Tips and Trips for Travelers: American Express Travel Offers Great Ideas to Maximize Vacation Dollars
NEW YORK, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Spending a little time researching, planning and saving goes a long way toward getting the best possible value for the perfect vacation. American Express offers some tips and trips that can help travelers make the most of their vacation dollars and make vacation
planning easier.
Tips:
* Short on time and money? Stay close, spend less. Consider traveling by car to destinations that are closer to home. If planned right, a trip close to home can seem miles away. There are plenty of great ways that travelers can stretch their vacation dollars. For example:
- Many car rental companies offer bargain rates and special deals
throughout the year -- search for the deals. For travelers who are
planning a vacation with family or friends, renting a car or a larger
vehicle may be an economical and practical alternative to flying.
Travelers can go at their own pace, stop and enjoy local sights and
spend quality time with family.
- Using a charge or credit card to pay for a car rental can provide
additional savings. For example:
* American Express has current money-saving offers for Cardmembers
renting cars including savings of up to 20% off when the American
Express(R) Card is used to reserve and pay for a car rental at
Alamo(R) and National Car Rental(R).
* Hertz offers Cardmembers up to $20 off a weekly rental when the
American Express Card is used to reserve and pay for a rental car.
To take advantage of an offer or to find more savings opportunities,
visit: http://www.americanexpress.com/offerzone.
- Filling a car's tank with gas can be more costly these days.
Travelers can drive home savings when they use a charge or credit
card that offers rewards when filling up at the gas pump. American
Express, for example, has several Cards that give Cardmembers double
rewards for purchases made at gas stations including: the Rewards
Green and Rewards Gold Cards, the Platinum Card(R), Delta SkyMiles
Credit Card and Blue Cash.(1)
* Be prepared. No matter what the mode of transportation, being prepared
for some common occurrences can save travelers a lot of time, money and
even the vacation itself if an aspect of a trip goes awry. American
Express offers several valuable benefits and services to Cardmembers --
at no extra cost -- that can turn a potentially disastrous situation
into a minor inconvenience:
- Global Assist(R) Hotline:
* Emergency referral service (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) to
medical and legal providers worldwide.
* Emergency cash wire service -- provides Cardmembers with cash to
assist them in case of a travel emergency.
* Monitoring of medical treatment -- helps to ensure that \
Cardmembers receive quality medical care should they require
medical treatment when traveling.
* Passport/Visa information -- provides Cardmembers with the entry
requirements for various destinations around the world.
* Assured Reservations -- helps to ensure Cardmembers that a booked
room will be held for late arrivals up to checkout time the next
day.
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance:
* Provides Cardmembers with insurance coverage for damage to or
theft of most rental cars when the Cardmember uses an eligible
Card to reserve and pay for a rental car and declines the
collision damage waiver offered by the rental car company.(2)
- And the Rewards Cards and Premium Cards from American Express offer
Roadside Assistance that provides Cardmembers with free towing
assistance if their car breaks down or runs out of gas when traveling
away from home.
* Money matters. Sticking to a vacation budget while on the road is
important. There are a few things travelers can do to help stay on
track:
- Carry a combination of credit cards, cash and travelers checks.
- A charge or credit card will help travelers keep track of spending
and provide a record of purchases.
- Carry only small amounts of cash for tips and other incidental
expenses because if it's lost or stolen, cash is gone for good.
- Take along travelers checks because they are a very safe form of
money and are fully refundable. American Express Cardmembers can
obtain American Express Travelers Cheques fee free at participating
American Express Travel Service locations.(3)
Trips:
For travelers wanting to stay closer to home, there are many historical, adventurous and exciting places to visit. A variety of North American travel packages, ranging from mountain adventures to coastal cruising to city packages, are available through American Express' "Travels Within Reach" program. Vacation package offers include:
* Leave your heart in San Francisco. Spend four nights at The Radisson
Hotel Fisherman's Wharf or The Fairmont San Francisco for just
$619-$669 per person including airfare. Valid for travel July 1
through August 31, 2003.
* Tour Beautiful British Columbia. Explore the natural wonder of British
Columbia on a six-night tour from Vancouver starting at $740 per person
including car rental. Valid for travel now through November 1, 2003.
* Be a beachcomber for a weekend. Head south for a three-night getaway
at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, the PGA National Resort & Spa or The
Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida. Package includes: accommodations for
three nights, hotel taxes and a rental car for length of stay. Prices
start at $225-$449 per person. The Boca Raton Resort & Club and PGA
National Resort & Spa are valid for travel now through September 30,
2003; The Breakers is valid for travel now through October 31, 2003.
Plus, American Express Cardmembers who use their Card to purchase a qualifying trip through American Express travel are eligible for the Annual Cardmember Travel benefit for a savings of up to $150.
To book these packages or to find others, contact an American Express travel professional at 1-800-AXP-5490 or visit: http://www.americanexpress.com/travelswithinreach. Or for information about other travel packages, travel tips and news, or to get details about the benefits and services offered to American Express Cardmembers call 1-800-The Card, or visit: http://www.americanexpress.com.
(1) Terms, conditions and restrictions apply.
(2) Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance Plan in underwritten by AMEX
Assurance Company, Administrative Office, Green Bay, WI. Coverage is
subject to terms, conditions and exclusions of Policy AX 0925.
(3) Not all services available at all locations and all are subject to
local laws and cash availability.
