Gas Up with these Hotel Packages
With sky-high gas prices nearing – and in some states exceeding – $4/gallon and the summer family travel season just around the corner, many North America hotels are offering travelers special incentives and deals to offset hefty fuel costs.
In recent years, gas cards have been the major perk of packages inspired by rising fuel costs – but this year, we’re happy to report that some hotels are sweetening the deal with free or discounted parking, too. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites to help you stretch your vacation dollars. (And remember, to book these packages, you’ll have to make reservations directly through the hotel and mention the promotion at the time of booking. Be sure to ask about any other special restrictions while you’re at it):
Heading to Santa Barbara? Through June 30, 2008, the Hotel Mar Monte’s Tanks for the Memories package includes free valet parking and a $25 Chevron gas card for each night of your stay. Stay three consecutive nights, and the hotel will throw in an additional $10 card per night, which brings the total amount you’ll receive in gas cards to an impressive $105.
The Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego is offering guests up to $50 off their hotel room bill when they book the new Money for Miles promotion. Details are not available on the hotel web site yet, but you can read the CNN Money story about it here.
Guests at Canadian Marriott properties like the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside can score $25 gas cards (in Canadian dollars) for each night of weeknight stays (Sunday-Thursday) through the end of the year. Marriott Canada gas card promotion.
Through June 2008, the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle, WA is promoting a Guests Gas it Up Package, which offers guests free parking and a $20 Shell gas card for each night of their stay.
The Hotel Lawrence Dallas Gas and Go Package gifts guests with a $10 gas card and $5 off valet parking for each night of their stay. A two-night minimum stay is required.
With the Gas Card Special at the Millennium Hotel Minneapolis, guests can drive away with a $20 Super America gas card for stays on Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights.
The Hampton Inn Portsmouth New Hampshire Hotel is offering a Gas Card Special that gifts guests with a $10 7-11 Gas Station gift card for stays on Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights through June 15, 2008.
Through September 2008, the Benson Hotel in Portland, OR is offering a $25 gas gift card and valet parking through its Fuel Good package.
Have you heard of a great summer hotel package or travel deal? Let me know! You can reach me at lsanders (at) kayak (dot) com.