News And Notes For Friday, May 31, 2013

Don’t forget to cast your vote for your favorite finalist of the Briggs & Riley TORQ suitcase giveaway for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

Mommy Points has an awesome first week breakdown this year’s Daily Getaways deals from US Travel Association and American Express.  If you’re not familiar with the Daily Getaways, they generally represent really good deals on travel from various sources.  A big key here is to make sure you use your AMEX card to pay, as that offers you a 10% discount on all the deals.  A random sampling of things available in week 1:

• $100 Marriott GiftCard for $89 (really more like $81 after you knock an additional 10% off).  I’m not a Marriott guy, but a 19% discount on rooms sounds good to me.
• $45 tickets to Busch Gardens (normally $70)

Have you ever had to prove to your rental car company that you filled up the car with gas?  Well, Delta Points ran into that problem with Thrifty recently.  I’ve always been a Hertz guy and it seems like Delta Points will be from now on, too.

Canada, eh?  View From The Wing has the scoop on a bunch of Air Canada routes that double EQMs this summer.  Double EQMs are my favorite flying bonus, since I covet elite status.  I’m not an Air Canada traveler, but there are some pretty common routes from Toronto and Montreal (like JFK and DCA) that can serve as a good bonus for Aeroplan members.

Have a good weekend!