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AARP members traveling to Europe for a sailing can get a discount of $200 on British Airways business class flights, and $65 for economy, as long as they're flying round trip to and from the same destination. The organization also offers a wide range of discounts with hotel chains, which can help with lodging before or after a cruise. While there's no simple way to see all the current discounts, once you start searching, the booking engine does a good job showing which trips have promotions. Keep in mind, cruise prices and specials aren't necessarily more generous than what you can find elsewhere.
What Is Onboard Credit?
Because Guess Where Trips’ and One California Day’s “itineraries to go” don’t include bookings, travelers can use them whenever it suits them. The cost varies — from $30 for a road trip itinerary to tens of thousands of dollars for a multi-week, survival-type adventure overseas. Most trips don’t include food unless they’re billed as all-inclusive. At least 15 web-based companies offer mystery travel packages either in the U.S. or internationally.
Limited Time Member Offers ( advertisement
Since you don’t have to purchase additional flights in a stopover program, “it doesn’t cost more money, so it’s basically buy-one-get-one-free flights to see two places instead of one,” she says. Trade in your points for sweepstakes entries, local deals and discounted gift cards. Once again, the AARP Travel Center seems to be an efficient aggregator, pulling deals from Expedia's booking engine. River cruise fares also are eligible for a $50 or $100 onboard credit.
Holland America Begins Onboard Credit Offer for Select Passengers - Cruise Hive
Holland America Begins Onboard Credit Offer for Select Passengers.
Posted: Mon, 24 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Room Service
In the mailing, travelers don’t learn their final destination until the last of five envelopes. Although there are small differences between companies, the general concept of mystery travel is similar. You choose how to travel (by plane, train or car) and provide a financial budget based on how many people will travel for how many days. Then you fill out a minute survey about past trips (so you aren’t sent somewhere you’ve been), interests, preferences (Do you like the beach or the mountains?) and any dietary or mobility restrictions. Signing up for email offers from your preferred cruise line and checking its "deals" or "offers" tab on a regular basis might be your best bet for scoring a top deal. However, there's no doubt that AARP's $9 to $16 annual membership fee quickly pays for itself with even a one-time onboard credit — and there is a potential for additional savings.
Vision Benefits
“Another budget option would be to watch someone’s pets in exchange for a free stay at their home,” Holden says. Numerous house-sitting options exist around the globe; to try it, join services like Trusted Housesitters, Nomador and Mind My House. If your credit card comes with a steep annual price, know that “oftentimes there are many ways to offset that fee,” Ewen says.
AARP Member Offer Details
Featured cruise companies include Princess Cruises and Holland America Line. The AARP cruise promotions are limited, with deals offered only on certain trips. The company also reduces trip deposits required from AARP members.
Black Tomato’s Get Lost trips go even farther — into remote areas on every continent. Travelers choose a terrain (polar, jungle, desert, mountain or coastal), and the company might plan trekking in Borneo or navigating the desert in Jordan, including any necessary visas, says Rob Murray-John, head of special projects. The company provides survival-skills training pre-trip and upon arrival, where travelers are outfitted on site with everything needed, including a satellite phone for emergencies, he adds.
(Note that while there’s not a set fee for this tour, you should pay or tip what you think is appropriate.) Additionally, consider alternative tours that won’t break the bank but will help you authentically experience the culture. “These are experiences run by locals who are an expert in one area,” she says. “We learned to play Japanese card games in Nara, Japan, and dyed silk scarves in a marbled pattern in Florence, Italy.” Other locally led options include Tours by Locals and With Locals. That’s why Holden recommends going into your trip armed with connectivity options. For example, apps like WhatsApp, Viber and Signal will help you text or call via Wi-Fi. “Internationally, many businesses will have an option to contact them via WhatsApp,” says Holden.
Sometimes, especially for casual travelers, it’s better to keep your options open. “The valuable perks of earning elite status really come for those who travel a ton for work — like once every other week,” Ewen says. “Ask yourself if you would be willing to pay more for a preferred airline flight, or taking a more inconvenient route to be on your preferred airline. Many Americans live within driving distance of not just one but several airports. If you’re unable to find a budget-friendly flight from your nearest airport, consider looking within a driving radius of a few hours. Even with a drive, this could cut your total transit time — especially if you can nab a direct flight instead of multiple connections — and also save you money.
6 Locations That Offer Murder Mystery Adventures - AARP
6 Locations That Offer Murder Mystery Adventures.
Posted: Thu, 28 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
These are aboard luxury river cruise ships in Europe operated by Uniworld, and the $100 discount per person is off prices comparable to those listed when booking directly with Uniworld. AARP members booking vacation packages with flights and hotels or rental cars on the Expedia portal receive the bonus of a $50 prepaid Visa card. AARP's car rental partnership with Avis and Budget gives members discounts of up to 30% on base-rate rentals when you pay in advance. Other perks from the Avis and Budget brands include an upgrade on a booking for a compact through full-size car, based on availability, and you can add an additional driver at no cost. A few cruise lines and tour companies offer AARP cruise deals on every sailing.
For more adventure, some companies offer mystery mixed with physical challenges similar to The Amazing Race television show. One California Day provides day trip itineraries in that state mapped with four surprise stops. Booking can be completed online or by phone through Grand European Travel. Find AARP offices in your State and News, Events and Programs affecting retirement, health care and more. You'll leave AARP.org and go to the website of a trusted provider. AARP membership runs $16 per year, with price breaks for a multiyear commitment.
“In some countries it even includes detailed instructions on which [station] exit to use.” To help with comparison, Google Maps will often provide an estimate of what a rideshare price would be for the same trip. Other public transit map options to consider include Moovit and Transit. Additionally, in places with robust train infrastructure, like Europe, you can save (and reduce your carbon emissions) by opting to train between destinations instead of flying.
See more Alaska glaciers with us than with other cruise lines, enjoy more time in iconic European cities, and behold Canada & New England’s picturesque ports. The AARP Travel Center also allows you to search and compare river cruises by searching the destination "Europe" and a specific date range. That seemed like a terrific deal, but when I checked Oceania's website, I found the same price with all the included bonuses. The only difference was the "up to $100" onboard credit available with AARP membership. In this case, the credit was the full $100 because the cruise fare was more than $2,000. More than a decade later I'm still not retired, but this assignment gave me an excuse to finally join AARP.
AARP members also save 10% on stays with budget brands Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn. However, most AARP cruise discounts are tied to specific sailings. They must be booked through the AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia.
Mercedes “Mercy” Mesa, 49, and husband Eduardo, 50, have taken two Guess Where road trips with their 20-something daughters near their home in Miami. She liked the affordability, easy-to-follow directions and the lack of crowds wherever they went. Trusting someone else to plan a trip can be a little scary, but it also provides a sense of freedom and adventure. You can search for a cruise by using a drop-down menu of almost two dozen destinations (you have to pick one to search) and then plugging in your desired travel dates.
To avoid this — without skimping on the joy of travel cuisine — Luna suggests hitting the grocery for small meals and snacks. “If we’re staying somewhere multiple days in a row, the grocery store will be our first stop. We stock up on yogurt, fruit, other breakfast items, coffee and beverages,” Luna says. This way, you can save by having lunches at home, then splurge on restaurants for dinner.
