When Californians voted to build a high-speed train between Southern and Northern California – at an estimated bond cost of $9 billion – you wanted to rap those voters on the head and say, “McFLY!”

California already has a bullet train. It takes passengers from LA, Orange County and Burbank to San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento several times a day in an hour. And it came at no cost to taxpayers.

It’s called Southwest Airlines.

Naturally, once the “gee this sounds good, I’ll vote for it” emotion in the ballot box wore off, people backed off, in particular some politicians who didn’t want to support it when the state was forcing cuts in education, police and other public service areas due to massive debt.

Furthermore, the plan is to build the initial stage in the remote Central Valley in the middle of the state, which is be like New York proposing a train from the Big Apple to Albany but starting construction from Horseheads to Corning.

Now, finally, it appears that things are finally on the right track. City rail services, are trying to secure some of the funds to beef up local service. And while this at a quick glance appears to be a money grab, it’s an idea with a lot of merit. And if the darned train to nowhere is going to be built, it might as well help out the cities it is intended to serve.

The proposal calls for upgrading and enhancing rail service in LA, Orange County, San Jose and San Francisco by using most of the bond money up front. In the Bay Area, it would help a new Transbay Transit Center, currently under construction downtown. It would also utilize existing track rather than laying down new tracks just for the bullet train, an idea that could save hundreds of millions of dollars, if not a couple of billion.

“Investing in the bookends is a good way to provide the connections we need and the best way to implement high speed rail in California,” Will Kempton, chief executive of the Orange County Transportation Authority, said in the Los Angeles Times.

He’s right. And if this multi-year project stalls – a much higher probability than it ever being completed – then Californians won’t be stuck with miles of useless tracks and trains in the likes of Merced. Instead, we’ll have trains and facilities we can actually use in our cities.

That’s where we need public transportation, not among the dairy farms and other agricultural areas in the middle of the state.

Cramped airline seats and lillte overhead space are two things that annoy me about airlines.

Ahh, the airlines.

The takes us on business trips, to see family and friends, to fun places all over the world.

We should worship them, thank them for their service.

And we would, except quite often they treat us like a piece of ragged old luggage. Like the mother-in-law who overstays her welcome. Like a football rival, even.

Here’s Mr. Sorehead’s main complaints about the airlines:

• Airlines Seem To Be Using The Economy And The 9/11 Aftermath As An Excuse To Treat Their Customers Like Crap. The airlines are all filing Chapter 11, begging the government for bailouts and crying bad economics, yet they are biting the very hands that are feeding them – their customers. The attitudes of the employees after 9/11 has been terrible, often just plan rude.

As passengers, we’re always too late, our bags are too big, we don’t move along fast enough, are always in the wrong place, etc. We’re being talked down to, and if the airline screws up and we miss a connection, well it’s OUR fault, it’s OUR problem and is OUR responsibility.

BUNK!

The only airlines that seem to treat its customers like human beings, the only ones with employees who smile and which offer flexible flight change rules are the discount carries. And guess what – they are always full and are turning profits. Will the other airlines ever get it?

• Baggage Fees Piss Me Off, Are A Rip-Off And Are An Insult To Customers. This unholy practice started because airline executives mismanaged fuel increases. They failed to look ahead to an obvious situation. So while they got pay increases and bonuses, their customers got screwed. To charge $20, $30 or whatever to transport a bag one way is in insult and a flat-out rip-off to passengers. Yet, because one airline does it, others say “hey, look at all the money they are raking in; we should do the same” and customers are left to cram their belongings into carry-ons. And that’s created another problem: People fighting for limited overhead space. Keep reading for more on that issue.

• When One Airline Raises Prices, All Others Follow. The airline industry has always had a copy-cat philosophy. American Airlines puts its name on a sports arena and United follows by putting it’s name on a sports arena. This practice has trickled down to pricing, and not just for tickets but the aforementioned baggage fees, meals, international cocktails and just about anything else executives can think of while counting up their bonus money. This means passengers have to pay up or just not fly.

• Why, When There Are Empty Seats On A Flight, Do The Airlines Always Seem To Squish You Into The Same Crowded Rows? This makes no sense to me. One would think it would be much better for customer comfort to place people scattered about the plane rather than have them loaded into the same confined space while elsewhere, entire rows are vacant.  I cannot count the number of times I’ve been on a flight with rows of empty seats when people are crammed next to me and others, into even middle seats. Once the plane is in the air, people move to those empty seats, so why not just have us there from the start?

• The World’s Worst Airport is San Jose, CA. It’s a big West Coast business destination but hardly is the highlight of a trip to the Slicon Valley. There’s limited (bad) food, one bar, and getting in and out of the place is a hair-pulling experience. Then there are the employees. Food, security, you name it, they don’t want to be there and it doesn’t take long for you to know it. I challenge you to find even one smile in this airport.

• Delta and United Have A Ridiculously Small Amount Of Seat and Legroom. I thought the sardine factories in Monterey, CA, shut down years ago. Well, they’re back and guess what – we’re the bait! Now, I’m just a tuna can short of 6 feet but I barely have enough room cross my legs. And that’s only if I don’t put papers or magazines in the seat pocket. As for seat room, I have a 13-inch laptop and that’s a struggle to even open it and type if the person in front of me leans his or her seat back during the flight. What are we, passengers or processed goods?

• Overhead Stowage Is Woefully Inadequate. Unless you’re among the first to board a plane, finding a spot in the overhead bin is 50/50 at best. What, airline engineers can put these birds in the air but can’t design a cabin capable of containing the customers’ carry-ons? Give me a break. As noted above, it’s especially challenging to find a spot now with the baggage fees forcing people into bringing more carry-on luggage.  Making them deeper would be a good start.

• Waiting On The Tarmac For A Gate To Clear After Landing Is Just Plain Dumb. Let’s see, we’re in the air for hours, the airline obviously knows we’re coming, then after landing we have to wait for a parking spot? Why can’t airlines anticipate these things and move us to another gate? I cannot count the number of times I’ve waited 10-20 minutes – and yes, missed connections – on something as seemingly simple as getting to a gate by this incredible lack of forward thinking.

• I Hate All Those Useless Announcements On Flights. Can we just limit these annoyances to 2-3 instead of dozens of them coming at us like commercials during an NFL playoff game? These are especially repetitive after boarding and before and after takeoff. We hear the same thing over and over and it needs to stop!

Plus I personally don’t care about the flight path we’re taking or if the flight attendants need to “get ready for a cross-check,” nor to I need to be told 12 times to “place my tray table and seatback in the upright and locked position.” Worse of all, flight attendants are now doing airline advertisements. Announcements should be saved for important or informative things, like safety, if we’re going to be late or we have a problem. I do, however, enjoy the pilot occasionally pointing out major landmarks or interesting facts about places we pass as we’re flying.

• I Want To Listen To My iPod On Takeoffs And Landings. Why do I have to turn off my tunes on takeoffs and landings? This is annoying and serves no purpose. “Most accidents occur during these times and we want your full attention,” one of my many flight attendant friends explained. Well hey, if we’re having problems believe me, you’ll have my full attention! Okay, all passengers should be paying attention during the pre-flight safety briefing. I get that one. But on obvious routine landings, let me listen to my island sounds. Not allowing rap music, well that I would support.

• Drinks In Coach On International Flights Should Always Be Free! In addition to baggage fees, U.S. airlines are now charging for cocktails on overseas trips in coach. Geez, what’s next – renting the blankets and pillows? Don’t expect to see me on any of those airlines on overseas trips. I’m taking the foreign airlines where drinks are included.

Now, would a kind flight attendant please hand me a drink and not make any announcements?

Thank you.

MORE IN THE MR. SOREHEAD SERIES:

• Airports

• Hotels

Before I mess up the room, I check the view, the furniture arrangement and search for outlets.

It’s the last leg of a travel adventure, getting to the hotel room.

Short trip or long trip, all you want to do is throw the bags in the room, take a shower and get to work, relax, meet up with business associates or friends, or hit the town.

Most of the time, this goes pretty smoothy. I’ve been to hundreds of hotels and frankly, it’s the easiest part of traveling. Still, not all it perfect, as Mr. Sorehead points out with these points:

More outlets! I have a computer, cell phone charger, digital camera battery charger and need to plug in an iron, yet finding enough electrical outlets is like trying to locate that last beer at a party. Having power strips in every room would easily eliminate this annoying headache. By the way, if a hotel has ample outlets, then I be sure and point it out in my review of the property.

• No Free Internet. Why do nice, upscale hotels always charge for Internet access – ranging from $10-20 a day and the mid-priced or budget ones have it for free? You would think it would be the other way around! This is one reason I prefer to stay in the mid-priced or budget hotels. So there! At any rate, so to speak, Internet access should be included with the price of the room. You’ve already got it; give your customers a small perk.

• Sheraton’s “Resort Fee.”  This one got me riled up in Hawaii, of all places. I was not made aware of this $20 daily fee until I checked in after booking and let’s just say my temperature rose higher than the heat on Waikiki Beach. For this, of which I could not decline, included pool towels (oh wow; like I can’t take one down for the room or buy one for 10 bucks at an ABC Store), in-room Internet access (it was free in the lobby) and a “drink” from its crappy little bar. Well I immediately asked for a double, which the bartender provided when I provided tip money, and then spent two hours on the phone trying to get the Internet to work. It never did and I got the fee waved, but for three days that would have added nearly $100 to my hotel bill. At the very least give guest the option to decline.

• Hotels Advertise Views But The Desk Is Always Facing A Wall.  The second thing I do when getting to a room – after figuring out how to overcome the absurd lack of outlets – is to rearrange the furniture so the desk looks out over the window. There’s a nice view but I’ve got to stare at a wall when writing a story or checking e-mail? This is another thing that makes no sense to me. And yes, I move it all back before I check out. In fact, the maid always moves it back when she cleans the room each day until, after a few days of this cat-and-mouse game, she leaves it the where I put it.

• $20 (or more) For Overnight Parking!? It’s not enough that we pay super-high rates for downtown hotels in major cities, but we also get socked with daily parking prices of $20, $30 or more!? Hey, WE’RE THE GUESTS!

• Scented Shampoo Stinks. What would possess a hotel – upscale ones seem to be the worst offenders – to put scented hair products in the rooms? I don’t like going out for an appointment, out to dinner or to a bar with my hair smelling like strawberries. To counter, I’m forced to travel with the my own shampoo (trial-size bottles).

– Mr. Sorehead

MORE MR. SOREHEAD STORIES

• Airports

• Airlines

Airports should hire Vegas casino security companies to screen passengers.

Normally, I’m  pretty mellow guy.

I take what’s there, generally believe in the phrase “the difference in ordeal and adventure is ATTITUDE!”

But then I get to the airport. And I turn into Mr. Sorehead.

It’s not so much the airport itself but the inefficiency that me show up hours early and can sometimes barely get me to the plane on time. That’s why I started this

is a multi-part series on everything that bugs me about traveling. I’m starting it with the pained necessity of travel: The airlines and airports.

For these columns, I’m not Sightseeing Sam. Instead, please refer to me as Mr. Sorehead.

• Air Travel Is The Most Inefficient Means Of Getting From One Place To Another. Just to catch a plane, one has to arrive at least an hour early, go stand in one line to check in, another to check luggage (if you’re forced to pay the ridiculous checked baggage fee), another for security to get to the security checkpoint and yet another one to get onto the plane.

Then its sit still for 30-45 minutes waiting to leave and another 10-15 while the pilot drives around the tarmac like it’s a shopping mall parking lot to reach takeoff position.Upon arriving, it’s pretty much all done again in reverse. That’s about a half-dozen steps to get from Point A to Point B.

But the biggest airport inefficiency by far are the security checkpoints. Surely, with the brainpower available in the world today, someone or some company could develop a system for streamlining this process without compromising safety – say, some type of human x-ray that could scan people and our luggage at the same time (even illuminating suspect items) enabling us to walk through without being separated from our carry-ons.

• Put Someone In Charge Of Security Who Knows What The Heck They Are Doing. Cutting off access points and herding people into ridiculously long lines. Confiscating tweezers while metal wallet chains go through with no problem. Having people remove belts, shoes, watches and emptying pockets. Constant ID checks. Dumb warning signs (I actually saw one saying that traveling with gas cans is illegal).  Hey, I know the goal is to protect travelers, but it would be much better if someone were to be put in charge of all airport security who actually knew what they were doing.

Here are some suggestions:
#1 – Travelers should have the option of applying for a special ID card, one containing personal information, travel itinerary and history, occupation, bomb-making skills, etc. Only people who are approved with a clean record could be issued this card. We would then have a special area where we would swipe our card – updating our profile along the way – as we glide through the new-and-improved bag-screening checkpoint (see above). If the card swipe detects a recent deviance or oddity, such as an arrest or a sudden flurry of flights – then the person is pulled over and questioned. NOTE: A version of this is actually being implemented, though being the government, it’s being done at the pace of a turtle race and, in Mr. Sorehead’s opinion, should include a one-on-one interview with a trained agent.
#2 – Properly train staff to identify potential troublemakers. Any reasonably savvy individual can pick out suspect individuals if they just pay attention. The intentions of these troublemakers can often be identified with personality profiles by simple observation – their look, actions and a few other “intangibles” as they say in the sports world. In fact, here’s an example from the sports world: There were two knuckleheads who attacked a baseball umpire in Chicago some time ago; they could have been spotted and controlled had stadium security noticed them earlier and kept an eye on them from the start.
#3 – Create a security presence at airports. Have police patrol the curbside, check-in counters and even gate areas. Hire big, beefy guys to walk around in black SECURITY shirts. Install prominent security cameras. In other words, make it known to potential scoundrels that they are being watched.
#4 – Take the security out of the hands of the airlines. Don’t have gate agents spend their (and our) time worrying about security. They should, however, alert security of odd or suspicious individuals and be given training in how to spot them. Oh, and this thing about pilots carrying handguns? Who came up with that idea – the NRA!?

• Hire Vegas Casino Security Companies To Handle Airport Security. They know how to spot troublemakers, have “eyes in the sky,” complex databases and great coordination and teamwork from one casino to another. It’s really a clear-cut solution.

• Why Are There No Clocks In Airports? Airlines have bizarre time departures – 3:03, 10:57 and so forth – and berate you for being even a minute late, yet it’s amazing how few airports contain clocks. What if MY watch says I’m on time and the agent’s has a different time? The only place with less clocks than airports are Las Vegas casinos.

Now, would you please excuse me? I have a flight to catch.

Thank you.

– Mr. Sorehead

OTHER ARTICLES IN THE MR. SOREHEAD SERIES:

• The Airlines

• Hotels

The HIlton Garden Inn sits across the street from calm Carlsbad State Beach.

You’re not going to confuse Carlsbad with Cancun.

But you can do Spring Break at both.

In fact, at the Hilton Garden Inn at Carlsbad Beach, you can do an extended Spring Break with special hotel rates of $169 thru May 13.

Throw in parking, breakfast, free beach towels and chairs and discounts on food and drink, plus 15% off at neighboring Legoland, and it’s a real break in the spring, if not exactly the frenzy of Spring Break.

Located in North San Diego County in Southern California, Carlsbad State Beach is as calm as Cancun is wild. It’s quaint and fairly quiet, an unexplored stretch of sand for many between Newport Beach to the north and San Diego and Pacific Beach to the south.

Most travelers blow right by it on the 5 freeway. However, those who venture over to scenic PCH are treated to a small, somewhat upscale community with great views of a wide-open beach. Late afternoons, the runners, rollerbladers and bicyclists come out and cruse up and down the coast road.

And the weather? Spectacular. Sunny skies, highs in the 70s. Pack a jacket, for it can get cool in the evenings.

The Hilton Garden Inn rooms include complimentary Internet access.

The Hilton Garden Inn is right across the street from the beach on Carlsbad Blvd. It’s Spring Break rate of $169 includes self-parking, in-room high-speed Internet access and guest transportation to nearby LEGOLAND California, the famed Carlsbad Flower Fields and Carlsbad Premium Outlets. Plus:
• Full made-to-order breakfast for up to four people per room
• 15% discount on LEGOLAND California gate price tickets
• 15% discount on hotel food and beverage during stay
• Complimentary use of beach towels, beach umbrella and beach chairs

The hotel is also less than an hour from SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo and Safari Park and even whale watching in Dana Point.

The Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach is located at 6450 Carlsbad Blvd. Exit I-5 at LaCosta and head toward the coast/Carlsbad Blvd. Turn right and it’s two blocks to the north. Phone: (769) 476-0800. Website.

Britain Goes GREAT with VIctoria Beckham and others on a New York subway. Photo: Patrick Demarchelier.

The world is coming to England is the Summer Olympic Games, but in order for Great Britain to be GREAT Britain, it still needs some star power.

So it’s brought in Victoria Beckham.

The former Posh Spice and current wife of soccer star David Beckham is serving as an ambassador for GREAT Britain, a marketing campaign that is designed to “promote the best of Britain around the world,” the government announced during New York Fashion Week.

Apparently, the British feel their country needs to “Spice” things up a bit, even with the Olympics – XXX Olympiad or the London 2012 Olympic Games – taking place from July 27-Aug. 12. Ms. Beckham is indeed among the best Britain has to offer the world. She certainly has the name recognition to focus the spotlight on her country.

“As the UK gears up for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, there’s no better time to celebrate the best that Britain has to offer,” said Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Peter Westmacott, at Grand Central Station. “As one of Britain’s major fashion icons, Victoria Beckham’s involvement with the ‘GREAT’ Campaign will bring even more attention to Britain’s world-renowned fashion designers, the magnificent range of shopping on offer and our distinctive British style.’

Part of her role will be to shoot a short film in which she will be displaying her ready-to-wear fashion collection.

But the Brits are not stopping with Beckham; they are going all out in the good ‘ol USA with the GREAT promotion. There are commercials in New York, posters in airports (Boston’s Logan, JFK and LAX) and even branded trains in the Big Apple. Commuters will see it as “This is GREAT,” with the word Britain below it in smaller letters.

Americans, and tourists to the States, will be seeing a lot of England before thethe Games begin.

One of the toughest things when a couple goes away for a vacation, or even a quick excursion, is leaving the dog behind at a kennel or with a neighbor.

But with a new package at W Hotels in Los Angeles and Chicago, that loved one can go along with you. In conjunction with the release of Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp” Diamond Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack, the W has launched what it calls The Puppy Love Package. Just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Yes, you can go get pampered and take the dog with you into the hotel where it can get pampered, too.

The dog receives at “meatball” treat created by the W Hotels chefs, a custom pet bed, food, water bowl flow mat and Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp” “adogable”- plush toys (for February reservations).

The “parents” get room rates starting at $169 in Chicago and $319 in Los Angeles.

The W Chicago Lakeshore is $169/night and the Puppy Love package is good thru Feb. 29.  Rates at the W Chicago City Center in the Loop start at $174/night. To reserve, call (877) 782-0104 and use ask for the rate plan Puppy 10-14 (City Center) and Puppy 10-5 (Lakeshore).

In Los Angeles, ask for the rate plan LCPKG6. There are blackout dates in Los Angeles on Feb. 7-11 and 23-25.

A new program allows cruise passengers to get personalized tours of wineries in Livorno, Marseille and Barcelona.

This is a touch of class worthy of a touch of glasses.

Food Wine Trails of Sonoma County, CA – part of California’s famous Wine County – has introduced the world’s first Sommelier, Car Driver program for the cruise industry.

It is including it as a complimentary excursion onboard select Silversea Cruises’ 2012 Mediterranean sailings.

This is an extension of car-and-driver programs already available, but tailored for wine lovers. Passengers get their own sommelier as a private guide for half a day touring wineries. The sommeliers provide access and insight to top wineries near the cruise ports of Michele Satta, Fornacelle, or Ca Marcanda, Angelo Gajas latest venture.

“Many cruise programs offer a free car-and-driver incentive” says Food Wine Trails’ President Larry Martin. “But wine lovers are left on their own to find and gain access to the best wine estates. We’re able to offer this completely new, complimentary benefit to food and wine lovers due to our years of experience in arranging sommelier-led wine-tours around the world, and because of our long relationship with Silversea.”

Martin points out that Silversea’s reputation for fine cuisine attracts the kind of traveler who wants to learn about a region’s food and wine. But not every cruiser wants to join a group which, up to now, was the only convenient way to arrange a wine tour.

“We are taking individual travelers to the wine-regions of Bolgheri, Bandol and Penedes, not only because they can be toured in a half-day, but because they’re producing some of the most exciting wines in the world.”

Bolgheri is a medieval village near the port of Livorno, Italy, and the home of the Super Tuscan wine appellation. Here Food Wine Trails’ guests can visit such well-known wineries as Michele Satta, Fornacelle, or Ca Marcanda, Angelo Gajas latest venture.

Near Marseille is the beautiful region of Bandol, one of the most prominent wine regions of the Cotes de Provence. One of the wineries that put Bandol on the map is Domain Tempier, made famous by the best-selling cookbook Lulu’s Provencal Table. Guests here can visit Lulu’s winery, and if they’re lucky, enjoy some of Lulu’s homemade cookies with their wine.

Barcelona is one of Europe’s most exciting cities, and the Penedes wine region is only a half hour drive past the city outskirts. Penedes is normally associated with Spanish Cava sparkling wines but the region is now gaining fame for producing quality red wines as well. Penedes wineries that can be visited through the Sommelier, Car Driver program are Albet i Noia, Miguel Torres, Jean Len and Pars Balt.

The promotion is available exclusively for travelers who book one of fifteen select 2012 Silversea Mediterranean voyages cruise directly with Food Wine Trails. The Sommelier, Car Driver guest chooses the day’s itinerary depending on preference and availability. Travelers who wish to extend to a full day wine-tour can do that for a fee of approximately 200 euros per person (approximately $300 U.S.).

Silversea cruise prices begin at $2,999 per person double occupancy, for a 10-night cruise departing April 17 going from Barcelona to Rome on the 298-passenger SILVER WIND. The price includes accommodations in a 240-square-foot Vista Suite, all meals, entertainment, $1,000 onboard spending credit and the complimentary private Sommelier Car and Driver package.

The price does not include any onshore meals or wine-tasting fees (not all wineries charge tasting fees).

If you want to do something romantic and spontaneous for your loved one on Valentines Day, then SightseeingSam.com shows you some beautiful and romantic hot spots from across the world.

As it  is approaching Valentine’s Day, you are sure to have seen umpteen chocolate and flower promotions on TV, or holiday adverts popping up on your screen while you were trying to play partypoker or design a personal Valentine’s card online.

So if booking a spontaneous getaway sounds like the perfect Valentine’s gift for your partner, then you might be interested to find out what we think are some of the most romantic places in the world.

The Top of the Rock (New York)

The view from the top of the Rockefeller Centre in New York has to be one of the most stunning sights you will ever see. The view looks its best at night; the whole of New York is beautifully lit, making it a wonderful and romantic hot spot.

Hampton Court (London) Hampton Court

Situated in Greater London – is a beautiful historical palace, which was once owned by King Henry VIII. If you and your partner love to ice skate, then one of the most picturesque places to do it around London is in Hampton Court. You and your partner can hold hands and glide around the ice rink together as you admire the beautifully lit palace by night. But be sure not to visit The Haunted Gallery, as legend has it that one of King Henry’s beheaded wives, Catherine Howard, haunts it.

Budapest (Hungary)

Spending Valentine’s Day in Budapest can be very romantic; it might be sub zero temperatures, but this makes a great excuse to nip into one of the many stylish coffee shops which sell great hot chocolate and creamy coffees. Budapest is also known for its luxurious spas; the Széchenyi Thermal Bath – set in a stunning Neo-baroque style building – is one of the largest medicinal baths in Europe. It is home to two huge thermal springs.

San Diego is one of the featured destinatios in the SW Vacations winter sale.

Southwest Airlines wants you to travel.

To a beach, a ski resort, to Arizona, California, Florida, New Orleans, Chicago, Vegas, that’s up to you, of course. With its new winter vacation specials, these and other desirable destinations are available with free nights accommodation or discounted hotel rates.

Plus, get room upgrades, resort credits, and more. You can also save up to 25% on select car rentals from Alamo. And, of course, there’s no extra baggage with those annoying baggage fees. Even skis, snowboards and golf bags fly free.

Other discounts  activities can be booked when added to a flight + hotel package. To add discounted featured activities to your reservation, go to the “Add-On” section and select “Special Events” when booking.

A check of a few of the places and deals by Sightseeing Sam revealed the following deals:

• One night free at the Westin in Chicago with a minimum 5-night stay
• 50% off the Manhattan at Times Square hotel
• One night free at the Hard Rock, Tropicana, Wynn and Las Vegas Hilton in Vegas, plus nightly discounts and show tickets at other properties
• Fourth night free at the Sheraton or Westin in Ft. Lauderdale
• 30% off a hotel stay in Vail and 40% off in Breckenridge
• 3rd night free and daily breakfast for two at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel & Marina

Here’s the parameters:

Book: 2/3/12 – 3/1/12 by 6:00 p.m. CT
Travel: 2/4/12 – 9/28/12
One-day advance purchase is required.
Blackout dates vary by hotel and activity.
Must select a room category that includes special red sale messaging to receive hotel savings.

Happy travels!