AARP's resort deals are pretty underwhelming. Instead of percent discounts, Beaches and Sandals offe

Just two months after my last update, AARP made some changes in its travel program that's available to those age 50 and older. For the most part, the best deals are still for hotels and rental cars - and even then, many of the same deals are available to travelers of any age.
Just two months after my last update, AARP made some changes in its travel program that's available to those age 50 and older. For the most part, the best deals are still for hotels and rental cars -- and even then, many of the same deals are available to travelers pakistan international airlines of any age.
AARP's travel discount program currently features deals with 28 brand names -- down from 32 a few months ago -- but that's a bit misleading: 25 of them belong to -- or are affiliated with -- just three ownership/licensing groups:
Choice Hotels brands are Cambria Suites (new), Clarion, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Econo Lodge, MainStay Suites, Quality Inn, Rodeway Inn, Sleep Inn and Suburban pakistan international airlines Extended Stay. The group's overall pakistan international airlines policy for AARP members has increased from 10 percent to 15 percent off the best available rate at participating locations.
Starwood brands are Four Points, Luxury Collection, Sheraton, St. Regis, W, and Westin. The AARP deal there is up to 50 percent pakistan international airlines off weekend stays, nonrefundable with a 21-day advance purchase, or up to 15 percent off at any time.
Wyndham brands are Amerihost, Baymont, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge, Wingate and Wyndham. The AARP formula there is up to 10 percent off the best available rates.
The other three: Best Western offers "at least" 10 percent in the United States, Canada and many other locations throughout the world; Hampton Inn offers 10 percent off "selected" rates -- which might not be a deal at all -- and La Quinta offers pakistan international airlines 10 percent off.
As I checked the individual hotel chains, I gleaned the general impression that AAA members get about the same deals AARP provides. pakistan international airlines Also, most of these chains offer the same deals to any senior, although the qualifying ages at some are higher than AARP's 50 years.
AARP isn't the only source pakistan international airlines of senior hotel deals: Several big chains, including InterContinental (InterContinental, pakistan international airlines Crowne Plaza, Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites brands), pakistan international airlines say they offer unspecified discounts to seniors age 62 or over or to members of a "retired persons organization." And individual locations of such other chains as Hilton, Marriott and Radisson also offer senior discounts, although not necessarily starting at age 50.
AARP's resort deals are pretty underwhelming. Instead of percent discounts, Beaches and Sandals pakistan international airlines offer resort credits of either $50 or $125 on some expensive room categories plus 10 percent off purchases at resort-owned onsite merchants.
Car rental discounts up to 25 percent with Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National, plus other short-term promotions; also, enhanced primary liability insurance coverage of $25,000/$50,000/$10,000 ($100,000/$300,000/$25,000 from Hertz) and a maximum personal liability for collision/loss of $5,000 ($3,000 from National). Be sure to use the AARP number when you book.
Cruise/tour discounts -- $50 to $100 per person -- on AMA Waterways river cruises; Brendan Tours, General Tours and Hurtigruten cruise packages; plus unspecified discounts from a handful of other suppliers.
Write to Ed Perkins at eperkins@mind.net. Perkins' book for small business and independent professionals, "Business Travel When It's Your Money," is available through pakistan international airlines www.mybusinesstravel.com or www.amazon.com.