M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E
Insider Secrets: July
11, 2001
by Larry Gelwix
SENIOR DISCOUNT COUPON BOOKS
Some of the best travel bargains for senior travelers, ages 62 and above, are the popular discount coupons books offered by most airlines. Most discount coupons come with four one-way certificates. The primary advantages of these coupons are that they offer a fixed rate. Coupons are usually valid for one year after the date of purchase.
Always compare the coupon fixed rate with specials that may come up. Sometimes a fare war may save you considering more money. Coupons usually are best used for long distances because of the fixed cost.
Most senior coupon programs require an advance booking for a confirmed reservation, but usually allow stand-by travel at any time.
Listed below are current programs. Contact the airline direct or call your travel agent for purchase, travel restrictions, and information. The first price listed is the purchase. The amount listed in parenthesis is the average one-way cost per coupon.
| Airline, Program Name, & Telephone | Booklet/Coupon Price | Destinations |
| America West Senior Saver Pack 800-235-9292 | $548 ($137) Four coupons | All domestic destinations, plus Vancouver Two coupons per direction: Anchorage and Mexico |
| American Airlines Senior TrAAveler 800-237-7981 | $596 ($149) Four coupons | All domestic destinations, plus Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Two coupons per direction: Alaska and Hawaii |
| Continental Airlines Freedom Trips 800-248-8996 | $579 ($145) Four coupons $1079 ($135) Eight coupons | All domestic destinations, plus the Caribbean, Mexico, Montreal, & Toronto. Two coupons per direction: Alaska and Hawaii |
| Delta Air Lines Young At Heart 800-221-1212 | $676 ($169) Four coupons | All domestic destinations, plus Canada, San Juan, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. Two coupons per direction: Alaska and Hawaii |
| Midway Airlines Senior Travel 800-446-4392 | $320 ($80) * Four coupons | All domestic destinations. |
| Northwest Airlines NorthBest Senior 800-225-2525 | $676 ($169) Four coupons | All domestic destinations, plus Canada and San Juan. Two coupons per direction: Alaska and Hawaii |
| TWA Senior Travel Pak 800-221-2000 | $548 ($137) ** Four coupons | All domestic destinations, plus Jamaica, San Juan, San Domingo, & Toronto. Two coupons per direction: Hawaii. Bonus: 20% Europe discount certificate |
| United Airlines Silver TravelPac 800-633-6563 | $596 ($149) Tax not included Four coupons | All domestic destinations, plus San Juan and Canada. Two coupons per direction: Alaska and Hawaii, except Seattle to Anchorage or Fairbanks |
| US Airways Golden Opportunities 800-428-4322 | $579 ($145) Four coupons | All domestic destinations, plus Canada, San Juan, St. Croix, and St. Thomas |
"All domestic destinations" refers to cities served by the airline in the 48 states.
* Midway Airlines offers a companion booklet for $350 ($88)
** TWA offers a companion booklet for $648 ($162)
AARP MEMBERS SAVE UP TO 25% TO LONDON
AARP members can save big on Virgin Atlantic flights to London. This promotion is valid for AARP members and one companion of any age traveling together on the same flights and dates. Offer is valid for economy class reservations only. Flights must originate in the U.S. AARP membership number must be given at the time of reservation. Tickets are nontransferable and may not be upgraded.
Discount is 25% off economy fares for travel November 1-December 14, 2001 or December 25-31, 2001. Discount is 20% off economy fares for October 2001 travel. Discount is 10% off economy fares now through September 30,2011 or from December 15-25, 2001. Discount is 5% off economy sale fares.
For reservations, call 800-373-3328. When you hear the recorded greeting, push 2000.
FREE TWO CAR CLASS UPGRADE
Reserve your Hertz car rental through the Southwest Airlines Web site and get a free two car class upgrade. Valid for rentals through September 10, 2001.
Offer is available on compact 4-door through full-size 4-door rentals for Leisure weekly, Leisure weekend, Standard Weekly, and Leisure Weekend rentals. The maximum upgrade is full-size to luxury. The offer is available at participating Southwest cities except Boise, Columbus, Corpus Christi, Little Rock, and Spokane. Upgrade is subject to availability and blackout periods apply.
Go to www.southwest.com and enter PC# 922176 in the promotion code box.
HAWAII & SOUTH PACIFIC DEAL OF THE CENTURY!
Last month we highlighted a January 2002 Hawaii and South Pacific cruise. It is now sold-out. Don't worry, we have found two more dates: February 24-March 3 and March 10-17, 2002.
Don't let this one get away! Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will be starting service in the Hawaii islands later this year. The brand new Norwegian Star, currently under construction, will start cruising in Hawaii in December of this year.
Here is a special sailing with discounts you may never see again!
Departure dates include February 24-March 3, 2002 and March 10-17, 2002. Sail round-trip from Honolulu and visit Oahu, Kauai, Maui, the Big Island, and head south deep into the South Pacific to Fanning Island, Republic of Kiribati. Rates vary by departure date.
ITINERARY AND PORTS OF CALL
| Date | Day | Port of Call | Arrive | Depart |
| Day 1 | Sunday | Honolulu, Oahu | 8:00 p.m. | |
| Day 2 | Monday | Kona, the Big island | 7:00 a.m. | 2:00 p.m. |
| Day 3 | Tuesday | At Sea | ||
| Day 4 | Wednesday | Fanning Island, Republic of Kiribati | 9:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. |
| Day 5 | Thursday | At Sea | ||
| Day 6 | Friday | Lahaina, Maui | 1:00 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. |
| Day 7 | Saturday | Port Allen, Kauai | 8:00 a.m. | 4:00 p.m. |
| Day 8 | Sunday | Honolulu, Oahu | 7:00 a.m. |
CRUISE RATES AND CABIN DESCRIPTION
January 20th departure:
| Category | Description | Brochure Rate | YOUR RATE |
| BC | Oceanview Stateroom with private balcony | $2,109 | $999 |
| D | Oceanview Stateroom with picture windows | $1,929 | $849 |
| K | Inside Stateroom | $1,659 | $699 |
FAMILY SPECIAL: Third and fourth passengers sharing a cabin go for only $199 per person. Subject to availability at the time of booking.
Rates do not include airfare to Honolulu, port charges, or pre-paid gratuities.
Fanning Island is everything you imagine a South Pacific island to be. It is a remote, unspoiled hideaway, sparsely inhabited with beautiful deserted beaches, crystal clear water, and friendly natives. Fanning Island is part of the Republic of Kiribati and one of eight Line Islands that straddle the equator. It was a deserted island when Captain Edmund Fanning landed in 1798 and in the 200 years since the population has grown to only 1,304 persons. The locals call the island Tabaueran, from the Kiribati word which means "Heavenly Footprint."
For reservations and information, call 800-373-3328, ext. 2001.
CRYSTAL CRUISE SPECIALS
Crystal Cruises, the upscale deluxe cruise line, voted year after year as the "Best Cruise Line in the World," is offering some fantastic discounts. It is often said, "Once you sail with Crystal, the other cruise line will ever measure up." And it's true!
EUROPE
| Date | Itinerary |
| July 21 | 12 days Baltic sail from Copenhagen to London from $3,695 (50% discount) |
| August 26 | 12 days Mediterranean sail from Athens to Venice from $3,695 (52% discount) |
ALASKA
| Date | Itinerary |
| July 20 | 12 days Alaska sail round-trip from San Francisco from $2,295 (51% discount) |
AFRICA
| Date | Itinerary |
| October 1 | East Africa Safari I. 16 days from Rome to Kenya from $6,170 |
| October 17 | East African Safari II. 8 days from Kenya to South Africa from $3,090 |
| October 25 | West African Adventure. 22 days from South Africa to Lisbon from $4,995* |
*Rate includes free two-night luxury hotel accommodations in Cape Town, South Africa and free one-night luxury hotel accommodations in Lisbon.
MEXICO
| Date | Itinerary |
| Jan. 4 | 13 days round-trip from Los Angeles from $2,945 |
| Jan. 4 | 6 days sail from Los Angeles to Acapulco from $1,485 |
| Jan. 10 | 7 days sail from Acapulco to Los Angeles from $1,730 |
For reservations and information, call 800-373-3328. When you hear the recorded greeting, push "3" for the first available agent.
TRANS CANAL SPECIAL
This may be the best Panama Canal cruise ever! Sail aboard the Crystal Harmony departing Costa Rica on November 1 for an 11-day cruise that will take you through the Panama Canal and stops in South America and the Caribbean.
Ports of call include Punterenas, Costa Rica; Coiba Island, Panama; transit the Panama Canal; Cartegena, Colombia; Grand Cayman Island; Cozumel, mexico; and New Orleans.
Rates start just $1,820 plus port charges. Book by the end of May and receive an additional $100 per person discount.
Call 800-373-3328, ext. 2001 for reservations and information.
GREAT SUMMER RATES
Utell Hotel Reservations is offering "GreatRate" summer prices for travel now through September 4, 2001 at over 1,500 participating hotels worldwide. Some hotels are offering the discount through December 31, 2001. Utell properties are offering 25-50% discounts off regular rates. This promotion is valid any day of the week.
Some "GreatRate" properties include a daily complimentary breakfast with your room. Listed below are some same discount rates, all of which include breakfast and offer these rates, subject to availability, through the end of this year. Rates are per room.
| City/Area | Hotel | Rate |
| Doral Golf Resort & Spa | $135 | Miami |
| Four Ambassadors Apt. Suite Hotel | $97 | Miami |
| Fortune House | $200 | Miami |
| Avalon Majestic Hotel | $79 | Miami Beach |
| Castillo Del Mar Resort | $75 | Miami Beach |
| Beacon Hotel | $120 | Miami Beach |
| Alexander All Suite Oceanfront Resort | $159 | Miami Beach |
| Dezerland Beach Resort | $55 | Miami Beach |
| Essex House Hotel | $89 | Miami Beach |
| GT Casablance On The Beach | $75 | Miami Beach |
| Nash Hotel | $140 | Miami Beach |
| South seas Hotel | $79 | Miami Beach |
| Waldorf Towers Hotel | $75 | Miami Beach |
| WinterHaven Hotel | $89 | Miami Beach |
| Wellington Hotel | $159 | New York City |
| San Carlos Hotel | $165 | New York City |
| Bedford Hotel | $165 | New York City |
| Belleclaire Hotel | $130 | New York City |
| Lucerne Hotel | $150 | New York City |
| Avalon | $189 | New York City |
| Empire Hotel | $169 | New York City |
| Fitzpatrick Grand Hotel | $199 | New York City |
| Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel | $199 | New York City |
| Paramount Hotel | $185 | New York City |
| Royalton Hotel | $240 | New York City |
| Warwick Hotel | $205 | New York City |
| Washington Plaza Hotel | $89 | Washington DC |
| Phoenix Park Hotel | $105 | Washington DC |
| Governor's House Hotel | $119 | Washington DC |
| St. Gregory Hotel & Suites | $129 | Washington DC |
| Henley Park Hotel | $145 | Washington DC |
| Essex Inn | $89 | Chicago |
| Lenox Suites | $89 | Chicago |
| Congress Plaza Hotel | $99 | Chicago |
| City Suites Hotel | $119 | Chicago |
| The Willows Hotel | $109 | Chicago |
| Sutton Place Hotel | $169 | Chicago |
For reservations, call 800-448-8355; online at www.utell.com and ask for SRP code "GREATR."
STAY TWO NIGHTS, PAY FOR ONE NIGHT
SpringHill Suites is offering guests who stay one night at the weekend rate a second night free. And they'll even throw in breakfast too! Valid for stays through September 2, 2001.
Promotion is subject to availability. Free night offer applies only for king and double suites. Weekend rates are available Thursday through Sunday. Blackout dates may apply.
For reservations and information, call 800-932-2198 and ask for reservation code BOG.
HYATT SUMMER SAVINGS SPECIALS
AAA members will save on stays at Hyatt Hotels through September 3, 2001. Blackout dates may apply. Rates are per room. Weekday rates apply Sunday through Thursday. Weekend rates apply Friday and Saturday. Subject to availability.
Sample weekend rates include:
| $95 | Hyatt Washington DC Dulles Airport |
| $89 | Hyatt Regency New Brunswick |
| $75 | Hyatt Regency Buffalo |
| $79 | Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Airport |
| $69 | Hyatt Regency Denver |
| $69 | Hyatt Regency Chicago O'Hare |
| $99 | Hyatt Regency Kansas City Crown Center |
| $99 | Hyatt Columbus on Capitol Square |
| $95 | Hyatt Orlando |
| $83 | Hyatt regency Wichita |
| $65 | Hyatt Regency Lexington |
| $69 | Hyatt Regency Los Angeles |
| $99 | Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport |
| $99 | Hyatt San Jose |
| $79 | Hyatt Regency Sacramento |
For reservations and information, call 800-228-9000; online at www.hyatt.com.
LOW COST EUROPE STAYS PLUS FREE NIGHTS
Minotel, a cooperative hotel association with participating properties in 16 countries throughout Europe, is offering a special promotion that includes free hotel nights.
Pay for two nights at your hotel and get a third night free. Pay for four nights and get three nights free. Minotel works with more than 700 hotels in Europe, 100 of which are participating in this special called "3=2 Offer."
How do you make reservations? Go online to www.minotel.com and click on "Specials Deals." Scroll down, choose a country, and look over the selection of participating hotels. Prices vary by location, but the offer is the same. Stay three nights, pay for only two. Stay seven nights and pay for only four. Stay ten nights and pay for only six. Stay 14 nights and pay for only 8.
The prices are listed in Swiss francs, but there is a link to a currency converter. You probably won't find the major cities such as Paris listed, but will find a wide variety across Europe.
For reservations and information, go online to www.minotel.com.
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© 2001 Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.