
they have it? I don't know anybody who actually buys it,
but I've heard people regret not buying it. So what
do you recommend?
Speaker 3 (01:49):
I recommend that you'd be thoughtful about the consequences to
your wallet if your trip were to be interrupted or
not take place. So it's a great time to go
to the Islands, travel the Caribbean. It's also hurricane season,
So if you're taking a trip somewhere like that.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Travel insurance is your friend. Sure, is it an.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Outlay of money on the front end. But how painful
would it be if you land and have to fly
home the next day, or if you can't even get there.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Those are really tough pills to swallow.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
That's where travel insurance is really going to come in handy.
If it's something more simple, a weekend road trip that
it's cancelable and can be rescheduled, It's really important to
take a look at what fare you're booking and what
the refund or cancelation policies are because that's going to
inform travel insurance. If everything's refundable and your schedule's flexible,
(02:42):
sure you can skip it.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
If it's not. Travel insurance is something to consider.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Like anything important, it takes a little time to get
all the information before you make the decision. I like
that idea. It is the full season, the peak season
for hurricanes. Is that a concern for travelers when it
comes to I was reading things like don't expect the
hotel to feed you or take care of you after
the hurricane hits you in your hotel. So what do
(03:07):
you expect when when you know bad weather knocks things out.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
The biggest thing is to heed the warnings of the
experts and authorities. If you're asked to not come, if
you're asked to evacuate.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Don't sirk.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
I bet that that's when you get into the tough situation.
So no one likes to believe their vacation. No one
likes to not take their vacation, no doubt, but boring.
Would it be a lot worse if you're a hole
up in a hotel room.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
And there's the ocean right outside your window. Hun You're
on the fifth floor.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Not a good spot to be.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
I know you do have some advice on passports. During
the pandemic, man, it just slammed a halt and it
was taking forever. It appears that that timetable has gotten
a whole lot better. But what do you do if
you have an emergency, or you've got to get somewhere fast,
or your passport has expired. What kind of suggestions do
(04:02):
you have for travelers.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
I'm here with your listeners from ARP and AARP members
get a special discount at rush my passport, and they
are exactly what it sounds like they are.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
They will help.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Expedit a passport if you open that bedside drawer where
that family safe, and you realize your passport's expired and
your trip is three weeks away.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
That's a scary feeling rush.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
My passport will help you expedite it at a price
that's lower than the general public can receive.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
So I would encourage listeners to both view AARP.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Dot org, Forge slash save to learn more about that,
and also about the myriad other discounts we have hotels,
car rentals, crews.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
If you're going to be.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Taking a trip this fall or winter, it's a great
time to do it. Why not save some money along
the way. An ARP membership is very affordable. It's only
sixteen dollars and that's for your whole household. You use
on one trip, you're going to more than pay for
your membership. And who doesn't like to save a dollar.
It's a great way to do so, it's more affordable.
And if you if you join as an ARP member
(05:12):
and go on the auto renew plan, it's even more affordable.
So that for your first year that is so sixteen
dollars ye save.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
You know it adds up? Yeah, it's certainly worth doing.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
All right. I got one final question for you. I
saw you on your background that you used to do
some sports management for the NFL teams, including the Bengals.
Have you ever been to Cincinnati? Down here?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
I've never been to Cincinnati, and I won't tell your
listeners that I'm a Philadelphia Eagles fan because I won't.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Tell them either. I just wanted to find out for
sure they're playing our secret. You're in DC, is that right?
Speaker 3 (05:49):
We are in Washington, d C. That's right, And that's
a great fall destination. You know, who wants to visit
the Nationals capital in the summertime. It's it's a hot place, right,
the fall is beautiful foliage and so.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Much to do.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
It's so much free to do. Yeah, yeah, three museums. So,
speaking of travel, that's a great opportunity. Take a road
trip to DC.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
And if the hotel room's in DC proper expensive, you
can stay right across the river in Arlington, Virginia. Use
your ARP membership when you do so, layer on these
things that you have access to to make sure your
dollar goes as far as it can, and definitely take
that trip.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Don't miss out.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Thank you, Steve Gilday, the director of Travel at AARP,
thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
You are so welcome. That is why we are here.
This is our public affairs program on this radio station
on Sandy Collins from seven hundred WLW, and we've got
a few minutes left here in the show. I wanted
to run down a few of the events that we've
been covering here on iHeart sincey and let you know
they're coming up. So if you want to go back
and listen to these programs on the iHeartRadio app or
(06:59):
free to do that, it's under iHeart Sinsey with Sandy Collins,
and we're going to first talk about the Blue Ash
Battle of the Badges. This is the fire department and
the police department in Blue Ash with a charity softball
game coming up on August the thirtieth. They're raising money
for their two separate organizations that help veterans and first responders.
(07:20):
So it's going to be a great time. Seg Dennison
from seven hundred WLW. The Huge Sports Legend is going
to be a part of this event, and as of
airtime last time, we weren't quite sure what role he
was going to fulfill, although he did say he was
going to pack his smart mouth, So that'll be there.
(07:40):
That's August the thirtieth. It's at the Crosley Field in
Blue Ash. Starts at five point thirty, goes till eight o'clock.
Admission is absolutely free. He can watch it at the
Blue Ash Sports Center on Grooms Road. They're at Crosley Field.
I'm Sandy Collins, Thanks for listening.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
iHeart Cincy is a production of iHeartMedia sent Tonati
This is iHeart Cinsey. I'm Sandy Collins. My next guest
is Steve Gildan. He's the director of Travel at AARP,
formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons. Anybody
over the age of fifty is welcome to be a
member and save all kinds of money and get benefits
and they work together to look out for America's seniors. Steve,
thank you for taking time today to talk to us
(00:22):
about these travel tips and how to navigate and save
a little money this fall on travel. Steve, welcome to
the show. Thanks for being here. How you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Today, doing well? Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
We're here to talk about your money saving tips that
our listeners here in the tri State can put in
their brain about travel. Tell me a little bit about
what's winding down now. We're getting towards Labor Day. The
TSA is saying that Labor Day is going to be
so so busy, and then after that, you know, tourism
drops off. So that's a good time in your world
(00:55):
to book some vacation time. Why and how do you
save money doing that?
Speaker 3 (01:00):
It's indeed a good time to book and a good
time to take.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
A trip for a variety of reasons.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
As you mentioned, the demand drops and so you have
a little bit more elbow room in your destination. Perhaps
that's not a bad thing. One could argue the weather
is a little bit better this time of year. Perhaps
you're beating the peak of summer heat. And then here's
my favorite. Your dollar's going to go a little bit farther,
and who doesn't want that. So whether you're flying driving
(01:28):
to your destination, your trip too is going to cost less,
and when you're there, your hotel room is going to
cost less. So these things add up and it's a
great time of year to take a trip.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
The question for me is always travel insurance. Why do
they have it? I don't know anybody who actually buys it,
but I've heard people regret not buying it. So what
do you recommend?
Speaker 3 (01:49):
I recommend that you'd be thoughtful about the consequences to
your wallet if your trip were to be interrupted or
not take place. So it's a great time to go
to the Islands, travel the Caribbean. It's also hurricane season,
So if you're taking a trip somewhere like that.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Travel insurance is your friend. Sure, is it an.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Outlay of money on the front end. But how painful
would it be if you land and have to fly
home the next day, or if you can't even get there.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Those are really tough pills to swallow.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
That's where travel insurance is really going to come in handy.
If it's something more simple, a weekend road trip that
it's cancelable and can be rescheduled, It's really important to
take a look at what fare you're booking and what
the refund or cancelation policies are because that's going to
inform travel insurance. If everything's refundable and your schedule's flexible,
(02:42):
sure you can skip it.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
If it's not. Travel insurance is something to consider.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Like anything important, it takes a little time to get
all the information before you make the decision. I like
that idea. It is the full season, the peak season
for hurricanes. Is that a concern for travelers when it
comes to I was reading things like don't expect the
hotel to feed you or take care of you after
the hurricane hits you in your hotel. So what do
(03:07):
you expect when when you know bad weather knocks things out.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
The biggest thing is to heed the warnings of the
experts and authorities. If you're asked to not come, if
you're asked to evacuate.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Don't sirk.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
I bet that that's when you get into the tough situation.
So no one likes to believe their vacation. No one
likes to not take their vacation, no doubt, but boring.
Would it be a lot worse if you're a hole
up in a hotel room.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
And there's the ocean right outside your window. Hun You're
on the fifth floor.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Not a good spot to be.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
I know you do have some advice on passports. During
the pandemic, man, it just slammed a halt and it
was taking forever. It appears that that timetable has gotten
a whole lot better. But what do you do if
you have an emergency, or you've got to get somewhere fast,
or your passport has expired. What kind of suggestions do
(04:02):
you have for travelers.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
I'm here with your listeners from ARP and AARP members
get a special discount at rush my passport, and they
are exactly what it sounds like they are.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
They will help.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Expedit a passport if you open that bedside drawer where
that family safe, and you realize your passport's expired and
your trip is three weeks away.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
That's a scary feeling rush.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
My passport will help you expedite it at a price
that's lower than the general public can receive.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
So I would encourage listeners to both view AARP.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Dot org, Forge slash save to learn more about that,
and also about the myriad other discounts we have hotels,
car rentals, crews.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
If you're going to be.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Taking a trip this fall or winter, it's a great
time to do it. Why not save some money along
the way. An ARP membership is very affordable. It's only
sixteen dollars and that's for your whole household. You use
on one trip, you're going to more than pay for
your membership. And who doesn't like to save a dollar.
It's a great way to do so, it's more affordable.
And if you if you join as an ARP member
(05:12):
and go on the auto renew plan, it's even more affordable.
So that for your first year that is so sixteen
dollars ye save.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
You know it adds up? Yeah, it's certainly worth doing.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
All right. I got one final question for you. I
saw you on your background that you used to do
some sports management for the NFL teams, including the Bengals.
Have you ever been to Cincinnati? Down here?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
I've never been to Cincinnati, and I won't tell your
listeners that I'm a Philadelphia Eagles fan because I won't.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Tell them either. I just wanted to find out for
sure they're playing our secret. You're in DC, is that right?
Speaker 3 (05:49):
We are in Washington, d C. That's right, And that's
a great fall destination. You know, who wants to visit
the Nationals capital in the summertime. It's it's a hot place, right,
the fall is beautiful foliage and so.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Much to do.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
It's so much free to do. Yeah, yeah, three museums. So,
speaking of travel, that's a great opportunity. Take a road
trip to DC.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
And if the hotel room's in DC proper expensive, you
can stay right across the river in Arlington, Virginia. Use
your ARP membership when you do so, layer on these
things that you have access to to make sure your
dollar goes as far as it can, and definitely take
that trip.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Don't miss out.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Thank you, Steve Gilday, the director of Travel at AARP,
thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
You are so welcome. That is why we are here.
This is our public affairs program on this radio station
on Sandy Collins from seven hundred WLW, and we've got
a few minutes left here in the show. I wanted
to run down a few of the events that we've
been covering here on iHeart sincey and let you know
they're coming up. So if you want to go back
and listen to these programs on the iHeartRadio app or
(06:59):
free to do that, it's under iHeart Sinsey with Sandy Collins,
and we're going to first talk about the Blue Ash
Battle of the Badges. This is the fire department and
the police department in Blue Ash with a charity softball
game coming up on August the thirtieth. They're raising money
for their two separate organizations that help veterans and first responders.
(07:20):
So it's going to be a great time. Seg Dennison
from seven hundred WLW. The Huge Sports Legend is going
to be a part of this event, and as of
airtime last time, we weren't quite sure what role he
was going to fulfill, although he did say he was
going to pack his smart mouth, So that'll be there.
(07:40):
That's August the thirtieth. It's at the Crosley Field in
Blue Ash. Starts at five point thirty, goes till eight o'clock.
Admission is absolutely free. He can watch it at the
Blue Ash Sports Center on Grooms Road. They're at Crosley Field.
I'm Sandy Collins, Thanks for listening.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
iHeart Cincy is a production of iHeartMedia sent Tonati
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