Description

Black Friday isn’t just about TVs and gadgets—this week we’re talking travel deals, Hilton’s huge sale, and what the Sonder–Marriott mess really means for guests.

In this Check-Out Friday episode of Check-In with Bryan, host Bryan Fish and producer Tyler Alexander catch up post-Thanksgiving and cover everything from Black Friday software buys to why airlines are in the business of service, not hospitality—a callback to a powerful analogy from recent guest Sarah Dandashy (@askaconcierge).

They also unpack highlights from this week’s long-form conversation with hospitality attorney and professor Stephen Barth (HospitalityLawyer.com), including:

• The Sonder–Marriott case study and why it’s such a big deal for the industry
• Who actually owns your hotel, who really has your money, and why that matters
• Why travel insurance might be worth it—especially when you’re dropping $10K+ on a trip
• How loyalty points, third-party ownership, and franchise structures can leave guests confused and frustrated

Then Bryan shifts gears into practical Black Friday and holiday travel tips, including:

• Details on Hilton’s major Black Friday sale and how to maximize the promo window
• Why you should avoid third-party booking sites like Expedia/Booking.com for “deals”
• How to use airline vacation packages (like AA Vacations, Delta Vacations, etc.) to bundle flights + hotels for better value
• How advanced pricing algorithms and AI-driven revenue systems changed the old “book on Tuesday” travel hacks

Along the way, Bryan and Tyler riff on:

• Overhead bin drama, basic economy, and the eternal carry-on battle
• Why some airline staff feel firmly “service only” while hotels lean into hospitality
• Holiday chaos, family dinners, and the golden rule of returning the Tupperware

If you’re in hospitality, hotel ownership, or just a frequent traveler trying to protect your wallet and your sanity during peak travel season, this Check-Out Friday is for you.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to Check-In with Bryan for more candid hospitality conversations every Tuesday, plus our lighter, fast-hit Check-Out Fridays with Bryan & Tyler.