Author Archive for Amy Zierath

Author's Website: http://

Jelly Belly tour is a winner

Welcome to our site. If you like what you see why not subscribe to our RSS feed. You can also help us by bookmarking this page with any of the buttons to the right. Follow us on Twitter for travel deals and travel related news, questions and conversations. Thanks for visiting!

Jellybeans

A tour to a food manufacturing facility offers a fascinating glimpse on how a few raw materials turn into the packaged foods that magically land in our cupboards. It intrigues the consumer so much that the Food Network developed the show “Unwrapped” to reveal the production secrets of how some of America’s favorite foods are developed and produced.

Unfortunately, this is as hands on as it will get for the average consumer as the events of 9/11 and anthrax attacks have forced most manufacturing facilities to eliminate their tours.

However, Jelly Belly, America’s favorite jellybean, located in Fairfield, CA still offers tours free to the public. During the 40- minute walking tour, if you aren’t too intoxicated by the aromas of buttered popcorn, chocolate, cinnamon, or any of the luscious flavors created there, you will get a close-up glimpse of a factory in motion.

The life of a jellybean is explained in full detail, and you’ll find out why it takes a week to develop the perfect jellybean, fit for a store near you. For most people, the highlight of the visit is the sampling bar. If you aren’t too stuffed from the jellybeans, you can have lunch at the Jelly Belly Café. While tours are given 7 days a week, it pays to go during the week when you can see everything live; since there isn’t any production during the weekend, video monitors show the process in weekends, which is cool, but definitely not the same. Jelly Belly is a hop, skip, and a jump, or an hour’s drive from either Sacramento or San Francisco. For more information, visit www.jellybelly.com.

(Photo via flickr cc)

Flight 001: Cool travel accessories

Leopard trolley
Flight 001 is a novel boutique that offers cool and trendy travel gear. And with luggage like this, you don’t have to worry that your bag will be confused with anyone else’s.

Packing a suitcase is half the battle, and Flight 001 carries many items that provide aid. One such thing is the Spacepak, which compresses your clothes to maximize your suitcase space.

When you’re traveling long distances, comfort becomes paramount and Flight 001 carries many items that will make the journey easier. How about a leopard neck pillow to match your trolley bag? Or, if you have difficulty sleeping on red-eye flights, the “Lights Out Sleep Mask,” $15, blocks out the light without restricting eye movement.

To help pass time on long flights, Flight 001 sells many things that will keep you entertained including travel size versions of Scrabble, Backgammon, Chess, and even Ping pong! Flight 001 has boutique locations in New York, Chicago, LA, and San Francisco, in addition to a fully loaded store on their website www.flight001.com.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines serves 55 destinations between the US, Canada, and Mexico and offers competitive pricing in many of the popular markets especially on the West Coast.

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan rewards you with 500 bonus miles at signup. With your Mileage Plan account, your preferences are stored, which saves you time and it allows you to view your travel history. Also, by establishing an account, you will be eligible for Discount codes, which you can track regularly.

If you fly 20,000 miles exclusively with Alaska Airlines or Horizon Airlines during the calendar year, you are elevated to MVP status. 40,000 miles will give you MVP Gold status. MVP status offers you many perks such as 50 percent bonus miles on Alaska Airlines and select partners. As a gold MVP member, when you fly 75,000 miles in a calendar year between Alaska Airlines and select partners, you are rewarded with 50,000 bonus miles. Other perks include complimentary First-class upgrades on Northwest Airlines.

You can earn miles for air travel in a number of ways. If you’re looking for a real kick-start, you can get 20,000 miles for signing up for an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card. The primary way of earning miles is by traveling on Alaska Airlines. For every flight, you earn a minimum of 500 miles or the actual mileage flown. Additionally, if you travel on one of their partner airlines, you can earn miles for your travel. Alaska Airlines has partnered up with many of the top US airlines such as NWA, Continental, and American Airlines in addition to prominent international airlines like Air France, British Airways, and Quantas Airlines.

If you book a hotel or rental car with one of the aitline’s hotel partners, such as Hilton, you’ll earn up to 500 miles per stay. Residents of Alaska have opportunities to earn miles for everyday purchases and services.

Redeeming miles is easy too. There are more than 700 destinations to choose from and you can redeem for flights through any airline partners. To learn more or to sign up for Alaska Air’s frequent flier program, visit www.alaskaair.com/mileageplan/.

Aer Lingus Gold Circle Club

Dublin airport

If you’re a frequent traveler on Aer Lingus airlines, consider joining the Gold Circle Club.

Sign up online and when you accumulate 2,400 points within a 12 month period you’ll qualify for Gold Circle Club membership. If you earn 4,800 points within a 12-month period, you become eligible for Prestige status. Garnering 8,400 points will entitle you to membership at the Elite level.

Membership to the Gold Circle Club is available to all people ages 12 and older. Once you obtain Gold Circle Club membership, you are entitled to all the benefits and your application points will count towards free flights. Additionally, you’ll be eligible to use the lounges at most airports. Lounge access varies with your Tier Status in the club. As a member of the Prestige and Elite Gold Circle Club, you are entitled to entry at extra lounges.

Aer Lingus has built up quite the network of partners so it’s easy to accumulate points. As apart of the one-world alliance, you can earn points when you travel American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Lan Chile, and Quantas. When flying Premier Class on Trans-Atlantic routes, you will earn Bonus points that you can use towards flight redemptions. Additionally, when you book travel through chains like Jurys Doyle, Fitzpatrick Hotels, Killarney Royal, and Griffin Hotels you’ll also ear points.

Like to golf? You can earn points when you play at the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links, the K Club, and Fota Island Golf Club.

It’s important to note that the membership to the Gold Circle Club is subject to expiration. In order to remain an active member, you must earn at least 2,400 points in your 12 months of membership. If you don’t meet this criterion, you can retain your membership by redeeming 2,400 points from your account. Or, if you choose not to renew your membership, the points that you’ve accumulated will be valid for redemption for 12 months. Points only have a lifespan of 12 months, and are deducted from your account as soon as they expire. To get more information on Aer Lingus’ Gold Circle Club, visit www.aerlingusgoldcircleclub.com.

(Photo via flickr cc)

Everybody’s hometown: Prescott, Arizona

Prescott, Arizona

The city of Prescott, Arizona, located in the mountains about 100 miles north of Phoenix, was Arizona’s first territorial capital. Begun as a mining town, Prescott has a wealth of history. It’s the home of the world’s oldest, continuously running rodeo and the site of more than 600 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Whiskey Row pays homage to the Western era when stagecoaches and outlaws tore up the streets. The street is lined with saloons and restaurants, many dating back more than 100 years. There, you’ll find the Palace, Arizona’s oldest restaurant and bar. The movies Junior Bonner and Billy Jack were filmed at the Palace.

If you’re all about outdoor recreation, there are five lakes within a 10-mile radius and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. An added bonus is that temperatures are much cooler than the Phoenix area so physical activity isn’t as grueling. Prescott is easily accessible from the Grand Canyon and Phoenix; consider saving a few days of your vacation to spend in Prescott.

(Photo via flickr cc)

Thrifty Rental Car’s loyalty program is tops

Thrifty rental car

Thrifty Rental Car’s loyalty program, Blue Chip, stands out as head of the class in with its peers in the rental car loyalty program thanks to its ease of use.

When you sign up for Blue Chip, you’ll fill out a questionnaire regarding your preferences, which will then be stored and used for every subsequent rental, which saves you lots of time. At most airports, there is a special line dedicated to Blue Chip members. Instead of waiting in line for an hour, as a Blue Chip member you simply present your driver’s license and credit card, sign the contract and off you go. They promise that it’s even faster when you return the car.

You can put your rewards toward free rental cars or airline miles at the airline of your choice. If you choose free rentals you’ll get a free one-day rental for every 16 Blue Chip Reward credits you earn. You can redeem the certificate for any class of car between a compact and a full size. Blue Chip members also receive 50 percent off for every upgrade.

You can also earn points for airport parking. Thrifty offers parking facilities in 24 major markets throughout the US, some of which offer auto detailing and valet parking. When you park on three occasions in a Thrifty lot within 12 months, you receive 5 Blue Chip Reward credits. It only takes 16 for a free rental day.

Now through November 15, you’ll receive double Blue Chip Rewards for any rental completed at a Canadian location. To enroll in the Blue Chip program, visit https://www.thrifty.com/BlueChip/Enrollment.aspx?BlueChipRewards=true. In order to earn free rental days, make sure that you select Blue Chip Rewards on your profile to receive the credits.

(Photo via flickr cc)

Budget Rental Car Program

Budget Rental Car Program

If Budget Rental Car is your auto rental company of choice, then you should strongly consider joining RapidRez, its loyalty program to earn rewards.

Budget was founded almost 50 years ago, and its target consumer was and still is the “budget-minded” traveler. One of the primary rewards of joining the program is the substantial timesaving. As a part of the application process, you can establish preferences, which are retained and used toward future rentals. This includes:

  • Vehicle class preference that allows you to reserve a car online with one-click booking.
  • Protections preferences, such as whether you choose insurance coverage through the rental.
  • Instant profile updates to your personal information.
  • Special offers and discounts emailed to members on a weekly basis.

Another program that Budget offers is Fastbreak. With a Fastbreak membership, not only are your rental preferences stored but your signature is stored too, which really saves time. Eight hundred rental locations throughout the world offer the FastBreak pick-up service. At participating locations, you stop at the FastBreak counter to flash your license, grab the keys and go. At many major airport locations, Budget offers FastBreak Choice, in which you bypass the counter completely.

Budget also has a Business Program available for companies located within the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Budget offers a $2  rebate for each day’s paid completed rental for US-based companies. All car classes are subject to discount rates and mileage is unlimited. While the minimum driving age is 21, a small surcharge may be accessed against drivers under the age of 25. Membership in FastBreak is included.

To sign up, visit www.budget.com.

(Photo via flickr cc)

Cruise Alaska with Holland America

Alaska cruise

For more than 60 years, Holland America Cruise Lines has been sailing to Alaska and wowing vacationers with the unparalleled beauty of the last frontier. The cruise line has gone to great lengths to ensure that the whole vacation experience embodies the splendor of Alaska: The five-star ships feature panoramic wraparound teak decks, and private verandas. The ships carry fewer passengers than similar cruise lines so there is less noise and foot traffic. (more…)

Alamo business rental program

Alamo offers two rental programs for business travelers: The Business Benefits Program is for small- to medium-sized businesses, while the Corporate Program caters to larger volume customers.

Upon signing up for membership, you’ll receive personalized special offers appear on your member’s homepage. On your personal webpage you can also review reservations, make changes or cancel reservations with a few clicks.

Most airport serving locations offer a Quicksilver counter where members can pick up/return the rental by flashing their driver’s license and ID card. All of your information is stored in their system so Alamo takes care of the details. No more standing in line for an hour after your flight arrives to pick up the rental car. Another benefit to being a member is that you earn frequent flier miles when you rent from Alamo and fly on one of their partner airlines. Additionally, many leading hotel chains offer discounted rates when you rent from Alamo and stay at one of their hotels. Rentals aren’t subject to any mileage restrictions either. Depending on your needs, the fuel and insurance coverage options are more flexible than they are with standard rental agreements.

The Business Benefits Program includes the following:

  • No volume commitment
  • Guaranteed low rates year-round
  • Free Quicksilver® enrollment
  • Express Return service
  • Business Value Partner benefits
  • Priority service at the Silver Service counter
  • Airborne Express discount program
  • Special discounts for leisure travel
  • Unlimited mileage on round-trip rentals
  • Flexible fuel and coverage options, tailored to meet your needs
  • Dedicated Corporate Reservation Desk
  • Executive Traveler Assistance toll-free line
  • 24-Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance

The Corporate Program offers the following additional benefits:

  • Guaranteed, low rates available throughout the year with volume discounts
  • Reduced surcharge for underage drivers
  • Reduced city surcharges
  • Flexible billing options
  • Accurate monthly management reports, upon request

For more information or to sign up for Alamo’s Quicksilver or Corporate Program, please visit www.alamo.com.

Enterprise Rental Car Enterprise Plus Club

enterprise rental

Enterprise Plus is the new and improved loyalty program from Enterprise Rental Car, which replaces the Express Lane Program. Membership to Enterprise Plus is completely free and are entitled to discounted rates on personal rentals that booked through the website www.enterprise.com/ta. Another substantial perk in Enterprise Plus is the timesaving. There is a phone # dedicated to members when they make reservations. Also, since your information is retained in your profile, the pick-up process is faster than if you weren’t. Additionally, at most North American airport locations, there are member special lines where you are given VIP treatment and avoid the long lines. As a member of Enterprise Plus, you can elect to receive the “Email Extras,” which is their newsletter that promotes special savings offers to members.

.

If you’re an Express Lane member, you need to convert your account to the Enterprise Plus in order to take advantage of the special offers. To do this, visit the website www.enterprise.com and click on the box labeled “Attention Express Lane Members” and click on the “Convert Now” key. The next step is to update the form with your information and create a new password. Make sure that the “Email Extras” box is checked so that you continue to receive the emails featuring discounts. You’ll be given a temporary number until your card and permanent member number arrive in the mail 4-6 weeks later. If you formerly utilized the Travel Agent Plus, that feature has also changed. Enterprise Plus for Travel Agents has replaced this program and offers more benefits. You don’t have to worry about losing the client contact lists as this information automatically transfers to the Enterprise Plus for Travel Agents. You can retain client contact lists online and booking personal rentals is faster. You can use Enterprise to book rental car reservations in North America as well as Puerto Rico, the UK, Ireland, and Germany; however the international locations don’t offer the expedited services.

Enterprise also offers a Business Rental Program that is flexible to meet the demands of your business. One nice perk that sets Enterprise apart from the other rental car agencies is that they pick you up, which comes in handy if you need a one-way reservation. As a member of the Business Rental Program, you are entitled to special pricing on every rental regardless of the length of your reservation. There are more than 6500 locations in North America with a location in virtually every major airport in the US. To learn more about the Enterprise Plus program or the Business Rental Program, visit their website at www.enterprise.com

(photo via flickr cc)