$79 -- FLY TO AUSTIN FROM 6 CITIES (EACH WAY)

All of these flights start at $79 each way:

* Denver-Austin
* Ft. Lauderdale-Austin (service begins May 10)
* Los Angeles-Austin
* Oakland-Austin (service begins May 10)
* Orlando-Austin
* Philadelphia-Austin

Travel is valid on select dates through Oct. 31 with a 14-day advance purchase. We don't know when this sale will end, so we recommend booking early.

THREE FOR FREE AT KAPALUA VILLAS.

Three For Free is available to stays April 1 to June 30; and from August 20 to December 19, 2008; and is combinable with our Two-For-One airfare special from Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Five-night vacations begin at $772 per person from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Savings are as much as $824 per couple. Rate is based on double occupancy and includes accommodations, hotel taxes, and more. Land-only vacations, as well as vacations featuring air from departure cities nationwide, are also available.

The Kapalua Villas are located in the alluring Kapalua Resort, where beautiful beaches and breathtaking views are only a part of the charm. The Kapalua Villas feature exceptional service and superior amenities, where guests will enjoy two championship golf courses, complimentary tennis, a 24-hour reception center, full service concierge and activities desk and complimentary resort-area shuttle service, as well as a plethora of shops and restaurants.

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

HAWAII VOLCANOES RETURN

HAWAII SUPERFERRY

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES FLYS OAKLAND TO HONOLULU

BERLIN: EXCITING EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

The outstanding cultural landscape develops in a breathtaking speed. Many great new attractions and openings will take place in the following months.

From June until October the Pergamon museum presents the fascinating exhibition “Babylon” documenting the roots of European civilization and the reception of Babylon in Europe’s cultural history.

Another outstanding large-scale exhibition series is “The Cult of the Artist” in October 2008 with different exhibitions about important artists.

This Fall, the “Temporäre Kunsthalle” (temporary art hall) will open at Schloßplatz where the historic city castle is planned to be rebuild in 2010. The white cube pavilion, illuminated in different colors, will host contemporary art.

For more information, visit www.berlin-tourism.de.

Berlin WelcomeCard

The Tourist-Ticket for Berlin - and Potsdam

The Berlin WelcomeCard (from 16,50 €), a combination of a local transport network ticket and a guide, is the Tourist-Ticket to explore Berlin - and, upon request, Potsdam too. Your clients will easily discover the city by using the public transport and provides an enormous range of on-the-spot discounts - they benefit from discounts up to 50 % at 130 highlights in Berlin. A guide with city map accompanies during the discovery tour.

For more information, visit www.berlin-tourism.de.

GETTING AROUND CENTRAL EUROPE'S STAR CITIES

The borders are open. The infrastructure is outstanding: modern airports, excellent rail lines, smooth highways.

FLY
Flights are very quick and frequent: for example, 8 daily flights connect Munich and Budapest in only 80 minutes of flight time. Great bargains are often offered by long-established carriers, and by many low-cost airlines; Air Berlin connects several of the Star cities; SkyEurope serves Bratislava, Budapest, Prague & Vienna.

RAIL
Travel by train is stress-free, frequent, punctual, with scenery to enjoy en route, and transports from city center to city center. Just over 2 hours train travel connects Dresden - Prague, Munich - Salzburg, Berlin - Dresden and Bratislava - Budapest. Prague - Vienna are only 4 scenic hours, and Berlin - Prague takes just 4.5 hours. Rail passes for multiple countries sell for bargain prices.

DRIVE
Excellent highways, a broad array of rental car companies and vehicle classes, and the freedom to depart and stop on the way when one wishes makes driving a choice for the spontaneous. Travel times are similar to taking the train.

BOAT
The 2 closest cities, Bratislava & Vienna, are connected by bus (40 miles), train (1.5 hours) or hydrofoil on the Danube River, the speedboat version in under 75 minutes. A traveler can also opt for the Danube hydrofoil between Budapest and Vienna, an interesting trip of 5.5 hours operating 3 times daily between April and October.

VIENNA: SUMMER MUSIC

At the Vienna City Hall Square you can enjoy acclaimed operas and operettas, concerts and ballet performances free of charge on a giant screen every evening – and savor the most delicious international specialties at refreshment booths. (Music Film Festival, July 12 – August 31, 2008). www.vienna.info

The Theater an der Wien OperimSommer program 2008 includes the zarzuela Luisa Fernanda with star tenor Plácido Domingo in July and Mozart's Magic Flute in August. (July 7 – August 19, 2008). www.theater-wien.at

And the Vienna Jazz Festival is one of the leading festivals of its genre today – not only due to top international musicians but also to its main venues, the Vienna State Opera among them. (June 27 – July 13, 2008). www.viennajazz.org

Vienna Card – Your key to Vienna

This rover ticket grants 72 hours free travel on the subway, bus and streetcar, and up to 210 benefits on everything that makes a visit to Vienna special for only EUR 18.50.

You will get discounts at museums, sights, theaters, concerts, shops, restaurants and cafés.

The Vienna Card is available at the airport, most of the hotels in Vienna, at the Tourist Information Center on Albertinaplatz, and at public transportation ticket counters.

If you like to offer the Vienna Card to your customers, please contact your Vienna partner hotel or incoming travel agent or the central sales office Global Refund Austria GesmbH at viennacard@at.globalrefund.com

For more information on Vienna, visit www.vienna.info.

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SALZBURG: SUMMER OF CULTURE AND ART

The story of the singing Trapp Family will be staged with marionettes, the premiere will be on May 9, 2008 and from then on the program regularly. www.marionetten.at

Since 1920 every summer the city of Salzburg transforms itself to the musical capital of the world during the Salzburger Festpiele from July 26 – August 31, 2008. www.salzburgfestival.at

As during the past, locals and guests will be able to watch current and former Festival productions daily, free of charge, on a large, open-air screen set on the Kapitelplatz in the city center during the Siemens Festival Nights (July 26 – August 17, 2008). www.siemens.at/festspielnaechte

The archiepiscopal Residence will offer precious objects of art from August 8 – 17, 2008 at the "Salzburg World Fine Art Fair". The splendid rooms will serve as the setting for art from antiques to objects by modern designers. Notable gallery owners and antiques dealers will present exclusive sculptures, furniture, silver, porcelain, paintings and jewelry. www.salzburg-faf.com

Salzburg Card

The inexpensive way to explore Mozart's city! Purchase your SALZBURG CARD at the Salzburg City Tourist Office and get commission!

Complete free admission (not just reductions) to all sights and attractions and free public transportation within the city limits – starting from EUR 21 – for 24 hours!

For more information, email cards@salzburg.info.

For more information on Salzburg, visit www.salzburg.info.

BRATISLAVE: SUMMER OF CULTURE FESTIVAL

For more information, visit www.bratislava.sk or www.bkis.sk.

Bratislava City Card

Bratislava City Card is a valuable and handy tool in getting to know Bratislava, offering a wide range of different discounts and free services ranging from free public transport use and free or discounted guided city tours to discounts on culture, leisure time, shopping and much more. Besides interesting opportunities in Bratislava itself the card offer includes sights and services outside Bratislava.

For more information, visit www.bkis.sk or www.europeancitycards.org, or email citycard@bkis.sk.

BUDAPEST YEAR OF RENAISSANCE

For more on the program, visit www.budapestinfo.hu.

Budapest City Card

Museums are still free with the Budapest Card.

Up until last year the permanent exhibitions of the largest state museums in Budapest were free, but beginning January 1, 2008, entry fees apply to all exhibitions. Budapest Card owners however can still visit these places free of charge.

This tourist pass, valid for 48 or 72 hours, offers more than a hundred different services: amongst others free entry into more than 60 museums, unlimited number of trips on the public transport vehicles, discount for sightseeing tours, in spas, restaurants and other attractions popular with visitors.

For more information, visit www.budapestinfo.hu or email info@budapestinfo.hu.

DRESDEN: "1756" DRESDEN" - A TIME TRAVEL

In the Panometer Dresden an arresting 360 degrees panorama painting awaits you depicting the electoral Saxon residence in all its glory and in unusual detail. In addition, music sounds and light effects intensify the amazing impression of arriving in the year 1756 as a time traveler. Augustus the Strong transformed the medieval small town into a Baroque synthesis of the arts.

When you have returned to the present time, enjoy the surprise of déjà vu mysteriously suggesting a previous existence.

Book our DRESDEN-PACKAGE:

• 2 nights incl. breakfast (for select dates, also "3 for 2" – stay 3 nights and pay for 2), available in 50 hotels in different categories
• DRESDEN-CITY-CARD for 48 hours
• 1 admission ticket for the Dresden Panometer (closed on Mondays)
• Price per person in double room from 133,00 €

For more information, visit www.dresden.travel or email sales@dresden-tourist.de.

Dresden City Card

Dresden is a city that is constantly in motion. The best way to explore its many sights is with the Dresden City Card. It offers free public transport, free admission to the world famous Dresden Art Collections and many discounts (valid for 48 hours, 21 euros).

For more information, visit www.dresden.travel.

PRAGUE

Originally a Gothic citadel founded in the middle of the 14th century, Ctenice Castle was open to the public in 2005 after a general reconstruction.

The permanent exposition "Under Muttonchops and Frock Coat - The Habsburgs and the Czech Lands 1791 - 1914" and an exposition on the reconstruction of castle can be seen here.

The Carriage Hall presents a permanent exhibition of old carriages, gigs, stage-coaches and other coaches from the 18th, 19th and from the beginning of the 20th century. Among others, the Prague archbishop celebration coach (around 1720), which was used for the coronations of the Czech kings, is an extraordiary, toplevel baroque work of art.

In the enchanting castle park, romantic weddings can be arranged by the Euroagentur agency. Within the castle area horse riding is also possible and professionally-led horseback riding classes can be taken.

Hours:
Daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (May - October)

Entrance fee:
Castle 60 CZK/reduced entrance fee 40 CZK
Coach House 60 CZK/reduced entrance fee 40 CZK

Address:
Prague 9 - Vinor, Bohdanecska 1

For more information, visit www.prague-info.cz.

Prague Card

The Prague Card is a four-day admission card to over 50 monuments and museums throughout Prague. It is possible to complete this card by buying a tourist travel permit for the city public transport. The Card is accompanied by a color six-language brochure with information on buildings and with coupons.

For more information, visit www.praguecard.info.

SOME GREAT DESTINATIONS FOR SUMMER TRAVEL

Memorial Day has a different meaning for everyone, so we have some ideas for some well-rounded trips to satisfy all of your travel desires. If you want to walk through battlefields, pay your respects to war heroes, experience the speed of drag racing, or simply watch beautiful sunsets over the Atlantic, the right adventure is waiting for you.

Gettysburg, PA
Step back in time with a trip to where one of the largest battles of the Civil War transpired. Fly into Baltimore or Philadelphia and drive two hours Gettysburg and stay in one of many charming bed and breakfasts like Shepherd Mansion. Mingle with confederate and union soldiers (don't worry, they're actors), and notice the plaques on historic buildings describing their role in the Civil War. When you're ready to head into battle, tour the battlefields and memorials like the Eternal Light Peace Memorial and the National Cemetery, where Abraham Lincoln gave the famous Gettysburg Address.

Normandy, France
With so many memorials, beautiful beaches and picturesque towns, Normandy is a perfect place to remember our heroes. Fly into Paris and then drive two hours to Le Havre, a UNESCO World Heritage site located at the mouth of the Seine. Climb the Tower of Hotel de Ville and watch artists be inspired in the St. Vincent district. Be sure to visit the cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, which contains rows of identical white crosses and Stars of David to honor American soldiers. Round off your trip with a visit to Mont Saint Michel, just two hours from LeHavre.

Charleston, SC
Enjoy some southern hospitality and history in this South Carolina destination. Start at Fort Sumter and see the starting place of the Civil War. Check out the Piccolo Spoleto Festival featuring music, art and theatre. After the festivities, enjoy some fine dining at Magnolia's (try the Low Country Bouillabaissee and Parmesan Crusted Flounder). For a home-style experience, stop by any of the Piggly Wiggly grocery locations and order some fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, then hang out at the Isle of Palms, whose front beach offers volleyball, surf shops, ice cream vendors and more.

Indianapolis, IN
Race to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the famous Indy 500! If you prefer to be behind the wheel, head to O'Reilly Raceway Park where you can drag race your own car. Put on your brakes with activities like walking through the streets of historic Lockerbie or paddleboating down the White River Canal. Be sure to visit the Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument which and pay your respects at the Crown Hill Cemetery, the third largest in the U.S. which can be explored by foot, car or bike.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES OFFERS FREE AIR TO TAHITI

This is your opportunity to explore more of French Polynesia in 2008, with amazing savings including a 2-for-1 air special* ($600 roundtrip Economy Class air from Los Angeles or a $600 air savings on all other air gateways). Also, receive a one-category upgrade up to D (non balcony).*

Fares start at just $3,350 on the following 11 and 14-night voyages::

August 16, 2008 | September 6, 2008 | November 22, 2008 | December 6, 2008 | December 27, 2008

Reserve your suite today while choice suites are available. For more information, call 408-813-1111.

Don't miss out as this offer ends July 30, 2008. Reserve your luxury voyage today! For more information, contact Travel Discounts.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE DEALS

Spotlight Sailings
Ship
Port Duration Sail Date Itinerary Rates
CARNIVAL PARADISE
LAX 3 6/13/08 ENSENADA $319
CARNIVAL FASCINATION
MIA 4 6/02/08 KEY WEST & COZUMEL $339
CARNIVAL SPIRIT
ANC 7 6/11/08 SOUTHBOUND ALASKA $549
CARNIVAL TRIUMPH
MIA 7 6/01/08 WESTERN CARIBBEAN $599
CARNIVAL MIRACLE
NYC 8 6/18/08 CARIBBEAN $999
For reservations - 408.813.1111

GOLF-THEMED VOYAGES I

Golden Princess offers games in three ports — Puerto Vallarta (El Tigre, $160), Mazatlan (El Cid, $110) and Cabo San Lucas (Cabo del Sol, $235). The ship carries rental golf clubs and shoes, with accessories such as clothing and balls at a 30 percent discount.

Most of the golfers are men, and Elite figures that more of them would play but decline to do so because they are traveling with their wives. To reconcile this matter, the company has come up with the Guilt Free Golf & Spa package by which wives of players get 20 percent off spa treatments.

MUNICH: FUN FOR ALL GENERATIONS

Visitors step back in history to celebrate Munich's 850th anniversary between June and August with parades, exhibitions and festivals.

Everyone can feel royal in the Residence Palace, or in Nymphenburg, the summer palace.

Young "scientists" are wild about Munich's Deutsches Museum with its 53 exhibitions, from a huge model railway to a spaceship they can climb.

A family picnic in the Olympic Park is memorable, or in the English Garden, where a carriage ride can follow.

Visit Munich with your family in "Adventures by Disney" Germany Family Vacation.

For more information, visit www.muenchen/de/salesguide.

LAS VEGAS GETS CONNECTED

The monorail’s expansion currently includes five proposed stations with two stops at McCarran — the first at Terminal 1, the existing main terminal, and a second at the soon-to-be-built Terminal 3. The entire airport extension will be 4.2 miles long — slightly longer than the existing stretch between the MGM Grand and the Sahara.

DELTA AIR LINES FLYS TO EDINBURGH

FREE AIR TO ITALY

• QueensLander Tours Italy announced it also would offer free roundtrip air from Kennedy to Rome and other destinations in Italy. Flights with the promotion must be booked by June 15 and are generally available for all of Queenslander's Italian departures through Dec. 31. As with the Perillo offer, a fuel surcharge and departure taxes are not included. For more info, go to www.queenslandertours.com.

GREENLAND TOURS

EUROPE TOURS DISCOUNTED BY ABERCOMBIE & KENT

ORIENT EXPRESS HOTELS

5 AIRLINE FEES YOU SHOULD KNOW

Talk Travel in the Forums: Which flying fees irk you and which do you manage to tolerate?

1. Fees for booking over the phone.
There's an easy way to wean travelers off the comfort of booking flights through a live ticket agent. Charge them extra for the convenience, and change your rules often enough that your personnel aren't always sure of them in the first place. In April, Delta increased the cost of booking directly with a Delta representative from $20 to $25. Also, Delta SkyMile holders booking a flight on a partnering airline over the phone are now charged a $25 handling fee.

The bottom line: If you need to call an airline for more information or to work out a tricky itinerary, always ask if the flights your agent recommends can be booked online. If you are registered in an airline's frequent flier program, research the requirements for its platinum program. Many fees can be avoided if you gain preferred status.

Talk travel: "The information given to me by four different agents was totally erroneous and designed to encourage phone bookings with vastly inflated added charges." - Lee (more from the Forums)

2. Second Bags and Oversize Luggage.
Need extra motivation to slim down your packing? That extra bag (or that extra big bag) will cost you. Several airlines in the U.S. now charge passengers $25 each way for checking a second piece of luggage. Jet Blue will begin charging travelers $20 to check a second bag starting June 1. Don't pack your one "freebie" suitcase to the brim either; if its weight nudges above 50 pounds, many airlines will charge you an oversize baggage fee. You'll be charged $50 on Continental, US Airways, Northwest, and American Airlines for bags between 51lbs and 70lbs; for that same weight range Delta charges $80.

The bottom line: Packing light can save you money and time. By ruthlessly downsizing your usual load, you may find you can even get everything into a single carry-on, which guarantees that your luggage will arrive when you do. Chronic overpackers should invest in space-saving packing devices like the packing cubes Forums poster evecolorado recommends here.

Talk travel: "I liken the machinations I went through in order to get all the clothes and shoes in 20" to doing a senior sudoku and Rubik's cube at the same time. Quite challenging but still a game..." - llamalady (more from the Forums)

3. Seat "Upgrades" in Coach
The roomy emergency row seats were the first coach seats awarded special status (and special pricetags). Now airlines have gone so far as to identify other select seats that travelers are willing to pay extra for, including seats in the first few rows, aisle seats, and window seats. For instance, US Airway's Choice Seats program asks travelers to opt for "premium" seats 24 hours before their scheduled flight (up to 90 minutes before the flight's scheduled departure) for an added fee starting at $5. These seat selections make up roughly 8% of coach's total capacity. Do you value leg room above all else? Jet Blue's Even More Legroom seating, offered on select routes and planes, offers 4 more inches of space for charges running from $10-20 each way.

The bottom line: This is a good thing for last-minute ticket purchasers who might otherwise be relegated to coach's remaining dregs, but planners who typically grab these better seats well in advance might resent having to ante up. Being an elite member of the airline's loyalty program helps. On US Airways, for instance, Dividend Miles Preferred members do not pay an additional fee and can grab one of these choice seats right when they book their flight.

Talk travel: "We flew JetBlue last week and the first 3 or 4 rows were EMPTY! I guess people do not want to be nickeled and dimed for the front seats - also on the way back the flight attendant made people move up there to balance the plane. That was what they said - not me - go figure?"

4. Fees, Taxes, and the Fine Print
When comparing the price quotes of flights on various sites, you may occasionally notice that some sites offer quotes that are noticeably lower than the rest. Often the price quote is the base fare before the taxes and fees that other sites include in their quotes up front. These fees can vary widely; airport charges, known as Passenger Facility Charges, can vary from $3-$18. Security fees, the federal segment fee, the Travel Facilities Tax, and international fees can all also significantly affect your final cost.

The bottom line: Keep those surcharges in check. When reviewing flight options, keep in mind that the cheapest option might be to purchase the flight directly from the airline. Some travel search engines add a non-refundable service fee to their fare offerings.

Talk travel: "The initial price for the flights I'd like to get for myself looked good; but after fees and taxes were added on, it turned out to be not as good a deal as on the airline's own site." - simpsonc510 (more from the Forums)

5. Standby Fees
A free convenience that many travelers once took for granted, flying standby, now carries a cost on several major airlines. Many airlines have recently rolled out new "confirmed" standby programs that allow travelers to opt for an earlier (or later) flight without the uncertainty and inconvenience of waiting at the airport. Piece of a mind and a confirmed seat are the upside for travelers in a jam, but if you happen to be at the gate of the flight prior to yours already, the decision to pay a surplus fee to board a plane with empty seats might seem unfair. American Airlines now offers a same-day confirmed flight change at the cost of $25, but travelers can also opt to test their luck the old-fashioned way without paying the fee. United has not added fees for standby. Both Northwest and Delta's new policies deny customers traveling on non-refundable tickets the option to go standby for free.

The bottom line: There are exceptions to every rule. Like the other fees mentioned here, many airlines will drop standby fees for participants of their loyalty programs. You may also find that a friendly attitude on your part goes far with a sympathetic gate agent---so take a deep breath and smile.

Talk travel: "Then she told us that we would just have to pay $50/ticket to get on the plane! Now mind you, we would be using seats on a plane that had vacant seats and freeing up seats for a later plane. By my calculation, we were offering them a way for the airline to potentially make more money and for this opportunity, they wanted us to pay! "

ISLAND AIR SERVES ISLAND, NEB., AND JOPLIN, MO.

HAWAII SUPERFERRY

COMPASS AIRLINES FLYS FROM DETROIT TO MONTERRY, MEXICO

FLY TO LONDON FROM $339, STAY 2 NIGHTS FREE

Sample flights to London (each way) include:

- New York... $339
- Boston... $389
- Philadelphia... $389
- Washington, DC... $389
- Chicago... $449
- Los Angeles... $489
- Houston... $489
- Denver... $529
- Seattle... $529
- plus nine other cities

These fares are valid for travel for travel from May 26-September 3. This offer ends June 13, so book quickly!

AUSSIE AIRPASS FROM $1099

Here's how it works: each zone includes a roundtrip international flights and your pick of three cities in-country. Here's a sample of the itineraries you can put together:

Zone 1 - Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast... $1099
Zone 2 - Cairns, Darwin, and Hamilton Island... $1399
Zone 3 - Perth, Broome, and Hayman Island... $1599

The lead price is based on travel from San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Honolulu. However, you can fly from other cities like Las Vegas (+$90), Seattle (+$220), Chicago (+$280), or New York (+$300) for an additional fee. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and every city has its own charm and culture, so take advantage and see all the country has to offer.

Note: Prices will fluctuate depending on the time of year you go. Flying in their summer (our winter) is considered peak season, so the price will be slightly higher.

Terms and conditions: Prices include fuel surcharges of $289 for the international flights and the three free stopover flights in Australia. Additional insurance and fuel surcharges per flight will apply to additional Australian domestic flights purchased. $21.60 per sector on Qantas flight numbers QF1400-1499/2000-2849. $23 per sector on all other Qantas domestic Australia flight numbers. U.S. and foreign taxes, fee, including September 11th Security Fee, are an additional $150 to $200 depending upon itinerary.Prices quoted in U.S. dollars and do not include government imposed taxes and fees. A maximum stay of 21 days applies. For an additional $300 to $400 extend your trip to 3 months depending on the travel period selected. # All examples assume travel in the lowest season (May 2008) unless otherwise noted. $15 service fee applies when booking through Qantas reservations. Information is as correct at 1 May 2008 and subject to change without notice. See website for complete details OR click on "Airfares" from Travel Discounts... and save up to 40%.

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR FREQUENT FLIER MILES

Book as far in advance as possible to up your chances of getting your choice of flights.

What began as a way to reward customer loyalty has evolved into a profitable side business for the airlines, who sell "award miles" to credit card and other companies (who pass along those miles as incentives to their own customers). Here are some strategies for getting the most travel out of your miles. For more tips, check out www.flyertalk.com.

Book as far ahead as possible. Airlines reserve only a handful of "award seats" on each flight -- and once they're gone, they're gone. Even if the "award seats" are booked up, you can sometimes use additional miles to get on the flight (for a first-class seat, or for a double-miles "rule-buster" seat -- though these are being phased out). In short: The farther ahead you book (ideally several months in advance), the more likely you'll get your choice of flights for the fewest miles.

Maximize the miles you earn. I'd never fly on a particular airline just to get the miles. For me, the price and convenience of a flight plan always trumps the potential for netting miles. But if you're flying anyway, many figure you might as well get all the miles you can. For example, booking direct with the airline, rather than on a third-party booking site, might earn you bonus miles. Some credit cards allow you to accrue miles with each purchase (sometimes with an annual fee).

Know about alliances. Most major airlines belong to one of three gigantic frequent-flier collectives. For example, the Star Alliance includes North American airlines (United, US Airways, Air Canada) as well as European carriers both big (Germany's Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian, LOT Polish Airlines, Spainair) and small (TAP Air Portugal, Croatia Airlines, Slovenia's Adria Airways). Other alliances include SkyTeam (Northwest, Continental, Delta, KLM, Air France, Alitalia, Czech Airlines) and OneWorld (American Airlines, British Airways, Air Iberia, Finnair, Malev Hungarian). Don't Miss

* Travelers' mantra: Pack light, pack light, pack light
* 20 ways to stretch your dollars in Europe

If you have miles on any airline in the alliance, you can redeem them on any of the others. So, for example, if you're headed to Prague, try using your Northwest miles first (allied with Czech Airlines); for Helsinki, see what you can get with your American miles (partnered with Finnair); and for Croatia, check with United (allied with Croatia Airlines).

Use airline alliances to collect miles smartly. The same alliances work for collecting miles. You might not care about earning miles for an SAS or Air Portugal flight, but if you give them your United frequent-flier number, the miles go into your United pot.

To redeem your miles, check online first, then call. Check if the flight you want is available on the airline's "miles redemption" site. If not, don't give up. Call to speak with an airline agent. While this can come with a small additional fee, it's worth it to talk with a live person who has all your options at his or her fingertips -- especially if you...

# Do some research and know your options. There are a variety of ways to connect any two points. When you try to redeem miles, the agent might simply try the most straightforward route. If that route is sold out, ask them to check other ways. Better yet, do some homework before you call, and make a list (in order of preference) of the connections that would work for your trip. For example, if I'm going from Seattle to London, it's easiest to take a direct, nonstop flight. But if that's full, I'd be willing to settle for any one of the dozens of other possible connections through other cities.

# Buy or transfer miles. If you have almost, but not quite, enough miles for the trip you want, look into the option of buying miles from the airline, or paying a fee to transfer them from someone else (e.g., a spouse or relative). While it obviously wouldn't be cost-effective to do this for the entire value of a ticket, if you're 2,000 miles short on the 50,000-mile fare, buying or transferring miles can bring it within your reach for a relatively small cost.

# Watch the expiration date. For many airlines, miles expire at a certain point after you accrue them (usually one to two years). Know your miles' shelf life, and use them before they're gone. Typically the miles must be used for a ticket before the expiration date -- but the flight can occur anytime, even months later.

You're still responsible for taxes and some fees, but it's still a fraction of the full fare.

If airline miles help you afford to fly, using them smartly can help you actually fly more frequently. Happy travels!

LONDON HOTEL SPECIAL

International visitors can soften the blow of an unfavourable exchange rate with Great London Weekend rates - a fantastic 33% saving, available for stays of three nights. That’s the equivalent of three nights for the price of two!

Rates are subject to availability and are valid until 31st December 2007. VAT at 17.5% and a 5% discretionary service charge are additional. All 3 Nights must be consecutive and must include a Saturday night. If a guest leaves after the second night, they will be charged full rate

To make a reservation call +44 (0)20 7107 8830.

Rates are subject to availability and are valid until 31st December 2007. VAT at 17.5% and a 5% discretionary service charge are additional. All 3 Nights must be consecutive. If a guest leaves after the second night, they will be charged full rate

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CASCAIS PORTUGAL

Enjoy your weekend at this unique hotel located in Cascais (Portugal), on the Atlantic Ocean front.

A three night stay in double room (Sunday included and free of charge)
Buffet breakfast in "Navegantes" restaurant
VIP Service at arrival
Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
Dinner in the Belvedere restaurant (drinks not included)
Unlimited use of the gym
One visit to the Spa area (Turkish bath, sauna and Thalasso treatments)
Package prices per person
Standard double room: € 387,50
Standard single room: € 650,00
Valid: 31st December 2008
Note: July, August and September reservations should be booked until the 20th of June. Tel: (+351) 21 096 60 03
Fax: (+351) 21 096 60 04
reservas.cas@hoteisreal.com
For special discounts up to 40% off... see Travel Discounts "Hotels and Resorts.

AAA NEVADA HELPS MEMBERS WITH THEIR HAWAIIAN VACATIONS

KONA RESORT OFFER FREE NIGHT

STOCKHOLM NEW CRUISE TERMINAL

SWISS launches new daily non-stop service to Shanghai
SWISS inaugurated its new daily service between Switzerland and Shanghai on May 9 when flight LX 188 departed from Zurich operated by an Airbus A340. The passengers aboard the first flight included Swiss Federal Councillor and Minister for Economic

Jet Airways launches Mumbai - Bangkok flights
Jet Airways now links Mumbai with Bangkok by a daily service. This is its third service to Bangkok from India and allows passengers flying from London Heathrow a second daily option to Thailand’s capital city. Jet Airways also operates daily services to Bangkok from Delhi and Kolkata. Jet Airways now links Mumbai with Bangkok by a daily service. This is its third service to Bangkok from India and allows passengers flying from London Heathrow a second daily option to Thailand’s capital city.

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