American Express Blue Card: Which Blue Card Is For You?

In the past, credit cards were once considered to be a financial tool that only the wealthy can afford. However, because of the increasing demands for credit cards, American Express has developed a new line of credit cards that almost everyone can afford. With the American Express Blue Card, you too can own a credit card minus the hassles of paying high amount of fees that their previous line of credit cards had.

Since 1999, American Express Blue Card is still very popular among many people. However, before you apply for a Blue Card, you first need to know that American Express offers different kinds of Blue Cards to suit the needs of different kinds of people.

Here are the different kinds of Blue Cards that American Express offers:

American Express Sky Blue – This particular credit card is perfect for people who love travelling. The American Express Sky Blue is designed as a travel rewards card that will provide you with a lot of choices on travels. On normal travel rewards card, you will notice that it doesn’t really deliver what it promises. American Express Sky Blue offers no black out dates, and absolutely no travel restrictions. The Sky Blue from American Express promises people the ability to use the rewards anytime they want to and anywhere they want to go to. And, it gets even better with the zero annual percentage rate (APR) provided for fifteen months, you will enjoy big discounts on your purchases, airline tickets, vehicle rentals and even hotel stays. Plus, you even get free travel accident insurance on rental cars.

American Express Blue Cash – The American Express Blue Cash is perfect for people who want to enjoy big discounts. Or, it is simply perfect for everyone. Besides, everybody wants to have discounts on anything they purchase. American Express Blue Cash offers 5% discount on anything you purchase using the Blue Cash compared to other credit cards that can only offer 1% or 2% discounts. If you need gas for your vehicle, you get 5% off or if you want discounts on medicines, you can enjoy 5% discounts on your purchases using the Blue Cash. Everything you purchase using the American Express Blue Cash entitles you to a 5% discount on your monthly bill. The points you earn every year with Blue Cash is also very easy. Instead of worrying about redeeming your points, you will be given back your earnings in a form of big fat credit straight to your account.

American Express Jet Blue – This particular credit card is perfect for people who travels a lot via an airplane. Representing the Jet Blue Airways, you will accumulate points if you travel with Jet Blue Airways. On your first flight with the Jet Blue Airways, you will instantly enjoy 5,000 points. You can also double your points to a lot of places where you love to eat or shop.

American Express Blue Card – This card is the original of all the Blue Cards that American Express offers. Although it doesn’t have the jam packed features that Sky Blue and Blue Cash offers, this particular credit card is still a very worthy choice for many people. Here, you will enjoy zero annual percentage rate (APR) for up to 15 months. Also, there is no annual fee with the American Express Blue Card.

As you can see, you have a lot of choices on the different kinds of Blue Card that American Express offers. Depending on your lifestyle, you can choose the perfect Blue Card for you. Always remember that you should still use credit cards responsibly.

Canadian Federal Employees Use Free American Express Air Miles Credit Card

Being a Canadian federal employee entitles you to a lot of benefits, some of which are rather unexpected. One of these benefits is the American Express AIR MILES credit card. When you are employed by the Canadian federal government, you are immediately issued with an American Express AIR MILES credit card which you are supposed to use for all your travel when you are on government business. Issuance of this credit card to you on behalf of the Canadian government will not in any way, neither positively nor negatively, affect your personal credit rating.

The American Express AIR MILES credit card, which is a product of AMEX Bank of Canada, is issued only to Canadian citizens and its design concept was targeted towards those frequently traveling on Canadian Airlines. The Canadian federal government is the owner of Canadian Airlines, which also has tie-up arrangements with other airlines operating in Canada, two US airlines (American Airlines and Northwest Airlines), the German airline, Lufthansa, and the Dutch airline, KLM.

The important guideline is that employees must pay for their travel expenses only by means of their individual American Express AIR MILES credit card. This is the reason why each card is issued in the name of the individual employee. This directive does not, however, imply that employees may travel indiscriminately; the parameters for using the American Express AIR MILES credit card are very strict and consistently applied.

You may not pay for personal purchases with the American Express AIR MILES credit card and if you’re found doing this you will face serious administrative charges. Just as important, any travel booking to be paid for with your American Express AIR MILES credit card must have prior approval from the authorized management personnel in your government office. Unauthorized travel using the American Express AIR MILES credit card will have serious consequences.

Payments for all travel expenses paid for with the American Express AIR MILES credit card will not be for your account, provided that you have obtained prior approval for the travel activity in the prescribed manner. Once you receive your billing statement, you are supposed to request for reimbursement of the corresponding amount. The reimbursement should then be used to pay off the entire balance on your American Express AIR MILES credit card immediately. It is absolutely intolerable for you to miss payments or to carry balances.

Does this arrangement reduce paperwork? Theoretically, the fact that each employee carries an individual American Express AIR MILES credit card should result in tons of paperwork being eliminated. In practice, this has not been the case. The traditional procedures for getting prior trip approvals, booking travel arrangements, and then submitting the needed paperwork to support requests for reimbursement continue to be in effect. What has been removed is the necessity to have somebody, either the government or you the employee, to advance the money to cover travel expenses.

Though there is no real reduction in paperwork, federal employees are still better off. The use of American Express AIR MILES credit card allows even administrative staff to stay in five-star hotels and go around the country many times during the year. And, with your American Express AIR MILES credit card you will have access to all other services that the card issuer provides to cardholders, government employees or not.

American Airlines; From Ft. Worth to the World

American Airlines happens to be one of the largest airlines in the world and is based in Fort Worth, Texas.

Reservations

In case you are not a resident of the U.S., Canada, selected countries in Latin America or the Caribbean, or U.K., you are not eligible for online purchase of airline tickets. However, your tickets can be placed on hold for purchase at an American airline ticket office. On the official website of American airlines, AA.com, you can book a flight as early as 329 days before the scheduled date of departure.

While most travelers will prefer electronic ticketing, there are certain parameters to be eligible for the same. In order to qualify for electronic ticketing, you must have a billing address in any one of the several countries as specified by the airline and your itinerary must be entirely on American Airlines or any other carrier with which American Airlines has an interline electronic ticketing agreement.

Besides, it is important that your itinerary does not exceed sixteen flight segments. As a traveler on American Airlines, you should be aware that certain destinations in your itinerary might not allow electronic ticketing travel.

American airline also offers Express ticket service to Latin American and Caribbean travelers that allow them to hold a reservation online and then call the local reservation office of the airline to complete the purchasing transaction.

Fares

Being a leading airline in the aviation industry, American Airlines offers the most lucrative travel deals to its customers around the year. You can sign up on the website to receive emails regarding special offers, seasons discounts, and NetSAAver fares for a delightful travel experience at incredibly low rates.

American Airlines is currently offering low airfares between Vail/Eagle, CO and several amazing cities across the continental U.S. Fares are in the range of 0 to 0 for a round trip economy class travel. Fares are applicable for travel from Vail, CO from Tuesday through Friday, while travel to Vail, CO can be enjoyed at these rates only for travel from Sunday through Wednesday.

Other similar offers on the platter include getaway weekend offers, summertime savings for Canada and many more.

Schedules

You can check out the flight schedule on the official website and accordingly plan your trip. You can also download the entire AA or one world timetable from the website to plan a convenient itinerary.

Flights

American Airlines offers convenient flights between destinations in Asia (China, Japan, India, etc.), Europe (Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, etc.), North America (Canada, Mexico, U.S., etc.) Central America and South America and practically connects people across the world.

Great connectivity coupled with extraordinary customer service has made American Airlines the leading airline today.

American Express Air Miles Credit Card Offers Worry-free Travel

In addition to the rewards miles that you will earn on your American Express AIR MILES credit card, you are also entitled to the extensive travel benefits normally associated with other American Express cards. The travel benefits incorporated in your American Express AIR MILES credit card include, amongst others, guaranteed or assured reservations and travel accident insurance.

Guaranteed Reservations

When you use your American Express AIR MILES credit card to make hotel room reservations, you get an assurance that you will still have your room, regardless of how late you may arrive. This American Express Assured Reservation benefit is very helpful – especially if you encounter frustrating and unexpected travel delays. To take advantage of this American Express AIR MILES credit card feature, you must make your reservations with American Express’ partner hotels or motels. You should also specify your intention to use the American Express Assured Reservation option and get a confirmation number.

The hotel or motel will hold your reserved room until the regular check-out time of the day after your planned arrival. In case your reserved room has been given to another guest, or is no longer available by the time you arrive at the hotel, the latter has the duty to provide you a room of equal or better amenities at another hotel without charge on the first night. Transportation from the hotel to the other hotel will also be provided free of charge.

If for any reason you need to cancel the Assured Reservation you have arranged, check the specified cut-off time for canceling reservations and ring up the hotel or motel before that time. If you fail to cancel in time, you will have to pay the bill for a one-night stay. If you call in time, be sure to get the cancellation number so that you have the necessary proof of cancellation. This is handy if for some reason you still get billed on your American Express AIR MILES credit card for a canceled hotel accommodation.

Travel Accident Insurance

Your American Express AIR MILES credit card comes with a maximum travel accident cover of a hundred thousand dollars. This travel accident insurance is applicable only to accidental death and dismemberment while on the trip. To avail yourself of this automatic travel accident insurance, you must use your American Express AIR MILES credit card to purchase tickets from a common carrier.

If you want your spouse, children who have not attained the age of twenty-three, and a supplementary American Express AIR MILES credit card holder to be covered by the travel accident insurance, then you must also purchase their tickets with your American Express AIR MILES credit card. The coverage is not only limited to the above-mentioned persons; It can be extended to cover the spouse and children of minor age of your supplementary cardholder, provided that their tickets too were charged to your American Express AIR MILES credit card age.

With an American Express AIR MILES credit card, you get those travel benefits that eliminates those kinds of worries from any trip.

Safe Travel in Mexico

When talking to people about going to Tijuana for dental work, more and more the question arises, “Is it really safe to go to Mexico?” My answer is always YES! I feel quite at home in Tijuana, but like anywhere, you have to use common sense while traveling in Mexico.

I can understand the apprehension that some people have as they contemplate going into another country, where everything is strange and unknown. Then when you hear bad things on the news, it can make it even more frightening. While the decision of whether or not to cross South of the border into Tijuana is the responsibility of each individual, I would like to answer a few questions to try to put things into perspective, as well as give a few tips on how to travel more safely in Mexico, or any foreign country, or even into any Metropolitan down town area of the USA.

Click here to see a youtube testimony about safety in Tijuana

To answer the question, “Is it dangerous in Mexico?” Not if you use common sense! The folks at Sam Dental Tijuana were very helpful to me. Here is what I have learned from them, and after several trips, I can say that yes, I feel safe!

 Don’t be fearful when you hear negative reports on the news. Keep in perspective that the news agencies look for any incident that will grab headlines. The problem is that news reports often give an exaggerated view and can distort reality. Not to dismiss out of hand the reports one hears, because we always need to be careful and vigilant, but the truth is there are a lot of incidents that happen everyday in certain parts of every large US city that never gets reported because they are so common. Everyday in San Diego and Los Angeles, or New York, or Miami, or Denver, or Dallas, or in Washington D.C., it is common for someone to get mugged or robbed, or found dumped in an alley, so common that it doesn’t grab the attention of the news hounds anymore. So what I am trying to say is that yes, you need to be careful while traveling in Mexico, or Tijuana, but also you need to be careful walking in downtown L.A., or San Diego. Don’t let rumors or news reports, that are attempting to grab headlines by focusing attention on bad things, exaggerate the dangers and frighten you. Just be cautious, and you’ll be alright. Remember, literally 100’s of thousands of people cross over into Tijuana from the USA every month without incident.

I have traveled into Mexico dozens and dozens of times. I have been very often to Tijuana, Juarez, Reynosa, and other border towns. I have also been in many Latin American countries, and have lived for several years in South America. I have NEVER had an incident where I felt in danger. However, I used to live in Denver working for the cable company, and have been threatened with bodily injury and have felt very intimidated on several occasions. I even had to call the police in order to complete my work in someone’s back yard because they had threatened to shoot me when I went to shut their cable off!! I feel safer in Mexico, than in certain areas of Denver. And what is Denver compared to L.A.? Or Washington D.C., or Miami?

Tips for Safe Travel.

1. Be discrete. Never flash a lot of money. Keep the majority of your cash hidden in a front pocket that you can zip or button down. Just keep a limited amount of cash in your wallet. Also keep your passport, drivers license, and credit card hidden in another front pocket. It would be good to keep those documents together with a rubber band or a money clip. Also, don’t bring all your credit cards with you, just bring one or two, that way if you loose it, you will know which one to report lost.

2. Walk over and take a Taxi rather than drive over. Unless you are planning to stay for several days, and would like to site see, it takes a lot of stress off to not to have to keep an eye on your car, or to have to maneuver in Mexico traffic. I always hate been stuck in the long line to cross back into the USA. It is liberating to just leave the car parked in the USA and let a taxi take you to your dental appointment. If you do drive over, NEVER leave valuables, like your camera or purse, in plain site in the car seat. If you do, you might be inviting a break in. That is not just true in Mexico! Also, if you drive in, make sure you keep your vehicle locked, and ALWAYS put a manual locking device, like the “Club”, on your steering wheel. At Sam Dental in Tijuana, they have off street parking that is secure, but it is still a good idea to use a locking device.

3. Keep your night life to a minimum If you are concerned about safety, remember that not only in Tijuana, but in L.A. as well, most crimes are committed late at night. Common sense is a must!

I enjoy traveling in Mexico, and I love the atmosphere and culture. Aside from the tremendous savings I have experienced getting dental and medical procedures done, I have love it in Mexico, and I plan on retiring there in a few years. I feel that it is safe to go to Tijuana. But, the truth is, just like in any large metropolis in the USA, it pays to be cautious and vigilant. You will have a good experience, just like the 10’s of thousands of people who cross the border every day without incident. Don’t be fearful, just keep your eyes open, and you’ll be fine.

Here is the website again: www.GoodSamDental.org   

Serenity Travel

Contact Destination Vacations International
In Continental Europe, early resorts included: Ostend, popularized by the people of Brussels; Boulogne-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais) and Deauville (Calvados) for the Parisians; and Heiligendamm, founded in 1797, as the first seaside resort on the Baltic Sea.

History
Wealthy people have always travelled to distant parts of the world, to see great buildings, works of art, learn new languages, experience new cultures and to taste different cuisines. Long ago, at the time of the Roman Republic, places such as Baiae were popular coastal resorts for the rich. The word tourism was used by 1811 and tourist by 1840. In 1936, the League of Nations defined foreign tourist as “someone traveling abroad for at least twenty-four hours”. Its successor, the United Nations, amended this definition in 1945, by including a maximum stay of six months.

About Destination Vacations International :Sustainable tourism
“Sustainable tourism is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems.” (World Tourism Organization)

Destination Vacations International
In the United States, there are four different types of agencies: Mega, Regional, Consortium and Independent Agencies. American Express and the American Automobile Association (AAA) are examples of mega travel agencies.

Travel agencies became more commonplace with the development of commercial aviation, starting in the 1920s. Originally, travel agencies largely catered to middle and upper class customers, but the post-war boom in mass-market package holidays resulted in travel agencies on the main streets of most British towns, catering to a working class clientèle, looking for a convenient way to book overseas beach holidays.

About Serenity Travel :They not only sold their own tours to the public, but in addition, represented other tour companies. Other British pioneer travel agencies were Dean and Dawson, the Polytechnic Touring Association and the Co-operative Wholesale Society. The oldest travel agency in North America is Brownell Travel; on July 4, 1887, Walter T. Brownell led ten travelers on a European tour, setting sail from New York on the SS Devonia.

Serenity Travel Home Tourism is vital for many countries, such as Australia, Egypt, Greece and Thailand, and many island nations, such as The Bahamas, Fiji, Maldives and the Seychelles, due to the large intake of money for businesses with their goods and services and the opportunity for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services, such as airlines, cruise ships and taxis, hospitality services, such as accommodations, including hotels and resorts, and entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, various music venues and the theatre.

Destination Vacations International Management In the United States, there are four different types of agencies: Mega, Regional, Consortium and Independent Agencies. American Express and the American Automobile Association (AAA) are examples of mega travel agencies.

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Travel To South America – The Three Faces of South America

There it is, plenty of mountains, beaches, adventures and history, all at an affordable price. What are you waiting for your next trip to South America?

As a matter of fact, if you are reading this, you have already decided to go there or, at least ,you are thinking about it. But, where to? I will show you my three favorite locations in South America, you choose by your own.

Peru: Macchu Picchu and The Inca’s Road

Are you the kind of person interested in history and archeological marvels or you would rather go looking for adventure, and a little (or more) fun within it? Whatever option you chose, Peru is the right place for you to go.

Five hundred years ago, the Spaniards ransacked and destroyed most of the legacy of the Inca Civilization. They could not, however, reach the sacred city of Macchu Picchu. These almost intact ruins where found in the twentieth century, and access to the city is believed to have been reserved for the emperor (the Inca) and the nobility (Hiran Bingham, founder of the remains, held that priestesses were raised and prepared here, but this is refused by current scientists)

Macchu Picchu is also some kind of world spiritual centre, people of all credos consider it an incredible point of contact with the spirit. But reaching the Macchu Picchu without walking the Inca’s Road, one of the most spectacular walking roads of the world, would be a sin. The Incas had built a road system only comparable to the one that the Ancient Romans built. The best kept part of the Inca’s road is the one that goes from Aguas Calientes to Macchu Picchu. After paying a USD 50 rate (USD 25 for students with international card), you will be able to start three unforgettable days in which you will walk 60 miles of mountains, with incredible vegetation and landscape.

The contact with the local people is one of the most attractive sides of traveling to South America, and this is particularly noticeable on the Inca’s Road.. You will find several “postas” all along the way (the antique places where Incas messengers got rest), and the natives hired for carrying the heavy luggage (the “portadores”) still resemble those antique messengers: they run at an incredibly rhythm; when you arrive to the “posta” they will have already set up your tent. However, not only rest is to be expected at the end of the day: depending on which “posta” you choose to stop, you can be received but one of the parties enjoyed by the innumerable youngsters that visit Macchu Picchu from all around the world.

The Inca’s Road is usually preceded by a visit to Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, and one of the greatest urban monuments from Colonial times in Latin America.

Yet, if I were you, I would start from the Argentine city of Salta, visit Bolivia, the Titicaca Lake, and just then go to Cusco. It is a bit longer, yes, but you will never forget it.

Brazil, always Brazil

What else can be said of Brazil that you have not heard about? Brazil is not a place to be visited once, it is a place to fall in love with. Brazil is also one of the largest countries of the globe, so my first advice is to get a travel guide book, and also one of those promotional plane tickets including 5 destinations for a reduced price.

Brazilians are worldwide known for their eternal smile and happiness; they tend to have less prejudices regarding human relations. That may be the reason why you will find a party almost wherever you find a Brazilian. Although Rio is “the” place for nightclubs, discos, and related events, the entire coast of Brazil is a permanent party.

If you are planning a trip for two, let me recommend you Trindage, an almost unnoticed place between Rio and Sao Paulo. The road ends at Parati, a beautiful beach town known for its Colonial architecture. After Parati, you will have to walk 8 kms. (around 3 miles). Renting a car is an option too, but I prefer hitchhiking. Every night there are reggae parties on the beach, and the sky is so clean that you will see several falling stars. You can a take a bath in of the rivers of the zone, but please remember not using soap in order to keep the environment unpolluted.

For those who enjoy adventures, the Amazon is a huge challenge. If you want to visit the jungle but without taking big risks, it is always nice to visit the mythic city of Manaos, with its Opera and its glorious past. Manaos is today a tax-free zone, so you may also find very cheap electronic devices.

Buenos Aires: the most pretentious city in South America

I was not surprised when I read that a London magazine has chosen Buenos Aires as the ‘sexiest city in the world’. With most of its population of European origins, and the frenzy proper of a big city, Buenos Aires has an incredible night life. Fancy nightclubs and pubs (accessible to the tourist, because of the low local currency, the Argentine Peso) are concurred by both young and mature people.

I would recommend going to one of the exclusive restaurants located in Puerto Madero, eat some Argentine meat, and then start the night at the Recoleta, the fanciest zone in Buenos Aires. You will ask yourself whether you are in Milan or Paris (do not dear to remind an Argentine they are from South America, they will get mad at you!).

Culturally, Buenos Aires is the most active city in South America. Writers, film directors, philosophers and artists of all kind are usually in the city giving performances or conferences.

If you like Theater, Corrientes Av. is some sort of local Broadway, all along which you will find uncountable spectacles. Of course, you cannot leave Buenos Aires without visiting the Colon Theatre, the most refined of its kind in South America.

During the day, you can visit San Telmo square, place of bohemians and artists, home of Tango, the Argentine typical dance. You can always go to a “tangueria” (tango bar) and get some lessons or just enjoy the sensual movements of the dancers.

For the weekend, going to a soccer match is a must. If you want to go to the biggest stadium in Argentina, go to the River Plate Stadium. However, if you prefer something slightly smaller but much more intense, go to the antagonist Boca Juniors Stadium, where 60,000 souls tight in a reduced space make literally vibrate the concrete. Soccer is not just a sport for the Argentines, it is a passion. Although Argentine beaches are not famous, you can enjoy several near Buenos Aires.

The most crowded is Mar del Plata, but the most beautiful is perhaps Necochea. If you are thinking on going a little more to the south, you can visit Las Grutas, the most southern beach where you can take a bath (below that, it is freezing cold). As a matter of fact, this would be an excellent excuse for visiting the entire Patagonia, with the lakes, the mountains and the Pampa, but this is subject for another article on traveling to South America…

Additional resources and information can be found by going to: http://www.TravelToSouthAmerica.com