Erie may

SEE PAGE 3

ERIE REGION

Vol. 16 No. 5

Hawaii by land or sea Up to $100.00 “pocket money” from AAA Travel for members only

Say “Aloha!” to limited-time values on select cruises & a guided tour

T

LAND TOUR $100.00 Visa® Gift Card Locked-in Airfare Rates $50 for Optional Tour/Activity 5X Points

when you purchase with AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card

CRUISES Up to $100.00 Visa® Gift Card TURN TO PAGE 10 FOR DETAILS.

Auto Pay Saves You Time & Money

AAA East Central’s Auto Pay annual renewal option is the perfect way to ensure your membership doesn’t lapse. And for a limited time, save $10 on next year’s membership renewal when you enroll in Auto Pay at AAA.com/renew, or at any AAA East Central branch. Your renewal will be automatically charged to your credit or debit card each year and we’ll even send you a reminder before billing your card.

Auto Pay automatic renewal can be added to your membership at any time, regardless of your membership expiration/renewal date. You’ll rest easy knowing your AAA membership is always there providing uninterrupted service.

And, you always have the option of canceling at any time.

For more information, visit or call your local AAA East Central office, or call the AAA Member Services Center at 1.800.441.5008 or 412.363.5100 in Pittsburgh.

Take it Easy With TripTik® Travel Planner © SERGIYN / FOTOLIA.COM

here’s more than one way to experience the natural beauty, rich history and unique culture & cuisine of Hawaii — and, at AAA Travel, there’s more than one way to enhance the value of a Hawaii vacation, especially this May. A great way to maximize an Aloha State experience is by cruising among 4 islands on NCL’s Pride of America, the only USA-registered ship sailing in Hawaii. Talk about convenience; this “floating hotel” takes you from isle to isle without your having to pack and unpack over and over. In addition to the islands’ sights and activities, you’ve got an amazing smorgasbord of entertainment venues and restaurants, as well as other activities & attractions, aboard your ship!

Another way to experience Hawaii’s best is by taking the newly introduced Guided Vacation land tour designed by Pleasant Holidays,® a trusted AAA travel partner.

Enjoy accommodations, scheduled sightseeing and some included meals; it’s a convenient, efficient and economical way to get the most out of your long-dreamed-of Hawaii visit.

And with any new 2015 booking with a nonrefundable deposit on select NCL cruises and the Pleasant Holidays® guided tour, you’ll enjoy an array of exclusive AAA offers detailed on page 10. Get as much as $100.00 “pocket money” in the form of a Visa® gift card; use it for airport parking, gas, bathing suits or

MAY 2015

Travel | Insurance/Financial | Automotive | Member Savings | AAA.com

SENSATIONAL SAVINGS AT AAA DISCOUNTS & REWARDS

any other pre-trip needs. Or save it until your trip to purchase souvenirs, meals or other items.

With NCL’s unique 7-day Hawaii cruise itineraries, you get overnights in Maui and Kauai as well as one-day visits to Oahu and the Big Island. You’ll be on “island time” as you discover waterfalls; volcanos; black- & white-sand beaches and fascinating historic sites.

Consider enhancing and extending your cruise vacation with an optional hotel package before or after your sailing. Pleasant Holidays® offers a vast selection of top-notch hotels in Honolulu and throughout the islands — most without the resort fees that are so common elsewhere nowadays.

This year Pleasant Holidays® introduces its 9-night Guided Vacation for families or solo travelers featuring must-see highlights of 3 islands, inter-island air & transfers, a local expert tour guide & driver throughout, accommodations, daily breakfast, a dinner, a luau and multiple guided activities, including the Polynesian Cultural Center; the USS Arizona Memorial City Tour; the Legends in Concert Show; the ’Ulalena Cultural Show; a Waterfalls Walk; a Haleakala (volcano), Central Maui & Iao Valley Tour; a Kauai Movie Adventure; a Waimea Canyon Experience and a Farewell Dinner at the RumFire Poipu Beach Restaurant.

For more information on the itineraries, inclusions and offer details, turn to page 10.

Summer road trip season is here, and there are plenty of options for online maps and directions. There’s only one that combines AAA’s professional hotel and restaurant ratings and robust travel information with Google map functionality — TripTik® Travel Planner.

Millions of members rely on TripTik® Travel Planner on AAA.com for trip planning expertise, including maps, driving directions, travel information, hotel reservations and more. For many travelers, 24/7 access from your personal computer or mobile device offers the best of both worlds — the flexibility you need, coupled with AAA’s expertise, all on demand and at your fingertips. Older, paper-based TripTik® strip maps, first introduced in 1930, are nearing the end of their life cycle and are being phased out at the end of this year.

TripTik® Travel Planner lets you customize your routing, then save, print or share it with the AAA Mobile app for on-the-go use.

The free AAA Mobile app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones. It’s high-tech for the highway, and with detour and construction information updated daily, it’s your definitive choice for your next driving vacation.

Get Away with Hertz and Save!

AAA encourages you to take a family vacation and get away from it all, or plan that romantic getaway! Our travel partner, Hertz, has made a driving vacation affordable with up to 20% discounts and an array of member benefits that will save your travel budget for fun activities. Plus, from now through July 31, 2015, you can save an additional 10% on Weekly rentals of Economy – Premium car classes at participating Hertz locations when you include Promotions Code # 301302 in your reservation. So go ahead with your vacation plans! You deserve it…and it’s affordable! Contact your local AAA travel office, visit AAA.com/hertz or call 800-654-3080 to reserve your Hertz vehicle and save!

Get More Bang for Your Travel Buck The strong dollar means some the best travel deals in over a decade to destinations like Canada and Europe. AAA Travel wants to stretch your dollars even further on select escorted tours from Insight Vacations, Trafalgar Tours and AAA Member Choice Vacations. Book and deposit before May 29, 2015 and get a $100 Visa Gift Card, plus a scan-proof card carrier. (some restrictions apply) SEE PAGE 7.

PAGE 2

AAA MOTORIST

Identity thieves never take a vacation ProtectMyID® Deluxe helps travelers thwart identity theft

S

ummer travel season is here and travelers are getting ready for some serious summer fun.

But your dream vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare when you’re stuck trying to unravel the damage done by identity theft. A recent survey conducted by Edelman Berland for Experian’s ProtectMyID® reveals that 30 percent of travelers have experienced identity theft while traveling or know someone who has.1 “The last thing people want is for their trip to fund an identity thief’s vacation,” said Becky Frost, senior manager of consumer education for Experian’s ProtectMyID. Identity theft can derail vacations quickly, but taking some precautions before and during travel can help consumers protect themselves: • Password-protect smartphones and other electronic devices.

• Create strong passwords with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols on sensitive accounts accessible through electronic devices.

• Avoid public Wi-Fi when possible; create your own Wi-Fi with a portable router and SIM card.

• Delay social media posts that indicate you’re out of town; wait until you’re back from your trip to share your travel adventures.

• Choose to pay with a credit card versus debit card; credit cards often offer

better fraud protection.

Do your banking at the branch; ATMs in high-traffic tourist areas may put you at risk for skimming.

• Alert your bank of your travel plans to avoid account holds and hassles.

• Avoid traveling with unnecessary documents, such as Social Security cards or unneeded credit cards.

• Disable geotagging on all cameras.

• Keep a close eye on accounts; review financial accounts during your trip and when you get home, including bank and credit card statements.

You should also keep an eye on your credit report upon your return. Signs of fraud and identity theft often first show up on your credit report and financial statements.

• Have a partner in the fight against identity theft. Enroll in an identity theft monitoring program like ProtectMyID Deluxe.

Available at a specially discounted AAA member price of $8.95 a month (up to 60% savings), ProtectMyID Deluxe helps safeguard your identity with these comprehensive features: Daily Monitoring of Credit Bureaus – Monitors your credit reports daily to detect key changes at all three bureaus, and gives you your Experian PLUS Score® at sign-up.

Identity Theft Insurance – Helps to reimburse eligible expenses, such as lost wages and legal fees up to $1 million, should you become a victim.

•

Email Alerts – Sends an alert notification to your inbox if key changes are detected in your credit report. If no changes are detected, you’ll be sent a monthly all-clear email.

Fraud Resolution Support – Provides support and guidance from a dedicated Fraud Resolution agent to help you investigate and resolve fraud.

Lost Wallet Assistance – Provides assistance from a ProtectMyID agent to help cancel and replace your cards if your wallet is lost or stolen.

Internet Scan – Conducts confidential daily monitoring of online sources known for selling, trading, or sharing compromised information and searches for signs that your identity has been compromised.

Change-of-Address Notification – Monitors the U.S. Postal Service national change-of-address databases to alert you if your address has been changed.

Feel safer knowing you’ll be alerted if someone tries to redirect your mail out of your hands and into their own.

ChildSecure® – Each month, ChildSecure will search for an Experian credit report for each enrolled child.

You will be alerted by e-mail if a credit report for your child is discovered.

ChildSecure will continue to monitor for changes to that report and you will receive alerts if any key changes are found.

Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.

1 This survey was conducted online by Edelman Berland on behalf of Experian from June 2, 2014, through June 5, 2014, among 1,000 adults ages 18 years and older residing throughout the United States. The national study focused on issues related to identity theft and identity protection while traveling. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percent.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ProtectMyID Deluxe is another way AAA offers its members peace of mind. For more information about the Identity Theft Monitoring member benefit, visit AAA.com/watchid or call 1-877-440-6943.

ProtectMyID Essential and Deluxe is provided by ConsumerInfo.com, Inc., an Experian company. Current AAA members over the age of 18 who have a valid email address and access to the Internet are eligible to enroll.

MAY 2015

AAA DIRECTORY INTERNET WEB SITE: www.AAA.com AAA MEMBER SERVICES • ADDRESS CHANGE triptiks, tourbooks, maps, license 412-363-5100 or 1-800-441-5008 APPROVED AUTO REPAIR 412-365-7411 or 1-800-233-9733 EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE 412-362-1900 or 1-800-222-4357 EXPRESS TRAVEL RESERVATIONS

airline tickets, tours, cruises, rental cars

412-363-7283 or 1-800-354-8761

INSURANCE SERVICES: 1-800-207-7947 MEDIA RELATIONS: 412-365-7274 SAFETY: 412-365-7211 TDD for the hearing-impaired: 412-363-7144

AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS Altoona 1634 Valley View Blvd.............................. 814-946-1277 Butler 138 Clearview Circle .................................... 724-287-2713 Cranberry The Village Shoppes, 20510 Rt. 19 .......... 724-772-1122 Erie 6660 Peach St. Unit #2 .............................. 814-866-0246 Franklin 491 Allegheny Blvd, Suite 200 .................. 814-432-3960 Greensburg Eastgate Shopping Center 5142 Route 30, Suite 135 ......................... 724-834-8300 Grove City 24 Pine Grove Village Dr........................... 724-458-8930 Harborcreek 4430 Buffalo Rd. ........................................ 814-897-9508 Hermitage 1749 E. State St.......................................... 724-981-9141 Indiana 1169 Wayne Ave........................................ 724-349-4193 Jamestown (New York) 111 W. Fifth St., Jamestown, N.Y.. ........... 716-488-1981 Kittanning Franklin Village Mall. ............................... 724-543-1924 Lewisburg 530 1/2 North Derr Drive . ....................... 570-524-7455 Lower Burrell/New Kensington Area Crossroads Plaza 2503 Leechburg Rd.................................... 724-339-4440 McKean County (Bradford) 587 South Ave. .......................................... 814-368-3113 Meadville 18939 Park Avenue Plaza Unit #7 ............ 814-724-2247 New Castle 40 East St.................................................... 724-658-8551 Niagara-Orleans 7135 Rochester Rd, Lockport, NY. ............ 716-434-2865 Pittsburgh–Century III Area (Pleasant Hills) 9 Clairton Blvd. (RT 51). ........................... 412-655-6100 Pittsburgh–Downtown 538 Smithfield St. ...................................... 412-338-4300 Pittsburgh–East Liberty/Shadyside 5900 Baum Blvd. ........................................ 412-365-7196 Pittsburgh–Monroeville 2725 Mosside Blvd. .................................... 412-858-4640 Pittsburgh–North Hills Area (Ross Township) 4790 McKnight Rd. .................................... 412-367-7600 Pittsburgh–Robinson Township Robinson Town Centre 1760 Park Manor Blvd. ............................. 412-809-2800 Pittsburgh–South Hills Area (Bethel Park) 160 Ft. Couch Rd. ...................................... 412-833-5203 Rochester 300 Adams St. ............................................ 724-775-8000 St. Marys 1375 Bucktail Rd. ...................................... 814-834-7838 Somerset 110 N. Center Ave. .................................... 814-443-6526 Sunbury 1001 Market Street. .................................. 570-286-4507 Uniontown 111 W. Main St. ......................................... 724-438-8575 Warren 2285 Market St. ......................................... 814-723-6660 Washington 196 Murtland Ave. .................................... 724-222-3800 Waynesburg 184 Greene Plaza, US 21 & I-79 ................ 724-627-3434 Wexford 10548 Perry Highway ................................ 724-933-3000 White Oak/McKeesport Area Oak Park Mall, 2001 Lincoln Way ............ 412-675-3400

MAY 2015

AAA MOTORIST

PAGE 3

AAA members are in the driver’s seat with Hertz Exclusive savings and benefits more rewarding than ever Erie Region Official publication of the Erie Region of AAA East Central Published monthly (except bimonthly Aug./Sept., Nov./Dec.)

by AAA East Central 6660 Peach St., Unit #2, Erie PA 16509-7710 814-866-0246 USPS 0178-440 ISSN 109-77554 Periodicals Postage Paid at Erie PA Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist Erie Region c/o AAA, 5900 Baum Blvd Pittsburgh PA 15206-3854 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year.

Publisher.....................................James E. Lehman Managing Editor ............................Douglas O’Neil Editorial Office 5900 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15206-3854 e-mail: motorist@aaaec.com

AAA EAST CENTRAL Chairman ................................................ Richard S. Hamilton Vice Chairman.........................................James E. Broome, Jr. Vice Chairman............................................... Gregory E. Grim Vice Chairman..........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman..................................... Martha Hartle Munsch OFFICERS: President ....................................................James E. Lehman Executive Vice President ............................... Thomas J. Ashley Secretary .................................................. Robert H. Compton Treasurer .......................................................Robert S. Collins GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neil D. Bassi, James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Charles O. Casto**, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Pamela C. Fritz, Gregory E. Grim, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Charles J. Kelly** , Mary Lynn Laughlin, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neil D. Bassi, Chairman, Robert S. Collins, Vice Chairman, Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Marianne B. Campbell, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, James J. Dodaro, Jack G. Ellis, Charles W. Groce, Richard S. Hamilton, Mark Henschen, Luke Howe, Richard Kallenborn, Herbert G. Koenig, Mark S. Mansour, W. Duff McCrady, Martha Hartle Munsch, W. Lee Oswalt, III, Michael Parkes, John D. Petruso, Louis Pomerico, Jacob N. Skezas, James C. Stump, Jr., James F. Ward **emeritus directors

Regional President ......................... David R. Poor Regional Board of Directors Peter Burton, Harry G. Gorton, Ernest L. Lake, David R. Poor, William C. Sennett, William J. Stroh, Herman C. Weber Jr.

Erie 814-866-0246 6660 Peach Street, Unit #2 Harborcreek 814-897-9508 4430 Buffalo Rd

Copyright ©2015 by AAA East Central. Publication of an advertisement in the AAA Motorist does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service by the AAA Motorist or by AAA East Central, except in the case of products and services which are being offered by AAA East Central.

By David R. Poor President, Erie Region ay is Hertz month at AAA and members enjoy a unique bundle of savings and rewards when they rent from Hertz. Exclusive AAA member benefits include: • Free unlimited mileage on most rentals!

• Discounts up to 20 percent on daily, weekend, weekly and monthly rentals.

• Free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® membership — plus a free rental day.

• Free use of a child, infant or booster seat, a savings of $11.99 per day.

• Reduced fee on Hertz NeverLost® GPS rental of $6.99 per day, a savings of $6 per day.

• Additional qualified AAA drivers are free, a savings of $13 per day.

Most leisure and/or promotional weekly rates require that a car be rented over Saturday night, but AAA members are eligible for these low weekly rates with no Saturday night requirement.

In addition, Hertz offers AAA members a variety of member’s only promotions, special single and double upgrades and dollars off coupons. These are available from AAA travel offices, in your club publication and at AAA.com.

Your key to these exclusive Hertz savings and rewards is “215,” your Hertz CDP number. It’s the same number as the club code on your AAA membership card. The Hertz system will automatically assign the best rate available at the time of your reservation.

Gold Plus Rewards® — Hertz’ indus-

M

David R. Poor try-leading loyalty program helps timechallenged travelers get right on the road. And AAA members enjoy the benefits of Hertz Gold Service at no cost!

Recent upgrades to the program include: Hertz Gold Choice®: Provides renters with the peace of mind knowing their car will be ready and waiting for them, and the freedom to choose another vehicle on the spot.

Mobile Gold Alerts: Gold members can receive email or text messages sent to their phone with up-to-the-minute information, letting them know which car they’ll be driving and where their vehicle is parked.

Faster Rentals: Gold members can skip the counter at over 50 airports around the world. They need only show their driver’s license and pick up their

keys at over 4,000 locations worldwide.

More Ways to Earn Points: In addition to earning points on rental charges, Gold members earn with services like Hertz NeverLost®, Fuel Purchase, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, insurance coverage options, and more.

Once enrolled, members earn one point per dollar spent on all qualifying rentals. The program features AnyDay Rewards with no blackout dates, allowing members to use points at any time.

Members also have the rare flexibility to use points at their own convenience as Gold Plus Rewards® points do not automatically expire. Each time a member rents a car that earns points or redeems points, their points renew for an additional two years.

AAA members can sign up at AAA. com/Hertz or Hertz.com. Premier Members need to sign up at AAA. com/Hertz in order to validate Premier level of membership. AAA Basic & Plus Members receive 675 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus points — enough for One Free Rental Day, after their first Gold rental. AAA Premier Members will receive 1,100 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus points — enough for Two Free Weekend Rental Days, after their first Gold rental!

AAA demands the very best for its members. That’s why the Hertz family is the only car-rental company endorsed

by AAA. Their Member Satisfaction Guarantee is your assurance that the rate and car class, or a higher car class, will be available as reserved. The next time you need a rental car, let Hertz put you in the driver’s seat.

membersonly AAA members save on gifts for moms, dads & grads The savings are sensational at AAA Discounts & Rewards

M

other’s Day, Father’s Day and graduation season are all near and now is the best time to save on gifts for the moms, dads and grads in your life with AAA Discounts & Rewards.

This innovative shopping experience on AAA.com features deep discounts, limited-time offers and everyday savings on dining, electronics, home, apparel, entertainment, pet care and more, from participating merchants nationwide — including national chains like Crate & Barrel, Macy’s, Best Buy, The Home Depot and more. Save on everything from shopping and dining, to attractions, travel and even prescription medications. Discover great deals on the names you want and the products you need — all at unbeatable prices.

It’s just one of the many perks of AAA membership.

AAA Discounts & Rewards makes it simple to start saving right away,

thanks to the site’s intuitive, easyto-navigate interface. View the latest specials and currently trending offers right on the Discounts & Rewards home page. Search for a retailer by name, or browse by category to find the perfect present. You can even sort and filter results by type of offer, such as limited-time discount or free shipping. In addition to saving with over 30,000 online retailers, AAA members can show their AAA membership card for savings at over 100,000 participating store locations.

Earn while you save

Wouldn’t it be great if you could be rewarded for your purchases — even when shopping for others? AAA WOWPoints are AAA’s online reward points — just like the loyalty points you get from credit cards or airlines.

Redeem your WOWPoints at any time, using them just like cash at participating retailers on the AAA Discounts & Rewards site. Best of all,

your WOWPoints will never expire as long as you remain a AAA member.

Save them for a special purchase, or use them a little at a time — it’s up to you. Look for special offers that earn you 3X, 5X, or even 10X the WOWPoints.

Start up the savings

To begin using AAA Discounts & Rewards today, register online at AAA.com/Discounts. Your registration is completely free — a valid AAA membership and email address are all you need. Then shop, save and earn on national and local brands, tickets, travel, restaurants and retailers.

Download the AAA Mobile app on your smartphone or tablet to locate AAA Discounts wherever you are.

Your AAA card isn’t just for roadside assistance. With over 100,000 places to save, it could help pay for the cost of your membership. For more information on AAA Discounts & Rewards, visit AAA.com/Discounts.

PAGE 4

AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2015

MAY 2015

AAA MOTORIST

PAGE 5

PAGE 6

AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2015

A summer home safety to-do list Simple things you can do to help avoid a claim

By Robin Jones ummer is a great time to tackle those home-improvement projects, such as painting the dining room or installing new curtains. Why not add a few to-dos that will make your house safer from threats such as fire and flooding? These projects don’t require much time or money, and they could help you avoid having to make a homeowners insurance claim in the future.

Check plumbing for leaks in the kitchen, the bathrooms, and the laundry room • Cost: Free.

• Time: Up to an hour.

• Materials needed: None.

• Why you should do it: The largest number of homeowners insurance claims are due to water damage caused by broken pipes and supply lines, says Joe Wagdy, Auto Club claims unit manager. If you catch a leak early on, you can have the plumbing repaired before the drip becomes a deluge. Check everywhere, from the water heater to behind the refrigerator to inside the toilet tank; any faulty connection can lead to flooding.

Inspect all electric cords in your house • Cost: Free, or $30–$50 if you need new cords or surge protectors.

• Time: 30 minutes.

• Materials needed: New surge protectors and cords, if necessary.

S

A SAFE BET — Smoke alarms provide the best early warning signal of a fire.

•

Why you should do it: Damaged electric cords and overloaded outlets can cause failure to the fixture, appliance, or receptacle they are connected to. Since power strips and extension cords tend to be hidden behind large pieces of furniture, many people don’t see the safety hazard until it’s too late. Be sure to check behind entertainment centers, computer desks, and anywhere else you use a lot of electronics, and replace

damaged cords. If you find that circuit breakers in your home trip periodically, evaluate outlets and power strips to make sure they are not overloaded. If you have more than two fixtures or appliances plugged into one outlet, use surge protectors.

Safeguard your garage • Cost: Free.

• Time: Up to an hour.

• Materials needed: None.

• Why you should do it: To reduce fire

risk, make sure your lawn mower, gas-powered tools, paint, and extra portable gas tanks are as far away as possible from the pilot light of a furnace or water heater.

Change the batteries in your smoke detectors, and place fire extinguishers in strategic places • Cost: $10–$15 for batteries, about $18 per extinguisher.

• Time: 15–45 minutes, depending on how many smoke detectors you have.

• Materials needed: Batteries, a ladder, and possibly new smoke dectectors.

• Why you should do it: Smoke alarms provide the best early warning signal of a fire in your house. If you can detect the fire quickly, you can minimize the damage. In the kitchen, store a dry chemical Class B or Class ABC fire extinguisher near the stove to put out grease fires (never use water) and make sure it is new and operable.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Trust AAA to steer you right on all your current and future Auto, Home and Life insurance needs. Combining your coverage with one insurance company could make a significant difference in your premium. Call 800.207.7947, or visit AAA.com/insurance for more information or to schedule a comprehensive Insurance review. AAA – your trusted insurance advisor.

MAY 2015

AAA MOTORIST

Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers

PAGE 7

1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel

Dollar’s renewed strength brings European nations & Canada into focus as picture-perfect tour values partners ANTONY MCAULAY / FOTOLIA.COM

Europe!

el

I

trav A A A t c e l e ms ® cations fro

RD A C T F I G A S I V 0 n i 0 d . r 0 o 10 R! $ E Extra I a R t R e A k C c o F :P OO 9 R 2 P y N a A M C S h re! e o e r m f s y a u Throug b n i it ollar d d r s a ’ y u a g d e o f t e and sa ions wher LIA.COM AV / FOTO © MARID

ed va t r o c s e y r a

n the past year or so, the already strong US dollar has gotten even stronger against other major world currencies. For American travelers, this is good news: Your tourist dollar will go further!

According to currency watchers, unstable economies have made the dollar a currency in high demand.

The euro is 18 percent cheaper than it was in the first quarter of 2014, making most European countries very popular for US travelers and enabling most to enjoy lodging upgrades and better meals for the same budget.

At this moment, the substantial shift in exchange rates is particularly beneficial for vacation travel to most of Europe and Canada. Shoppers can find bargains mostly in services, food and local products.

And AAA Travel sweetens the pot in May by offering a $100.00 Visa® Gift Card and a handy scan-proof carrier to carry it in (1 card & 1 carrier per room, based on double occupancy).

The hard-shell, wallet-size protector prevents would-be thieves from secretly scanning your credit cards’ magnetic stripes for personal financial information.

nat

sti e d n g i e r fo Great for

scan-proof carrier

Canada!

To get your free gifts, make a nonrefundable deposit on a new booking of a 6-night-minimum 2015 escorted tour to Europe or Canada between May 1-29, 2015, with these AAA travel partners — AAA Member Choice Vacations,® Insight Vacations or Trafalgar.

You can use your Visa® Gift Card before you even go away — to purchase items you’ll need for your trip. Or you can save the card to use as “pocket money” at your destination — for souvenirs, snacks, meals or whatever else you like.

It’s not just Europe’s euro-zone countries that are bargains; Sweden, Norway and most of Eastern Europe are also looking more inviting. And, if Europe feels too far away or out of your budget,

our friendly neighbor to the north is a great deal right now — and not just because most Canadians are so nice and speak English! Falling oil prices pushed their dollar down to about US$0.91; that’s about C$1.26 for each US$1. Plus, visiting parts of Canada can almost make you feel as if you’re in Europe. Dreaming of the Alps? A vacation to the Canadian Rockies is just as impressive. Want to practice your French or enjoy the café life-style of Paris? Head for Montréal and Québec City.

This may be one of those rare times when you actually get more than you bargained for — a vacation value to an exciting destination with a little extra change in your pocket — thanks in part to AAA Travel! more on next page

PAGE 8

AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2015

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Take advantage of the strengthening dollar... ...on great escorted tours from select AAA partners

ANTONY MCAULAY / FOTOLIA.COM

Get a $100 VISA GIFT CARD & a SCAN-PROOF CARRIER!* ®

BANFF

T

his remarkable adventure brings together the beautiful expanse of the prairies, the soaring majesty of the Canadian Rockies and the brilliance of Montana’s Glacier National Park. Visit HeadCANADIAN ROCKIES Smashed-in Buffalo Jump, a & GLACIER NP UNESCO World Heritage Site used by aboriginal peoples for 6 nights: from $2,299 5,500 years. At Waterton Lakes National Park, check in to a National Historic Site of Canada — the grand Prince of Wales Hotel — in an even grander setting of mountain-ringed lakes. Ride aboard Glacier National Park’s famous red Jammers, 1930s-era canvas-top touring vehicles, for glimpses of wildlife and breathtaking scenery along “Going to the Sun” Road. On the way to Banff, delight in the soaring peaks of the Rockies, then settle into the “Castle in the Rockies” for a luxurious 3-night stay. Ride a gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, then tour Banff, Bow Falls and the Hoodoos (geological formations that earned the area the name “The Land of the Sleeping Giants”). Follow unforgettable Icefields Parkway to Columbia Icefield for a fun ride across this thousand-foot-thick mass of glacial ice and stop at turquoise-tinted Peyto Lake for a taste of true serenity!

QUÉBEC CITY

PARIS

L

ively London is where this comprehensive tour begins. Ride the high-speed Eurostar train through the “Chunnel” to Brussels’ chocolates and Mannekin-Pis. Cruise down the Rhine Valley past castles and vineyards.

Explore Heidelberg, Rothenburg and Munich before descending upon Salzburg, Austria, home of Mozart and “The Sound of Music.” Cross into Italy and romantic Venice to glide along atmospheric canals aboard a gondola, while being serenaded by the oarsman; also see glass blowers HIGHLIGHTS and gondola builders at work.

OF EUROPE Cross the Apennine Mountains 15 nights: from $4,275 to papal & imperial Rome, where an expert treats you to a private tour of the Vatican museums’ priceless art and the Sistine Chapel. Drive through the Chianti Hills to Florence to see Michelangelo’s David and the Duomo. Travel through the Italian Lake District on the way to Lucerne, Switzerland, for a thrilling excursion by cog-wheel train and cable car to the summit of Mt Pilatus. After passing through Basel and France’s Burgundy region, behold the City of Lights — Paris. Dine at a Champs Elysees bistro, see Notre Dame Cathedral and ascend the Eiffel Tower for unforgettable views!

TM

T

oronto — a multicultural, cosmopolitan metropolis — also shines as an example of the Canadian virtue of niceness at the individual level. Tour this pleasant city and then wander about a bit on your own. Hop over to nearby Niagara Falls for an exhilarating boat ride to the very base of spectacular Horseshoe Falls. Try Canadian ice wine and local cuisine at a Niagara winery. Visit Old Fort Henry in historic Kingston and enjoy a regional-dinner cruise on the St Lawrence River through the Thousand Islands. After a stop at Upper Canada Village (a re-created 1860s rural community), enter vibrant and sophisticated Montréal to tour its cobblestoned Old Port and inviting downtown.

Marvel at thundering Montmorency Falls on your way to Québec City, whose walled Old Town offers visitors a taste of Parisian charm in a New World setting. Stroll the narrow BEST OF EASTERN CANADA streets, linger at an outdoor cafe and make your way to the 9 nights: from $2,400 rolling Plains of Abraham, site of a major colonial battle where French and British faced off. Visit Ottawa, Canada’s stately capital, and its elegant buildings on Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall and beautiful canal-side parks and gardens, before returning to Toronto.

AAA Member Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing, in-country tour escort, several meals and more. Ask about available add-on airfare.

For these & many other tours, visit AAA.com/travel or consult a AAA Travel Agent.

AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE EXCLUSIVE 2015 AAA MEMBER BENEFITS AAA MEMBER CHOICE VACATIONS® $25 to $100 per person savings based on purchase price

INSIGHT VACATIONS

TRAFALGAR

$40 voucher per person toward payment of select optional tours on escorted motorcoach tours (with exceptions)

$40 credit voucher per person toward an optional excursion

Any partner tour also designated as a “AAA Vacations®” package qualifies for different and/or additional benefits. Please consult a AAA Travel Agent for details. *AAA members only. 1 Visa® gift card & 1 wallet per room (double occupancy) supplied upon completion of new booking with nonrefundable deposit May 1-29, 2015. Vacation must be 6+ nights for travel in 2015.

MAY 2015

AAA MOTORIST

PAGE 9

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Follow the Pirates ON THE ROAD

Walk on the GREAT WALL! Enter the FORBIDDEN CITY! Explore one of the world’s most important capitals and meet BEIJINGERS at home & in school!

Roundtrip motorcoach from Pittsburgh • Hotel Reserved game seat • Touring, activities & amenities These vary by package; visit AAA.com/baseball for complete itinerary and inclusions.

Pirates vs Nationals in Washington DC $599 per person, double occupancy

$775 per person, double occupancy

ATURE

CA

Century III (Pleasant Hills) . . . . . . . . . .412-655-6105 Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-338-4305 East Liberty/Shadyside . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-365-7272 Monroeville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-858-4640 North Hills (Ross Twp) . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-367-7625 Robinson Township . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-809-2803 South Hills (Bethel Park) . . . . . . . . . . .412-833-5060 Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-933-3000 White Oak/McKeesport . . . . . . . . . . . .412-675-3404 Rochester PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-728-6230 St Marys PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-781-3003 Uniontown PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-438-8575 Warren PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-723-6660 Washington PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-225-3600 Waynesburg PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-627-3434 Wheeling WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-233-1810 Weirton WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-748-1616 PITTSBURGH PA AREA

Altoona PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-946-1277 Bridgeport WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-842-7676 Butler PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-282-8810 Columbiana OH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330-482-3836 Cranberry Township PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-772-1122 East Liverpool OH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330-385-2020 Erie PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-866-0246 Greensburg PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-834-8300 Harborcreek PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-897-9508 Indiana PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-349-4193 Kittanning PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-543-4244 Lower Burrell/New Kensington Area PA . . .724-339-4440 Martinsburg WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-263-4619 Meadville PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-724-3157 Morgantown WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-598-7470 New Castle PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-658-8551

GENERAL TRAVEL DISCLAIMER: AAA Travel Agency makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date prices as of press time and cannot assume responsibility for typographic errors. Rates/offers are per person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated, and are subject to availability and airline/operator changes. International rates/offers are subject to currency fluctuations and additional tax & security charges. Rates that include airfare include all taxes, government fees and surcharges. Additional restrictions may apply. Rates/offers are available at all AAA East Central travel agency locations. For tour details, contact AAA or visit AAA.com/travel. FEATURED VACATIONS are specially priced, unique departures; therefore, tour operators, cruise lines and other travel providers often exclude them from additional discounts or specials they offer. FEATURED VACATIONS include services provided by third-party tour destination service companies; see your AAA Travel Agent for details. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for more details or visit the air carrier’s website for baggage allowance and fee information.

D

VA

AAA: The Preferred Travel Agency of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Escort & driver s gratuitie ! included

S

T IO

N

Sept 25-27 •

CA

FE

Pirates vs Cubs in Chicago IL

• PEKING DUCK & “HOTPOT“ DINNERS • FAMILY-HOME VISIT & HOME-COOKED MEAL • KUNG FU ACADEMY VISIT & DEMONSTRATION

S

$705 per person, double occupancy

VA

Sept 5-8 •

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS

ATURE D

includes 2 nights in Louisville KY

N

Pirates vs Reds in Cincinnati OH

FE

June 19-21 •

T IO

Enjoy the comfort & security of an escorted experience — a comprehensive, informative & personal look at this rapidly growing city and an in-depth introduction to its fascinating culture.

See landmarks & learn customs for nearly a week; then enjoy an entire day independently exploring & indulging your interests — art, history, cuisine, shopping, photography, parks & zoos — it’s all up to you, with suggestions, advice, directions, etc, from your expert guide!

Marvel at ancient & modern, urban & rural, rich & poor, simple & sophisticated, serene & chaotic. Beijing’s unique combination of seemingly contradictory elements may well change your understanding of this city & nation...and provide moving memories that last a lifetime.

Sept 17-24 • AAA Member Rate: $3,425 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (PittsburghBeijing), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 12 meals, in-China guide, sightseeing/admissions, baggage handling (1 per person), driver & escort gratuities, AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met) & government taxes/ fees. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoAsia for itinerary.

4 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES — THE GREAT WALL AT BADALING, THE IMPERIAL PALACE (FORBIDDEN CITY), THE SUMMER PALACE AND THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN • TIANANMEN SQUARE • 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS SITE • LAMA BUDDHIST TEMPLE • HUTONG MARKET VISIT, HOME VISIT & HOME-COOKED MEAL • BELL & DRUM TOWERS TEA CEREMONY JADE FACTORY • PEDICAB RIDE • KUNG FU DEMONSTRATION & STUDENT INTERACTION • TRADITIONAL PEKING DUCK & HOTPOT DINNERS • & MORE!

PAGE 10

AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2015

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Escape on select Hawaii cruise vacations or a guided land vacation and get up to $100 “pocket money” from AAA Travel before you go!

AAA members only. Visa® gift cards supplied upon completion of new booking with nonrefundable deposit May 1-29, 2015.

See Hawaii’s “Big 4” on NCL’s Pride of America See more of the islands! Unpack just once and relax; see Oahu, Maui, Hawaii (the Big Island) and Kauai! Sail roundtrip from Honolulu (Oahu) to Kahului (Maui), Hilo (Hawaii), Kona (Hawaii) and Nawiliwili (Kauai). Features overnights in Maui and Kauai as well as day visits of Oahu and the Big Island.

The first US-flagged cruise ship in nearly 50 years, this Americana-themed ship is full of choices to occupy your time during your cruise. Void of schedules, you’ll have ample opportunities to venture about, scoping out the décor, spacious staterooms and regional dishes served in 11 restaurants — or whatever else you feel like doing. Plus, a friendly American crew is ready to assist you and make sure your cruise is just that — yours. You’ll find a selection of family penthouses and suites as well family-friendly connecting staterooms.

Order a steak at the Lazy J Steakhouse, catch a show at the Hollywood Theater or dance the night away at the Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge & Nightclub.

Inclusions: Accommodations • Most onboard meals • Entertainment Departures: Year-round Saturday-to-Saturday roundtrip sailings from Honolulu

Ship’s registry: USA

Get even more out of your cruise vacation: Add a relaxing before- or after-cruise stay of at least 2 nights at a resort like these

Exclusive AAA Member Offers $50.00 VISA® GIFT CARD for an outside (or higher) stateroom on a 2015 air-inclusive Hawaii cruise (1 per stateroom, double occupancy)

Additional $50.00 VISA® GIFT CARD when you book & deposit a Pleasant Holidays® air-inclusive 2-night-minimum Honolulu hotel stay immediately before or after your Hawaii cruise (1 per room, double occupancy) OR $100.00 VISA® GIFT CARD when you book & deposit an air-inclusive 7-night-minimum Pleasant Holidays® Hawaii vacation immediately before or after your Hawaii cruise (1 per room, double occupancy)

Outrigger Reef on the Beach Resort

The Kahala Hotel & Resort

This luxury beachfront hotel combines elegant modern styling with timeless island traditions and warm hospitality. Well-appointed suites feature warm woods & colors and echo the breathtaking views from the mountains to the ocean. No resort fee.

639 guest rooms. 2 bars. Connecting rooms. Fitness center. Full-service spa.

Pool. 3 restaurants. Wi-Fi.

Feel worlds away at this legendary resort in a secluded oceanfront setting minutes from Waikiki. Explore tropical gardens and a saltwater lagoon or visit the resident bottlenose dolphins.

Sweeping views. No resort fee. 338 guest rooms. 24-hour room service.

Connecting rooms. Fitness center. Fullservice spa. Kids program. Nightly entertainment. Pool. 5 restaurants. Wi-Fi.

AAA Member Rate: from $680

AAA Member Rate: from $1,276

Sample rates for July 9-11, 2015, are per room (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include 2-night accommodations. Ask about available add-on airfare and transfers.

For these & many other of Hawaii’s best resorts, visit AAA.com/PleasantHolidays.

NEW! Guided land tour features fun activities Maximize your time, minimize your hassles. A brand-new 9-night/10-day Guided Vacation from Pleasant Holidays® frees you from fussing over all the details, so you can fully relax and enjoy your hard-earned Hawaiian getaway.

WHAT’S INCLUDED Lei greeting upon arrival in Honolulu • The must-see highlights of 3 islands • Interisland air & transfers • Local expert tour guide & driver throughout • Accommodations • Daily breakfast • A dinner • A luau • Multiple guided activities (listed below) • Government fees & taxes • A meet & greet with information on optional activities available at additional cost Enjoy luxurious accommodations — 3 nights on Oahu at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, 3 nights on Maui at the Royal Lahaina Resort and 3 nights on Kauai at the Sheraton Kauai Resort.

Exclusive AAA Member Offer

$100.00 VISA® GIFT CARD for a 2015 air-inclusive Pleasant Holidays® 7-night-minimum Hawaii escorted vacation (1 per room, double occupancy)

AAA Member Benefit

$50.00 VOUCHER toward the purchase of optional sightseeing/activity

Exclusive AAA Offer

Get 5X POINTS by using a new or existing AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card to book & deposit any tour with Pleasant Holidays® Vacations between 5/1 & 6/30, 2015.

See ad on next page for details.

Enjoy all of these activities — Polynesian Cultural Center & Luau; USS Arizona Memorial City Tour; Legends in Concert Cocktail Show; ’Ulalena Cultural Show; a Waterfalls Walk; a Haleakala (volcano), Central Maui & Iao Valley Tour; a Kauai Movie Adventure; a Waimea Canyon Experience; and a Farewell Dinner at the RumFire Poipu Beach Restaurant.

BEST OF HAWAII Guided Vacation Oahu, Maui, Kauai

2015 departures: Sept 22 • Oct 20 • Nov 17 • Dec 1 AAA Member Rate: from $2,633 Rates are per person (double occupancy) and are subject to availability at time of booking. Ask about available add-on airfare. Additional travel dates available; rates may vary. Other restrictions may apply.

NO AIR DEPOSIT REQUIRED Book Pleasant Holidays® Hawaii vacations with only $200 per person deposit required to hold the entire vacation package. For new bookings made May 1-29, 2015, for travel anytime. Book convenient flights nationwide on ALL major airlines — no deposit required!

Ask a AAA travel agent about other available Pleasant Holidays Hawaii offers! ®

MAY 2015

AAA MOTORIST

PAGE 11

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

ALASKA BY LAND!

Get up to $100.00 in perks!

See the Last Frontier on this escorted tour — unforgettable experiences not on cruises!

NOW’S THE TIME!

per room, based on double occupancy • new bookings May 1-29, 2015

AAA Member Rate: $375 per person, double occupancy

CA

S

VA

July 25-27 •

D

*At select Caribbean destinations, a $50 discount may apply (instead of a $50 activity voucher).

Reserved paddock seating with views of turns 1 & 4, pit road & Winner’s Circle 2 nights, 2 breakfasts & tax at Embassy Suites Indianapolis–North ATURE $50.00 gas card per room

N

toward purchase of optional sightseeing or activity, per booking

FE

$50.00 CERTIFICATE*

S

Since the inaugural race in 1994, this annual 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup points race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has become one of NASCAR’s most-attended events.

Don’t miss it!

$50 SAVINGS FROM AAA TRAVEL SIVE THIS EXCLU NEFIT! E MEMBER B

T IO

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (PittsburghFairbanks, Anchorage-Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, motorcoach sightseeing, accommodations (Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, Seward: 2 each, Girdwood: 1), 17 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), gratuities for included features (includes driver, escort), in-Alaska escort and AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

Book & make a deposit by MAY 29 on a 2015 7-night-or-longer air-inclusive Pleasant Holidays vacation to MEXICO or the CARIBBEAN and enjoy:

PLUS

CA

N

AAA Member Rate: $5,675

VA

July 8-17 •

D

FE

Traditional salmon bake & a sternwheeler river cruise in Fairbanks • 4-hour flying adventure • Tundra Wilderness Tour & overnight in Denali National Park • Meet a 4-time winner of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and his canine crew • Visits to the Alaska Wildlife ATURE Conservation & Begich Boggs Visitor centers • 2-hour river float trip in Kenai Fjords National Park • A ride on Girdwood’s Alyeska Tram — from sea level to 2,300 feet! • Welcome & farewell dinners with your fellow travelers

T IO

LIMITED AVAILABILITY! LIMITED AVAILABILITY! LIMITED AVAILABILITY!

CALL 1-800-354-8761 •

VISIT YOUR LOCAL AAA BRANCH

PAGE 12

AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2015

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME!

Car-free, carefree adventures N

VA

CA

S

D

FE

ATURE

T IO

Rates are per person, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Pittsburgh area, accommodations (for multiday tours, based on double occupancy), sightseeing/admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (for multiday tours), meals as indicated and the services of a AAA Tour Manager. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details and pick-up points.

SEE G THIS LIVININ LEGEND !

PERSON

HEAD TO R CANADA FO& THEATER MORE!

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE SHAW FESTIVAL

CAROL BURNETT IN CHAUTAUQUA

This Victorian-flavored Ontario village hosts one of the world’s bestloved theatrical festivals. Enjoy a tasting & lunch at a winery and goldlevel seating at Peter & the Starcatcher and Sweet Charity. Visit Niagara Botanical Gardens, the Butterfly Conservancy & Niagara Falls. Prince of Wales Hotel. 4 meals. Passport required.

Enjoy a relaxing retreat to western New York’s renowned center for culture and recreation, Chautauqua Institution, to see comedy legend Carol Burnett in person in an exclusive performance. Enjoy lunch at the historic Athenaeum Hotel on the Institution grounds. Overnight at the popular year-round resort at nearby Peek’n Peak. 4 meals.

July 7-9 •

AAA Member Rate: $759

Finger Lakes Escape

July 13-16 •

AAA Member Rate: $949

See quaint towns, Buttermilk Falls, Cornell University & Plantations, Corning Museum of Glass (enjoy a “Make Your Own Glass” workshop), 2 wineries, Sonnenberg Mansion & Gardens and 2 other historical homes. Lakeside accommodations.

8 meals, including a farm-to-table wine dinner and a steamboat dinner cruise.

The Wright Kind of Summer

Aug 21-22 •

Meet Jack Hanna & The Wilds

Sept 18-19 •

AAA Member Rate: $325

Animal lovers will enjoy meeting zookeeper Jack Hanna at a private breakfast at Ohio’s Columbus Zoo and visiting The Wilds open-range conservation facility featuring rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes and other creatures. 2 meals.

Rail to Rail in WV & MD

Sept 29–Oct 1 •

AAA Member Rate: $559

Explore 2 of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s works in the Laurel Highlands (Duncan House and Fallingwater) and 2 by one of his apprentices. Dine at historic Summit Inn. 2 meals.

Nature lovers and rail enthusiasts will enjoy this mountain foliage adventure. Lunch lakeside at Deep Creek Lake. See Blackwater Falls. Stay at Canaan Valley Resort. Ride the rails on the New Tygart Flyer and the Western Maryland Railway. Enjoy a Branson-style live-music show. 7 meals.

Girls’ Mystery Getaway

Pennsylvania Grand Canyon

July 19 •

Aug 14-16 •

AAA Member Rate: $149

AAA Member Rate: $605

Can’t reveal our destination, but you will enjoy 2 nights of B&B–style accommodations, outlet shopping, a wine-tasting dinner, a luncheon with a fashion show, a cooking demonstration, a “ladies’ night out” and more. 5 meals.

Deep Creek Art & Wine Festival

Sept 12-13 •

AAA Member Rate: $445

Stay lakeside in Deep Creek MD for the annual Art & Wine Festival, featuring hand-crafted items, live music, food, wine & more. Tasting tickets & commemorative wine glass provided.

A wine-paired dinner, glass maker visit and Swallow Falls also included. 2 meals.

Adirondack Balloon Festival

Sept 17-20 •

AAA Member Rate: $929

Stay lakeside at Lake George NY and enjoy a dinner theater experience. Visit Lake Placid Olympic Village. Watch 100 hot-air balloons rise (and “glow” later that night) at Warren County Airport. Cruise on Lake George. Tour Saratoga Springs’ raceway and mineral springs. 6 meals.

Oct 1-2 •

AAA Member Rate: $415

Travel to charming Wellsboro PA. Board a covered wagon and follow the scenic Upper Gorge of Pine Creek in Pennsylvania’s own “Grand Canyon.” Enjoy a home-cooked meal afterward.

Overnight in Mansfield. Take a guided driving tour of the area and visit the canyon’s overlook and visitor center. Ride on the Tioga Central Railroad to Hammond Lake and back. 3 meals.

New England Rails & Trails

Oct 4-11 •

AAA Member Rate: $2,035

Take in autumn splendor in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont & Connecticut from several trains, a schooner & your coach! Visit a submarine museum, Plymouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Kancamagus Highway, Quechee Gorge, Billings Farm & Museum, Bennington, the Finger Lakes (Sonnenberg Gardens) & more. 18 meals.

AAA Member Rate: $455

field, Eisenhower Farm, Adams County Winery and Hollabaugh Brothers Fruit Farm. Enjoy a living-history presentation. Attend the National Apple Harvest Festival. Dine at historic Dobbin House and a charming local inn. 5 meals.

Cape Cod Oyster Festival

Oct 15-20 •

AAA Member Rate: $1,085

Experience New England charm & hospitality. Visit New Bedford’s Whaling Museum & National Park. Stay at an oceanfront hotel on Cape Cod. Sample ”bivalves“ at the Wellfleet Oyster Festival and visit a popular winery. Tour a working cranberry bog. Visit America’s oldest glassworks. See Hyannis, & Hyannisport, the Kennedy Museum and the Mystic Seaport Museum.

Stop at PA’s Steamtown National Historic Site. 9 meals.

Jack o’ Lantern Spectacular

Oct 27-29 •

AAA Member Rate: $699

Halloween isn’t just for kids! In Louisville KY, see how “bats” are made at the Louisville Slugger Factory & Museum. Stay at Galt House, convenient to city attractions. At the KY Derby Museum, make a witch’s hat & then tour Churchill Downs. Get candy at Schimpf’s, a local institution. Dine at a mansion and attend the Jack o’ Lantern Spectacular — more than 5,000 carved pumpkins glowing in the night! Visit Old Friends, a retirement/rescue facility for Thoroughbreds. Enjoy a downhome lunch at Darlin’ Jean’s Apple Cobbler Cafe. 5 meals.

LAST-CHANCE TOURS A Taste of Pittsburgh – 1 day

June 12 • AAA Member Rate: $109

Maine Seacoast

Gettysburg Applefest

June 15-21 • AAA Member Rate: $1,309

History, tasty cuisine and fall harvest festivities — they all come together on this tour. Tour Gettysburg National Battle-

June 18-20 • AAA Member Rate: $595

Oct 9-11 •

AAA Member Rate: $619

Shows & More: Lancaster PA

MAY 2015

AAA MOTORIST

PAGE 13

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Oct 25–Nov 1: Only departure in 2015!

An ON- and OFF-road guided adventure vacation

ATURE

S

N

CA

D

SAVINGS

Pink Jeep Tour

VA

RS E B M ME E $50!

Veposit by May 29 SBA ook & d

FE

revealing the natural wonders of Arizona & Nevada!

T IO

CACTUS CANYON

M

PER ROO

Looking for a one-of-a-kind getaway for the entire family...or your gang of fun-loving friends?

If so, blaze a trail to your nearest AAA Travel office and get in on the fun and adventure of this fall’s “Pink Jeep Western Adventure,” which features FOUR Pink Jeep excursions into the rugged and colorful landscapes of Arizona and Nevada not accessible by standard vehicles!

After flying into Phoenix, the fun starts in Scottsdale at your all-suite hotel within walking distance of Old Town; this vibrant heart of the city is comprised of eclectic shops, fine-art galleries, stellar museums and award-winning restaurants. Your first Pink Jeep journey, the Cactus Canyon Tour, takes you into the Sonoran Desert on rugged mountain roads overlooking the Bradshaw Mountains. Afterward, enjoy a cowboy-style dinner!

BROKEN ARROW Enjoy a relaxing motorcoach ride to Poco Diablo Resort nestled among the Red Rocks of stunning Sedona. Enjoy its pool, golf course, fitness center, tennis courts and fine dining. Venture into GRAND CANYON the surrounding backcountry on the Broken Arrow Tour, which ascends 1,500 feet along the Mogollon Rim. Motorcoach onward to one of the world’s marvels — the Grand Canyon! After watching an Imax presentation, explore the East Rim on the Deluxe Grand Canyon Tour, visiting lookout points not accessible by the park’s shuttle bus system!

Sit back and enjoy the cross-desert motorcoach journey to Las Vegas and your room at The Mirage at the center of the fabled Strip. Enjoy The Mirage’s royal white tigers, its active “volcano,” the resident show entitled The Beatles LOVE, And choose 1 of these 2 tours multiple restaurants, shows, shops and gaming opportunities.

While in Vegas, you get to enjoy 1 of 2 tours (your choice must be indicated at the time of VALLEY OF FIRE your initial reservation) — the Valley of Fire Jeep Tour (see the surreal colors of sandstone formations in the Mojave Desert) or the Hoover Dam Top to Bottom Discovery (dam, power plant, observation tower, a gentle float trip on the Colorado River and a photo opportunity of the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge). The next and final full day is totally yours to explore the endless variety of attractions, casinos and activities that Las Vegas has to offer!

TM

HOOVER DAM

Oct 25–Nov 1 •

AAA Member Rate: $2,619

TM

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Pittsburgh-Phoenix, Las Vegas–Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, motorcoach transportation, accommodations, 7 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), taxes/gratuities for included features and services of a AAA Tour Manager in Arizona & Nevada (if minimum-participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2015

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

ATURE

S

VA

CA

D

FE

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers N

PAGE 14

T IO

Avoid potential airport hassles: Motorcoach to & from your cruise!

Park for free, then relax on AAA’s convenient “Cruise Express” motorcoach right to your ship!

Grandeur of the Seas — from Baltimore MD Bahamas ................................... July 10-17 ......................... from $1,272 Bahamas ................................... Aug 21-28 ........................... from $833 Canada/New England ............. Sept 3-11 .......................... from $1,069 Western Caribbean ................. Nov 1-11........................... from $1,194 Eastern Caribbean ................... Dec 9-19 ........................... from $1,075 AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation, cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $382.60 per person. Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Visit AAA.com/motorcruise for details & PA pick-up points.

Be among the first to cruise on the brand-new Anthem of the Seas! Get $25 shipboard credit!

These Anthem sailings include a 1-night before-cruise hotel stay near Cape Liberty NJ and a short driving tour of New York City.

Jan 14-25, 2016 • from $1,885 San Juan PR • Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI • Philipsburg, St Maarten Basseterre, St Kitts • Plus 5 days at sea

April 17-30, 2016 •

from $2,345

Labadee, Haiti • San Juan PR • Philipsburg, St Maarten • Fort de France, Martinique Bridgetown, Barbados • Basseterre, St Kitts • Plus 5 days at sea AAA MEMBER RATE is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip motorcoach transportation, 1-night pre-cruise hotel accommodations, cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and $25 shipboard credit per stateroom and taxes, fees and port expenses of $524.25 per person. Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Visit AAA.com/motorcruise for details & PA pick-up points.

ATURE

S

N

CA

D

FE

NM BALLOON FIESTA VA

Thrill to the sight of hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons rising above the dramatic landscape around Albuquerque NM at the International Balloon Fiesta!® Explore the Land of Enchantment’s largest city, then enjoy a 3-night stay in charming Santa Fe. Visit historic Chimayo village. Enjoy artsy Taos and the impressive Rio Grande Gorge. Take a fun salsamaking class. Ride Sandia Peak’s Aerial Tramway. Explore Rte 66, Old Town Albuquerque, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Acoma Pueblo.

Don’t miss the Balloon Fiesta’s evening “Glowdeo” — a spectacular display of hot-air balloons illuminated from within — with fireworks afterward!

T IO

FREE HARDCOVER BOOK!

Visually focused, packed with cultural insight and portable, New Mexico: A Guide for the Eyes by Elisa Parhad explores the region’s notable features. Vivid photography and informative text provide insight into architecture, design, flora, fauna, food, crafts, folklore, landscape and other facets of identity and style.

New Mexico’s striking landscape has inspired the art, design and traditions of its 3 dominant cultures: Native American, Hispanic and Anglo/Western. These groups continue to infuse this rustic land with a compelling vibrancy, unrivaled in its beauty.

1 book per room (double occupancy). New booking with deposit May 1-29, 2015.

Oct 4-9 •

AAA Member Rate: $3,265

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh-Albuquerque), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, sightseeing admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (1 bag per person) and 11 meals. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/travel for itinerary details.

MAY 2015

AAA MOTORIST

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

N

VA

CA

S

D

FE

ATURE

T IO

PAGE 15

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Ultimate Caribbean Cruise

with Pittsburgh personality Bill Cardille

Jan 22–Feb 1 Celebrity Equinox

Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale

ST THOMAS: Visit renowned Magens Bay, experience the lively atmosphere of Charlotte Amalie and prepare for some of the best sailing, scuba diving and duty-free shopping in the Caribbean.

AAA Member Rates from $1,675

ST KITTS: What’s a town square fashioned after London’s Piccadilly Circus doing in the middle of the Caribbean? It’s just one of many surprises St Kitts has in store.

ALSO INCLUDES ONBOARD COCKTAIL PARTY $50 SHIPBOARD CREDIT

BARBADOS: The turquoise sea surrounding this island is a great backdrop for golfing and perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing.

PER STATEROOM

DOMINICA: Home to one of the world’s last untouched rainforests, Dominica boasts more than a thousand species of flora, a boiling lake and 300+ rivers — with almost as many waterfalls.

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes cruise accommodations/ entertainment, most onboard meals and government taxes/fees. Ship’s registry: Malta. Ask about available add-on airfare.

ST MAARTEN (pictured): The Dutch and French left their marks on this heavenly slice of tropical delight. Its beaches are some of the most breathtaking in the Caribbean region.

PLUS 4 FULL DAYS OF CRUISING AT SEA!

SPECTACULAR

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES!

SOUTH AFRICA

SEE & PHOTOGRAPH... wild animals such as elephants, leopards, rhinos, lions, impala, buffalo, zebra, giraffe • Victoria Falls, 1 of the world’s wonders

RIDE ABOARD...

an elephant • an ostrich an open-air safari vehicle a 4x4 deep into the forest a cable car up Table Mountain

CRUISE ON...

the Zambezi River • 2 lagoons the Chobe River

S N

CA

D

students in a township school penguins at Boulders Beach villagers at Victoria Falls African elephants up close

ATURE

VA

MCV

INTERACT WITH...

FE

EXPLORE...

Kruger National Park • Soweto an ostrich farm • wine country Featherbed Nature Reserve

T IO

This is the “bucket list” tour you’ve always dreamed of taking! Come with AAA to a land of stunning natural beauty, amazing wildlife and fascinating people. Enjoy 2 photo safaris (1 from atop an elephant!). Meet locals and enjoy regional dishes and SA’s famous wines.

MEMBERS SAVE $400!

VICTORIA FALLS

April 14-30 •

New bookings with deposit May 1-29, 2015.

Savings are per room, double occupancy.

AAA Member Rate: $8,279

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh-Johannesburg), in-Africa flights, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, sightseeing per itinerary, accommodations, in-Africa guide, 28 meals and taxes & government fees. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

Visit AAA.com/GoAfrica for itinerary and important pre-travel information.

AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2015

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

LAST CHANCE!

Western Tours YELLOWSTONE EXPERIENCE

© ANDREANITA / FOTOLIA.COM

Our first national park’s first explorers were called liars when they described its otherworldly geysers & bubbling mudpots and its free-ranging bison, elk, moose, bears & wolves. Begin at Salt Lake City and AUG 10-16 • $1,765 travel through scenic Idaho to Yellowstone. Enjoy Old Faithful & many other natural landmarks, as well as the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. A Wildlife Safari includes a picnic dinner. Also enjoy Grand Teton National Park, the cowboy town of Jackson, a Jenny Lake cruise, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (schedule permitting) and more! 12 meals.

AMERICAN MAJESTY

From Salt Lake City to Denver, take in some of America’s favorite national landmarks. Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (choir schedule permitting). Visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone parks (including Old AUG 29–SEPT 6 • $3,485 Faithful & Mammoth Hot Springs), Devil’s Tower, Deadwood, Mt Rushmore (during the day and again in the evening for its inspiring lighting ceremony), Crazy Horse Monument, Custer State Park, Ft Laramie National Historic Site, Cody’s Buffalo Bill Historic Center and Cheyenne. Take a wildlife Jeep® safari through SD’s Black Hills. 15 meals. AIR INCLUDED.

VA

S

FE

D

AAA Member Rates for all tours are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include accommodations, sightseeing admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (1 bag per person) and meals as indicated. (AmeriATURE can Majesty also includes roundtrip flights from Pittsburgh and roundtrip airport/hotel transfers. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for CA O TI details.) Visit AAA.com/travel for itinerary details.

N

PAGE 16

Get swept away...

by Ireland’s SOUTH

ATURE

S

Dublin tour with a local guide Farmhouse tea & scones Sheepdog skills demonstration Horse-drawn “jaunting car” ride in Killarney Storytelling session in Newmarket-on-Fergus Walking tour of Trinity College Book of Kells Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens Open-top bus tour of Dublin Blarney Castle’s “Stone of Eloquence” Blarney Woolen Mills Dingle Brewing Company Walking tour of Galway King John’s Castle Cliffs of Moher

N

VA

CA

D

FE

Spellbinding scenery Rollicking entertainment Fascinating history Comprehensive sightseeing

T IO

Best of Ireland South: Oct 21-29 •

CLIFFS OF MOHER

AAA Member Rate: $1,475

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes hotel accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 12 meals and in–country tour director. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for complete itinerary and more information. Ask about available add-on airfare. Passport required. Escorted tour operated by CIE Tours International.

MAY 2015

AAA MOTORIST

PAGE 17

‘Coolest Summer Ever’ coming to Walt Disney World Resort Olaf, Anna and Elsa make ‘Frozen’ summer dreams come to life

M

emorial Day weekend is the traditional start of family vacation season, and Walt Disney World Resort guests can get their cool on all summer during the “Coolest Summer Ever,” with Olaf as the official host.

“Frozen” Summer Fun Live will bring together Princess Anna, Queen Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf, all appearing daily in shows and experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, June 17-Sept. 7. Guests will find cool thrills this summer including a royal processional with the ice cutters and the joyous citizens of Arendelle, and a brand new sing-along show. At the end of a fun-filled Frozen day, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf come together for a grand finale—complete with an aweinspiring fireworks display set to the glorious music of the movie.

A cool new deal doubles the fun at Disney’s two iconic water parks — Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach. Purchase a one-day water park ticket and parkhop between the two water parks in the same day that both are open.

Blizzard Beach offers all the spinechilling thrills of an Alpine ski resort, whether it’s bobsledding down the “snowy” slopes of Mt. Gushmore, or plunging straight down Summit Plummet at up to 55 mph.

Located near Downtown Disney,

COLD COMFORT — Olaf will be welcoming guests at Walt Disney World Resort this summer. the 61-acre Typhoon Lagoon includes Crush ‘n’ Gusher, the first-ever water coaster thrill ride attraction in Central Florida; a man-made mountain with eight twisting-and-turning water slides and Shark Reef, where snorkelers swim fin-to-fin with exotic marine life like French angels, groupers and bonnethead and leopard sharks.

Nearly 64 million vehicles recalled in 2014

L

ast year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) monitored 803 recall campaigns covering 63.95 million vehicles. Now dubbed the “Year of the Recall,” 2014 set a new record with more than twice the number of recalls compared to the previous high total of 30.8 million set back in 2004.

Nearly 27 million of last year’s recalls involved General Motors vehicles with faulty ignition switches that could turn themselves off under certain circumstances. It is estimated the repair costs for this one campaign alone will cost the company more than $4.1 billion. On a broader scale, an additional 14.5 million vehicles from multiple automakers were affected by recalls related to dangerously defective airbags manufactured by Japanese supplier Takata.

Will auto recalls subside in 2015? Not likely, according to NHTSA. The agency has improved how it tracks potential defects, which could lead to a greater likelihood of recalls. And growing consumer awareness is also expected to increase recalls. More than 75,000 vehicle owners contacted NHTSA in 2014 about potential defects, up sharply from the previous average of 40,000 to 45,000 calls a year.

Wary of big fines and negative pub-

licity for failing to identify problems and recall vehicles in a timely manner, car manufacturers are expected to pay closer attention to issues and move faster to address future concerns. This could cause the number of recalls to go up as well.

AAA advises every car owner who receives a recall notice to contact their local new-car dealership to have the vehicle inspected, and if necessary, fixed at no charge. Historically, less than 70 percent of all recalled vehicles get repaired.

To help used car buyers, and owners know that their vehicles are safe and their safety defects have been addressed, NHTSA recently unveiled a new, free, online search tool consumers can use to find out if a vehicle is directly impacted by a recall.

The new tool, which debuted last August, provides consumers with a quick and easy way to identify uncompleted recalls by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). All major light vehicle and motorcycle brands can be searched. After entering the VIN number into the field, results will confirm if there is an open recall, or no open recall on their vehicle. The new VIN search tool is available at www.safercar. gov/vinlookup.

Guests will find thrills from mild to wild to out of this world in all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

Don’t-miss attractions include the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, sending riders on a playful musical adventure into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.”

Expedition Everest at Disney’s

Animal Kingdom, takes guests past thundering waterfalls, and shimmering glacier fields on a perilous journey aboard a runaway train through the Himalayas. Adventurous riders push deep into the lair of the legendary yeti, guardian of the forbidden mountain.

En route, they encounter torn tracks, spiral backwards through the darkness and fog into an ice cavern, and dart into and out of the nearly 200-feethigh mountain in a high-speed adventure.

Set your course for the frozen planet of Hoth during Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, May 15 to June 14. The 2015 event will feature Star Wars characters roaming the theme park for meet-and-greets, conversations with Star Wars celebrities, interactive activities and a Star Wars motorcade through the park. Let the Force be with you as you combine the fun and adventure of Star Wars with the magic of Disney Parks.

IF YOU GO

AAA is able to assist you with all your Disney vacation needs including Disney theme parks and resorts, and Disney Cruise Lines. Visit your local AAA Travel Agency location or visit AAA.com for more information.

PAGE 18

AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2015

Pay smart when you travel internationally Paying with plastic is quick, safe and convenient

Y

ou have your itinerary — five countries in 10 days. You’ve learned to say “Do you speak English?” and “Where is the restroom?” in at least two languages.

You have your passport, your AAA travel guide, and a suitcase full of wrinklefree clothes. Now it’s time to pack your wallet. What should you take — credit cards, a debit card, traveler’s checks, or cash? According to travel experts, the answer is all of them.

For years, smart travelers knew that credit cards were a great way to pay abroad. A credit card was safer than carrying cash, and you got a great exchange rate in the bargain. That’s because credit-card companies generally qualified for institutional exchange rates, rather than the much less advantageous rates tourists find at exchange kiosks. Unfortunately, many credit card companies have made this tried-andtrue way to pay a little more costly.

Previously, MasterCard or Visa charged a 1 percent conversion markup to the cardholder on each foreign purchase. Now they charge the credit card issuer this 1 percent fee. The issuer may now charge the cardholder as much as 3 percent on these purchases. This is referred to as a conversion fee, charged for converting purchases made in foreign currencies into U.S. dollar amounts.

The difference — $90 on $3,000

A REWARDING EXPERIENCE — A credit card is safer than carrying cash when traveling internationally. worth of transactions, compared with $30 when the fee was 1 percent — may not be enough for you to leave your cards at home. But you might want to find out if one of your cards offers a better rate and use that one. You may want to consider also using a debit card overseas. Be sure to ask about fees on

these cards as well.

Even with the surcharges thrown in, paying by credit card may still be cheaper than converting cash overseas. Paying with plastic is also quick and convenient, particularly in Europe, where Visa® and MasterCard® credit cards are widely accepted. In addition,

many credit cards come with travelerfriendly features, such as extended protection against theft and the accidental damage of purchases. Others offer travel-accident and car-rental insurance.

Paying by credit card also gives you the opportunity to dispute a bill from a foreign merchant. These vary according to country. Contact your AAA branch office or Bank of America for details.

Your best bet is to travel with a mixture of credit cards, debit cards, cash, and traveler’s checks. Be sure to make a list of the numbers of the traveler’s checks and telephone numbers to call if the cards or traveler’s checks are lost or stolen, and carry the list with you at all times.

One final bit of advice: if you do plan to go overseas and use credit cards, call your card issuers in advance and let them know. Sometimes, the card may be put on hold after one or two foreign transactions until the card issuer determines that it is you using the card. If someone is not at your home to verify that you are overseas, then you could be in a real bind.

If you are looking for the perfect travel companion, visit AAA.com/ CreditCard or call 1-866-665-3581 for more information on rates, fees and other costs, or to apply for a AAA Member Rewards Visa card.

This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A.

Crashes touch one in three but drivers still willing to risk it Motorists recognize dangers but do little to alter behavior

T

oo many Americans report that they regularly speed, run red lights, use distracting devices or drive drowsy. This is despite the fact that one in three have a loved one who has been seriously injured or killed in a crash, according to the AAA Foundation’s latest Traffic Safety Culture Index. The results further find that unsafe behaviors persist even though one in five drivers have themselves been involved in a serious crash, and one in ten has been seriously injured in a crash.

“It is very disappointing that we con-

tinue to see a prevailing attitude of ‘do as I say, not as I do,’ where large numbers of motorists seem to recognize the risks of certain behaviors but do them anyway,” said Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Enhancing the safety culture in society must begin with each individual.”

These most recent findings from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s annual survey that assesses and benchmarks the attitudes and behaviors of drivers revealed that the prevalence of unsafe driving behaviors during

the previous 30 days are widespread, including: • Red light running: More than a third (36 percent) of drivers admit to running red lights, yet 55 percent say it is a very serious threat and 73 percent say it is completely unacceptable.

• Speeding (10+ mph) on residential streets: Nearly half of drivers report speeding (44 percent), yet 65 percent say it is completely unacceptable.

• Drowsy driving: About 3 in 10 drivers (29 percent) admitted to drowsy driving, yet 45 percent say it is a very serious threat and 81 percent say it is completely unacceptable.

• Texting/emailing: More than a quarter (27 percent) of drivers report typing or sending a text or email, yet 79 percent of drivers say it is a very serious threat to safety and 84 percent say it is completely unacceptable.

When it comes to specific distracted driving behaviors in the past 30 days: • 2 in 3 drivers reported talking on their cell phone.

• 1 in 3 drivers reported talking on their cell phone often.

• 1 in 3 drivers admit to reading a text message or email.

The findings also offered insight about drivers’ attitudes related to cognitive distraction. Two out of three drivers believe hands-free phone use is

acceptable, and nearly half (46 percent) of drivers who report using speechbased in-vehicle systems say they do not believe these systems are at all distracting. These attitudes are prevalent despite extensive research indicating that hands-free devices can lead to cognitive distraction.

“Most drivers don’t understand the risks and continue to use these technologies,” said Kissinger. “The good news is that we all have the ability to make safer choices, and can personally enhance our safety while driving.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety issued its first Traffic Safety Culture Index in 2008. The 2014 report is online at www.AAAfoundation.org.

MAY 2015

AAA MOTORIST

Call, Click or Visit for a Special Offer for New Gift Memberships.

Offer ends May 29th

The

Perfect Gift!

Graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Birthdays, Weddings …

Whatever the occasion, it’s the perfect time to give a AAA Gift Membership. With roadside assistance, vacation planning, maps, free identity theft protection, travel guides, exclusive savings, and much more, you can trust AAA membership to be a perfect fit.

To purchase a AAA Gift Membership, call or visit your local AAA Office or AAA.com.

1-800-441-5008

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2015

Lighter than air in the Land of Enchantment It’s time for some high plains drifting in New Mexico

S

anta Fe is an intoxicating blend of Anglo, Indian and Hispanic cultures that mingle like the scent of piñón wood with the evening air. The town’s signature adobe architecture will transport visitors back to the Spanish Colonial era, and remnants of the Wild West. The Palace of the Governors on the Plaza of Santa Fe, constructed in 1610, is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States.

Long a haven for artists, the galleries along Canyon Road showcase an array of contemporary Southwestern, and indigenous American art. The city boasts half a dozen major museums including the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, dedicated to the work of the influential American artist.

Nestled in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains the old storefronts in historic Taos Plaza have been transformed into galleries, restaurants and boutiques. The Kit Carson Park and Cemetery is the final resting place of the famed frontiersman and other mustsees include the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, towering 650-feet above the river.

Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated as both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The pueblo is made entirely of adobe — earth mixed with water and straw, then made into sun-dried bricks. The walls are often several feet thick.

But Albuquerque is much more than just a lot of hot air. Some of Old Town’s squat adobes date back to the town’s beginnings in 1706. Visitors can explore the hidden courtyards, browse the galleries, or bargain for Native American jewelry and crafts under the low-slung portals.

The city sprawls across a desert basin with the Sandia Mountains erupting over a parched, terra cotta plain. The Sandia Peak Tramway ascends 2.7-miles to the top of the 10,400-foot mountain.

One of the longest, most spectacular aerial tramways in the world, passengers glide over a lush, green ponderosa forest and steep canyons that at dusk, glow a deep, rosy pink. Early explorers named them Sandia, Spanish for “watermelon.” And when the lights begin to twinkle down below, it seems like the evening is filled with nothing but stars.

UP, UP AND AWAY — Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta takes place in October.

About 40 miles south of Taos is Chimayó, New Mexico’s most visited religious shrine. The El Santuario de Chimayó church is said to have been built on sacred earth and possess miraculous healing powers.

There are 19 pueblos in the region, where Native Americans still pursue a more traditional lifestyle. With its tightly clustered adobe buildings Acoma Pueblo is thought to be the oldest con-

tinuously inhabited settlement in the United States. Also known as Sky City, the 70-acre community is perched atop a 357-foot sandstone mesa.

For nine days each October, the skies around Albuquerque are festooned with hundreds of hot air and gas balloons.

The evening Glowdeo® — when all the balloons fire their burners and light up the desert night is one the most spectacular manmade sights on earth.

IF YOU GO

Experience the best of New Mexico during AAA’s October 4-9 New Mexico Balloon Fiesta escorted tour. Highlights include Santa Fe, Taos, and Albuquerque with stops at Chimayó; the Rio Grande Gorge, special seating at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta; a ride on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway and more.

See the Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/travel for more details.

Automotive battery technology is charging ahead Some electrifying developments are taking place in the industry

M

odern vehicles are totally reliant upon their electrical systems, with everything from GPS navigation to electric power steering, and so much more running from your car’s electrical circuits. Most vehicles also depend on a charged battery to allow vehicle access, so a dead battery can ruin the start of anybody’s day.

The traditional lead–acid battery’s ability to deliver high current at a relatively low cost, have made it an automobile mainstay for the past 50 years.

A lead-acid battery’s lifespan can range from as little as six months to 48 months, however, only about 30 percent of the batteries sold today will see their third birthday. Extremes of heat and cold, parasitic drains for onboard electronics and just poor maintenance are the main reasons for weak performance and premature battery death.

Lithium-ion batteries are typically used in consumer electronics like laptops and cell phones because they are lighter and more energy-dense than other types of batteries. Right now, intensive technical development work is underway in the industry to adapt lithium-ion technology to the far more robust requirements of automobile batteries. Cars have to work in huge tem-

Winter may be over but few people realize that hot weather can be even harder on your car’s battery. Heat causing battery fluid to evaporate, especially in sealed maintenance free batteries. It also accelerates the rate of corrosion on your battery terminals.

Both conditions can lead to insufficient electrical power being available, and leave a motorist stranded without warning.

AAA BATTERY SERVICE

POWER CENTER — AAA’s Mobile Battery Service can accurately diagnose your battery-related problems at the roadside. perature extremes, stand up to more shocks and vibrations and have a much higher energy throughput than consumer electronics. That’s one reason why vehicles equipped with “startstop” technologies, and most hybrids still use lead-acid batteries for starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) functions.

Lead-acid batteries have undergone their own remarkable evolution to keep

up with the demand for more power and reliability. The Absorbent Glass Mat or AGM lead-acid battery uses porous glass mats to absorb and hold the electrolyte. AGM batteries can support higher accessory loads and are now used in more than 20 million vehicles world-wide with auto start-stop technology, saving an estimated 381 million gallons of fuel annually.

• Fully mobile service; • Free battery testing using advanced technology; • All batteries meet or exceed original manufacturers specs; • Fast, professional installation; • Environmentally friendly disposal and recycling; • Battery freshness guarantee; • 36-month nationwide replacement warranty; • Exclusive AAA-member pricing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

AAA Battery Service is available from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 7-days a week.

To verify AAA Battery Service availability in your area, call our toll-free number: 1.800.222.4357.

MAY 2015

AAA MOTORIST

PAGE 21

Orlando will be sizzling this summer New attractions soar over Florida’s theme park capital

V

acationers have a lot to look forward to if their travel plans include a stop in Orlando this summer. Orlando delivers magical experiences and adventurous thrills unlike anywhere else on earth.

Over 62 million people experienced all that Orlando has to offer in 2014, making it the number one destination in the U.S.A. With the introduction of major new theme park attractions and entertainment this year, even more dreams will await you this summer.

I-Drive 360 Orlando’s newest major retail, dining and entertainment complex opened this month on International Drive. The project has altered Orlando’s skyline forever with the construction of a 400-foot-tall observation wheel named The Orlando Eye. Day or night, “flyers” will enjoy a breathtaking experience in one of 30 capsules. A flight on the tallest observation wheel on the East Coast will lift you high enough to see the sights of downtown Orlando’s skyline, nearby theme parks, with views all the way to Cape Canaveral on Florida’s east coast.

Walt Disney World Resort recently completed the largest expansion project in Magic Kingdom history with new attractions like Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Princess Fairytale Hall, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Now Downtown Disney is being transformed

shops inside Heartlake Mall.

SeaWorld Orlando will debut an allnew show, Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High, filled with amazing animal behaviors and splashy audience fun. The comedic sea lion duo will be joined by mischievous otters, a 2,300-lb. walrus and a cast of goofy human characters.

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is a new multi-dimensional 3D thrill ride at Universal Orlando that puts you right in the middle of the action. Riders will need to outsmart the bank’s stringent security measures while navigating the perilous underground vaults.

Along the way, you’ll encounter Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but you’ll also have to evade the wrath of Voldemort, Bellatrix, trolls and other creatures standing between you and a safe return to Diagon Alley.

EYE IN THE SKY — The 400-foot-tall Orlando Eye opened in May. into Disney Springs, doubling the number of shops, restaurants and other venues. The new area will open this year in phases and include Morimoto Asia, a one-of-a-kind dining experience created

by Chef Masaharu Morimoto, of Iron Chef America fame.

The Boathouse features upscale, waterfront dining at Disney Springs that will immerse guests in experiences that go beyond the cuisine. Diners can listen to

live music or take a romantic Captain’s guided tour aboard The Venezia, a beautifully crafted 40-foot Italian Water Taxi featuring champagne toasts and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Legoland Florida Resort will open a new land called Heartlake City this summer. The expansion will include a horse-themed disc coaster called Mia’s Riding Adventure, an interactive show titled “Friends to the Rescue” and new

THEME PARK TICKETS AT AAA.COM

AAA members can save at more than 20 theme parks and attractions, when they purchase discount tickets at AAA.com.

Attractions include Legoland Florida, Sea World, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Universal Orlando. Order online for tickets by mail, print at home, or save at the gate when you show your AAA card.

PAGE 22

AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2015

Microbes are waging germ warfare in your car Car interiors can be a breeding ground for bacteria

Y

ou may think you’re traveling solo, but you could end up sharing the ride with millions of germs and bits of microscopic debris. We can’t see them, but tiny microorganisms including mold, mildew bacteria and fungi are likely hitching a ride in your ride. A recent British study found that a typical vehicle has an average of 285 types of bacteria per square inch. These microscopic organisms tend to thrive because people don’t clean the interiors thoroughly or disinfect them.

“Vehicle cabins are exposed to a wide variety of environmental conditions that can make them microbial breeding grounds,” said Cindy Peters, Ford Motor Company technical expert. “We decided to take a look at the interiors in Ford vehicles with the goal of creating a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing environment.”

Engineers from the Ford Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn have been collaborating with a team from the University of Michigan (U-M) led by microbial ecologist Dr. Blaise Boles to evaluate the concentration and growth of microbes in vehicles.

Peters and her colleagues collected samples from a variety of company and employee-owned vehicles. The samples were then cultured and analyzed at a U-M laboratory in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The team took swabs from 10 loca-

HITCHING A RIDE — Cupholders had one of the highest concentrations of bacteria. tions in the vehicle interior including the steering wheel, radio buttons, door handles, window switches and gearshift knobs. The U-M researchers found significant bacteria growth at most of the test locations with the highest concentrations on the steering wheel and the area around the cupholders.

“Our findings suggest car interiors

are complex ecosystems that house trillions of diverse microorganisms interacting with each other, with humans, and with their environment,” said Boles, assistant professor in the U-M Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. “The long-term goal is to define the microbial ecology of the car interior and to optimize the

WOODY GUTHRIE’S AMERICAN SONG — (May 8-10, 15-17) An exuberant celebration of America, this musical follows Guthrie as he travels from the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma, to California, to the Bowery in New York City and the great Pacific Northwest. The show includes over two dozen of his best known songs including “This Land Is Your Land,” “So Long It’s Been Good to Know Yuh,” and “Oklahoma Hills.”

Tickets are $10 adults, seniors $7.50. For tickets and information, call (814) 333-1773. Location: Meadville Community Theatre, 400 North Main Street, Meadville.

LAKE ERIE WINE AND CHEESE WEEKEND — (May 15-17) Sample fabulous cheeses and special fare, each paired with a complementary wine. Twenty-five wineries are participating. Bring a designated driver if you plan to do any tasting.

For information and tickets, visit lakeeriewinecountry.org. Location: Regional wineries.

TOUR DE FOREST SPRING RIDE — (May 16-17) The Tour De Forest is a an ATV leisure ride through the scenic Allegheny National Forest on designated forest roads and trails that are not usually open to ATV traffic. The difficulty level is

very low and the ride is suitable for riders of all ages and experience levels. The cost is $30 for one day, two days $40. For information and registration, call (814) 9276609 or visit marienville-fire.com.

Location: Marienville Volunteer Fire Company, Marienville.

ERIE ART MUSEUM GALLERY NIGHT — (May 22) The Erie Art Museum and some local galleries open their doors from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for a chance to explore the city’s vibrant arts scene. Each gallery offers its own exhibitions, entertainment, refreshments and vibes.

Admission is free. For information and list of participating galleries, visit erieartmuseum.org or call (814) 814-459-5477. Location: Downtown Erie.

GLOW ERIE FUN RUN — (May 24) It’s a challenging and exhilarating 5K through the heart of the Penn State Behrend College campus. Get your glow on with your wildest glow sticks, LED lights and neon as you run, walk or stroll through the music and light-infused course.

All ages are welcome in this family event. Timed race starts at 8:45 p.m. and fun run at 9:00 p.m.

For information and registration, visit unitedservicecorps.com or call

design of car interiors to promote comfort and environmental sustainability.”

“We weren’t surprised to find microbial hot spots on the steering wheel, since that is where a driver’s hands are most of the time,” added Peters. “The console area near the cupholders is a common location for spilled drinks, so it provides an ideal feeding ground for microbes.”

One of the problems is that cars and trucks have become extensions of our homes where people eat and spend a lot of time. While the microbes in your car probably won’t make you ill, most experts recommend cleaning car interiors more frequently and using disinfecting wipes on the steering, dashboard, door and handles especially if you have children or pets. Regularly vacuum carpets and upholstery where crumbs and debris can settle. Replace cabins filters at recommended intervals and promptly clean up spills.

Peters and technical leader Mark Nichols are now testing coating formulations that could resist and potentially even reverse microbial growth.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit AAA.com/auto for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.

aroundtown FESTIVAL OF THE BIRDS AT PRESQUE ISLE — (May 8-10) Discover a multitude of bird migrants along the southern shore of Lake Erie at Presque Isle State Park, where more than 320 species of birds have been recorded. The weekend includes field trips, lagoon birding, and camaraderie. The keynote speaker is George Armistead, author of the ABA Field Guide to Birds of Pennsylvania. Every full-weekend registrant will receive a copy of the book. Registration is limited.

For information, visit presqueisleaudubon.org. Location: Presque Isle State Park Ranger Station, Erie.

DISNEY’S PETER PAN JR. — (May 8-10, 15-17) Wendy Darling loves to tell stories to her brothers, but when her father announces she must move out of the nursery, Peter Pan comes to visit the children and whisks them away to Neverland. It’s the timeless tale of a boy who wouldn’t grow up. The score includes classic Disney songs, such as “You Can Fly,” “The Second Star to the Right,” and “Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life for Me.” For tickets and information, call (814) 454-2852 or visit erieplayhouse.org. Location: Erie Playhouse, 13 West 10 Street, Erie.

(814) 580-0485. Location: Penn State Behrend campus, Erie.

DISNEY’S WINNIE THE POOH — (May 29-30) The classic Disney tale is given new life in this musical show featuring all the music from the movie. Presented by Lake Effect Theatre show time is at 7:00 p.m. at the H.O. Hirt Auditorium at the Blasco Library on Erie’s Bayfront.

Advance tickets and more information is at www.erietheatrical.org.

FISH-FOR-FREE DAY — (May 25) Fishfor-Free Day allows anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish for Pennsylvania’s most popular fish without a fishing license. All other fishing regulations still apply.

It is the perfect opportunity to introduce a friend or relative to the lifelong sport of fishing. For information, visit fishandboat.com/fishforfree.

ERIE ZOO EQUIPMENT DAY — (June 6) Kids of all ages will enjoy getting up close to heavy machinery throughout the Zoo grounds, including diggers, front loaders, dump trucks, tractors and more. Sit in the driver’s seat and honk the horn on some of the machines, if you like! For information, visit eriezoo.org or call (814) 864-4091. Location: Erie Zoo, 423 West 38th Street, Erie.

MAY 2015

AAA MOTORIST

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

AAA MOTORIST

MAY 2015