Day 4 in Cuba

(Wednesday) Havana, Cienfuegos & Trinidad. Shortly after breakfast this morning, depart from Havana and drive along Cuba’s “autopista” highway. Continue through small towns and villages en route to Cienfuegos, known as the “Pearl of the South” and the capital of Cienfuegos Province on the southern Caribbean side of the island.

Continue to a ration store where your Cuban guide will explain the system of rationing, the two-currency system, as well as the difference between Ration Stores, Cuban Peso Stores, and CUC Stores.

Enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant and then explore the main square and the Punto Gordo peninsula.

Your next visit affords you a singular opportunity to engage in an educational exchange with the faculty, staff and students of the Beny More Art School in Cienfuegos. Learn how students are trained in the visual and musical arts in this institution, and discuss the similarities and differences between Cuban and the American educational programs in music and the arts. Beny More, considered by some to be Cuba’s most famous singer, was a native of Cienfuegos, and he is honored and remembered by this institution which carries his name.

Continue the drive along the Caribbean coast to the charming old Spanish colonial town of Trinidad. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, Trinidad is one of the best preserved towns in all of Latin America. Dinner this evening is at our beach front hotel located on Playa Ancon on the Caribbean Sea.

Day 3 in Cuba

(Tuesday) Havana & Las Terrazas. Depart for Las Terrazas in Pinar del Rio Province, a “must see” in Cuba and known worldwide for its magnificent, scenic beauty. Pinar del Rio Province is also home to much of Cuba’s tobacco farming.

Las Terrazas was founded shortly after the Cuban Revolution in 1959 as a model community, where local farmers, known as campesinos, moved closer together in order to help each other overcome the hardships of sleeping in huts with thatched roofs, of living without electricity and of living without local schools or medical services.

First, we’ll visit the Clinica Las Terrazas to learn how medical services are handled in rural Cuba. Here the nurses and doctors believe in non-traditional treatments and specialize in homeopathic remedies. Learn how locally-grown plants and other materials are used to prepare remedies and discuss both the merits and problems of homeopathic versus manufactured pharmaceuticals.

Enjoying coffee at Cafe Maria, Las Terrazas

At our next stop, we’ll visit the oldest member of the community, Maria. She is the sole proprietor of the town’s only coffee shop, Café Maria, where she and her family have been welcoming visitors for years to enjoy the “best coffee in the country.” Discuss coffee culture in Cuba and throughout the world and how cafes act as places for social interaction.

Las Terrazas is now part of UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve, much of it reforested coffee plantation. Real reforestation began in the late 1960s by the local farmers who were concerned that their land had been degraded by former French coffee barons. Engage in a lively exchange with members of a local farming community and discuss with Cuban Guajiros (farmers and cowboys) the importance of reforesting. Discuss how the Cuban experience in Las Terrazas has had a positive impact on the ecological movement on society and its similarity or dissimilarity to efforts in the USA.

Now you’re in for an authentic, country-style lunch prepared and served outdoors at a local farmhouse near Las Terrazas.

Visit the art studio of Lester Campa (When in residence). Today he’ll share with us his unique paper recycling process, the results of which are used for various artistic items, and explain the methods used to create the paper.

On the way back to Havana after lunch, we have the distinct pleasure of visiting “Fusterlandia”, the home and surrounding neighborhood of “The Picasso of the Caribbean”, Jose Fuster. Starting with a small wooden home as his canvas, Mr. Fuster has turned his dream into reality and transformed not just his own home but the entire neighborhood into a unique and colorful artistic landscape. Using the money he makes from selling his artwork, Jose adorns the community with sculptures and mosaics galore.

Traveling to Cuba (Days 1-2)

Last week was wonderful with my family in Palm Springs.  After leaving Palm Springs Saturday I drove directly to the Los Angeles airport.  Yesterday I took a flight to Cuba.  I am going with a tour company called Friendly Planet, taking a charter flight out of Miami.  In order to visit Cuba from the United States the tour company must have what is referred to as a people-to-people permit.  The trip to Cuba is not a pleasure trip where I can take off on my own and do things such as visit the beautiful beaches and snorkel. The people-to-people permit requires a "full-time schedule of educational exchange activities...that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba."  

I will not have Internet access for the next week but I will post my itinerary so you can follow me on my trip.

 (Sunday) Miami/Havana. This morning, transfer to the Miami International Airport to board your non-stop flight bound for Havana, Cuba’s capital city and designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bienvenidos a Havana! You are welcomed by your private Cuban people-to-people representative holding a Friendly Planet sign outside the arrivals terminal at the Havana Airport. Board your air-conditioned coach, and jump right in as you head directly to your first destination in Cuba.

Havana Vieja Photo by Adam Jones

Visit the colorful Callejon de Hamel, one of the shortest but most interesting streets in Havana. Here you will discover how the African Cuban religion of Santeria, a fusion of African belief systems like spirit worship and Christianity, is portrayed in the street art and music. Meet with artists, including Salvador Gonzalez Escalona (when in residence), whose prolific murals that adorn the neighborhood reflect the culture and religious beliefs of this area.

Enjoy your first lunch at a local restaurant in the center of Old Havana, followed by a leisurely orientation walk with your guide through the vibrant cobblestone streets as you immerse yourself in the colors of Cuba which surround you.

Explore the Used Booksellers Market, a cross-cultural treasure trove for readers of every genre. Meet local independent booksellers and engage in friendly conversation with Cuban readers about popular Cuban and American literature.

Now that you’ve had a taste of what lies ahead during your visit to Cuba, it’s time to check in to your hotel. After time to rest at the hotel, engage in a discussion with a panel of English-speaking Cuban experts on the history of U.S./Cuban relations in the 20th & 21st centuries with the opportunity to ask questions in an uncensored format.

This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. Accommodations: Hotel Nacional or Telegrafo. Lunch & dinner provided.

(Monday) Havana. After breakfast this morning, visit a primary school (ages 5 - 12) located in a beautiful historical building which has been carefully renovated by Havana’s Office of the Historian. Interact with the children in their classrooms and participate in a discussion session with some of the school’s administrators and teachers about Cuba’s education system and how it compares to that of the United States.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to the Ludwig Foundation. Meet with local members of the foundation and discuss the roles that both art and artists have within the US and Cuba.

Continue on to the private studio of independent artist, Eduardo Roca “Choco”. Today you’ll learn different techniques of printmaking from an innovative and internationally acclaimed Cuban artist and his team.

This evening, meet with the owner or general manager and some of the workers of one of Havana’s finest and most interesting new restaurants, El Gijon. Hear firsthand how new businesses – especially restaurants - get started, find working capital, and make a profit in a society where private business ventures are almost unknown. Also, learn about the history of the “Association” restaurants, of which El Gijon is one of the best. Afterwards, enjoy dinner at El Gijon. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided

 I promise to bring back lots of great pictures to post on the blog.

Make a Difference

Saturday is National Make a Difference Day.  I think by now my readers know how I feel about volunteering (See September 11, 2012 blog).  Saturday is the largest national day of community service.  If you are not the type that normally volunteers why not change that this Saturday?  If you wonder how or where you can start, it is as easy clicking here and entering your zip code and the distance you are willing to travel. Within 5 miles of my house there were 5 different opportunities that ranged from helping at a children's book drive to helping at a fundraiser walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

People can accomplish amazing things when they take on the problems they see in their community.

Have a great weekend volunteering.

Gold or Platinum?

Today, Maria got an email that said she made American Airlines gold status. Good for her!  That got me thinking.  I have already earned gold status this year but I really want platinum.

Yesterday, blogger, Hack My Trip, wrote a blog “Start thinking NOW about elite status.”  The blog stated, “The end-of-year elite status qualification deadline is approaching, which means two things. Either (1) You’re scrambling for a few mileage or mattress runs to reach your goal of elite status for this year, or (2) You’re already planning for next year.”

Unfortunately, I am #1. I am scrambling trying to decide if I should do what is known as a mileage run.  A mileage run is when you travel to a destination strictly to earn airline mileage not for the point of visiting the destination.,  I am 14,122  miles short of platinum.  I have three more flights before the end of the year but that will only earn me approximately 7,000 miles.  At this rate I am not going to make platinum  The only way to make it would be for me to do a cheap international trip. 

Below is the difference between gold and platinum.  Should I try for Platinum?  Leave a comment.

Gold is on the far right and platinum is in the middle

Survived a Timeshare Presentation

There are over 125 golf courses in Palm Springs.  Both my brother-in-laws enjoy golfing and the Marriott was offering two rounds of FREE golf for listening to a 90 minute timeshare presentation.  I usually get a Marriott discount for golf that would have made the regular $129 rate only $89.   But FREE is the best price.  It was decided the men would golf and the women would have a spa day.  But this meant sitting through 90 minutes of torture, or was it? 

If you have never been to a timeshare presentation you are shown all these wonderful places in the world you can visit. You wonder why you haven't bought sooner until the timeshare presenter starts talking price.  For the wonderful price of approximately $25,000 the rest of my family could join me in owning a timeshare.  My brother-in law, Bruce, was doing well saying "No" and the presentation  was almost over until he made the rookie mistake of saying "maybe not now, but later."  The salesperson, who was getting ready to walk away from the sale, has now just heard Bruce say, "potential sale."  Bruce then has to hear about inflation and how he can lock in the price. But Bruce stayed strong.

No one ended up buying and for 90 minutes I think it was worth the two rounds of FREE golf.  Was it tortuous? No.  A lot of the high pressure sales have gone away.  What would it take for you to attend a timeshare presentation? 

AAA Discounts

Before going to an event or attraction always do a Google search to see if any discounts are offered. Today the family went to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The regular price of a ticket is $23.95.  I checked the website from yesterday's blog, Trusted Tours and Attractions, and the price of a ticket was $22.50. But the Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) offers a 10% discount, making the price $21.55.  The AAA discount was even lower than the senior citizen price of $21.95.  Luckily, all my family had their AAA cards with them. 

Many people don't realize that AAA offers discounts on more than just travel.  See below for some of the discounts.   

Don't be afraid to ask at the attraction about any discounts that may be offered. If you have a AAA card specifically ask if a AAA discount is offered.

Family at the top of the Palm Springs Tramway

Tours & Attractions Discounts

It is family reunion time in Palm Springs.  The weather is supposed to be in the 80’s for the entire week.  When I left the Los Angeles area it was drizzling. I am definitely ready for a fun filled week.  When we checked into the timeshare a silent auction was going on to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.  I bid on a few different items, including 2 nights at the Ritz Carlton (which I didn’t win).  They were also offering two nights at the Marriott in Anaheim for $200.  No one was bidding on the Marriott so they lowered the price to $150.  This auction was now calling my name.  I bid on this and guess what? I won!  Seventy-five dollars a night is a great deal as the location usually starts at $199 a night and can go as high as $399 a night.  The best part is the hotel voucher had no black out dates.  The Anaheim Marriott is less than a mile from Disneyland so it will be a perfect place to stay when my niece, Rachael, comes to visit next year.

One of the other items I bid on and won was a visit to the Palm Springs Living Desert.  I had previously checked out prices on the Living Desert web page which showed a price of $17.25 a person. Seniors (mom and dad) were $15.75 a person. Luckily, I won the opening bid, which gave me 4 tickets at $11.25 a person.  Previously, I had searched the web to see if I could find any discounts to the Living Desert and came across the website Trusted Tours and Attractions.  I checked the site and could get tickets for $12.50.  When looking for tickets to attractions consider the Trusted Tours and Attractions link on the right side of the blog or the below link (be advised I do get a commission if you purchase from them).  If you know of another website that offers good deals on sightseeing tours, attractions and museums leave the information in the comment section.  If you use the Trusted Tours website and get a good deal, also leave a comment.

Save up to 25% on tours and attractions in top US destinations. CLICK HERE!

I almost forgot the best part.  The items I won at the auction can be put on my hotel bill which will count towards Marriott points. Since I am using my Marriott Rewards credit card I get five points per dollar.

View from the Timeshare in Palm Springs

Arrived in Los Angeles 3 Hours Later But $300 Richer

Last night when printing out my boarding pass for my return flight to Los Angeles from Chicago I tried making a "dummy" booking and saw this was not possible.  I got excited, maybe I would get "bumped". But then again the same thing happened on my flight from Los Angeles to Chicago and nothing materialized on that flight.  This morning when I checked in my baggage, (for free with my American Airlines Credit Card), I asked the agent how full the flight was.  She indicated the flight was overbooked by two people.  

After security, I immediately went to the gate agent and asked if the flight was going to need volunteers to be "bumped" onto a later flight.   The gate agent said she was just getting ready to make an announcement regarding that.  I told her there was no need to make the announcement.  There were two in my party and we would be glad to volunteer.  When this happens, generally you don't know until everyone has boarded whether you will be needed.  One time, on a flight from Miami to LAX,  I had volunteered to be bumped, but was not needed. Just for volunteering I was upgraded to first class. 

Guess what? Today I got to do my happy dance.  Maria and I both got "bumped" and each of us was offered a $300 voucher for taking a flight that departed three hours later. So it was off to the American Airlines lounge.  The cost for a one day pass is $50 but I get reimbursed the entire amount.  Read the  July 23, 2012 to see how.

The American Airlines lounge here in Chicago is one of the worst I have been in.  They charge for almost everything, including sodas.  The only items that are free are cookies, fruit and water.  I guess I shouldn't complain because, as mentioned in yesterday's USA Today newspaper, Spirit airlines even charges for water on their flights. If you missed the August 30, 2012 blog, click here to see what other things Spirit charges for and why I dislike them.

This is my 100th post.  Thanks to all of you who continue to follow me.

Have a great weekend!

I Got My Passport Stamped Without Leaving The Country

The passport I got stamped without leaving the country was my National Parks Passport book.  The National Park Passport book is divided into 9 color coded regions.  When visiting any national park, at the visitor center, there are rubber stamps that mark the date and park visited.  The stamp is similar to a passport stamp when leaving and/or entering a country.  In addition to the rubber stamp you can purchase a color stamp, similar to those used for postage, only larger, that shows a picture of the park that you visited.

The first national park, Yellowstone, was created by Congress in 1872. Today the National Park Service watches over 398 parks.  Today, Maria and I visited Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Porter, Indiana.  This is the first time getting a stamp in the Midwest region.  I currently  have 65 passport stamps and a long way to go towards the 350+ stamps to fill my passport book. The passport book is a great way to keep track of memories.

Passport Book

There are certain weekends when you can get into the National Parks for free (Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, National Park week (Late April), National Public Lands Day (Late September) and Veterans Day weekend).  Here's a tip- 264 of the 398 national parks never charge an entrance fee so start planning your visit.

By the way if you are wondering if I made it to the Jelly Belly Factory, wait no further....

Free Beer

I bet that headline caught your attention.  Today I traveled from Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Milwaukee is home of Miller-Coors beer.  Maria and I signed up for the one hour free tour of the factory.  

The tour started with a video that tells how in 1855, German immigrant Frederick Miller purchased a brewery and brought his recipe for beer from Germany.  After the video we toured the brewery where approximately 200,000 cases of beer are packaged daily. The final stop was at the Miller "Inn" where  each person is given three full glasses of beer to taste for FREE.  I didn't realize how many beers Miller manufactures.  Click here and see if you recognize the names.  For example, one of the samples today was Leinekugel's Berry Weiss, which I had never heard of.

Maria with her FREE beer

Tomorrow, if we have time, we are going to the Jelly Belly factory for a free tour and FREE samples before visiting a national park in Indiana.

When on vacation there are lots of fun FREE things you can do.

Free Museum Visits

Today, in Chicago, I visited the Museum Of Science and Industry.  This museum is so large it houses a United Airlines Boeing 727 plane as well as the German Submarine U-505 that was captured off the coast of West Africa on June 4, 1944.  

The museum definitely got into the Halloween spirit.  Some of the exhibits were: pumpkin smashing,  pumpkin pyrotechnics, the haunted coal mine, and the vampire energy exhibit.  The museum has over 14 acres of hands-on exhibits.  I was like a little kid running from exhibit to exhibit.  The museum was just too big for me to experience everything in one day so I am definitely going to have to go back.

This museum was not free but it got me thinking about what to write for today's blog. Near my home the California Science Center is free and it is wonderful to visit if you are in the Los Angeles area. The Science Center is the new home for the Space Shuttle Endeavor.  Other museums that charge admission  often have days that are free to the public.  To find these museums just do a Google search.  For example, a Google search showed the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry had over 50 days of free entry to Illinois residents.  

As you know I have several different credit cards and one is Bank of America Visa. This credit card allows free entry to over 150 museums on the first full weekend of the month. Click here to find out if there is a museum near you. 

When going on vacation or trying to figure out what to do on the weekend consider visiting a museum.

How to Maximize Your Credit Cards on Vacation

The Chicago travel conference has ended and I have a lot of information to share but one of the things I want to talk about is how to maximize your credit cards, whether it is for points or cash.  As you already know I almost always stay at Marriott hotels but tonight I am at a Hyatt in Chicago.  I don't have Hyatt status but I had $200 in Hyatt gift cards.  I got the room for $130 a night and am staying two nights.  The rate is normally $299 a night.  

I have several different credit cards to chose from to pay the difference between the gift cards and the total bill.  I chose my American Express.  Why?  Because American Express has what is known as OPEN savings.  This program gives me a percentage back on certain purchases.  See below for all the businesses.

From the chart I know that I will earn 3% back on my Hyatt stay.  People ask how I know this or even better how I remember.  As you can see from the picture below I put a little sticker on my credit card that tells me which card to use at which location.  For example, with the American Express I save up to 10% at Hertz, 3% at Hyatt and 5% at Barnes and Noble (always good to have a book when I am on vacation). 

If I use my Citibank American Airlines I save at the U.S. Post Office, Budget and Avis.  So make sure you chose the right credit card when you travel.

Also, always be nice to guest relations when checking in so you can possibly get an upgraded room, even without status.  See the view from my room.

River View Room

I Made The Wrong Choice

Today I got to Los Angeles Airport early.  Plenty of time to hit the American Airlines lounge but the problem was when I checked in my luggage I was told the flight was overbooked by 2 people.  As mentioned in yesterday's post I thought this might be a possibility.  So I had to make a decision, do I go to the American Airlines lounge and lose out on a chance to be bumped or do I sit right next to the ticket counter and jump in front of everyone the minute I hear the words, "This flight is overbooked"? I chose to sit next to the ticket counter.  Wrong choice.  The flight left full, not overbooked.

Most people buy plane tickets to get from point A to point B.  But some travelers, often business travelers, reserve 2 or 3 seats over several days.  This is done so if the business runs longer than usual the person doesn't have to worry about missing their flight.  In this case there would be the potential for empty seats.  Empty seats don't earn money, thus airlines sell more seats than the plane can accommodate.

Airlines know that people cancel flights, get to the airport late (Remember the August 1, 2012 blog about Kathy?), show up for the wrong flight or the wrong day. Today on our flight to Chicago people somehow got past the gate agent thinking they were on the flight to Las Vegas.

The airlines use software to estimate the number of people who will miss their flight (for whatever reason).  The software has numerous factors including weather and time of the flight (people tend to oversleep and miss morning flights).  Thus overbooking flights is the best way for airlines to make money.

Have a great weekend!

What Is A Travel Conference?

I always used to think of conferences as something that I had to go to for work.  I always hoped they would be in some place like San Diego, Carmel, or Palm Springs, California (they were never out of state).  After the location was selected I would then hope it was at a hotel where I had elite status.  Finally, I hoped the break out sessions and speakers would be interesting.

Today I am on a 8 AM flight to Chicago for a travel conference.  The weather will be cold but I could not be more excited.  The host hotel, Holiday Inn, (where I have Platinum status) sold out very quickly.  The hotel is taken over by conference attendees and no one else can stay at the hotel during this time.  One gentleman was so quick to make his hotel reservations that he forgot to check back and make his conference reservations.  Unfortunately, the conference also sold out. This conference has grown so large that there are two overflow hotels. 

I wasn't quick enough to get into the host hotel but I made sure I had my conference reservation.  Luckily, because of missing the reservation at the Holiday Inn I am earning a free night at the Radisson and a free night at the Marriott.

If your wondering what is discussed at the conference I decided I would post the sessions.

Seminar Schedule-Sorry if it is a little blurry

Usually I go to the travel conference and make it a long weekend.  This time I have added extra travel time.    Besides visiting Illinois, I will also be traveling to Wisconsin and Indiana.  

This blog was written before my flight.  I always try and do a "dummy" booking the night before to see how full the plane is and to also check on alternative flights if a problem arises but I was not able to make a reservation. Maybe the flight is full?  If I am lucky I will get bumped (remember the September 24, 2012 blog?).  If they ask for volunteers I see that there is an 1100 AM flight available.  I am hope to hear my favorite words, "This flight is overbooked."

On My Way to Marriott Platinum Status

Yesterday I talked about the Stay One, Get One Night Free at Radisson hotels. Today lets look at Marriott.  Marriott has Stay 2 nights get 1 free. Not as good a deal, but unlike the Radisson, which limits you to one free night, the Marriott allows you to earn up to three free nights.  I am trying to maintain my platinum status at Marriott which requires 75 nights a year.  I am currently at 66 nights. I am going to Chicago tomorrow and will spend 3 nights at Marriott branded hotels.  That gets me to 69 nights.  I have another 3 nights planned in November, so that gets me to 72.  After these two trips I will have earned my three free nights but still will not have my platinum status.  So what is the best way to get three more nights?  Book another trip.

Today, I saw that I could fly out of Burbank, Ca to New York for $199 round trip.  This includes all taxes.  So platinum status here I come!

Upcoming Chicago Trip- Earn A Free Hotel Night (Updated)

On Thursday I am going to Chicago for something I consider very exciting.  For the past three years I have been attending the Frequent Traveler's Conference.  I love to travel and hope to inform my readers about what I learn from this get together.  At this conference are the true travel "experts."  The hardest part about the conference is two seminars are going on simultaneously and it is difficult to make a choice what seminar to attend.

In addition to the conference I plan to do a few side trips.  In order to get ready for the conference and side trips I had to strategically make my travel plans. I had to figure what hotels to stay at in order to maximize my points and/or earn free stays.  Below is how I maximized my stay at the Radisson hotel.  This information can help anyone who is planning to travel in the month of October.

I subscribe to Club Carlson emails (remember to subscribe to all hotel/airline emails) and saw they had a great promotion- Stay one night at a Radisson hotel, earn a night free.  This is really good as you can stay at a $70 a night hotel and your free night can later be at a $300 a night hotel.

I currently have Platinum status with Marriott and no status with Carlson hotels.  So I emailed them and asked if they would do a status match. Here is the response I received:

Thank you for providing the documentation for a status match! We have upgraded your Club Carlson account to Gold status effective immediately and expiring on February 28, 2014 (unless otherwise re-obtained). Please review the list of elite benefits below.

50% Point Bonus
Late Check-out (based on availability)
Early Check-in (based on availability)
Best Available Room in the category booked

Now that I had my elite status it was time to start earning points and a free night.

1) I registered for the "Stay One, Get One" free night after a paid night.  Click here to register for this promotion. It is only open to the first 50,000 Club Carlson members who register between October 1 and October 31, 2012. You must book your hotel room on the Radisson website and your stay must be completed by December 31, 2012. You can only earn one night so sign up your spouse/significant other in order to earn 2 free nights. (Post previously erred by stating your stay had to be completed by 10-31-12).

2) I also signed up for the "Stay More Nights.  Earn More Nights."  For staying 1 to 5 nights I get an extra 2,000 points.  Click here to register for this promotion. This promotion is good for stays between October 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012.

3) Remember the July 2, 2012 blog on best Interent shopping website?  Well, I checked Evrewards and saw that MrRebates was offering 5% back on all Radisson bookings.  Going to MrRebates takes you directly to the Radisson website so you are still eligible for the free night.  If you have not signed up for MrRebates yet please do so here.  I get a referral and thank you for helping me out. This also lets me know someone is reading my blogs.

4) Finally for booking online you earn either 1,000 or 2,000 points as a bonus.  Red level club members (entry level) earn 1,000 points.  Since I am now Gold I earned 2,000 points.

So where did I book?  I got a room at the Radisson Milwaukee for $79.20.  This is the AAA rate.  The AAA rate is acceptable for the Buy One, Get One promotion.

Pool at the Radisson

Finally, if your not a member of Club Carlson, sign up here.  Remember to subscribe to their email.

My Top 10 FREE Travel Apps (Part 2 of 2)

It has been almost a month since I listed the first 5 out of 10 FREE travel apps I like.  Due to the death of Tio Felipe I was not able to finish part 2 of the post. But fear not, I have not forgotten my loyal readers. So here are my remaining 5 favorite travel apps:  

6. Flightview Free Flight Tracker-This app tracks upcoming and in-air flights.  You can receive status alerts, check gate assignments, delays and cancellations.  

I rarely pay for apps but when it comes to flight status I am willing to pay the $4.99 for the app Flightstatus. With this app you can also view maps with live weather radar.  This app has more than flight information.  You can get information on parking lots, gas stations, car rentals, transportation, hotel, restaurants and more for airports worldwide. Since I said this blog is about FREE apps I would recommend Flightview for those who don't want to pay for Flightstatus.

7. Google translate- for those that travel worldwide don't leave home without Google Translate.  This app allows you to translate words and phrases between more than 60 languages.  For most languages you can speak your phrases and hear the corresponding translations.  Even for those that don't travel worldwide America is a melting pot and it is nice to know a few words in a language other than English.  The words, "Thank you" are always good to know in any language.

8. Wi-Fi finder- when you travel the GPS function on your phone will tell you exactly where the closest Wi-Fi hotspot is and how to get there.  You can even filter between paid and free Wi-Fi.

9.  XE Currency Conversion- This app converts every world currency.  What I like about this app is it even stores the last updated rates, so it works when the Internet doesn't. Don't overpay for something by trying to figure the conversion rate in your head.

10. Skype- Call, video and instant message anyone else on Skype for free.  I love the Skype app.  I used this on my trip to Japan this year to keep in touch with my family back in the U.S.

Hope these apps help you.  Here a few more apps you can check out on your own: Next Flight, Seat Guru, Gate Guru, Hotel Tonight, Packing Pro ($2.99) and finally Help Call ($2.99).

Leave a comment in the comment section on any of your favorite apps I may have missed.

Disneyland Club 33

Today's blog is definitely NOT about saving money but it is about having a great time.

Today was a very special day at Disneyland.  I got to do what a lot of people only wish they could do.  I got to have dinner at Club 33. Club 33 is a private club located in the New Orleans Square section of Disneyland.  

In May of this year, for the first time in 10 years, Disneyland opened up new memberships to Club 33.  Disneyland had an 800 name waiting list.  Individual initiation fees are $25,000 and the annual dues are $10,000.  Way out of my price range.  

The number 33 to the right of the door is the only identifying information

A friend of a friend knew someone who was a member to this exclusive club.  Today was Maria's first official day of retirement so Tim, Maribel, Maria and I got a chance to dine at Club 33. It will definitely be a night to remember.

Maria's First Day of Retirement

Have a great weekend!!

300 FREE La Quinta Points

Thanks to Miles Momma here is your chance to get 300 free La Quinta points by clicking here.

I just keep plugging away at these free points as one day I will earn a free night.

Today is a short blog.  I am at Disneyland today and am very excited as I get to do something that is very rare.  Check in tomorrow to find out what I did.

How To Save On Airport And Hotel Parking

An airline trip can be really fun until you land at home and have to pay the car parking lot attendee.   Next time consider parking in a hotel lot and taking the free shuttle.  I know some people who don’t even stay at the hotel and do this.  Of course you have to find a hotel that has free parking.

A few months ago I had a free night at a Marriott that was getting ready to expire.  I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with the free night.  I normally fly out of Burbank or Los Angeles but a recent short notice ticket caused me to fly out of Ontario, Ca.  The ticket was over $100 cheaper using Ontario airport.  The flight was at 6 AM.  Maria suggested spending the night at a hotel near the airport.  With a free award night in hand we stayed at the Ontario Residence Inn.  We were gone for 4 days but the Residence Inn allowed us to park the entire time for free.  Click here for the website ParkSleepFly to help you save on parking.  This is especially helpful when you are going to be gone for an extended trip.

Another website I like is Airport Parking Reservations.  For example, in October I will be staying at the Marriott in Chicago which charges $24 a day for self parking.  By using the website airport parking reservations I ended up only paying $20 for the 2 night stay versus $48 (I was given a $5.00 code for signing up).  The hotel allows people traveling to the airport to use their parking lot.  It just so happens I plan to stay at the hotel.  Please use the link on this post or the link on the right hand side of my blog to check out Airport Parking Reservations.  If you find lower prices from other websites please feel free to pass on the information so we can all benefit.

Priceline for Car Rentals

Today, I am going to San Francisco on my $14 round trip flight (See September 14, 2012 blog).  Sherri and Pete also jumped on the deal.  Once in San Francisco we looked at a couple of options for transportation in order to get around.  Sherri found BART for $17.00 per person.  While this sounded like a good option it limited us based on the BART schedule and destinations we wanted to include.  

Sherri and I both then started looking up rental cars.  I checked Costco ($116), Airport rental cars ($92) which generally has good prices, Autoslash ($92), my credit union savings site ($92), and Avis directly ($96).  What I found was the taxes were almost 50% of the price.  

Remember the July 9, 2012 blog on using Priceline for bidding for hotel rooms?  This time I used Priceline for bidding for a rental car.  I started my bid at $28 (without taxes) for an economy car.  Priceline said the bid was rejected but for $32 I could get a car or try rebidding by changing the parameters.  I changed my bid from an economy car to compact and bid $30.  This was again rejected but it allowed me to go back and bid again on the economy car again with a slightly higher bid.  This time I bid $30 for the economy car.

I received a "Congratulations" on my bid.  Here is my result including all taxes:

I paid $53.49 (or $13.37 per person) for a Budget rental car.  This is just a little over half the price of all the car rental websites I had previously checked. 

So don't forget to use Priceline when trying to find the lowest prices on hotels as well as car rentals.

Goldstar 1/2 price event tickets (some even free)

This blog not only tells you how to travel for less but also how to save once you get to your destination.   A co-worker, Marie, told me about the website Goldstar several years ago.  I love this site. Goldstar offers half price tickets (sometimes even free) to such events as live entertainment, comedy, sports, music, performing arts and even things like wine tastings, sushi making classes and rodeos. 

Goldstar works with over 4000 venues and producers across the country.  This website will not only get you discount tickets the website will also give you tips on how to dress for the event, where to eat and park as well as reviews of the event.  The funniest play I ever went to was a result of purchasing a ticket through Goldstar.   The play was about a wedding where the parents didn't want their children to get married to each other. What I didn't know beforehand is the audience was part of the play. There was even a reception after the "wedding" with real cake and champagne. A few months ago I also got free tickets to a WNBA basketball game from Goldstar. Had I not been looking up something to do for the weekend I might have missed out on this events.

Check out Goldstar by clicking here and signing up.  There is no fee to sign up. Change the location when you travel so you can find out what events are going on at your travel destination.  Have fun and enjoy!