⛈ Greetings from rainy L.A.

If you've turned on the news lately, then you know that my home state of California is getting the remnants of Hurricane Hilary. It's just started raining here.
✈️ Airlines canceling flights today
The airlines have taken a proactive approach and as you will see from the numbers below, they've canceled a lot of flights, especially San Diego, Burbank, San Diego, Sacramento and Vegas. Surprisingly, LAX hasn't (yet).
☑️ Travel waivers
They've also issued travel waivers. Here's United's, which is similar to the others. It's for today (Aug 20) and tomorrow (Aug 21). This travel waiver allows for voluntary changes for travel to, from or through these airports: Bakersfield, CA (BFL); Burbank, CA (BUR); Los Angeles, CA (LAX); Ontario, CA (ONT); Palm Springs, CA (PSP); San Diego, CA (SAN); San Luis Obispo, CA (SBP); Santa Ana - Orange County, CA (SNA) and Santa Barbara, CA (SBA).
🌺 Should tourists visit Maui?
There was a lot of travel news this week so scroll down to read it all. But leading the way, besides Hurricane Hilary, has been the devastating Maui wildfires. We were getting mixed messages from the government about whether tourists should still visit. I addressed it in an interview I did with one of my friends who's a Maui resident. You can watch or listen to the interview or read the transcript highlights here.
😎 American Airlines Adds Exciting New Routes to Europe Next Summer
In happier news, American Airlines has announced they're going to be adding some exciting routes to Europe next summer, including to two of the countries my grandparents are from.
Towards the bottom of this email, you will find the videos I wrote about this week. Some are sweet while others are crazy, like the video of the axe-wielding United Airlines pilot.

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In this issue:

✈️ Today's Travel Outlook

As of 8:10am PT, there have been a whopping 937 canceled flights to, from or within the United States and 1,193 delayed. Here's a link to the up-to-date stats and a live look at the FAA's National Airspace System Status. Here's what to do during weather delays and flight cancellations.

🌈 Monday

Jason Momoa and Tourism Officials Tell Tourists to Stay Away From Maui: ‘Not the Place to Have Your Vacation Right Now’
It's hard to imagine what's going on in West Maui right now as the historic town has been destroyed. The most unfathomable part is that according to state officials, only 3% of the affected area has been searched by cadaver dogs. The Maui wildfires is already the deadliest US fire in over a century fire with 96 confirmed dead and hundreds of people still missing. Tourism officials are giving conflicting messages. Here's their advice and how to help.

🛂 Tuesday

Have You Ever Read the Fine Print Inside Your Passport? You Should
I know ... no one reads the fine print but after reading it myself, you might want to do the same. There’s lots of helpful information in there and tips for travelers that you may find useful both before you leave home and while you’re out of the country. So, if you haven’t read the fine print inside your passport before, no need to go and dig yours out. Here’s what it says.

🧳 Wednesday

A Clever But Effective Way to Save Money on Baggage Fees
We all know that checked bags can sometimes be a necessary evil. Traveling with carry-on only is always preferable but not always possible. This clever hack will help you pack more and (hopefully) avoid baggage fees altogether. Read the story here.

🌴 Thursday

If You Visit California, Don’t Make These Huge Mistakes, Otherwise the California Dream Will Become a Nightmare
I have loved California ever since I was a young boy dreaming of trading in Connecticut's long, cold winters for California's sunny blue skies. But in recent years, the shine is starting to tarnish as unaddressed crime continues to rise. Here's how to stay safe if you live in California or are planning to visit.

💻 Friday

Why You Need to Let the Passenger Behind You Know That You’re About to Do This
It seems like common courtesy has gone out the window these days, at least on airplanes. But if you're about to do this on a plane, you should at least let the passenger behind you know. Here's the story.

⛈️ Saturday

Once-in-a-Lifetime Tropical Storm Headed Towards Southern California: Here’s How to Prepare
It’s hard to believe but my home state of California has just been issued its first-ever tropical storm watch … as if 2023’s weather hasn't been crazy enough. I just returned home from filling up my gas tank because I’m getting prepared early. While filling up our car, it dawned on me: I should share some expert tips on how to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm. Here's the story.

📺 Travel Videos of the Week

Music Legend David Foster and Celebrity Friends Serenade Low-Fare Passengers With Mini Concert
AirAsia passengers were treated to a serious upgrade to the airline’s in-flight entertainment on a recent flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore thanks to David Foster, his wife Katharine McPhee and a handful of other music legends who were on the flight and decided to treat the passengers to a mini-concert. Here's the fun video.

VIDEO: United Airlines Pilot Flies With Flight Attendant Mom for First Time
A young United Airlines pilot makes a sweet in-flight announcement to all his passengers and his flight attendant mom. Watch the heartwarming video here.

United Airlines Pilot ‘Hit His Breaking Point’, Takes Axe to Employee Parking Lot Gate
In one of the most head-scratching videos you will ever see from an airport employee parking lot, a United Airlines pilot took an axe to the arm of a parking gate at Denver International Airport. Watch here.

Airline Passenger Pours Water on Fellow Passenger's Feet For Doing This: What Would You Have Done?
The popular Instagram account Passenger Shaming just posted a video with the caption: “Not all heroes wear capes.” I’m not sure everyone will agree that this passenger is a hero so ... you watch the five-second clip and decide for yourself. Watch the video here.

⚡ Travel Product of the Week

RFID-Blocking Travel Money Belt and Slim Passport Holder
If you haven't bought a money belt for travel yet, you may want to check this one out. It's currently on sale for 40% off. Check it out here.

🌎 12 Things to Know in Travel Today

1 Before Hilary strikes, Catalina residents, visitors pack boats in last-chance evacuations
2 Five people in Tampa Bay are killed by flesh-eating bacteria as officials warn locals NOT to enter sea with any cuts or grazes on their skin
3 Trevi Fountain tourist walks across iconic Rome landmark to fill up her bottle with fountain water
4 British Columbia orders more evacuations as wildfires continue
5 Maui water is unsafe even with filters, one of the lessons learned from fires in California
6 2 Tennessee tourists found safe after becoming lost in Alaskan wilderness for over a week
7 Are these really the world’s happiest countries?
8 Tour operators are meeting a rising demand for solo travel
9 The creepy second life of a totaled Tesla
10 The Leaning Tower of Pisa was once tilting dangerously. Today it’s a different story
11 Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) gets its first-ever gym. Here's where you can find it
12 Many new luxury hotels are springing up in London

✅ Currency Exchange ✅ Calendar Countdown

✈️ Miles and Points