Costa Mesa Restaurant and Gasoline allowances
The folks in this part of Orange County, Calif. are promising a $25 restaurant certificate every night of your stay, as well as a $25 gas certificate for visitors who arrive before September 30. The offer only applies to guests at nine hotels listed on the Web site.
Branson, in the Missouri Ozarks, is another locale offering rewards to drivers who burn gasoline to visit. It is a favorite destination for people who enjoy live shows and down-home hospitality. When you buy show tickets and lodging through the Branson Tourism Center, they offer 20-cent discounts on each gallon of gas purchased at Branson First Stop Travelplex. The offer is good through the end of 2008.
Participating hotels and B&Bs will give you a $25 gift card to offset gasoline prices. You must book your reservation through 1-800-290-1457. This offer is fairly limited: it expires June 26, 2008.
Destination Hotels and Resorts Gas Credit
This is not a budget travel chain of hotels. In fact, luxury is more the standard at these properties, but give them credit for recognizing the costs of travel. Until Labor Day, they'll give a $25 daily credit to be used for resort services such as golf, spa, or dining.
Best Western International Gas Deal Promotions
A number of these hotels have promotions for various dates and discounts. A few properties offer multiple discounts. For example, several California hotels are offering a $50 gift card for two-night stays between Memorial Day and Labor Day and another $50 gift card good on your next stay between October 1, 2008 and January 31, 2009.
One final word of warning about these and any other rebate or discount offers you might find: Be certain all the arrangements are to your liking, not just lower gasoline price. A room that's overpriced by $50 but offers the chance for a free tank of gasoline is not really much of a deal, is it?
