- MENU
- HOME
- SEARCH
- WORLD
- MAIN
- AFRICA
- ASIA
- BALKANS
- EUROPE
- LATIN AMERICA
- MIDDLE EAST
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Benelux
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Poland
- Russia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- USA
- BUSINESS
- WEALTH
- STOCKS
- TECH
- HEALTH
- LIFESTYLE
- ENTERTAINMENT
- SPORTS
- RSS
- iHaveNet.com: Travel
By Ed Perkins
Although hotel deals were once the main travel discounts available to members, those discounts have shrunk significantly. As I noted last week, you should view them as a fallback position only when you can't do better with some deal available to travelers of any age. Fortunately, however, offers some other travel benefits that are well worth considering.
CRUISES
members receive extra benefits -- typically a small additional discount of 5 percent, a shipboard credit up to $100, or a cabin upgrade -- that vary among the individual lines and sailing dates. Deals are with Blount Small Ships,
RENTAL CARS
promises reductions of "up to 35 percent" on car rentals from Alamo,
-- Primary liability insurance of $25,000/$50,000/$10,000, liability coverage on ordinary rentals is usually much lower, and in some states, rental cars come with no liability coverage at all.
-- Collision damage cap of $5,000, most ordinary rentals provide no collision limit.
Comparable rate discounts are available through may other programs, including big corporate programs, but I know of no other consumer program that offers comparable insurance benefits.
AIRPORT PARKING
Park Ride Fly offers 10 percent discounts on reserved airport parking to members. Park Ride Fly arranges parking in off-airport parking lots at most major U.S. airports; service includes shuttle service to/from terminals, and base rates are usually better than available at on-airport lots. Although the dollar amount of the discount is apt to be small, it's certainly worth using.
MEDEVAC
members can get discounts up to 18 percent on the Medjet Assist medical evacuation and repatriation program. The base policy prices -- $205 per year for an individual or $315 per year for a family -- represent 18 percent discounts for travelers up to age 75. Discounts are also available on the more expensive coverage for travelers up to 85. If you travel overseas for short trips only once or twice a year, you're probably better off buying comprehensive travel insurance, by the trip, which typically includes adequate (although less comprehensive) medevac benefits along with cancellation, medical, and other minor benefits. But if you need yearly medevac coverage, this is a good deal.
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
AARP Roadside Assistance, provided by
OTHER DEALS
I covered
CORRECTION
informs me that its former website posting of 5 percent discounts at LaQuinta was wrong; the discount is really 10 percent, now also corrected on the website.
MAKING THE DEAL
The easiest way to book any deal is through the website (www.aarp.com), which posts links to each participating supplier. Overall, despite the relatively weak hotel program, I'd say that the other travel benefits easily justify the $16 annual membership charge. Membership is open to anyone age 50 or over.
© Ed Perkins, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
AUTOS | HOBBIES | EDUCATION | FAMILY | FASHION | FOOD & RECIPES | HOME DECOR | RELATIONSHIPS | PARENTING | PETS | TRAVEL | WOMEN
Travel | AARP 2011: More Than Just Hotel Deals