The Clark Howard Podcast 11.26.25 Booking Future Travel / New Vehicle Sticker Shock!
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Nov 26, 2025 Travel enthusiasts should beware of booking future trips with debit cards due to potential risks. Credit cards offer better protection and chargeback options if something goes wrong. Meanwhile, car buyers face record high prices, with the average new vehicle now over $50,000. Tips include considering used cars and getting pre-purchase inspections to negotiate better deals. Also, for those eyeing electric vehicles, there are specific checks to prioritize before buying.
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Don't Pay Future Travel By Check/ACH
- Avoid paying travel suppliers by checking account or ACH for future bookings because that money becomes unrecoverable if the company fails.
- Pay with a credit card or buy true trip insurance that explicitly covers supplier default to protect your payments.
Smaller Travel Companies Are Failing
- Clark recounts a wave of small cruise lines, tour operators, and airlines going bankrupt lately.
- He explains some companies lure you to pay by checking account to access cash while on credit watch.
Confirm Insurance Covers Supplier Default
- Verify trip insurance covers supplier default before you waive the policy review period.
- Use the state's look‑see period (often 15–30 days) to cancel if the policy doesn't protect against supplier bankruptcy.