In this episode, I dive deep into our Dutch tulip-themed trip last April. Before the tulip festival stories, I randomly wander through a potpourri of travel topics — TSA passenger volumes returning to pre-COVID levels, having a surprisingly satisfying customer service experience with American Airlines, Hertz’s EV push, and a bit of a chuckle about the misplaced visa panic in the news coverage of the EU’s impending ETIAS system

TravelCommons #195

Checking Out Holland’s Tulip Festival

Mark Peacock is the host of the TravelCommons podcast, one of the longest running travel radio shows on the internet. Mark has been a frequent business traveler for more than 30 years.&nbsp; He travels all over the world for high-tech companies and management consultancies.&nbsp;&nbsp; Mark Peacock’s first TravelCommons podcast was recorded in May 2005 in the bathroom of the Wardman Park Marriott in Washington, DC. Originally, TravelCommons was going to be travel blog, but Mark turned out producing the “Voice of the Traveler” podcast.&nbsp; Ask Mark frequently says, “it is more about the journey than the destination.” Mark has lived all over the United States, and is currently living in Chicago for the third time with his wife and two kids. In this episode of The Millennial Travel Podcast I discuss with Mark Peacock:&nbsp;  How Mark started a travel podcast and hosts one of the oldest travel podcasts on the internet. How Mark started TravelCommons podcast in a hotel bathroom in 2005 and what has kept him going. How does Mark get any work done while traveling? Does travel spark creativity?&nbsp; How technology interrupts our ability to chat with the people around us while traveling.&nbsp; Why Mark advises his family not to travel during “rush hour” in airports on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings.&nbsp; Should you invest in TSA Precheck?&nbsp; Why Mark always focuses on flying with one airline, goes to the airline lounges, and has the airport credit cards. Does Mark get upgraded as a frequent business traveler and is airline status worth it? Why is it more difficult to get upgrades these days?&nbsp; Mark Peacock’s tips for rental cars. Should you lock in your gas price with a rental car company? Is it worth it?&nbsp; What are some of Mark’s craziest travel stories as a business traveler? Mark’s tips for traveling during the winter and having backup plans.&nbsp;  The Millennial Travel Podcast Rapid Fire Questions I ask Mark Peacock:&nbsp;  Favorite domestic airport   Terminal 2 in San Francisco&nbsp;   Favorite international airport Favorite airline Favorite booking website&nbsp;   Direct with airlines, but search with Google&nbsp;   Favorite travel bloggers   Craig and Linda Indie Travel Podcast past Millennial Travel Podcast guests! Chris Christensen Amateur Traveler another past podcast guest of ours!&nbsp; Flyer Talk--The World’s Most Popular Frequent Flyer Website The Cranky Flyer--an airline industry blog Boarding Area--required reading for frequent flyers&nbsp;    Resources from Mark Peacock:&nbsp;  TravelCommons.com Twitter @Mpeakcock Facebook TravelCommons Instagram @TravelCommons  You can find all the links and past show notes on  Direct support for The Millennial Travel Podcast comes from . Looking for more great content? Check out

Checking Out Holland’s Tulip Festival

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