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Ask AAA—Membership, Travel, Insurance
Q: I've heard about AAA's Show Your Card & Save program. How do I find out more about the discounts I can get?
A: There are thousands of merchants worldwide who offer AAA member discounts on retail items, entertainment, lodging and other travel-related goods and services. Members can find information about the merchants and the discounts by visiting www.aaa.com, clicking on Member Savings, then clicking on Search for Savings in the United States, Canada, Europe or Mexico. Before your next trip, check the city and country you will be visiting so you can find all the ways to save money during your trip. All AAA offices have information about the Show Your Card & Save program.
—Evie Bowman, director for Partnership Programs
Q: Because I know airlines are becoming much more restrictive about the size of carry-ons, what's your recommendation on what I should pack in my ever-shrinking carry-on?
A: Make sure to pack only necessities in your carry-on, such as overnight clothes, medication(s), travel-sized packages of toiletries, jewelry, a camera and undergarments. With heightened airline security, it's best to pack your carry-on lightly. Wait to wrap a gift until you've arrived at your destination, or better yet, send the gift via mail before your trip. And remember, avoid packing items that might be seen as dangerous, such as letter openers or scissors. Some airports have a list of prohibited items at the check-in counter. By packing your carry-on carefully, you can ensure a great trip.
—Lydia Fransk, auto travel counselor, Colorado Springs Carefree office
Airport Security Update: After Lydia Fransk provided the above answer, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began screening all checked baggage at all major U.S. airports as part of heightened homeland security. The TSA has provided the following tips for checked bags:
- Don't put film in your checked baggage, as the screening equipment will damage it.
- Consider putting personal belongings in clear plastic bags to reduce the chance that a TSA screener will have to handle them.
- Pack shoes, boots, sneakers and other footwear on top of other contents in your luggage.
- Avoid overpacking your bag so the screener will be able to easily reseal your bag if it's opened for inspection. If possible, spread your contents over several bags. Check with your airline or travel agent for maximum weight limitations.
- Avoid packing food and drink items in checked bags.
- Don't stack books or documents on top of each other; spread them out within your baggage.
Q: Is it hard to find travel deals during school holidays?
A: Yes, it certainly can be, especially during Spring Break, which is usually the last week of March here in Colorado Springs.
Generally speaking, the earlier you book a trip for travel during a school holiday, the better rates you will get. Airfares are a good example: for those fliers who don't book until the last minute, they'll have to settle for regular-scheduled air, which can raise your rates two to three times higher than if you booked early.
Another good idea is to be flexible with your dates. The weekends on which schools let out or start back are usually the busiest, so if you can avoid those, you'll probably get a better deal.
Just remember, deals are out there, but the best recommendation for traveling on school breaks is plan early. Families that are having a ball on a cruise ship right now probably booked back in April 2002.
—Toni Harder, travel counselor, Colorado Springs Carefree office
Q: What exactly is a personal liability umbrella policy?
A: As the name implies, a personal liability umbrella policy is a single policy that functions as an "umbrella" over other policies that provide liability coverages, such as auto, home, boat, RV, etc. This policy is designed to provide increased liability limits beyond what might be available from the underlying policies.
An umbrella policy may also provide personal liability coverage that might be excluded from other policies, in certain situations. For example, your auto policy usually provides coverage in the United States and Canada, whereas an umbrella policy may provide worldwide coverage. As with any insurance product, always read your specific policy carefully to determine what coverage is provided.
—Joe Lesher, vice president, Insurance Services
Questions may be e-mailed to ask@colorado.aaa.com, faxed to 303-300-7710 or mailed to EnCompass/Ask AAA, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222.
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