Prepaying for travel extras feels like smart planning. Until you lose money because your plans change and there are no refunds.
Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond trade travel updates and money lessons, starting with Crystal's quick February return to Barbados. She chose an Airbnb near the beach wit…Prepaying for travel extras feels like smart planning. Until you lose money because your plans change and there are no refunds.
Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond trade travel updates and money lessons, starting with Crystal's quick February return to Barbados. She chose an Airbnb near the beach with a pool over an all-inclusive resort, made grocery runs to cook her own meals and avoid overindulgence, and learned a hard lesson about dangerous winter waves and riptides. Going out before lifeguards post red flags? Bad idea.
They compare Airbnb costs to all-inclusives and note that Airbnb quality can be a gamble without solid reviews. You might save money or you might end up somewhere disappointing with no recourse.
Then Crystal recounts her return flight nightmare. Major delays, buying a last-minute Frontier ticket to get home, and losing money after prepaying for a checked bag she couldn't use due to customs and liquids logistics. That sparks a broader debate: when does prepaying for travel extras save you money, and when does it backfire?
Joe shares his Disney World trip centered on standout resort restaurants and explains the 60 day reservation advantage (but only if you're staying on property). He also notes that Hyatt rewards earn more free nights than other programs but elite status resets yearly, which changes the calculation.
They preview upcoming travel including Salt Lake City, possible Morocco, Santa Fe, a Beirut/Istanbul contingency plan, and Alaska, plus touch on weather-disrupted trips and resorts reopening in Jamaica.
What You'll Discover:
• When prepaying for travel extras saves money and when it costs you
• The real costs of Airbnb versus all-inclusive resorts in Barbados
• Why Airbnb quality is a gamble without solid reviews
• Beach safety lessons about riptides and winter waves
• How Crystal lost money on a prepaid checked bag due to last-minute flight changes
• Disney dining hacks including the 60 day reservation advantage for on-property guests
• Why Hyatt rewards earn more free nights but status resets create trade-offs
• How to handle major flight delays and last-minute rebooking
• Upcoming travel destinations and contingency planning
• Weather disruption strategies and resort reopening updates
This Episode Is For You If:
• You've lost money on prepaid travel extras when plans changed
• You're debating between Airbnb and all-inclusive resorts
• You want Disney dining tips that actually help you get reservations
• You're planning beach trips and want to stay safe in the water
• You're curious about hotel loyalty programs and whether status is worth it
• You believe learning from others' travel mistakes beats making your own
Question for You:
What's the biggest travel prepayment mistake you've made? Lost money on a checked bag? Prepaid a hotel you had to cancel? Drop your story in the comments because Crystal's Frontier experience might save another traveler from the same fate.
Some people go to Barbados and never leave their resort. They come home with a tan and some poolside photos, having experienced about 10% of what the island actually offers.
Crystal Hammond just wrapped her third trip to Barbados with the same group of friends, and she's here to tell you what you'r…Some people go to Barbados and never leave their resort. They come home with a tan and some poolside photos, having experienced about 10% of what the island actually offers.
Crystal Hammond just wrapped her third trip to Barbados with the same group of friends, and she's here to tell you what you're missing if you think paradise begins and ends at the swim-up bar. Don't get her wrong—the resorts are fantastic, and there's real value in a good all-inclusive. But Barbados has layers most tourists never discover, from local rum shops to muddy ATV adventures to beaches where you're more likely to meet Bajans than other Americans.
Joe Saul-Sehy brings the curiosity while Crystal unpacks how Barbados effortlessly blends relaxation with adventure. You'll hear about the moments that made each trip different, from sampling flying fish at local spots to hanging on during jeep safaris through terrain that definitely wasn't in the resort brochure. She shares how to balance tourist favorites with authentic Bajan experiences, which excursions are worth the money, and how to slip into local culture without abandoning your pool time entirely.
This isn't just a resort recap. It's an island deep-dive from someone who's learned what works through trial, error, and three separate trips. Whether you're planning your first Caribbean escape or your fifteenth, Crystal's got the insider perspective that turns a good vacation into one you'll actually remember.
Plus, the Gear of the Day helps Adventurers make their next tropical trip smoother, lighter, and maybe even a little more stylish.
What You'll Take With You:
• The honest truth about all-inclusive resorts in Barbados and when they're worth the premium
• How to enjoy local culture and authentic experiences without giving up resort convenience
• The best ways to explore the island through ATV tours, jeep safaris, and snorkeling with turtles
• How to balance tourist favorites with experiences that feel genuinely Bajan
• What to expect from island dining, including must-try flying fish dishes most visitors skip
• Smart packing and planning tips specifically for Caribbean travel conditions
• Ways to stretch your budget while still enjoying the full Barbados experience
• Crystal's favorite local finds and surprising spots most guidebooks miss
This Episode Is For You If:
• You're considering Barbados but not sure if it's worth the hype (or the cost)
• You want more from your Caribbean vacation than just beach and pool time
• You're tired of tourist trap recommendations and want the real local spots
• You're planning a trip with friends and want ideas beyond the resort property
• You believe the best travel happens when you venture past the comfortable and familiar
Before You Hit Play, Think About This:
What's one place you've visited multiple times, and what finally made you feel like an "expert" there? Drop your answer in the comments because Crystal's three trips to Barbados got us wondering how many visits it takes before you earn your honorary local badge.
Find our Gear of the Day here: StackingAdventures.com/GOTD
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Quebec native Evlyn Mondo had a dream to retire to a warm tropical island. She made it come true when she and her husband purchased a luxury villa in Barbados.
Mentioned in this episode:
Check out the Smart Travel Podcast
This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smart…Quebec native Evlyn Mondo had a dream to retire to a warm tropical island. She made it come true when she and her husband purchased a luxury villa in Barbados.
Mentioned in this episode:
Check out the Smart Travel Podcast
This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:
Smart Travel Podcast
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Send us Fan Mail According to the group Roch Dog some hotels who call themselves Pet Friendly aren't necessarily so for the money they charge. So on this week's podcast Travel Expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss Pet Friendly Hotels. Then the rest of the podcast is all about Barbados, first …Send us Fan Mail According to the group Roch Dog some hotels who call themselves Pet Friendly aren't necessarily so for the money they charge. So on this week's podcast Travel Expert Onanta Forbes will join me to discuss Pet Friendly Hotels. Then the rest of the podcast is all about Barbados, first we'll chat with the Marketing Director for Barbados Tourism, Eusi Skeete to share why Barbados is a great choice for a vacation destination. Then the GM of the Hilton Barbados will join us to talk ...more
Model, racing car driver and TV personality Jodie Kidd joins Tanya Rose to divulge her travel secrets in this week’s episode.
Jodie discusses her experiences spending summers in her grandmother’s house in Barbados, why driving is a fantastic way to see a country and reveals she’d have Indian food fo…Model, racing car driver and TV personality Jodie Kidd joins Tanya Rose to divulge her travel secrets in this week’s episode.
Jodie discusses her experiences spending summers in her grandmother’s house in Barbados, why driving is a fantastic way to see a country and reveals she’d have Indian food for every meal if she could!
Plus, she shares her poignant experience hiking the Inca Trail in Peru for charity and explains why it’s so important to be prepared for the worst when travelling…
Don’t forget to follow @travelsecretsthepodcast and remember, you can watch all of our episodes on YouTube.
Places mentioned:
Jade Mountain Hotel, St Lucia
Barbados
Inca Trail, Peru
Whitsand Bay, Cornwall
Cove Valley, Exmoor
Glencoe, Scotland
The Half Moon, Kirdford
Udaipur, India
Myanmar (formerly Burma)
Nepal
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Actress Minnie Driver joins Tanya Rose to reveal her travel secrets in this week’s episode.
Minnie shares her adoration for surfing, why she thinks Blackpool is an underrated travel destination and tales of living in Barbados as a child.
Plus, she shares her love of Italian food and reveals how she …Actress Minnie Driver joins Tanya Rose to reveal her travel secrets in this week’s episode.
Minnie shares her adoration for surfing, why she thinks Blackpool is an underrated travel destination and tales of living in Barbados as a child.
Plus, she shares her love of Italian food and reveals how she first made a home for herself in Los Angeles.
Donate to the Red Cross here, who are supporting victims of the LA wildfires.
Don’t forget to follow @travelsecretsthepodcast and remember, you can watch all of our episodes on YouTube.
Places mentioned:
Los Angeles
Malibu Beach
San Isidro, Argentina
Saint Paul de Vence, France
La Colombe d'Or Hotel
Kauai, Hawaii
Rome
Lo Scoglio, Nerano
Portofino
Yorkshire Fisheries, Blackpool
Shu Xiangge, London
Dorian, London
Strakers, London
The River Cafe, London
Tavarua, Fiji
Coral Reef Club, Barbados
The Lone Star, Barbados
Tonga, Oceania
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.more
