Take charge of finding deals
I keep one of each credit card brand in my back pocket. It lets me take advantage of special promotions.
These time-limited offers can save money on airfare, hotels, car rentals and more:
“Save 20 percent off stays at Sheraton Hotels when you pay with an American Express card. The offer is valid with Thursday through Saturday arrivals for travel through Sept. 2. See www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton and click on the offer on the bottom left side of the page.
“Sign up for Holiday Inn’s Priority Club Rewards program online and receive a $20 Home Depot gift card when you stay at a U.S. Holiday Inn through Aug. 31. Guests must pay for their stay with a Visa card. Visit www.holidayinn.com and click on the offer on the left side of the home page.
“Book a weekend Stay for Breakfast rate at international Marriott locations with a Visa card and receive $100 Bonus Bucks coupon valid toward a future two-night stay. For stays at Courtyard by Marriott, receive a $50 Bonus Bucks coupon.
Stays must occur outside the U.S. (except for Hawaii, which counts) or Canada through Sept. 3 and must include a Friday or Saturday night. Coupons are valid for six months. Call (888) 236-2427 and use promotion code OTP or see www.marriott.com and click on the offer under “Deals” on the home page.
“Book a Funjet air-hotel vacation with MasterCard and receive special perks. Sample offers include two-for-one tours in Costa Rica, a free upgrade to the Petite Suite at the Riviera in Las Vegas and a free lobster dinner per person per stay, with three-night minimums, in Ixtapa or Manzanilla, Mexico. Most offers are valid for travel through Dec. 20. See www.funjet.com/specials/mastercard.asp.
“Members of the Best Western Gold Crown Club frequent-stay program can receive a third night free in Asia when they pay with a Citibank credit card through Nov. 30. Guests will also receive free breakfast and late checkout, when available.
The offer is valid at participating Best Western Hotels in China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand with two paid nights at the standard rate. Use promotion code CE when booking. Citibank cardholders also can save 30 percent off standard rates in Korea using promotion code DJ. Call (800) 780-7234 or see www.goldcrownclub.com/offers/special.asp.
“Receive a free weekend day, take $25 off a weekly rental or save up to 15 percent off any rental when you book an Avis or Budget rental through American Express. The offer is valid on intermediate through full-size, four-door rentals. Rentals must begin by Dec. 31. Use AWD number D676600 for Avis or BCD U083800 for Budget. See www.cendantcarrental.com.
“National offers a free weekend day when you rent a compact through full-size car and pay with a Visa. The minimum rental period is three days, and the maximum is four days. A Saturday overnight keep is required. Use coupon ID number NF45 and contract ID number 5005338 when booking. Call (800) 227-7368 or see www.nationalcar.com.
Credit card Web sites list some of the current promotions. Sites include www.americanexpress.com, www.dinersclubus.com, www.discovercard.com, www.mastercard.com and www.usa.visa.com.