American Airlines Pioneers of Flight Sweepstakes

American Airlines just announced One Million AAdvantage Bonus Miles will be awarded…10 lucky winners will receive 100,000 miles.

American’s “Pioneers of Flight” sweepstakes highlights the flexibility and options that One-Way Flex Awards provide customers and how easy it is to plan and book travel via American’s Web site, AA.com. To learn about and register for the promotion, customers simply visit www.aa.com/promo by noon EDT on Sept. 30. There, customers can watch a brief video that shows three fictitious “pioneers of flight” using One-Way Flex Awards to achieve their dream itinerary. Following the video, customers may enter the sweepstakes for their chance to win a share of one million AAdvantage miles.

There is no purchase necessary to enter the sweepstakes, however, there is a limit of two entries per person, including:

• One sweepstakes entry for watching the video and registering at www.aa.com/promo, and
• One sweepstakes entry for sharing the promotion details with others.

For complete sweepstakes rules, Terms and Conditions, and other details, visit www.aa.com/promo.

Disneyland package special: Kids Fly Free on Alaska Airlines and United Airlines

Remember the freedom of being a kid? Celebrate it again—when you book a vacation package to the Disneyland® Resort. And when you fly Alaska Airlines* or United Airlines* kids fly FREE! There’s so much in life worth celebrating and the Disneyland® Resort is the place to celebrate it all. Make plans to celebrate now with this limited time offer – this offer ends March 18th so book now 1-800-942-3301!

Offer valid for travel now through June 17, 2009 when they purchase a 2-Night or longer Walt Disney Travel Company vacation package to the Disneyland® Resort, but you must book travel by March 18, 2009. Book today for best availability!

2-Night Land-only packages include:

• 2-Night Hotel accommodations and a 3-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir ticket‡ (Adults pay the kids’ price)

• Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness‡‡—Enjoy some fun and games with Mickey and his friends one hour before Toontown opens to the rest of their Guests

• Preferred seating at select attractions in Disney’s California Adventure® Park, and more

• Good Neighbor Hotel Vacations Start At: $76** per person, per day at Quality Inn & Suites during Value Season
  - Resort Hotel Vacations Start At: $103*** per person, per day at Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel

For reservations, please call 1-800-942-3301

**Price is per person per day, quad occupancy, 2 adults (18 and over), 1 junior (ages 10-17) and 1 child (ages 3-9), standard room at Quality Inn & Suites.

***Price is per person per day, quad occupancy, 2 adults (18 and over), 1 junior (ages 10-17) and 1 child (ages 3-9), standard room at the Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel during 1/7/09-6/15/09, book by 3/18/09 and complete travel by 6/17/09. Not valid with any other offer or discount. Subject to blockout dates and availability. Total package price starting from $912.

‡Includes a 3-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir ticket. Does not include airfare. All Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir tickets expire 13 days after first use and each day of use of a ticket constitutes one full day of use. Tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial use. All offers, events, tickets, age ranges, services, attractions and entertainment may be seasonal and are subject to change without notice. Offer, including package elements and prices, is subject to availability, advance reservations required.

‡‡Entitlement available for one morning throughout the length of your ticket on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday, and days and times are subject to change without notice. Blockout Dates and other restrictions apply. Not valid with any other discounts or promotions.
© Disney

**Price is per person per day, quad occupancy, 2 adults (18 and over), 1 junior (ages 10-17) and 1 child (ages 3-9), standard room at Quality Inn & Suites.

***Price is per person per day, quad occupancy, 2 adults (18 and over), 1 junior (ages 10-17) and 1 child (ages 3-9), standard room at the Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel during 1/7/09-6/15/09, book by 3/18/09 and complete travel by 6/17/09. Not valid with any other offer or discount. Subject to blockout dates and availability. Total package price starting from $912.

‡Includes a 3-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir ticket. Does not include airfare. All Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir tickets expire 13 days after first use and each day of use of a ticket constitutes one full day of use. Tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial use. All offers, events, tickets, age ranges, services, attractions and entertainment may be seasonal and are subject to change without notice. Offer, including package elements and prices, is subject to availability, advance reservations required.

‡‡Entitlement available for one morning throughout the length of your ticket on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday, and days and times are subject to change without notice. Blockout Dates and other restrictions apply. Not valid with any other discounts or promotions. © Disney

JetBlue Service to Central and South America

JetBlue is adding flights to new destinations.

Service to Colombia began on January 29, 2009 into Bogotá. Daily nonstop flights from Orlando.

Service to Costa Rica begins on March 26, 2009 into San Jose. Daily nonstop flights from Orlando.

This will be JetBlue’s first time into Central America.

Rates start at $49 per person each way, but taxes and fees are additional. At the time of this blog, we got a rate of $187.70 per person round trip including all taxes and fees. All inclusive resort options in Costa Rica include the Barceloa Playa Langosta, the Occidental Grand Papagayo and the Paradisus Playa Conchal starting at $629 per person for a 3 night stay including private transfers. Also popular this year is the Costa Rica’s Great Outdoors package including white water rafting and several other activities priced from $1, 299 pp

Delta and Northwest Frequent Flyer Updates

Customers of Delta and Northwest Airlines can now merge their frequent flyer accounts and transfers miles between the 2 programs. If you do this before March 15, 2009, you will earn 500 bonus miles. Visit www.delta.com or www.nwa.com to link your accounts.  The programs have not completely merged however. During the transition period, SkyMiles and WorldPerks will remain separate and active programs. Flight mileage will be applied to the frequent flyer program account number saved within your reservation.

Have more questions?  SkyMiles members can contact the Delta SkyMiles Center at 1-800-323-2323 or the number on the back of their membership cards. WorldPerks members should continue contacting the WorldPerks Service Center at 1-800-44-PERKS (or the number on the back of their membership cards).

Booking Airfare with Cruise & Tour Travel

Over the past several years, we have found a consistent trend where customers can find better prices by booking their airfare separately on-line, & just purchase the cruise or land tour from the supplier.

In most cases, booking your own airfare is fine, but I want to remind you to keep a few things in mind.

When you book airfare with the cruise or tour operator, transfers are included to & from the airport. When calculating how much money you are saving, make sure & factor in the additional cost for transfers.

Tours can cancel due to lack of participation. If you book your own air, we suggest booking a tour that is “guaranteed” to operate. Many suppliers have added hundreds of guaranteed departures on their popular tours.

If you experience a problem with your flight being cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, when you book your airfare along with your travel packages, you will have assistance in booking the next available flight to meet up with your trip. If you book your flights online, how difficult will it be to get someone on the phone to assist you in rebooking another flight?

Insurance is another consideration. If you book your own air, normally the cruise or tour operators insurance will not cover the value of your flights. Make sure to speak to an agent about outside insurance coverage so that your entire purchase is protected.

Book early & save. Many suppliers offer air promotions for bookings made well in advance.

On many occasions we do advise our clients to buy airfare separately, but make sure to take the time to discuss your options with an agent to ensure you are receiving the best value.