Marriott Rewards Mega Bonus Promotion

Marriott Hotels has upped their Rewards Program by announcing a Mega Bonus Promotion – Earn one free night for every two nights stayed.  Stay at one of the Marriott family of hotels (Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard by Marriott, Spring Hill, Ritz Carlton etc) for two nights between September 15 and January 15, 2011, pay with your VISA card, and earn a free night’s stay.

“Here’s all you have to do:

• Register by selecting the “Register” button or by calling 888-MARRIOTT by October 31, 2010.
• Stay at any of the more than 3,200 participating hotels between September 15, 2010 and
  January 15, 2011.
• Earn 1 free night every other paid stay, starting with your second stay, up to 2 FREE nights using your Visa® card.

Register today by enrolling online anytime or call Marriott Rewards Customer Support.”

JetBlue All-You-Can-Jet is Back!!

JetBlue announced on their Facebook page today that they are bringing back their VERY popular All-You-Can-Jet promotion that lets you fly as much as you like on JetBlue routes for one month at a set price, and this time  there’s a new twist.  While supply lasts you can purchase a pass to fly seven days a week from September 7th until October 6th for the one-time price of $699.  Or a new ticket is available allowing flights 5 days per week (Friday and Sunday excluded) for just $499.  The last time they ran this sale, adventurous nomads packed their backpacks and took to the skies.  It becomes a game to figure out who you can mooch a visit with, or how cheaply you can find lodging so the grand adventure can continue.  Several bloggers chronicled their nonstop month long journeys trying to capture the record for flying the most number of flights and miles.

So if you don’t have any important plans for September – it’s a wonderful month to study the JetBlue flight map and go adventuring!  Fly from New York to LA, to Seattle, to Florida to the Dominican Republic to South America, and on and on.  Check out all the fine print, routes, and terms and conditions at JetBlue.com.  But hurry, these passes tend to sell out quickly.

JetBlue Loves The NYPD

It seems JetBlue has taken a liking to the New York Police Depart and the New York Fire Department.  Former police officers and firemen are proving to be excellent hires as flight attendants.  Let’s see…. they have vast experience with John Q. Public and all their frustrating behaviors, they are calm, cool, and effective in emergency situations, and they have a leadership demeanor.  I guess JetBlue’s wayward employee who popped the emergency chute will have some tough competition in getting his job back!

Cupcake Camps – For The Love of a Luscious Little Treat

The cupcake craze has swept the world faster than tales of Lyndsay Lohan’s latest rehab relapse.  Who could predict when Carrie and Miranda first visited Magnolia Bakery to indulge in cupcakes and gossip, it would start a petite cake renaissance that would reverberate to distant shores and neighborhood stores.  Even the Food Network is pushing the envelope of cupcake creations, raising them to pop icon status.  And really.. who among us can resist a tempting little cake topped high with sweet creamy goodness?  I mean how many calories could it possibly have????

Now comes word of a new movement in cupcake devotion – Cupcake Camps, a one day social gathering to share, eat and pay homage to these delightful gems. Cupcake Camps are being held across the globe, with most raising significant funds for a charitable cause.  Participants typically enjoy waves and waves of cupcake tastings and competitions.  What a hoot it would be to participate a Cupcake Camp during your travels!

Coming up this fall are Cupcake Camps in Memphis, London, Washington DC, Tallahassee, Charleston and many more cake loving cities.  Pay a visit to CupcakeCamps.org for access the full Worldwide Cupcake Camp Directory and if there are none near you… take heart, there are step by step instructions explaining how to put on a camp of your own. In the spirit of French indulgences, I say, “Let Them Eat Cake” – mini ones!

We Have Secrets To Share – A Trip Report

Free Flip Video Camera + 40% Off From Hotels.com

Don’t you just love a bargain!  Booking with Hotels.com is even more of a bargain than usual with their hot summer sale.    Hotels.com is offering savings of up to 40% off of select hotels, PLUS with stays of 4 nights you’ll receive a free Flip CamCorder to record your vacation fun!

Hotel bookings must be made by September 9th, and travel is valid between July 27th and September 30th.  You’ll find participating properties in the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America.  Hotels.com is also running a creative vacation giveaway contest.  Take a photo of yourself that shows how much you NEED a vacation, have your friends and family vote for you, and if you get the most votes you could win a Flip Video Camera -one given away every day!OR , if you can really rack up those votes, one entrant will win “A Vacation For Life”.  Good Luck!

Hate The New Carry-On Fee? – Here’s A Chance To Get It Back

One manufacturer of a convenient travel accessory (Armpocket.com) is as upset about the new carry-on fees levied by Spirit Airlines as you are!  To ease the angst, they are offering to fully credit travelers who have paid for carry-on luggage during the month of August.  Travelers who have flown Spirit Airlines and have been charged the $30 extra carry-on fee, should Tweet @Armpocket during August (2010) with proof of charges to receive a complimentary Armpocket Xtreme 30 (valued at $30) while supply lasts.  Armpockets are convenient strap-on pouches made of recycled materials that easily hold a cell phone, MP3 player, keys, wallet, passport, and other necessitites.  Seems to me these would be great to use while going for a jog as well!

Trains, Planes & Automobiles All From One Search Engine

Momondo, Europe’s fastest growing travel booking site, should be on your short list of websites to use when making travel arrangements no matter what country you live in. In recent flight pricing standoffs, Momondo took top spot for consistently delivering the lowest fares.  Not only do they search for the least expensive flights using twice the number of sources as other meta search sites, their search results automatically compare the cost of a flight versus the cost of taking the train. Momondo is the only travel booking engine that includes train schedules and pricing in the search results, making it easy to compare travel options for cost, convenience, timeliness and ecological impact.

For folks traveling within Europe where train travel is often more convenient than flying, this search service is groundbreaking. In the Northeast corridor of the USA, where Amtrak’s high-speed Acela trains are prevalent, travelers can now search both airline and train options with one query. Read more

Free Day At National Parks 8/14-15

Each summer America’s National Parks are open free to the public on three weekends.  The final weekend of 2010 is coming up on August 14-15, when hundreds of national parks will offer free admission.  Our National Parks are a true treasure and a visit should be on every family’s list for a fun day’s outing.  Here’s where to find a national park near you:  Find-A-Park.

Enterprise Introduces Electric Rental Cars

Have you been wondering what it would be like to drive an electric car? The next time you need to rent a car, give Enterprise a try – they will be adding electric vehicles to their fleet in more than 5,000 locations in January 2011.  The electronic vehicles require no gasoline and do not produce greenhouse gas emissions.  The cars can be charged using a standard 110-volt plug outlet or at commercial charging stations.  Most of these vehicles can travel about 100 miles on a charge making them ideal for city driving.  Look for electronic vehicles to be introduced first in Phoenix, Tucson, Knoxville, Nashville, San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland Ore, and Seattle.

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