As if the Frugal Diva didn’t already love AAA for all their travel discounts, they now have so many new ways to save. My buddy, Jennifer Moss of Baby Names.com, reminded me you even get a discount at Payless Shoes with your card.  Target, Barnes and Noble, Regal Theaters, Mattel and many others offer various ways to reduce expenses. Check your local club website for restaurant discounts in your area.

AAA Club Rewards is their newest online feature where you can save on hundreds of discount offers each week from approximately 30,000 participating merchants nationwide.  In addition to these savings, you can earn reward points with most purchases.  Members need to register on site. Once you are enrolled to receive reward points with most purchases on AAA Club Rewards.  Membership does indeed have it’s privileges.

It’s important to focus when you are doing loyalty programs so coordinate your shopping for maximum rewards.

Travel is a luxury and we all need a little down time. Californians have the distinct advantage of living in a state where there are national parks, sophisticated cities, deserts, Disneyland, and everything in between. For flying anywhere else in the United States,  Southwest Airlines is my favorite, great fares, egalitarian seating, no fees for one piece of luggage,  and for most fares you can make changes without a penalty. They are running a great special right now with one way fares starting at $59, so it might be a good time to make plans.

Travel is a luxury and we all need a little down time. Californians have the distinct advantage of living in a state where there are national parks, sophisticated cities, deserts, Disneyland, and everything in between. For flying Southwest Airlines is my favorite, great fares, egalitarian seating, and for most fares you can make changes without a penalty.

They have several destinations in Southern and Northern California and a stop in Reno for the Lake Tahoe area. Lake Tahoe is a bargain during the spring and summers when non skiers can enjoy the beautiful lake, bike and hike the mountains.  Take the North Lake Express into town or if you wish rent a car (try fatwallet.com for good rates).

Now for the trains. Amtrak has great routes and prices throughout the state.  They have all kinds of specials so look for deals on their site. And remember, you can board a train with your shampoo and not have to go through security. Sit back, enjoy the scenery, pack a lunch, and arrive refreshed. There are bus connections from most stations.  While train travel does take longer, remember at the airport you have to arrive 2 hours early, wait in line, and sit on the tarmac while your plane waits for clearance. Train travel takes the same amount of time and you can relax the whole way.

Now as a Los Angelena, it is hard to separate me from my car. And what could be better then knowing you can leave anytime, stop anywhere, and come home anytime. With music or a book on CD (get them from your library), even four hour stretches on the freeway become pleasurable. This is the type of vacation where you can follow your whims, make reservations from the road, and check out yard sales, festivals, and diners. Find the lowest gas prices with GasBuddy.com, pack snacks and water, make sure your phone is charged, and your car is ready for the road.

Travel divas, let me know your favorite California destinations, deals on hotels, spas, and attractions.

Here are some companies that choose to thank our educators with discounts.

Ann Taylor Loft understands you need style as well as substance with a 15% discount for teachers every time you shop. In the past J. Crew, Banana Republic, and Aerosoles Shoes have offered a 15% teacher discount at in store checkout.

Borders rewards teachers with a new Classroom Discount Card saves you 25% off classroom purchases every day, plus you can now use your Borders Rewards card with all your purchases and earn Borders Bucks!

Barnes and Noble wants to be a resource for teachers and sets you up with both in store and online classroom purchases.

JourneyEd.com has all the best software and fantastic prices for educators as well as students.

You do get summers off so make the most of it with STA Travel discounts.  The Educators Bed and Breakfast site offers unique experiences at $40 per night for two with continental breakfast.  Live like a local and enjoy meeting fellow educators while you travel.  And for those working for public schools check and see if you qualify for the outstanding government discount offered at hotels.

If I left anything out no doubt the Gift Card Granny caught it.

Some love the quaint bed and breakfast, the old style rooms with mismatched furniture, and the ministrations of the staff.  These people are not me. Do they really expect me to talk to strangers in the morning, go without television for the night, and return every day to chat with the owners?  Please just give me your basic hotel room - clean, with modern bathrooms, cable TV, mostly free parking and mostly free breakfasts.

What it lacks in charm it makes up for in convenience, dependability and free Wifi. And no one does this better then  Marriott  which represents many different brands – Courtyard, Fairfield, Renaissance, Springhill Suites - just to name a few. Read the rest of this entry »