February 2016 Traveler by AAA East Central

FEBRUARY 2016 TRAVEL | INSURANCE/FINANCIAL | AUTOMOTIVE | MEMBER SERVICES | AAA.com

Did You Know PPG Paints is Newest AAA Discounts & Rewards Partner

Look to AAA Vacations® tours and cruises for the most member value

ot every AAA getaway is a AAA Vacations® vacation, but those that are feature exciting itineraries, engaging experiences and exclusive values — more now than ever before! As a AAA member, enjoy the 24/7 Member Care, memberonly benefits and Best Price Guarantee that come with every AAA Vacations® package. During February, save up to $100 on AAA Vacations® tours (guided or independent) or get up to $100 in onboard spending money on cruises carrying the AAA Vacations® brand. AAA Vacations® land itineraries are packed with exceptional built-in value, including experiences and complimentary inclusions considered “extras” on similar vacations (if offered at all!). Oncein-a-lifetime experiences — such as tickets to a hit musical in London’s West End Theatre District, hands-on pizza making sessions in Florence or a zipline adventure through Costa Rica’s rainforest canopy — may be included in your package. In February, save $50 (7-9 nights) or $100 (10+ nights) per new tour booking with deposit, based on double occupancy.

AAA Vacations® cruises have built-in values, which may include priority check-in, included shore excursions, AAAonly events, onboard spending credit, specialty dining, precruise hotel stays and more. These exclusive values can make your vacation experience a lot more enjoyable. Get $50 per stateroom onboard spending money on cruises of 7-9 nights ($100 for 10+ nights). AAA Vacations® tours and cruises are all about confi-

dence, trust and peace of mind. With many years of experience, AAA is here to look after your traveling needs with a personal touch. We’ve built our reputation by serving millions of vacationers. Our 24/7 Member Care (via Allianz Global Assistance, AAA’s preferred travel insurance provider) offers options to protect your vacation investment and provide even more peace of mind. continued on page 8

Providing quality paints and stains for homeowners and professionals alike for well over 100 years, PPG Paints is committed to providing homeowners with the highest quality products and services for all of your painting needs. They feature a broad product line, individualized customer service, including stateof-the-art color matching. PPG Paints now offers AAA members 25 percent savings on retail paint and 15 percent on sundries at 630 PPG Paints stores throughout the U.S.

Free Junior Associates — Priceless Protection for Teens

If your teen has reached driving age, don’t let them go it alone. AAA members can extend their AAA coverage for dependents age 16 to 18, with a free Junior Associate membership. They’ll carry their very own AAA card, and are entitled to AAA benefits and services including 24/7 roadside assistance, exclusive savings at AAA Discounts & Rewards, AAA Mobile solutions and more. Members can add Junior Associates by calling or visiting their local AAA office or by clicking on AAA.com/JuniorAssociate. (All Associate Members must reside at the Primary Member’s address, and proof of age may be required).

AAA.com website features, travel specials, online discounts, gas price information, safety tips, car care advice and upcoming events.

Visit Facebook.com/AAAEastCentral to start following AAA East Central today.

Check out the 2016-17 AAA Vacations® Catalog Get all the details — from pricing and day-to-day details — of your next dream vacation right at your fingertips — at home! This year’s catalog includes even more destinations, more departures, more inclusions and more value for you. Our expanded collection of vacations includes cruises, guided tours and independent vacations that offer everything from the traditional to the exotic. Visit AAA.com/AAAVacations to download and view the catalog.

Get the eUpdate Visit AAA.com/enews to subscribe

Top Five Tips to Protect Your Identity While on Vacation IIdentity

thieves don’t take a vacation when you do. As a matter of fact, traveling creates unique opportunities for identity thieves. It was found that 30 percent of Americans have either been the victims of identity theft while traveling, or know someone who has, according to a 2014 survey conducted by Edelman Berland on behalf of Experian's ProtectMyID® . Crooks have no trouble hitting a moving target. That’s why it’s important to take steps to protect your identity as you prepare for your trip, and also while you’re traveling. Whether you’re traveling by plane, car, bus, train or cruise ship, here are five actions you should take to help safeguard your identity: 1. Travel light The more you take with you, the more you have to lose. Carry only the essentials, such as your driver’s license, passport if you’re traveling outside the U.S., a credit card and your health insurance card (in case of emergency). Leave everything else securely stored at home, including your Social Security card, extra credit cards and other forms of identification. 2. Backup important documents Before you leave home, make copies

of your driver’s license, passport, credit cards and any other vital documents, and carry them with you. When you leave your hotel room, lock the copies in the hotel safe. If your wallet or purse gets lost or stolen while you’re sight-seeing, you’ll have the backups safely stored at the hotel. 3. Plan your trip carefully It would be nice to think you can wander around and explore freely wherever you go, but that’s not always the case. To avoid possibly getting yourself into a bad spot, carefully plan where you’ll go and the sights you’ll see. Investigate the companies you’ll be traveling with and learn the names of reputable taxi companies and transportation providers at your destination. 4. Prep your home Criminals who break into your home can now do worse than simply take your belongings. They can also steal your identity if they find documents or electronic items that contain sensitive information. Take steps ensure it looks like you’re still at home. Put lights on a timer so they switch on automatically when it gets dark. Put a hold on all mail and newspaper delivery. Ask a trusted friend to water outside plants or bring trash

cans off the street so your home looks lived in. Secure important documents in a lockbox inside the house. Finally, turn off your home Wi-Fi network so no one can access your home systems while you’re away. 5. Stay alert Of course you want to have fun and relax — you’re on vacation! But you still need to maintain some degree of vigilance. Be aware of your surroundings as you sight-see or pass through airports or other busy areas; thieves can physically pick your pocket and then use the information they reap to commit identity theft. Stay alert to scams, too — the “taxi” driver in an unmarked car who promises entry to a popular attraction at half the price or without a wait, or a hotel clerk who wants to keep your credit card for the duration of your stay.

If you suspect your identity may have been compromised while traveling, or you’ve been the victim of a scam, check your credit report for signs such as new credit accounts you didn’t open. When you return home, you should also review all of your credit card and financial accounts to determine if there are any unauthorized transactions. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately if you see any activity you don’t recognize. With a few simple steps you’ll be on your way to enjoying peace of mind during your next vacation. Safe travels!

FOR AN ADDED SENSE OF SECURITY AAA offers identity monitoring to members with enrollment in ProtectMyID®, a full-service provider of identity theft detection, protection and fraud resolution. To learn more, visit AAA.com/ protectmyid or call 1-877-440-6943.

February is Universal Month at AAA Travel More wizards, more minions and more family fun There are countless ways to enjoy Universal Orlando parks. Guests can your Orlando vacation, but only one place where a vacation becomes an adventure. Universal Studios Florida takes you beyond the silver screen to experience an incredible array of rides, shows and sets from your favorite movies. Islands of Adventure — Orlando’s next-generation theme park — features five spectacularly themed islands with innovative attractions, shows, and rides. Enter the world of the Simpsons, movies like Spider-Man and the off-kilter creations of Dr. Seuss. For nighttime excitement, there’s nothing like Universal CityWalk, a 30-acre entertainment complex located at the entrance to the two parks. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is Universal Orlando’s incomparable mega attraction. This revolutionary, multi-sensory melding of live-action, advanced robotic technology and innovative filmmaking has become the most talked about theme park experience on the planet. Diagon Alley and London expands Harry Potter’s world across both

FEBRUARY 2016 | AAA Traveler

travel between London and Hogsmeade aboard an actual Hogwarts Express — just like in the books and film. Instead of windows, passengers will be looking at virtual screens that make it seem as if they’re traveling through the English countryside. The king lives in the groundbreaking attraction, Skull Island: Reign of Kong. Opening this summer at Universal’s Islands of Adventure this intense, allnew adventure is brought to life in a dramatically themed environment. Guests will be pulled into a powerfully told story where they become part of the Kong legend. Transported deep into a mysterious world, their mission is to discover new creatures — but soon they are fighting for their own survival. The journey takes them through a perilous jungle ruled by prehistoric creatures, a foreboding underworld of caves concealing unspeakable terrors — and face-to-face with Kong himself. The hometown of The Simpsons, Springfield is anchored by The Simpsons

Ride, designed to duplicate the Simpsons home-viewing experience, only at high speed and with lots of screaming. Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl, takes “foolish humans” on an intergalactic spin designed to send them into orbit. Join Gru, his daughters, and the mischievous Minions at Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. First, the world’s greatest super-villain transforms guests

MINION MISCHIEF — Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is the first CGI animated film to become a theme park attraction. into an army of mischievous, scenestealing Minions. And that kicks off an unforgettable ride experience that creates a hysterical mix of chaos and family fun. The attraction uses a stateof-the-art, Infitec 3-D projection system designed to make the experience sharper, clearer and more “real” than ever before. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort is Universal Orlando’s fourth and largest on-site hotel. Inspired by retro resorts of the 1950s and '60s, the 1800room property features moderately priced family suites and value-priced guest rooms. Guests can unwind in a 10-lane bowling alley, or cool off in two massive pools with sand beaches, a lazy river, and a waterslide.

IF YOU GO February is Universal Month at AAA Travel and that means big savings on a vacation to Universal Orlando Resort. Please see the Departures Guide (pp. 9-19) or log on to AAA.com/Universal for more information about Universal Orlando vacations.

Going the Extra 100 Miles For Members

AAA Premier® offers 200 miles free towing & more by Llyena Boylan, Chairman, AAA East Central, East Penn Region

Everyone’s needs are different; that’s why AAA

offers several levels of membership. Just as AAA Plus expands AAA Classic coverage, AAA Premier is an enhancement to AAA Plus. Your benefits will only increase with each level, giving you the freedom to choose the membership option that best fits your budget and your lifestyle. AAA Premier takes the traditional advantages of AAA membership and supersizes them with a multitude of advanced benefits and services. Roadside assistance needs for example, tend to evolve in tandem with your driving habits, and everyone’s circumstances are unique. Members who need to go the distance will find that AAA Premier can deliver one tow of up to 200 miles per household, in addition to up to 100 miles on remaining tows per membership year. Lockouts remain one the most common reasons for roadside assistance calls. If your vehicle key is lost, broken, or the service provider cannot gain entry, AAA will provide Premier members with locksmith service or reimbursement of commercial locksmith service up to $150. AAA Premier even protects you at home with up to $100 reimbursement for Home Lockout Service at your primary residence. Should your vehicle need to be towed, and you’re stranded without transportation AAA Premier steps up by arranging a standard class rental car for one day at no charge. Premier members are also entitled to a free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership with enough Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points, for two free weekend rental days after your first Gold rental. AAA Premier Membership is much more than extended towing. It also entitles you to a specialized package of perks and personalized travel services. Suppose your trip is delayed or interrupted due to a collision, mechanical failure, vehicle theft, illness, injury or even severe weather. You’re more than 100 miles from home, and what do you do? AAA Premier members are eligible for up to $1,500 Trip Interruption benefits toward the cost of transportation, accommodations,

meals or related expenses. Premier is so generous it even pays up to $500 to return your vehicle to your home if these issues result in the use of substitute transportation. Rest easy the next time you’re on a domestic or international vacation. AAA Premier members have exclusive access to Global Travel Emergency Assistance 24 hours a day. One call is all it takes to arrange medical provider referrals, prescription replacement, lost ticket and document replacement and emergency translation services. Traveling on a domestic or international vacation of at least 100 driving miles from home? AAA Premier’s 24-hour Concierge Service can help make your stay more memorable and carefree with assistance in securing tickets to events, restaurant reservations, golf tee times, flowers and more. ProtectMyID® Essential offers daily monitoring of your Experian credit report, email alerts, Lost Wallet Protection and identity theft fraud resolution support. We’ve made it available free for all AAA members, and AAA Premier members enjoy the additional security of $10,000 Identity Theft Insurance, provided by American International Group, Inc. Premier members also save at AAA offices, with free passport photos and notary service on personal documents; waiving AAA Travel Agency flight and rail ticket reservation fees; and up to $300,000 Travel Accident Insurance when travel arrangements are made through AAA. AAA Premier will go as far as life can take you and it is available at an annual fee of just $35 per household, in addition to the members’ Classic and AAA Plus membership dues. AAA Premier can be added at any time to an existing membership (benefits subject to 7-day waiting period). To upgrade to AAA Premier, call or stop by your local AAA branch office, or contact the Club’s Member Service Call Center at 800.441.5008. Visit AAA.com/premier to review a comparison of AAA Classic, Plus and Premier benefits.

AAA TRAVELER GENERAL INFORMATION

Affiliations: AAA, Pennsylvania AAA Federation. A not-for-profit organization. Issue #1075-668X USPS | #0309-620 Vol. 94, No. 2 | FEBRUARY 2016 AAA Traveler (USPS 309-620) is published 8X annually (Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, July, Sept. and Nov.) at 1020 W. Hamilton St., P.O. Box 1910, Allentown, PA 18105-1910 Publisher: James E. Lehman | Editor: Theresa E. Deutsch | Associate Editor: Lori McLaughlin PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID: At Allentown, PA 18101 and additional mailing offices. Subscription: $1 per year to PRIMARY members, paid through dues; non-members $1 per copy. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: AAA Traveler, P.O. Box 1910, Allentown, PA 18105-1910.

Advertisements in this publication, except for AAA club services and products, do not constitute an endorsement of the automobile club or the publisher. Liability of the publisher for errors and omissions in advertising or editorial copy is limited to printing a correction in the next issue of the publication after the publisher has been notified of the error or omission.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

1020 W. Hamilton Street, P.O. Box 1910 Allentown, PA 18105-1910

AAA EAST CENTRAL

Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman:

Richard S. Hamilton James E. Broome, Jr. Gregory E. Grim Mary Lynn Laughlin Martha Hartle Munsch

OFFICERS:

President: James E. Lehman Executive Vice President: Thomas J. Ashley Vice President of Operations: Allen J. Ruch Secretary: Robert H. Compton Treasurer: Robert S. Collins

GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Glenn B. Bachman, 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, Gregory E. Grim, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell, Thomas V. McKernan, Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie*, Terrence L. Walton*

AAA EAST PENN REGION BOARD

Llyena F. Boylan, Chairman, Carol Dean Henn, 1st Vice Chairman, Barnet H. Fraenkel, 2nd Vice Chairman/Secretary, Richard A. Adams**, Glenn B. Bachman, Ralph A. Clemmer, G. Patrick Frank**, Pamela C. Fritz, Gregory E. Grim, James W. Harper**, Robert M. Johnson**, Charles J. Kelly**, Joseph Kovatch**, Frederick E. Kutteroff, John P. Lavelle**, Richard D. Linderman**, Franklin Mann 3rd**, Robert E. McNabb, Charles M. Meredith III**, Terrence L. Walton *Emeritus Directors **Honorary members

AAA EAST PENN REGIONAL STORE HOURS

Allentown Bethlehem & Lansdale Store Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed. & Fri. : 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thurs. : 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sat. : 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Quakertown & Royersford Store Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed. & Fri. : 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thurs. : 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sat. : 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ALLENTOWN 2072 Downyflake Ln. 610-434-5141 BETHLEHEM 1520 Stefko Blvd. 610-867-7502 LANSDALE 1250 N. Broad St. 215-855-8600 QUAKERTOWN 632 N. West End Blvd. 215-538-5150 ROYERSFORD 70 Buckwalter Rd. 610-323-6300 TDDs 610-435-0226 • Visit us online: www.AAA.com Reservation Center: 1-800-472-9367 AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

Hertz Named Best Car Rental Company by Travel Weekly

AAA car rental partner finishes 2015 with more than 25 awards AAA preferred partner Hertz Oceania at the 2015 FlyerTalk Awards,

recently made a clean sweep at Travel Weekly’s 13th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Hertz won Best Domestic Car Rental Company for the 13th consecutive time, the only winner in the history of the category, and Best International Car Rental Company for the 12th time. These widely recognized and coveted awards are presented annually to the industry's suppliers who led the way in product and service during the past year. The open ballot phase of the voting was conducted during the summer. Readers were invited to write in the names of any company they believed best exemplified that particular category. In addition to the Travel Weekly awards, Recommend magazine recently named Hertz as "Best Travel Agent Support Car Rental Company" in their 19th Annual Readers' Choice Awards and readers of Premier Traveler magazine recognized Hertz as the "Best Rental Car Company" in its Best of 2015 survey. These latest awards complement the vast array of honors achieved by Hertz during 2015, including being named as the "Best Car Rental Company" by TTG Asia; awarded the 2015 Travelers' Choice for Car Rental in Italy, Spain and the U.K. by the TripAdvisor community; and receiving the GlobeRunner Award for "Best Car Rental Chain in the World" by Frequent Business Traveler. Hertz's Gold Plus Rewards program was named "Best Rewards Program of the Drive" category across the Americas, Europe/Africa and Middle East/Asia/

and the U.K.-based readers of Business Traveller magazine named Hertz the "Best Car Rental Company." Additionally, Hertz was named to Newsweek's 2015 Green Rankings, one of the world's most recognized assessments of corporate environmental performance, and was chosen as a recipient of the 2015 Airports Going Green Award from the Chicago Department of Aviation. Hertz is one of the most recognized brands in the world, signifying leadership in quality rental services and products. This past year, Hertz has been honored with more than 25 best-in-class travel industry awards, both in the U.S. and internationally. Hertz understands customers want speed and convenience at every touchpoint of the rental experience, from pick up to drop off. Hertz is dedicated to maintaining superior quality and customer service in car rental through a variety of innovative service offerings, such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, a free loyalty rewards program entitling AAA members to a number of exclusive benefits; exclusive vehicle collections; NeverLost® GPS, the award-winning in-vehicle navigation system that is available to rent along with a Hertz vehicle and offers hands-free calls, a travel guide, access to weather and flight information, live concierge operators and more; Carfimations, Hertz's mobile email SMS text service that confirms a Gold customer's reservation and advises them of their car location; and many others.

Current Offers from Hertz

Offers valid at participating Hertz locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Save $5/Day up to $30 on Weekend/Weekly Rentals AAA/CAA members save $5/day up to $30 on two-day minimum weekend and five-day minimum weekly rentals of most car classes (excluding Dream Cars) when PC#103445 is included in the reservation. Blackouts may apply. Valid for vehicle pickup through 3/31/16.

Save up to $15 on Weekend Rentals

Save $5 per day, up to $15, on weekend rentals of most car classes. Include PC# 307134 in the reservation. Valid for vehicle pickup 1/1/16 through 12/31/16.

Save $20 on Weekly Rentals

Save $20 on weekly rentals of most car classes. Include PC# 307215 in the reservation. Valid through 1/1/16 – 12/31/16.

Save $10 on Daily Rentals (Premier members only)

Save $10 on daily rentals of most car classes. Two-day minimum rental required. Include PC# 103434 in the reservation. Valid for vehicle pickup 1/1/16 through 12/31/16.

SAVE on Auto Insurance Premiums.

AAA’s Safe Driving for Mature Operators Course

Class size is limited.

LEHIGH VALLEY ACTIVE LIFE, 1633 W. ELM STREET MARCH 31 & APRIL 1 THURS/FRI 9:15 A.M. – 1:15 P.M. BETHLEHEM: 1520 STEFKO BLVD. FEBRUARY 16 & 17 TUES/WED 9:15 A.M. – 1:15 P.M. APRIL 5 & 6 TUES/WED 9:15 A.M. – 1:15 P.M. LANSDALE: 1250 N. BROAD STREET MARCH 22 & 23 TUES/WED 12:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. ROYERSFORD: 70 BUCKWALTER ROAD MARCH 8 & 9 TUES/WED 12:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.

4-HOUR COURSE

8-HOUR COURSE

ALLENTOWN:

To qualify for the four-hour refresher course, participants must be 55 years of age or older and have taken AAA’s eight-hour or four-hour Safe Driving for Mature Operators course within the past three years.

ALLENTOWN: MARCH 5 APRIL 25

BETHLEHEM: MARCH 16 LANSDALE: FEBRUARY 24 MARCH 16 ROYERSFORD: FEBRUARY 17 APRIL 13

AAA MEMBER: $15

AAA Member & Spouse: $20 per couple (both must be AAA members)

Non-Member: $25

Choose one from the following 8-hour or 4-hour courses. AAA’s four-hour and eight-hour programs have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for an insurance reduction. To qualify for the insurance reduction, all named insureds on the policy must be 55 years of age or older and successfully complete a AAA driver improvement course which meets PennDOT standards.

8-HOUR COURSES

LEHIGH VALLEY ACTIVE LIFE, 1633 W. ELM STREET SATURDAY 9:15 A.M. – 1:15 P.M. MONDAY 12:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. 1520 STEFKO BLVD. WEDNESDAY 9:15 A.M. – 1:15 P.M. 1250 N. BROAD STREET WEDNESDAY 12:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY 12:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. 70 BUCKWALTER ROAD WEDNESDAY 12:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY 12:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.

4-HOUR COURSES

AAA MEMBER: $10

AAA Member & Spouse: $15 per couple (both must be AAA members)

Non-Member: $20

To register for a course in Allentown or Bethlehem, call 610-434-5141; Royersford or Lansdale, call 800-564-0300.

FEBRUARY 2016 | AAA Traveler

A Crash Course in Automobile Insurance Tailor your coverage to your personal needs By Robin Jones If you’re overwhelmed with all the talk to your insurance agent. You may coverage options on your auto insurance, you’re not alone. In fact, you might even be tempted to just buy the minimum insurance required by law and call it a day. But unless you own little more than the clothes on your back, that may be a bad idea. Why? Because the legal minimum liability limits may not be enough to cover injuries or damage to other people and property due to an accident. And if the costs of a crash you cause exceed your policy limits, the other driver can sue you for anything of value you own. An insurance policy has two main purposes: 1) to cover the damages you cause to other persons and property (liability coverage), and 2) to protect you and your insured vehicle (other optional coverages). What you need depends on your financial situation, your risk tolerance level, and other factors. To help you make informed decisions, we explain three types of coverage that most often confuse people. If you have questions about coverage limits or other types of coverage, such as collision and comprehensive or umbrella policies,

also want to consult a certified financial planner, attorney, and/or estate planner to help you decide how much insurance is right for you. Liability Coverage Liability insurance is required by law to cover bodily injury and property damage that you cause to other people and property while driving your insured vehicle. This coverage is usually stated as three numbers that indicate, in order, 1) the amount your policy will pay for bodily injuries you are liable for per person if you are at fault, 2) the total amount it will pay for injuries you are liable for per accident, and 3) the total amount it will pay for property damage that you cause while driving. For example, a 100/300/100 policy will pay each person injured in a crash that you cause while driving up to $100,000, with a maximum limit of $300,000 for the accident, and up to $100,000 to repair damage to the other person’s vehicle and/or property. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage If someone who has inadequate or no insurance hits your car and is at fault, this coverage protects you and

We Get You ...

UNDERSTAND YOUR OPTIONS — Drivers are often unfamiliar with all the coverage options on their auto insurance.

your passengers against bodily injury or property damage related to the accident, up to the limits available. Uninsured motorist coverage is not required in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky and many other states, but without that coverage, your options are not appealing: trying to collect from the other driver for damages, and, if unsuccessful, possibly filing a lawsuit for compensation.

Rental Reimbursement If you’re involved in a crash and your car needs extensive repairs, this coverage will pay for the rental car while your vehicle is in the shop, up to the rental limits on your policy. It will also pay for a rental vehicle for a specified period if your vehicle is totaled and you need transportation while you’re shopping for a new car. If you can’t easily borrow a car, it can be a smart investment, since rental car costs can add up quickly.

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.

EARN UNLIMITED REWARDS AND GET A $50 STATEMENT CREDIT OFFER

EARN UNLIMITED REWARDS Exclusively for AAA Members! AND GET A $50 STATEMENT OFFER Spend $250 in purchasesCREDIT on your new AAA Member Exclusively for® AAA Members! credit card in the first 90 days and get Rewards Visa

Spend in purchases on your newpoints AAA on Member a $50$250 statement credit.* Start earning all of Rewards Visa® credit card inthem the for first 90 back: days and get your purchases and redeem cash a $50 statement credit.* Start earning points on all of your redeem them for cash back:  purchases 3x pointsand = 3% cash back 

qualifying AAA and travel purchases** 3xonpoints = 3% cash back

qualifying andcash travelback purchases** 2x points AAA = 2%

 on 

gas, grocery store cash and drugstore 2xonpoints = 2% backpurchases**

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grocery store and cash drugstore 1gas, point per $1 = 1% backpurchases**

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1 on point per everywhere $1 = 1%else** cash back purchases on purchases everywhere else**

The categories won’t change and there is no limit on The categories won’t change and there is no limit on the points you can earn. In addition to cash back, the points you can earn. In addition to cash back, redeem your points for statement credits, gift cards, air redeem your points for statement credits, gift cards, air travel, carrentals, rentals,hotel hotel stays vouchers. travel, car staysororAAA AAA vouchers.

APPLY TODAY APPLY TODAY

by visitingany any AAA branch by visiting AAA branch or or AAA.com/creditcard. AAA.com/creditcard.

• Where you want to go with TripTik® Travel Planner maps and directions

• What you want to know -

AAA.com/mobile

with hotel, discount and gas price information

• Help along the way -

with easy road service request

Our apps keep you mobile. Download today.

For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this credit card, or to For the information rates, fees,AAA otherbranch costs and with the accompanying use of this credit the card,application. or to apply, visit websiteabout above or any andbenefi refertstoassociated the disclosures apply, visit the website above or any AAA branch and refer to the disclosures accompanying thecredit application. * Statement Credit Offer (Valid 2/1–4/30/2016). You will qualify for a $50 statement if you use * Statement Creditaccount Offer (Valid 2/1–4/30/2016). You willofqualify for a transactions $50 statementtotaling credit if at youleast use $250 your new credit card to make any combination purchase (exclusive anycredit fees,card returns andtoadjustments) that postoftopurchase your account withintotaling 90 days of the account yourofnew account make any combination transactions at least $250 open date. Limit of one statement credit per newthat account. Thisaccount one-time promotion (exclusive any(1) fees, returns and adjustments) post to your within 90 days ofisthelimited accountto new customers an one account in response to this Other promotional statement openopening date. Limit (1) statement credit per new offer. account. Thisadvertised one-time promotion is limited to new credit offers can vary from thisanpromotion and maytonot substituted. Allowpromotional 8–12 weeks from credit qualifying customers opening account in response this be offer. Other advertised statement for the statement credit to post to your account. The statement credit will generally be applied to your can with vary the fromhighest this promotion and may notapplied be substituted. Allow 8–12 weeks from qualifying existingoffers balance APR before being to any balances with lower APRs. Receipt of for the statement to post to your account. The generally be applied to your a statement credit does credit not affect your responsibility to statement pay your credit Total will Minimum Payment shown on each existing balance with statement you receive fromthe us.highest APR before being applied to any balances with lower APRs. Receipt of a statement credit of does notnet affect yourpurchase responsibility to pay your(qualifying Total Minimum Paymentless shown on eachreturns ** Earn 1 point per dollar new retail transactions purchases credits, and adjustments) charged theus. card each billing cycle. Earn 2 points per dollar for purchases made with statement you receiveto from the card at any eligible gas, of grocery pharmacy retail merchant as designated by Bank ** Earn 1 point per dollar new netstore retail or purchase transactions (qualifyingcategories purchases less credits, returns ® . Earn 3 points pertodollar purchases made the per card through any participating of America and adjustments) charged the cardfor each billing cycle. Earnwith 2 points dollar for purchases made with AAA Club when AAA is the merchant of record, or at eligible retail travel merchant categories as designated the card at any eligible gas, grocery store or pharmacy retail merchant categories as designated by Bank by Bank of America®®. Points expire five (5) years after the month they were earned. Additional restrictions of America Earn 3 points peraccompanying dollar for purchases made with carddetails. through any participating AAA apply. Please refer. to disclosures application for the more AAA is is theissued merchant of record, or at eligible retail travel merchant N.A. categories designated by This creditClub cardwhen program and administered by Bank of America, Visa as and Visa Signature ® Bank of America . Points expire fi ve (5) years after the month they were Additional restrictions are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association and areearned. used by the issuer pursuant to apply. refer to ©2016 disclosures accompanying for more details. license from VisaPlease U.S.A. Inc. Bank of Americaapplication Corporation ©2016 AAA AR8WX9CC

This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. ©2016 Bank of America Corporation ©2016 AAA AR8WX9CC

AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 2016 | AAA Traveler

Winter Weather Driving Tips From AAA How to get a grip on wintry road conditions Winter weather is here and the Some driving situations require SNOW GOING — weather outside can be frightful. Each year, over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement. To help keep you and your passengers safe, drivers need to learn the basics of winter driving before they hit the slippery and snowy roads. This is the Golden Rule of winter driving: slow down. Drivers need to adjust their driving in the winter because it is easy to underestimate how long it takes to brake and steer on slippery roads. Normal following distances of three to four seconds on dry pavement should be increased to eight to 10 seconds when driving on slippery surfaces. The extra time will provide additional braking room should a sudden stop become necessary. When driving on a multi-lane highway, stay in the clearest lane, and minimize changing lanes or driving over built-up snow. Do not use cruise control when driving on a slippery (wet, ice, snow, sand) surface; this will help your vehicle respond instantly when you lift your foot off the accelerator.

abrupt action to avoid a crash or collision, but in winter conditions your decision on whether to steer or brake can have very different outcomes. When travelling over 25 mph in wintry conditions, AAA recommends steering rather than braking to avoid colliding with an obstacle in the road. Less distance is required to steer around an object than brake to a stop, and in slick conditions sudden braking can lead to loss of vehicle control. Braking on slippery surfaces requires you to look further ahead and increased following and stopping distances. Plan stopping distances as early as possible and always look 20-30 seconds ahead of your vehicle to ensure you have time and space to stop safely. Shaded spots, bridges, overpasses and intersections are areas where ice is likely to form first and will be the most slippery. It is important to continuously adjust your braking habits as road conditions change. Even careful drivers can experience skids. When a vehicle begins to skid, it’s important to not panic and follow these basic steps:

With practice drivers can learn to identify problem areas in advance.

•C ontinue to look and steer in the direction you want the car to go. •A void slamming on the brakes as this will further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to control. While the driver is always a vehicle's best safety feature, technologies like antilock braking systems, traction control and electronic stability control can make a big difference in winter driving. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) help drivers steer in emergencies by restoring traction to tires. Contrary to popular belief, you should not pump the brakes when you

have ABS—hold the brakes down firmly. Electronic stability control helps sense when you may be losing control around a corner or curve by stabilizing your car when it begins to veer off your intended path. FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.

When the Weather Outside Turns Frightful Understanding weather warnings can help you stay safe W

hether you’re driving to your local supermarket or traveling from International Falls to Winnipeg, temperatures can fall fast and winter storms can be dangerous for those caught unprepared. About 70 percent of all winter storm fatalities are motorists. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to make winter driving safer. You can’t drive in this climate without an ice scraper and a snowbrush. Slow down and increase following distances when driving in bad weather conditions. Entrance and exit ramps can be icy even when highway roads or other areas are clear. Motorists need to carefully monitor weather conditions. Pay close attention to road reports and storm warnings and trust them. When roads are in poor driving condition, delay your trip if possible and if not, notify others of your travel plans. Tell a relative or friend where you are going and the route you intend to take. Report a safe arrival. Motorists should also familiarize themselves with winter weather terminology and how they can impact your travel plans. Knowing what these warnings mean can be vital to your safety:

Winter Weather Advisory – These are used when a mixture of precipitation such as snow, sleet, and freezing rain or drizzle is expected, but will not reach warning criteria. Winter Storm Watch – Conditions are favorable for hazardous winter weather such as heavy snow, blizzard conditions or significant accumulations of freezing rain or sleet. Watches usually are issued 24 to 48 hours in advance of the event. Winter Storm Warning – Hazardous winter weather conditions that pose a threat to life and or property are occurring, imminent or likely. Warnings are usually issued 12 hours or less in advance of the event. Heavy Snow Warning – Issued when a snowfall of 6 inches or more in 12 hours or 8 inches or more in 24 hours is imminent or occurring. Blizzard Warning – Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater and considerable snow will create visibility of a quarter-mile or less for a period of three hours or more. Wind Chill Warning – It's not just the actual temperature you need to worry

FROZEN IN TIME — Winter storms can cause accidents and strand vehicles.

about, but the wind chill as well. A wind chill warning is issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to reach -10°F or colder, with a minimum wind speed of about 10 mph. Heavy snowfall sometimes traps motorists in their cars but attempting to walk for help in a blizzard can be a deadly decision. Pull off the road as far as possible, turn on your emergency flashers and call for help. Emergency crews can also find your car a lot easier than they can find you. If possible, start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Clear snow from the tailpipe and crack a window to avoid

carbon monoxide poisoning. Don’t expect to be comfortable. The challenge is to survive until you’re found. KEEPING YOUR COOL Carry a winter survival kit that includes a flashlight, hand/ foot warmers, first aid supplies, high-energy snacks, a brightly colored cloth or flag, a candle, matches, a cell phone, and a shovel. Don’t forget some kitty litter or sand, which can be used to provide added traction. AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

Look to AAA Vacations® for Maximum Value!

AAA Vacations® will take you to some of the most remarkable places in the world. Your AAA Travel Agent will work with you to find the right vacation, from visits to US landmarks and natural wonders to explorations around the world. Choose from river or ocean cruises, escorted tours, locally hosted experiences, independent packages and self-drive itineraries. Here are a few unforgettable experiences available from AAA Vacations®: Eat exotically. Sample traditional Cape Town specialties and wines with a culinary guide in South Africa. Live like a czar. Enter the Kremlin to behold the dazzling collection of Imperial treasure, including bejeweled Faberge eggs in the Amory Museum. Think beyond Europe. You may

have seen the Eiffel Tower light up at night, but have you watched the sun rise over the ancient stones of Machu Picchu in Peru? Or taken a nature walk around the crater of Nicaragua’s Mombacho Volcano? Make your US vacation a familyfriendly adventure. Choose a tour of 5 of America’s best-loved national parks, or a heritage tour that takes you to history-defining spots in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Want to go westward-ho? Take the family on an 8-day guided tour of cowboy country. Put something spectacular in your viewfinder. Book an 8-day tour of Iceland and capture glaciers, sand deserts and the magical Blue Lagoon, a natural hot pool known to have therapeutic powers.

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Cruise a river. Experience grand European cities in your elegantly appointed stateroom as home base. Discover the rich history of Imperial Russia on the Volga River. Visit 2 amazing countries, Vietnam and Cambodia, on the Mekong River. Learn from locals. Join a sushi master chef to learn the art of preparing sushi in Tokyo. Listen to a Xian resident share his lifetime experiences. Mingle with residents at a Vietnamese market to learn how to choose the best spices for a hand-on cooking class. Go on a spiritual quest. Whether you are drawn to the Dead Sea or the Ganges, there is a tour sure to give you a new perspective on life. Visit the Holy Land or India, stately Vatican City or the natural majesty of Austra-

lia’s Red Centre. Create your own vacation — with help. Your AAA Travel Agent will help you choose your flights, transfers or car rentals and accommodations at more than 500 4- and 5-diamond hotels, resorts and all-inclusive properties around the world where you’ll receive special savings or activity credits. Visit AAA.com/AAAVacations and contact a local AAA Travel Agent to book your AAA Vacations® package or cruise today. BEST PRICE GUARANTEE: If you make a booking for a qualifying AAA Vacations® cruise or tour package and find a valid better rate for the exact itinerary within 24 hours of our booking, AAA Vacations® will match the lower rate and send you a $50 future travel credit certificate. Certain restrictions apply. Visit AAA.com/AAAVacations for details.

Just a sample of the many 2016 getaways with AAA Vacations® amenities! Treasures of France

11 days, 13 meals: from $2,899

Majestic Switzerland

Japan: Inland Sea to Alps

11 days, 15 meals: from $5,650

Paris • Aix-en-Provence • Avignon Zurich • St Moritz • Zermatt Nîmes • Saint-Rémy • Antibes Montreux • Lucerne Nice • Monaco Mountain Stroll (with nature guide) Scenic Rail Journey • Castle Visit Eiffel Tower Dinner • Nimes Tour Lake Lucerne Steamer Cruise Private Wine & Chocolate Tasting Vitznau Artillery Fortress Perfumerie Visit (create a fragrance) (with military guide) AAA Complimentary Inclusion: $75 credit* toward an optional excursion ($100 credit* if 2+ excursions are purchased) Member Benefit: $25 savings*

AAA Complimentary Inclusion & Member Benefit (combined): $150 Visa® gift card*

*PER PERSON **PER STATEROOM

Heritage of America

12 days, 16 meals: from $5,799

10 days, 14 meals: from $2,499

Kyoto • Hiroshima • Nara Kanazawa • Takayama Mount Fuji • Tokyo

New York City • Philadelphia Lancaster • Gettysburg Williamsburg • Washington DC

Kodai-ji Temple Geisha Dinner & Tour • Meet a Master Gardener Morning Market Visit & Sake Tasting • Tsukiji Fish Market Visit Sushi Making with a Master Chef

AAA Complimentary Inclusion: 1 night in Kyoto before the tour Member Benefit: $115 savings*

Breakfast at Ellen’s Stardust Diner Traditional Dinner with the Amish Mount Vernon Visit

AAA Complimentary Inclusion: $75 credit* toward an optional excursion ($100 credit* if 2+ excursions are purchased) Member Benefit: $25 savings*

Northern Isles Cruise

Holland America Koningsdam 14 nights: Aug 14-18 Staterooms from $4,139 Netherlands • Scotland Norway • Iceland AAA Vacations® hosts on trip

2-night pre-cruise Amsterdam package (hotel, breakfast, canal cruise dinner, City Pass and more) Onboard cocktail party • Edinburgh Military Tattoo • Savor & Swirl cooking demo • Pinnacle Grill dinner • AAA Vacations® branded gift

Visit AAA.com/AAAVacations to download and view the complete AAA Vacations® catalog...or visit your local AAA branch office.

Cunard Line® Cruises British Isles • Canada & New England • Eastern Mediterranean Greek Isles • Norwegian Fjords Panama Canal • Scandinavia & Russia • Transatlantic • Western Mediterranean • World Cruise AAA Complimentary Inclusions: Up

to $400 onboard spending credit** Enhanced tea service for 2 • Dinner for 2 in select alternative restaurants Member Benefit: Up to $300 onboard spending credit** and reduced deposit available during quarterly cruise sales

For AAA Vacations® to HAWAII or MEXICO with Pleasant Holidays, turn to page 17.

FEBRUARY 2016 | AAA Traveler

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Spectacular

SCANDINAVIA!

MEMBERS SAVE! $675 Premier • $650 Plus • $625 Classic NEW BOOKINGS WITH DEPOSIT • FEB 1-29, 2016 • PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

Slip away this summer to... NORWAY, DENMARK & SWEDEN!

harborfront, another World Heritage–protected site. Fly to Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital; amble along its maze of cobbled lanes, including Europe’s longest pedestrianized shopping street. A city tour includes Amalienborg Palace, the Royal Theater and the much cherished Little Mermaid statue. Savor dinner in this Scandinavian culinary capital, where a “New Nordic Cuisine Movement” currently holds reign. Enjoy a full day on your own to explore the city’s many delights. Cross Øresund Bridge, Europe’s longest combined road-and-rail bridge, into Sweden. In Malmö, enjoy a fika (traditional coffee break, often with kanelbullar, sweet cinnamon rolls) and overnight in a family-run manor house. Then head to the cosmopolitan capital, Stockholm, to visit City Hall, stroll through Old Town, see the Royal Palace and step back in time at the Vasa Museum, where a perfectly preserved 17th-century warship offers a rare glimpse into that era. Take in more sights of this attractive city built upon 14 islands during a full day on your own. Afterward, enjoy a farewell dinner ATURE at Fem Sma Hus, a stunning Old CA O Town restaurant TI comprised of 5 timber-framed houses from the 17th century that capture the flavors of a bygone era. VA

Despite the large size of some of them, Scandinavia’s countries seem to draw little attention to themselves, especially compared to some others on the Continent. It’s likely many Americans know the many reasons to visit Italy or France, but fewer are privy to the relative secrets being quietly kept by Norway, Denmark and Sweden. That’s why AAA’s ”Spectacular Scandinavia“ escorted tour will almost certainly surprise and delight you with this trio’s abundant natural beauty, pleasantly warm summers, fascinating history and unique cultures. And, with included AAA Member Choice Vacations Experiences, it will reveal the unforgettable charms of lands and peoples. Oslo — Norway’s capital and largest city — is both ancient and modern. Gorgeously set between harbor and forested mountains, most of its main sights (National Gallery, Royal Palace, City Hall & Akershus fortress) are just steps from the city center. An architecturally stunning opera house (2008), built partly into the harbor it abuts, shines like an iceberg in the sun; visitors climb its popular ramp-like roof for its views...and for the fun of it! Marvel at 3 ancient vessels at the fascinating Viking Ship Museum and visit a park where an intriguing collection of statues comprises sculptor Gustav Vigeland’s life’s work. Travel to Norway’s breathtaking fjord region and see Borgund’s wooden stave church (1180). Ascend 3,000 feet on the Flam Railway past mighty waterfalls, towering mountains and steep-walled valleys. See Briksdal Glacier and cruise into Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and see Seven Sisters, Bridal Veil and Suitor waterfalls. Experience Old World charm at Bergen’s picturesque

Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers

AUG 5-18. AAA MEMBER RATE: $6,699. Rate is per person, double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Philadelphia-Oslo, Stockholm-Philadelphia), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 20 meals, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), sightseeing per itinerary and taxes/gratuities for included features. Visit AAA.com/travel for more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Passport required.

AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

1 BOOK PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

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AAA MEMBER RATES are per person, double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip flights from Philadelphia (except YELLOWSTONE EXPERIENCE, which is a landonly package), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, meals as noted, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), sightseeing per itinerary, taxes/gratuities for included features, services of a AAA Tour Manager (upon arrival at destination, if participation goal is met). Visit AAA.com/USA for more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

AMERICAN MAJESTY: Aug 27–Sept 3 • $3,239 (includes flights!)

Celebrate the American West during the 100th year of the National Park Service by roaming the home of the buffalo and discovering America's wide-open spaces and iconic landmarks. Start in Salt Lake City, with an opportunity to witness the weekly spectacle of a Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast performance (choir schedule permitting). Travel past Great Salt Lake, through Logan Canyon and beside Bear Lake. At Grand Teton National Park, take a scenic float trip on the Snake River. Next, visit Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs and other sites in Yellowstone National Park. Enjoy historic Cody, the Buffalo Bill Center and a chuckwagon-style dinner. Marvel at Devil’s Tower, feel the Old West at Deadwood and enter the scenic Black Hills on the way to Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument. After a Wildlife Jeep® Safari at Custer State Park to see buffalo (and more), end at the inspirational Mt Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony. 13 meals.

“MIGHTY 5 & MORE” CELEBRATION: Oct 11-19 • $3,845 (includes flights!)

Commemorate the National Park Service centennial on a tour of some of the USA’s most popular and beautiful parks. After an evening in Las Vegas (“Entertainment Capital of the World”), travel past Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, visit Kingman's Route 66 Museum and be enchanted by the Grand Canyon. Enter the Navajo Nation with a stop at a trading post offering Native American handicrafts. Continue to Lake Powell and photographically famous Antelope Canyon. Enjoy a scenic cruise, then a 4-wheel-drive-vehicle tour of spectacular Monument Valley, sacred to Navajos. Experience an evening of Navajo culture, food and entertainment. Time for the “Mighty 5” national parks: See many of the more than 2,000 natural arches in Arches National Park. Dine outside at a dramatically located lodge on the Colorado River. An exciting Jeep® tour of Canyonlands National Park reveals its amazing beauty. Ride a jet boat on the Colorado. See ancient ptetroglyphs at Capitol Reef National Park, the fairyland hues and shapes of Bryce Canyon National Park and

the 2,000-foot-high stone towers of Zion National Park. 16 meals.

BRIGHT LIGHTS/BIG CANYONS: May 22-30 • from $2,895 (includes flights!)

Fly to Las Vegas and settle into your centrally located casino hotel. An evening Pink Jeep® tour lets you experience the dazzling excitement of the Strip in a unique way. Enjoy a full day to explore everything Vegas has to offer. Travel on to Lake Powell and your lakeside hotel; enjoy a dinner cruise. Appreciate the spiritual aspect of Navajo territory and the photographic beauty of Antelope Canyon on a guided off-road tour. Enjoy 2 nights in a lodge at the Grand Canyon. Ride the Grand Canyon Railway to Williams. At Sedona, take a Pink Jeep® tour to see majestic red rock formations. 12 meals.

YELLOWSTONE EXPERIENCE: June 20-26 • $1,859 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 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.

GLACIER NP DISCOVERY: June 21-27 • from $2,939 (includes flights!)

Tour a silver mine in Wallace ID (once “Silver Capital of the World”) and Smokejumpers Aerial Fire Depot. Visit artsy Big Fork MT and enjoy a float trip on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Stay at an Old World–style lodge in Glacier National Park. Cruise on 2 lakes. Travel “Going to the Sun” Road amid snowy peaks and virgin forest. Ride a vintage Red Jammer Touring Car. Cross the Continental Divide. Take America’s longest gondola. Visit Lake Coeur d’Alene. Dine on a paddle boat. 11 meals.

SAVE $25 on popular FEATURED VACATIONS to US West destinations! COLORADO TRAIN ADVENTURE July 9-16 • $2,145

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This Centennial State tour features rides on the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway, the Royal Gorge Route RR, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR. Tour the US Air Force Academy and marvel at the rock formations of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Ride the country’s steepest incline and walk on the world’s highest suspension bridge at Royal Gorge. Visit Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde national parks. See the monoliths of Colorado National Monument. Visit the CO Railroad Museum in Golden. 15 meals.

BEST OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA July 21-29 • $4,379 (includes flights!)

So many delights in 1 tour — from the endless charms of San Francisco to the natural splendor of the redwoods at Muir Woods to the opulence of Hearst Castle. Cross Golden Gate Bridge, enjoy the Mediterranean ambiance of Sausalito, sample wines at Napa Valley vineyards, savor lunch aboard the Napa Wine Train. Ride Amtrak’s scenic California Zephyr to Lake Tahoe. Visit the ghost town of Virginia City NV. Dine & dance on a riverboat paddlewheeler. Marvel at Yosemite’s wonders. Explore coastal Carmel, Big Sur and Monterey. 14 meals.

SAVINGS PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY; NEW BOOKINGS FEB 1-29

CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY Aug 28–Sept 2 • $3,319 (includes flights!)

Here’s a tasty tour starting in scenic San Francisco; see the City by the Bay's Twin Peaks, Haight Ashbury District, Embarcadero, Chinatown, Pacific Heights. Cross Golden Gate Bridge to Vista Point and on to Napa Valley. Tour & sip samples at wineries; enjoy a chef-prepared picnic at one and a “Blend Your Own Merlot” session at another. Savor an elegant dinner aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. Visit Mediterranean-flavored Sausalito and ferry over to Fisherman’s Wharf. Back in Napa, visit 2 more wineries and dine at the Culinary Institute of America. 8 meals.

Before-discount AAA MEMBER RATES are per person, double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip flights from Philadelphia (except COLORADO TRAIN ADVENTURE, which is a land-only package), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, meals as noted, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), sightseeing per itinerary and taxes/gratuities for included features. Visit AAA.com/USA for more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

Maps, facts & photos

Full color 272 pages

NEW BOOKINGS FEB 1-29

$22.95 value Published by National Geographic

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ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF THE AMERICAN WEST! Get this guidebook to celebrate 100 years of the National Park Service

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Unforgettable experiences not found on cruises! Traditional salmon bake & a sternwheeler river cruise in Fairbanks 4-hour adventure flying over the Arctic Circle, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the Yukon River 7-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park, looking for grizzlies, moose & more...with an overnight in the park Meet a 4-time winner of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and his canine crew Visits to the Alaska Wildlife 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! Special welcome & farewell dinners with your fellow travelers

July 7-16 • AAA Member Rate: from $6,155

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Philadelphia-Fairbanks, Anchorage-Philadelphia), roundtrip airport/ hotel transfers, motorcoach sightseeing, accommodations (Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, Seward: 2 each, Girdwood: 1), 16 meals, luggage handling (1 bag per person), gratuities for included features (includes driver, escort) and in-Alaska escort. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

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Fly to Calgary and drive into the spectacular Canadian Rockies to the resort town of Banff, your home for 4 nights. Ride Banff Gondola for panoramic vistas...then enjoy a gentle guided float trip on the Bow River; keep an eye out for wildlife! Cross the Continental Divide on the way to Yoho and Banff national parks. See Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and Lake Louise (“Jewel of the Rockies”) and ride another gondola. Spot more wildlife along Columbia Icefields Parkway to Athabasca Glacier (ride atop the glacier in a unique Ice Explorer vehicle) and turquoise Peyto Lake. Cap off the week at Calgary’s famous Stampede (afternoon & evening admission), a 10-day celebration of cowboy life, chuckwagon races, rodeos, parades, fireworks and more. Gaze out over the city from atop the Calgary Tower, where dinner will be served at the Sky 360 restaurant.

AAA MEMBER RATE: $3,409

JULY 7-13

Canadian Rockies AND THE

Calgary Stampede © Sascha Burkard / Fotolia.com

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Philadelphia-Calgary), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 12 meals, sightseeing, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person) and services of a AAA Tour Manager (upon arrival in Calgary, if participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Passport required.

AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

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are specific cruise, motorcoach or air tour vacations created or selected by AAA Travel for their value, amenities and/or inclusions.

FEATURED VACATIONS

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Look for the FEATURED VACATIONS logo to identify out-of-the-ordinary offerings... and be sure to visit AAA.com/FeaturedVacations to see the latest offerings.

ALLENTOWN . . . . . . . . 610-434-5141 BETHLEHEM . . . . . . . 610-867-7502 LANSDALE . . . . . . . . . 215-855-8600 QUAKERTOWN . . . . . . . 215-538-5150 ROYERSFORD . . . . . . . 610-323-6300

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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.

Taste of Scotland & Ireland Sept 19-30 SCOTLAND HIGHLIGHTS

IRELAND HIGHLIGHTS

• Glasgow city tour

• Titanic Belfast • Dublin: Book of Kells at Trinity College, canal dinner cruise • Rock of Cashel photo op • See dogs herd sheep • Blarney Castle & Woollen Mills • Killarney, Ross Castle, Ring of Kerry, Skellig Experience, Sneem, Moll's Gap • Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle medieval feast • Galway, Clonmacnoise Monastic Site

• Loch Ness scenic cruise • Blair Athol Distillery whiskey tasting • Spean Bridge Woollen Mill • Ferry from Scotland to Ireland • St Andrews: “Home of Golf” • Evening of Scottish cuisine & entertainment • Edinburgh Castle & city tour

MEMBERS SAVE! Premier: $325 Plus: $300 Classic: $275

AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

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AAA Member Rate: $2,468 Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 18 meals, sightseeing, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), professional local tour director in Scotland & Ireland. Ask about available add-on airfare. Passport required. Tour operated by CIE International.

BOOK WITH NONREFUNDABLE DEPOSIT FEB 1-29 • SAVINGS PER ROOM

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ÂŠ Peter Cox / Fotolia.com

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

AUSTRALIA

From the Outback to the Glaciers AAA MEMBERS SAVE $300!

NEW ZEALAND

PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY BOOK WITH DEPOSIT FEB 1-29, 2016

Cairns, catamaran ride

Melbourne, Opal Centre

Great Barrier Reef

Phillip Island Little Penguin colony

Winery tour & tasting

Glass-bottom boat ride

Christchurch

Overnight in Mt Cook National Park

Steamship cruise, farm life tour

Daintree Rainforest/

Tranz-Alpine Express train ride

Herding/shearing demo

Mossman Gorge, meet Aboriginals

Franz Joseph Glacier

Dine with a NZ Family

Uluru/Ayers Rock, Champagne toast

Queenstown, gondola to dinner

Sydney & Opera House

Alice Springs, Aboriginal drummers

Milford Sound cruise

Koala Park & Opal Collection

Dreamtime tour, bush dinner

“Middle Earth” touring

Sydney Harbour dinner cruise

Unique add-on options — including a camel ride, a jet boat ride and a night out in Sydney — are also available. Talk to your AAA Travel Agent for rates and availability.

Oct 17–Nov 6 • AAA Member Rate: from $9,344

AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Philadelphia-Cairns, Sydney-Philadelphia, plus flights in Australia & New Zealand), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), taxes/gratuities/government fees for included features, 31 meals and a professional guide in Australia & New Zealand. AAA Member Choice Vacations® door-to-door transfer service is unavailATURE able on this departure. Visit AAA.com/GoAustralia for complete itinerary and important pre-travel information. Additional airline CA O fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. TI

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

SPECIAL OFFER FROM AAA EAST CENTRAL — FEB 1-29 ONLY!

$50 off per room and a Universal logo/themed gift when you book 4+ nights at an on-site resort! Universal Orlando’s on-site resorts include Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, Royal Pacific, Sapphire Falls and Cabana Bay

AAA MEMBER BENEFIT — ALL YEAR LONG!

Restrictions apply. AAA membership required. See your AAA Travel Agent for details. Valid for new bookings Feb 1-29, 2016, with AAA East Central Club 215. Valid for travel anytime in 2016. Savings are per room, based on double occupancy. Gifts are per room/booking, while supplies last. Offers are combinable with AAA Member Benefits and Featured Vacations.

Book an on-site hotel and get a $50 activity credit, a coupon book (up to $150 in savings) and preferred seating at select theme park shows. AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Celebrity Cruises

AMAZING AIR OFFER FOR AAA MEMBERS Western Mediterranean Cruise: Sept 15-24 Roundtrip from Rome on Celebrity Silhouette

Get $500 off *airfare from AAA! first 2 passengers in stateroom

• Amalfi Coast (Salerno), Italy • Messina (Sicily), Italy • Marseille, France • Nice (Villefranche), France • Ajaccio (Corsica), Italy • La Spezia, Italy • Includes 2 full days at sea

AND CHOOSE TWO OF THESE PERKS! • PREPAID GRATUITIES FOR 2 value of up to $230 per stateroom • $300.00 ONBOARD CREDIT per stateroom, double occupancy • CLASSIC BEVERAGE PACKAGE FOR 2, beverage gratuities included, value of up to $924 per stateroom • UNLIMITED INTERNET FOR 2 value of up to $299 for 1 internet account

*To qualify, book Feb 1-29 & make a nonrefundable deposit for a Concierge Class stateroom (or above) AND pay in full for Celebrity air from Buffalo, Cleveland, Louisville, Philadelphia or Pittsburgh through AAA Travel.

AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

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Modern Luxury

AAA Member Rate: from $2,084 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and taxes of $320.21. Passport required. Ship’s registry: Malta.

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Soak up sun & savings while they’re hot!

Hawaii

The only real cold you’re likely to experience in Hawaii is an ice-filled tropical drink...a traditional rainbow-hued “shave ice” snowcone treat...or your accommodation’s air conditioning turned on full blast! In addition to an ideal year-round climate and plentiful sunshine, Hawaii offers a warm and inviting Aloha Spirit and promises you an unforgettable vacation experience. Hawaii is hiking sculpted cliffs or diving amid coral reefs in the afternoon and dining to slack-key guitar at sunset. Fresh, floral breezes energize you. Warm, tranquil waters refresh you. The breathtaking natural beauty renews you. Year-round gentle weather surrounds you on every island. With fiery volcanoes and cavorting whales, the islands are rich with natural wonders. Look around.There’s no place on earth like Hawaii. AAA Travel and Pleasant Holidays can customize the perfect Hawaii vacation for every traveler — from 5-star luxury to family-friendly value. And the folks at Pleasant Holidays are known as the Hawaii activity experts. Before leaving for the Aloha State, you can choose from hundreds of optional activities that will make your vacation even more enjoyable and more memorable. Whether you enjoy partaking in physically active pastimes or just taking in a special dinner or entertainment (or both!), you’ll find something of interest in Pleasant Hawaii’s activities “menu.”

Mexico’s exotic promise is fulfilled with swaying palms, dazzling white sands, Spanish colonial towns and broad swaths of wild hibiscus and bougainvillea. And Pleasant Holidays and AAA Travel make Mexico accessible to almost anyone. Pleasant Holidays has been customizing vacations with a range of value-added options since 1959. Whether you luxuriate in a spa, rappel through a waterfall or sip a Margarita under a thatched-roof palapa hut, your Mexican adventure begins the moment you choose your destination. Cancun has been called a beach with an island in the middle. Luxury resorts line the Hotel Zone, a seahorse-shaped oasis flanked by tranquil Nichupte Lagoon and the restless Caribbean Sea. Translucent turquoise waters are circled by 12 miles of beach with sand as fine as talcum powder. Shoppers browse for silver and folk art in the mercados, while party animals take full advantage of the legendary nightlife. About an hour’s drive south of Cancun, the slower-paced Mexican Riviera is a stunning, 70-mile stretch of blinding white beaches and romantic villages like Playa del Carmen, Playacar and Puerto Morales. Cozumel appeals to all kinds of travelers, from divers to beach bums, to seekers of the lost treasures of the Maya. Cabo San Lucas is home to gorgeous beaches and the celebrated Arches rock formations. Surrounded by the Sea of Cortez on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, picturesque Playa del Amor (Beach of Love) is an isolated cove at the very end of the Baja Peninsula.

Mexico

Double Member Benefit from AAA Vacations

LIMITED-TIME Savings from AAA East Central

$100.00 activity voucher on select 4- & 5-star properties in Hawaii and Mexico

$50.00 off 5-9 nights $100.00 off 10+ nights Hawaii and Mexico vacations

Pleasant Holidays accommodation rating system, minimum 5-night stay

Feb 1-29, per booking, double occupancy

Visit or call AAA Travel for your Hawaii or Mexico vacation! AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Your AAA membership enhances & AAA Member Benefits* • $300 discount per stateroom plus a Welcome Gift (cruises of up to 13 days) • $600 discount per stateroom plus a Welcome Gift (cruises of 14+ days) • Welcome gift of a bottle of wine & a box of chocolates (Europe cruises) • Welcome gift of $50 onboard credit per stateroom (Asia and Africa cruises)

C R U I S E S

AAA Vacations® Offers* • $200 discount per stateroom • $150 onboard credit per stateroom (7-night cruises) • $200 onboard credit per stateroom (Myanmar cruises) • $300 onboard credit per stateroom (14-night cruises) AAA Member Benefits* • $50 savings per booking

AAA Vacations® Offers* • $200 onboard credit per stateroom ($100 per person) on specific sail dates on specific ships AAA Vacations® Offers* • $25 onboard credit per stateroom (sailings of up to 5 nights) • $50 onboard credit per stateroom (sailings of 6 to 9 nights) • $100 onboard credit per stateroom (sailings of 10+ nights) • Priority check-in on day of arrival (excludes Galápagos) AAA Vacations® Offers* • $100 onboard spending credit per stateroom (Inside/Oceanview/Balcony Britannia) • $400 onboard spending credit per stateroom (Princess Grill/Queens Grill Suite) • Enhanced afternoon tea service for 2 • Dinner at Kings Court or Lido onboard alternative restaurants (first 2 guests in stateroom) AAA Member Benefits* • $25 onboard credit per person (cruises of up to 7 days) • $50 onboard credit per person (cruises of 8+ days) • $50 onboard credit per person (Alaska cruisetours)

AAA Vacations® Offers* • Exclusive Savor & Swirl onboard culinary event • Pinnacle Grill dinner (first & second guests only) • Taste of Excellence cookbook (1 per stateroom) AAA Member Benefits* • $100 per stateroom shipboard credit (select sailings)

AAA Vacations® Offers* • $200 shipboard credit per stateroom and wine tasting event AAA Vacations® Offers* • Preferred check-In (embarkation day) • $25 onboard spending credit per stateroom (cruises of up to 5 days) • $50 onboard spending credit per stateroom (cruises of 6 to 11 days) • $75 onboard spending credit per stateroom (cruises of 12+ days) • Exclusive wine tasting experience for 2 AAA Vacations® Offers* • Priority check-in on day of boarding • Up to $100 onboard credit per stateroom ($25: 3-5 nights, $50: 6-9 nights, $100: 10+ nights) • Champagne delivered to your stateroom • Specialty dinner for 2 per stateroom (Oasis of the Seas® • Harmony of the Seas® • Allure of the Seas®) AAA Member Benefits* • $125 savings per person (river cruises of 8 to 13 days) • $250 savings per person (river cruises of 14+ days)

AAA Vacations® Offers* • 1-night pre-cruise city-center hotel stay with breakfast • Airport-to-hotel and hotel-to–river ship transfers *Additional restrictions may apply. Subject to availability. See your AAA Travel Agent for full terms and conditions. Valid for select travel tour dates and cruise sailings in 2016. AAA membership required. Valid for new bookings only. Excludes AAA East Central Featured Vacations. Some AAA Member Benefits may not be combinable with AAA Vacations® Offers; ask your AAA Travel Agent for details.

AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

1-800-552-6679 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

adds value to your vacation dollar! AAA Member Benefits* • $55 savings per person (Independent Freestyle Travel packages of 5+ days) • $115 savings per person (Small Group Escorted Tours, Small Ship Cruising & Published Private Tours)

AAA Vacations® Offers* • 1-night pre-tour hotel stay with breakfast (select tours) AAA Member Benefits* • $25 savings per person (Customized Independent Vacations of $1,500+ per person, land only) • $40 savings per person (Customized Vacations — including Locally Hosted, Private Chauffeur and Self-Drive Vacations of $2,000+ per person, land only) • $40 voucher per person toward purchase of optional excursion (Guided Vacations)

T O U R S

AAA Vacations® Offers* • $ 25 optional excursion credit per person (Guided Vacations) • K illarney pub dinner with entertainment (Guided Vacations) • $40 dining credit per person at select restaurants (Ireland Locally Hosted Rail Vacations) • Hertz NeverLost® GPS system (Ireland & Scotland Self-Drive Vacations) • $40 dining credit per person at select restaurants (Private Chauffeur Vacations) AAA Member Benefits* & AAA Vacations® Offers* • $150 Visa gift card per person (Luxury Gold tours) • $40 voucher per person toward purchase of an optional experience (Premium tours) AAA Member Benefits* • $25-$100 savings per person on AAA Member Choice Vacations® tours

AAA Vacations® Offers* • $25 discount per person on select AAA Vacations® tours • $75 excursion credit per person (up to $100 per person if 2+ excursions are pre-purchased, on applicable tours) AAA Member Benefits* • $50 activity voucher per booking (Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, select Caribbean) • $50 savings per booking (Australia, New Zealand, Europe, select Caribbean) • $80 savings per booking (Tahiti, Fiji, South Pacific) • $25 savings per booking (US, Canada)

AAA Vacations® Offers* • Double Member Benefit (select 4- & 5-star properties with a 5-night minimum stay) AAA Member Benefits* • $100 CAD onboard souvenir credit per adult (GoldLeaf Service, 7+ nights) • $50 CAD onboard souvenir credit per adult (GoldLeaf Service, 3-6 nights) • $50 CAD onboard souvenir credit per adult (SilverLeaf Service, 7+ nights) • $35 CAD onboard souvenir credit per adult (SilverLeaf Service, 3-6 nights)

AAA Vacations® Offers* • Double Member Benefit (Canadian Rockies Getaway GoldLeaf & SilverLeaf Service) • Half-day Seattle tour (Coastal Passage programs) AAA Member Benefits* • Purchase Tauck air through AAA and receive per person... • $75 off (domestic tours) • $150 off coach class (international tours) • $300 off business class (international tours)

AAA Vacations® Offers* • $300 credit per booking on purchases made at http://www.necessarygear.com (select tours) AAA Member Benefits* • $40 credit voucher per person toward optional experiences

AAA Vacations® Offers* • Pre-selected complimentary excursion (applicable tours) • $25 credit voucher per person toward additional optional experiences *Additional restrictions may apply. Subject to availability. See your AAA Travel Agent for full terms and conditions. Valid for select travel tour dates and cruise sailings in 2016. AAA membership required. Valid for new bookings only. Excludes AAA East Central Featured Vacations. Some AAA Member Benefits may not be combinable with AAA Vacations® Offers; ask your AAA Travel Agent for details.

Find even more travel partners & perks at AAA.com/travel. AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

Getting Rid of Your Spare Tire May Cause Problems Tire inflator kits a high-cost alternative for consumers It’s that time of year when many of flat tires that allow the car to be driven

us are looking to lose our spare tires by jumping on treadmills, or cutting back on calories. But savvy car buyers should also be on the lookout for a spare tire — there may not be one. Car owners might be surprised to learn that spare tires are not required by federal regulators because they are not considered an essential safety item. Automakers are facing increasinglystringent fuel economy standards and the spare tire has become a casualty in an effort to reduce weight and boost fuel efficiency. In the last 10 model years, vehicles without spare tires have steadily increased from five percent of 2006 model year vehicles to 36 percent in the 2015 model year. Today, more than 29 million vehicles on the road do not have a conventional spare tire. Vehicles designed without spares are usually equipped with some type of backup, and it is a good idea to be familiar with these devices before you encounter a flat. Solutions include run-

to a safe location, or an emergency sealant or inflator kit to temporarily seal a punctured tire. AAA recently conducted an evaluation of tire inflator kits to determine how effectively they work and the impact on the motorist's wallet. AAA tested the most common tire inflator kits in today’s vehicles and found that the units worked well in some scenarios, but they are not a substitute for a spare tire. Tire inflator kits can only be used when a puncture occurs on the center tire tread and the foreign object remains in the tire. The kit cannot be used when sidewall, blowout, pothole or curbrelated damage occurs. While each four-pound kit eliminates approximately 30 pounds of vehicle weight, resulting in minimal savings in fuel consumption, the replacement cost is high. With some kits costing up to $300 per use, a tire inflator kit can cost consumers up to 10 times more than a simple tire repair. Costs can include repairing the tire and replacing both the

Around Town February 11

THE WINDING STREAM

Baker Hall, 420 E. Packer Avenue, Lehigh University, Bethlehem The Winding Stream film tells the story of the American roots music dynasty, the Carters and the Cashes, tracing the influence of their music from the 1920s through the present day, and how a seemingly unlikely young man named Johnny Cash would be the one to lift up the Carter legacy from obscurity. The filmmakers will be present at the screening to engage community members. Free. Time: 7 p.m. For information, visit zoellnerartscenter.org.

February 12-28 ON GOLDEN POND

Civic Theater 527 N. 19th Street, Allentown Ethel and Norman Thayer spend their summer at their vacation home as they are visited by their daughter Chelsea, accompanied by her fiance, Billy Ray, and his son, Billy Ray Jr. This 1979 play by Ernest Thompson explores the rocky relationship between Chelsea and her father and the difficulties faced by an aging couple in the golden years of their marriage. Time: 7:30 p.m. For tickets and information, call 610-432-8943 or visit civictheatre.com.

FEBRUARY 2016 | AAA Traveler

February 20

ONCE UPON AN ORCHESTRA: MUSICAL FAIRY TALES

Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. 6th Street, Allentown This family-based event features the fairy tales and stories we remember from our childhood, expressed through the sounds of the orchestra. The Allentown Symphony Orchestra will play a program of orchestral classics for families and friends, including music from Aladdin, Scheherazade – 1001 Nights, Sleeping Beauty, Carnival of the Animals, Beauty and the Beast, Casey at the Bat and Hansel and Gretel. It’s a great way to introduce kids to orchestral music. Time: 2 p.m., pre-concert activities begin at 12:30 p.m. Tickets: $15, free for students ages 21 and under. For information and tickets, visit millersymphonyhall.org or call 610-432-6715.

NOTHING TO SPARE — Over one-third of new car models come without a spare tire. tire-pressure monitoring sensor (TPMS) and the inflator kit. The kit must also be replaced at its expiration date, which varies by manufacturer from four to eight years. Consumers may mistakenly believe that inflator kits are a one-size-fits-all alternative but the reality is these kits can only accommodate specific types of tire damage. AAA is calling on automakers to put consumers first, and save the

YOUR SPARE CHANGER When faced with a flat tire or other roadside emergency, AAA members can request assistance at (800) AAA-HELP, by visitng AAA.com/ RoadsideAssistance or via the AAA Mobile app.

appearances and vanishes, escapes, comedy magic, sleight of hand and beautiful dancers. No camera tricks or computer graphics, just worldclass live action. Doors to Vision Bar open 5 p.m.; show time 7 p.m. Tickets: $25-$45. For tickets and information, visit sandseventcenter.com or call 610-297-7414.

February 24-May 15 INTERNATIONAL POP

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Find out how Pop art’s embrace of popular culture and imagery became a worldwide phenomenon. “International Pop” navigates a fast-paced world packed with bold and thought-provoking imagery, revealing a vibrant period shaped by societal and political revolution. Featured are 120 works of art made from 1956 to 1972, by artists including Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Roy Lichtenstein. Admission: $20 Adults, $18 Seniors, $14 Students and Youth (13-18), Children 12 and under free. For information, visit philamuseum.org.

February 21

February 28

Sands Bethlehem Event Center, 77 Sands Boulevard, Bethlehem The largest magical touring show in the world, Masters of Illusion wows audiences with huge production values and the immediacy of a live performance. You’ll see grand illusions, levitating women,

ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem Local chefs and restaurants create delicious and unique dishes – sweet or savory -- made with Girl Scout Cookies. From amazing appetizers to decadent desserts, each will feature at least one of the nine Girl Scout Cookie brands. Attendees can also vote for their favorite dish; Chipotle Shortbread Mac and Cheese took first place in

MASTERS OF ILLUSION

spare. Having the option to install a spare tire can save stranded drivers time and money. Despite tire and technology improvements, including tire pressure monitoring systems, AAA found there has been no decline in flat-tire related calls in the last five years. And keep your AAA card handy — AAA responds to more than 4 million flat-tire service requests each year.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE CRUNCH

2015! Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 for the public, $25 for ArtsQuest Members and $21 for active Girl Scouts ages 17 and under. For tickets and information, visit steelstacks. org or call 610-332-3378.

March 5-13

PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW

PA Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia The 2016 Flower Show, “Explore America,” will be a grand adventure. Guests will discover the range of horticulture in the national landscape, including the rainbow of wildflowers, desert blooms, coastal flora, verdant meadows, fragrant pinelands, and ancient redwoods. You’re invited to climb a mountain, ford a stream, hike trails, and pitch camp in the exhibits and special events of the 2016 Flower Show. Explore the new Train Garden, a display of model locomotives and rail cars rumbling through the familiar sites of a miniaturized American landscape. Enjoy The Butterfly Experience, an opportunity to interact with domestic and exotic varieties; and Make & Take, where everyone can create a Flower Show keepsake. Tickets: Adults $27, Students (ages 17-24) $20, Child (ages 12-16) $15. For tickets and information, visit theflowershow.com.

Discover the Value of Car-Buying Research W

ith an average price of $27,000, a car is typically the secondmost expensive purchase we make, after our homes. Seeking out unbiased information before you buy can help you spend your money wisely and get exactly what you want. Vehicle Basics Consumer websites and publications provide key information such as gas mileage, passenger seating, safety features, available options and more. You’ll want to know these details because they can affect what you pay at the dealer and over time. One other consideration: knowing if the car you want is being redesigned or discontinued in the near future. For example, Toyota Camry buyers enjoyed deep discounts on 2014 models just ahead of the fall release of a redesigned 2015 edition, so it pays to keep an eye on the car industry. Actual Costs Whether you’re buying a new or used vehicle, have an idea of a reasonable price to pay before visiting the dealer’s lot. That information is available through the AAA Car Buying Service, as well as other services. If you’re buying a new car, research can reveal the invoice price of the car (what the dealer paid the distributor for it). Use that as the starting point for negotiation, not

the sticker price (what the dealer wants you to pay). You also can uncover what others have paid for the same model locally, manufacturer rebates available and future resale value. Likewise, if you’re looking at a used vehicle, these services can help you discover recent resale prices for that car model in your area, as well as the repair history of a specific vehicle. Professional Reviews Always consider the sources of your information. Glossy sales brochures are designed to show a vehicle in the best possible light. Much better: objective reviews available online or in print, from independent experts who road-test vehicles professionally. These reviews provide a critical analysis of a vehicle’s strengths and weaknesses, performance, reliability, fuel economy and options. Owner Feedback See what average people have to say about the car you’re considering. An online search for the car’s make and model, plus the words “user” and “forum,” will find websites where people share their experiences with their cars. This is especially helpful if you’re thinking about a used car—owners can tell you what it’s like to drive it over time. New or used, it’s important to drive a car yourself to draw your own conclusions before you buy. Arrange to take a thorough test drive

If you’re shopping for your next car, the AAA Auto Buying Program wants to change the way you feel about car buying! From research to purchase all the program’s free research tools are in one place so you can save time and money: • Get started at the AAA Car • You can also use the site to view Buying Resource Center, where free CARFAX reports, warranties, you can find opportunities for or other special offers on select great car deals, shopping tips, used vehicles. ur program's Certified Dealers and buying and leasing tips. •O are prescreened so you can • Our online shopping tools enjoy a better car-buying allow you to easily compare models and features, showing experience. you upfront dealer pricing Ease the hassle of shopping for information* and buying your next car, and start your search incentives on new cars before with the AAA Auto Buying Program you ever enter a dealership. today! *Guaranteed Savings and upfront dealer pricing information not available in all states. In these states, a Target Price is shown, which is a market-based example of what you can reasonably expect to pay for your vehicle as configured. Your configured vehicle may not be available or in-stock at the Certified Dealer.

that replicates your daily routine. With information in hand, you can confidently buy a vehicle. On this page in our next issue, you’ll find advice on purchasing and financing a vehicle. Hassle-free car buying experience Take advantage of the easy-to-

use, no-hassle AAA Car Buying Service. With our helpful research tools, you can be confident you are getting a great deal from a Certified Dealer on your next vehicle purchase. Visit AAA.com/ AutoBuying to learn more.

Find a career that Find thatclicks. clicks. www.aaa.com/careers

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why notservice be aorganization, part of it? AAA is a strong and so vibrant member providing automotive, travel, insurance and financial products and services for a teamfor of over energetic, driven talentedand individuals millions ofJoin members 100 years. Ourand reputation stability, at AAA East Central. along with new and exciting innovations, attract dedicated individuals with talent, drive, technical and customer service skills needed to grow and expand our membership.

Visit www.aaa.com/careers. East Central AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016

Moving the Needle on Automotive Technology Five futuristic features car buyers can look for in 2016 We now have cars that can visibility being blocked by passengers or

park themselves, adjust the headlights or automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Many experts predict that by 2020, we’ll be able to do away with the driver. In the meantime, here are five futuristic features drivers can get right now to make their daily commute more comfortable. Kia compares the 2016 Cadenza’s silhouette to a beautiful glass droplet. It comes loaded with the latest tech features but none more interesting than windows that repel rain, snow, and road grime. The front side windows in the step-up Technology Package feature hydrophobic technology, which repels water for enhanced visibility during rainy weather. What if you could make unwanted objects in your rearview mirror disappear at the flick of a switch? Cadillac’s flagship CT6 sedan will be the first to offer a highdefinition video rearview mirror when it goes on sale in the first half of 2016. The mirror offers bi-modal performance. In mirror mode, it functions as a standard automatic-dimming rearview mirror. Flip the switch, and a high definition image provides a wide, unobstructed rearward view. You never have to worry about your

cargo. Rearview cameras are now common but Nissan’s Around View Monitor takes it to a whole new level. The system processes video from four, wide-angle cameras, to display a composite, birdseye view of the vehicle. This means you get a full 360-degree view of your surroundings making parking much easier. The Around View Monitor is available on select trims of new Nissan vehicles like the 2016 Maxima, Rogue, and Versa Note. Drivers can simply wave their finger to change the volume of the radio with BMW’s Gesture Control available on the 2016 BMW 7 Series. Simple gestures such as 'swiping' or 'pointing' are identified by a 3D sensor mounted above the center console and trigger one of five basic functions. BMW debuted a much more advanced version known as Air Touch at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Today’s vehicles average 25 percent more glass area than the cars of just 20 years ago and manufacturers are seeing car windows in a whole new light. Mercedes’ Magic Sky Control panoramic roof, available on the Maybach, S-Class

REACH FOR THE SKY — Mercedes Magic Sky Control can go dark to light at the push of a button.

Coupe, and SLK and SL roadsters, gives drivers the ability to change the tint of their car’s roof instantly. The transparent roof instantly switches from about 5060 times darker than a typical sunroof, to about twice as clear at the push of a button. So how does all this window wizardry work? A film embedded with millions of randomly oriented microscopic particles

is placed between glass layers. When no electrical voltage is present, the particles absorb light and block it from passing through the film. With an electrical voltage applied, the particles align so light can pass so motorists can “tune” the amount of light, glare and heat passing through their windows.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.

Teen Driver System Helps Control Risk Factors Behind the Wheel New GM technology helps parents teach kids safe driving Parents know that coaching a vehicle when front seat occupants aren’t teenager on how to learn safe driving skills is vital. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in the United States, the fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16- to 19-year-olds is nearly three times the rate for drivers ages 20 and over. Car companies have been turning to technology to promote safe driving, particularly among teens. Ford’s MyKey system, which was introduced in 2010, allows parents to program the car keys to limit functions like the vehicle’s top speed and audio functions and block incoming phone calls or text messages. The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu has introduced Teen Driver, a system that provides parents with a tool to help encourage safe driving habits for their kids, even when they are not in the car with them. Teen Driver supports safe driving habits by muting the audio of the radio or any device paired with the

FEBRUARY 2016 | AAA Traveler

wearing their safety belts, and it gives audible and visual warnings when the vehicle is traveling faster than preset speeds. This feature is the first in the industry with a built-in system that lets parents view on a display how their teenager drove the vehicle. Maximum speed reached, distance driven and number of times active safety features were engaged all can be confirmed. “We developed this system so parents could use it as a teaching tool with their kids — they can discuss and reinforce safe driving habits,” said General Motors safety engineer MaryAnn Beebe. “As a mother of two, I know anything that has the potential of keeping one’s family safer is of great value to parents.” To use Teen Driver, a parent needs to enable the feature by creating a PIN in the Settings menu of their available MyLink system, which then allows

MINIMIZES DISTRACTIONS — GM’s Teen Driver system can be programmed to block incoming text messages. them to register their teen’s key fob. The system’s settings are turned on only to registered key fobs. When active, Teen Driver automatically mutes the radio until front safety belts are fastened. Additionally, the radio system’s maximum volume can also be set to a lower level. If the vehicle is equipped with active safety features like Forward Collision Alert, they are automatically turned on. Parents can select a maximum speed (between 4075 mph), which, if exceeded, activates a visual warning and audible chime.

“The first step with this technology is to make sure that all drivers and passengers within the car are safe,” said Steve Majoros, Chevrolet car marketing director. The 2016 Malibu's Teen Driver option is not a subscription-based service, so it remains with the vehicle permanently and for subsequent owners. It complements a roster of standard and available safety features, including 10 standard air bags and a rearview camera system standard on LS, LT, Hybrid and Premier models.

Are You at Risk of the Most Common Causes of Road Service? Components susceptible to failure often overlooked AAA comes to the aid of against a dead battery by having it tested

stranded members nearly 30 million times each year. The three most common reasons for road service call are dead batteries, flat tires and overheating. Remarkably, more than one quarter of these experiences could be avoided through improved vehicle maintenance. Millions of members call AAA each year for assistance with their battery. It’s the number one cause of roadside breakdowns. Battery care is even more important in winter because batteries lose approximately 35 percent of their efficiency when the temperature dips below freezing and close to 60 percent when the temperature falls below zero. For routine care, clean any corrosion from the posts and cable connections, wash all surfaces with battery terminal cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water, and re-tighten all connections. Automotive batteries typically last between 3-5 years — or less in highheat areas. Even leaving the lights on for an extended period of time can reduce your battery’s life expectancy. Safeguard

annually once it’s three years old. AAA Battery Service offers fast, accurate and convenient mobile battery testing and replacement. State-of-the art diagnostic equipment will confirm whether your battery will hold a charge, or if the problem lies deeper in the electrical system. Best of all, the service is included with your AAA membership. If a new battery is needed, you can purchase one and have it installed right on the spot. Motorists should also increase the frequency of checking their tires during winter months. As the temperature starts to drop, so will the pressures in your tires—typically 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The proper tire pressure levels can be found in your owner’s manual, or on a sticker located on the driver’s side doorjamb. And don’t forget to check the spare. AAA recommends replacing a tire when it reaches 4/32”, which can be tested by placing a quarter upside down in the tread groove. If the top of

READY TO HELP — Millions of members call AAA each year for roadside assistance. Washington’s head is visible, the tire should be replaced. Coolant leaks are more common when temperatures plunge because metal engine parts contract during cold weather, and hose clamps aren’t as tight and they should be. While your coolant never loses its antifreeze capability, the additives that lubricate the water pump and protect internal engine components from rust, scale and corrosion become depleted over time.

Motorists should have the cooling system flushed and filled when recommended by the manufacturer. Some newer coolant formulations can last for up to 5 years or 150,000 miles. Check the coolant level in the overflow reservoir not by opening the radiator cap. If it’s low it should be filled to the “Full Hot” indicator line with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water.

TAKE CHARGE Count on AAA to turn battery problems into solutions. 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.

AAA Traveler | FEBRUARY 2016