Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.travel From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: travel Thu, Apr 2 1992 Date: Thu, 2 Apr 92 05:44:59 EST Message-ID: 04-02 0000 DECISIONLINE: Travel USA TODAY Update April 2, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network RESORTS ADD CHILD CARE: Every parent's fantasy: A fun vacation and making sure that kids are well cared for. Enter the growing number of resorts that include child care. Just don't go believing every place is a dream. That's according to the March:April Special Report magazine, which sent seven families to child-care resorts across the USA, Mexico and Jamaica, then rated the quality of care. (For more, see special Child package below.) CONSUMERS CAN GET MILES: Starting Thursday, consumers who join Air Miles can earn free plane tickets by buying products or services from companies such as AT&T and General Cinema. The program is designed to build consumer loyalty for specific products. But it also could appeal to millions of people in airline frequent flier programs who don't earn enough miles for free tickets. PURCHASES WORTH VARYING AMOUNTS: In the Air Miles program, a flier must earn the number of miles his or her roundtrip would equal. A 20-pound bag of Kingsford Charcoal is worth four miles, but a $75 pair of LensCrafter eyeglasses is worth 100. Charging purchases on a Citibank Air Miles MasterCard or Visa card gets one mile per $25 spent. Trips must be taken on American, United, USAir or Air Canada. Call 800-547-2212. TICKET AUCTION CLOSES: Bookit!, an auction for discount airline tickets that let customers fax in their bids, has closed. The phone line for the agency, launched by Marketel of San Francisco, recently was disconnected. "there's no indication that anyone was stuck for tickets" when the service, much ballyhooed when it opened, closed, according to Ed Perkins of Consumer Reports Travel Letter. NORTHWEST PAPERS SIGNED: Final documents authorizing $315 million in financing by Minnesota's Metropolitan Airports Commission in a deal with Northwest Airlines have been signed. The agreement opens the way for construction of $759 million jet maintenance bases in Duluth and Hibbing that will generate 1,500 jobs in the next decade. RECORD AMUSEMENT PARK OPENS: The world's largest indoor amusement park opens Friday and continues through May 3 in Cleveland's International Exposition Center. The park's 20-acre midway, one-fifth the size of Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom, features 50 rides and such attractions as bungee jumping and in-line roller skating, plus an exotic animal petting zoo. Call 216-676-6000 for information. BOOK SHOWS ANCIENT WORLD: "Let's Go Traveling" (Morrow Junior Books, $15) is a great way to introduce kids to the ancient world. Written and illustrated by Robin Rector Krupp, it contains photos and sketches of a pre-teen character on a journey to Stonehenge, Mayan ruins and four other centers of antiquity. EARTH-FRIENDLY TRAVEL: Now there's a guidebook for eco-conscious travelers. "The Green Travel Sourcebook" (Wiley, $14.95) describes more than 80 Earth-friendly tours. Included in the book are dance studies in Indonesia and viewing golden eagles in Scotland. CHARTER AIRLINE APPROVED: Sir Freddie Laker Wednesday announced that the Bahamas government has approved his new charter airline Laker Airways (Bahamas) Limited. Headquartered on Grand Bahama Island, the airline has two 727-200 jets and routes between U.S. gateways and the Bahamas. The carrier is planning to start up in early May, subject to Department of Transportation approval. VACATION EXHIBIT TO OPEN: "Americans on Vacation," a major new exhibit of Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mich., makes its West Coast premiere Saturday at the Museum of San Diego History in Balboa Park. The exhibit traces how vacationing evolved from a demonstration of elite status to a symbol of "the good life" for everyone. Call 619-433-6261 for information. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON CHILD: WINNERS AND LOSERS: An increasing number of resorts include child care. Special Report magazine's check of resorts in the USA, Mexico and Jamaica turned up winners and losers. Lake Mancos Ranch, Mancos, Colo., and Premier Cruise Lines, Cape Canaveral, Fla., both got a perfect four suns. Lowest-ranked included Franklyn D. Resort, St. Ann, Jamaica, and Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., one sun each. AGES ARE CONSIDERED: Families checking out the resorts for the magazine were impressed that Mancos divides kids into age groups and plans activities accordingly. Lodge of the Four Seasons' Sunshine Club for kids was criticized for untidiness, rigid scheduling and, in some cases, "blatant dangers." But "Things are going to be done differently this year," promises the club's Dana Sand. QUESTIONS TO ASK: The magazine suggests that before parents go to a resort with child care they should ask if kids are split into different age groups. Also, check to see if drop off:pick up times are flexible and make sure counselors know how parents can be reached in an emergency. It's a good idea to ask about the ratio of children to caregivers. (End of package.) 24-HOUR TELEPHONE INFORMATION: USA TODAY Weather Hot Line. 95 cents a minute. 1-900-555-5555. Travel Editor: Beth Mann. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. 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