When booking with the Hotels.com Summer Sale, hotel-goers can receive $25, $50 or $100 cash back in the form of a prepaid cash card. Recipients can spend their reward on a number of options, from gas for a road trip to a future wanderlust excursion. Wherever vacationers are headed, as long as they follow the below summer travel tips, they’ll be set to enjoy a fun trip:

Gain Fuel Power. To make your dollar go further, get gas in the morning when it is cooler and denser. Once you hit the road, avoid braking hard or accelerating unnecessarily, as gas is wasted each time you accelerate, especially when braking a few seconds later. Also, gas mileage decreases rapidly at higher speeds. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drivers can assume that for every five mph driven over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.31 per gallon for gas.

Grab the Right Shades. Having the right pair of shades on vacation enhances your vision and safety and protects your eyes from the harmful UV radiation, wind and debris. This summer, if you’re planning an adventure by land, such as a hike, climb, or bike excursion, be sure to wear a pair of sunglasses with resilient, lightweight frames that feature rubberized grip points on the nose bridge and temples to keep glasses in place. More lens curvature will maximize side protection against sun, wind and impact. For water activities, opt for a pair with polarized lenses to block blinding glare and boost colors to make your view of the world more vibrant.

Find What’s Important to You. The Hotels.com Amenities Survey found that Wi-Fi is the top priority among travelers, followed by free breakfast. Vacationers can easily find the perfect place with their preferred amenities by using the unique filters on the Hotels.com mobile booking app and site. The app helps users target hotel properties by amenities, type, proximity and even theme, all while serving up the best deals available.

Ask For What You Want. Don’t hesitate to ask the front desk personnel upon check-in if there’s an upgrade available. Many hotels are glad to move guests into a “better” room. It builds customer loyalty and it helps them to sell that more affordable standard room to someone else. Also make it a point to befriend the concierge, who is your best ticket to what’s hot in the town you’re visiting. The concierge often has discounts to local restaurants, shows, clubs and events. They can get restaurant reservations when no one else can. And, they want to help you, so let them!

Reward Yourself. A 2012 Harris Interactive survey commissioned by American Express found that 19 percent of summer travelers plan to use loyalty program points and miles for 2012 summer travel. This percentage is low, considering it’s so easy to earn perks. This summer, sign up for the Hotels.com Welcome Rewards™ program. It’s simple and easy, and FREE to join. When you stay 10 nights, you earn a free night stay at more than 65,000 hotels worldwide.

Source Hotels.com

The number of people expected to travel more than 50 miles during the coming holiday weekend is an increase over the period last year, and 88 percent of those travelers will reach their destination by car, according to the automobile group AAA.

Additionally, National Tire Safety Week, held during June 3-9, is a period that emphasizes the simple steps drivers can take to ensure their tires are in good working condition. Research reveals that motorists rank tires as the second-most important safety feature in vehicles next to brakes, yet only a third of consumers properly check their tire inflation pressure.

Improper air pressure in tires can lead to a multitude of problems – from uneven and accelerated tire wear, to structural damage in a tire. An underinflated tire also has the potential to affect tire performance, including making a vehicle less fuel-efficient. With temperatures rising and vacation travel commencing, the attention given to the care and maintenance of tires should be heightened, according to Goodyear officials.

“Checking tires for proper inflation and tread condition is one of the most critical – and easiest – maintenance procedures for a consumer,” said John Peer, vice president of Goodyear Retail. “It doesn’t take much time or sophisticated equipment. Drivers can check their tires by themselves, or any of our retail outlets would be happy to provide the service.”

Goodyear-owned retail outlets and participating independent Goodyear retailers offer a service in which consumers can stop in without an appointment for a free tire check. This includes an inspection of the tread condition and tire inflation, with air added at no charge if the inflation level is down.

According to research by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), not only do most drivers ignore their tires, most simply do not know enough about how to care for the tires correctly.

Goodyear recommends that motorists should check tire inflation at least monthly or before a long trip. Tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in the owner’s manual, not the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall.

In addition to proper inflation, according to Peer, another way consumers can potentially benefit from increased fuel efficiency is by choosing a tire such as Goodyear’s new Assurance Fuel Max. Available at Goodyear retail outlets, Assurance Fuel Max has a fuel-saving tread compound that helps reduce energy loss as the tire rolls. This helps to save 2,600 miles’ worth of gas over the life of a set of tires.* The Fuel Max tire is available for most cars, and for many SUVs and crossovers.

Among other initiatives from Goodyear during National Tire Safety Week are these:

-Goodyear outlets will distribute the RMA’s “Be Tire Smart, Play Your PART” consumer booklets. Those guides stress the importance of inflation pressure, wheel alignment, tire rotation and visual checks of tire tread.
-On www.goodyear.com, visitors will find extensive information on tire care, product selection and more. The “Personal Tire Care” section contains advice on tire pressure and proper inflation, visual inspections, tire repairs, saving fuel and more.
-With their lighted message boards, Goodyear’s famous blimps continue to spread the tire care message while in flight, urging consumers on the ground to check tire pressure and treadwear.

Source The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Expedia.com, the world’s leading online travel agency, today launched Expedia Kids in the City Guide, a compilation of 12 distinct guides to top US summer vacation destinations. Each online guide is curated by a family travel blogger who is a mom herself from cities such as Boston, New York and Chicago. They feature the best places to see, stay, eat and play with children of all ages in the summer months.

The Expedia Kids in the City Guide comes on the heels of the launch of Expedia’s largest summer sale ever, with over 12,000 hotels and resorts from 700+ destinations offering up to 35% off. New Expedia research shows that 91% of US family getaways are for travel within the US and that 56% of these trips were to an urban destination. Further, 32% of those booking a family getaway reported that they were going to a destination they’ve never been to before.

The full set of guides will appear on Expedia.com on May 22, 2012. To review the guides, visit expedia.com/kidsinthecity and follow Expedia on twitter @Expedia using #ExpediaKids as the hashtag for the discussion.

“In everyday life, moms rely on other moms for the recommendations relating to their family: the best pediatrician, childcare, babysitters, schools, you name it. Moms are usually the Chief Travel Officer of the family so vacation and travel shouldn’t be any different,” said Sarah Keeling, director of travel communications, Expedia Worldwide. “When parents commit to a family vacation, to spend their precious time and resources on that special summer trip, they want to feel confident that they’ve found the best services and attractions for their kids. The Expedia Kids in the City Guide gives moms the peace of mind that these trips are mom-approved.”

Participating bloggers and their corresponding cities include:
Boston – Nancy Solomon of Ciao Bambino!
Chicago – Nicole Wiltrout of Arrows Sent Forth
Denver – Kara Williams of The Vacation Gals
Los Angeles – Jennifer Miner of The Vacation Gals
Minneapolis/St.Paul – Beth Blair of The Vacation Gals
New York City – Carol Cain of NYCity Mama
Philadelphia – Mara Gorman of The Mother of All Trips
Portland – Amy Whitley of Pit Stop for Kids
San Diego – Colleen Lanin of Travel Mamas
San Francisco – Dana Rebmann of Ciao Bambino!
Seattle – Debbie Dubrow of Delicious Baby
Washington D.C. – Elizabeth Thorp of Posh Brood

“Who better to recommend kid-friendly attractions than travel-savvy moms who live in or near these key cities across America? We share our insider tips for visiting famous city sights with kids, as well as some of our favorite lesser-known activities in each area,” said Kara Williams, travel blogger for The Vacation Gals. “We hope our suggestions will inspire parents across the country to grab their kids and set out to explore some of the United States’ most popular urban destinations!”

Source Expedia, Inc.

The “Military Appreciation Bonus Consumer Cash” is on top of the $500 military bonus cash that the Chrysler Group already offers to eligible members of the military and their families.

Eligible consumers include active military, active military reserve, retired military (honorable discharge required), and retired military reserve (honorable discharge required). All honorably discharged veterans are eligible regardless of discharge date.

“Chrysler Group and its dealers are proud to support the members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families by offering this additional Military Appreciation Bonus Consumer Cash,” said Reid Bigland, President and Chief Executive Officer – Dodge Brand and Head of U.S. Sales. “During this 18-day period, eligible members of the military and their families can take advantage of this $1,000 cash allowance to purchase or lease a new Chrysler Group vehicle.”

This limited-time offer is available on 2012 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck, and FIAT brand vehicles, excluding the 2012 Dodge Avenger SE, Chrysler 200 LX sedan, Dodge Journey AVP, Fiat 500 Abarth, all SRT models, and the Viper.

All eligible personnel must present their military I.D., discharge papers (DD214 form), or other documentation that clearly reflects their eligibility status, to a franchised Chrysler dealer in the United States at the time of retail purchase of an eligible vehicle.

Additional information about this special promotion may be obtained from any participating Chrysler Group dealer.

Source Chrysler Group LLC

1. Get Properly Trained and Licensed – Half of all riders today have never taken a proper safety class such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourseSM. Along with training, get your motorcycle endorsement by the DMV. Studies have shown that trained and licensed riders are safer.

2. Wear All the Right Gear, All the Time – Always wear a real motorcycle helmet manufactured to the standards of the department of Transportation. Visit www.helmetcheck.org to ensure you have a proper helmet.

3. Don’t Drink and Ride – Never, ever ride while impaired by alcohol or any kind of drug. Bikes, beer and booze don’t mix. Nearly half of all riders killed in motorcycle crashes had been drinking.

4. Ride Within Your Skill Limits and Obey Traffic Laws – Don’t ride faster or farther than your abilities can handle.

5. Be a Lifelong Learner – Take refresher RiderCourses. No matter how often you ride or how long you’ve been riding, take advanced courses to brush up on the basics and keep working on improving your skills. The MSF has an extensive curriculum with courses for all riders from beginner to experienced.

For Drivers

1. Focus on Driving – Don’t be distracted. Never text or surf the Web while driving. Put down the cell phone or mobile device. Food, pets and even passengers can be bad distractions.

2. Look for Motorcyclists – Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles and are often harder to see. But motorcycles are out there and you should expect to see them and try to see them in the mix of traffic.

3. Give Motorcyclists Enough Room – Keep a safe distance when following a motorcycle. Don’t change lanes too close in front of a rider. Motorcyclists and their machines generally don’t just have fender-benders in collisions with cars.

4. Use Your Turn Signals – Always signal your intentions. It’s for everyone’s safety and it’s also the law.

5. Keep it in the Car – Trash, including cigarette butts, should stay in the car, not thrown out where it could hit a motorcyclist. Road debris can kill a rider. Heavier items, especially, should be kept inside the car or truck or should be
very well secured.

Source Motorcycle Safety Foundation

1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don’t “recognize” a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

2. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

3. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you’re changing lanes or turning at intersections.

4. Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don’t assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.

5. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle’s signal is for real.

7. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.

8. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle’s better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don’t expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

9. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can’t always stop “on a dime.”

10. When a motorcycle is in motion, don’t think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.

Source Motorcycle Safety Foundation

“For a variety of reasons, motorcycle riders are at much higher injury risk than passenger car occupants,” said Wiley X Co-Owner Myles Freeman, Jr. “And getting riders educated to wear only ‘safety rated’ protective gear every time they go out is an important part of the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month campaign. Many people understand the need for a protective helmet and leathers to help prevent serious injury in an accident. Fewer know that taking to the streets or highways on a motorcycle can also be dangerous to the eyes, even during normal, everyday riding,” added Freeman.

Wiley X offers a full line of sunglasses that aid rider safety in several ways. First, they protect riders against harmful UVA/UVB rays while providing the sharp vision and reducing glare to help motorcyclists read the contour of the road. Second, they reduce eyestrain and the effects of Dry Eye Syndrome that can cause eye damage and compromise the rider’s vision during long hours on the road. Third and most importantly, Wiley X’s battlefield-proven High Velocity Protection keeps riders eyes safe from a variety of dangers found on the open road — from airborne debris and flying insects to low-hanging branches and rocks kicked up by passing cars.

Oddly enough, Wiley X is the only premium performance sunglasses brand in street bike dealerships nationwide whose entire line meets the stringent ANSI Z87.1-2003 High Velocity and High Mass Impact Safety standards, providing road-worthy protection for every rider. Some popular models provide an even higher level of protection, meeting the military’s updated GL-PD 10-12 Standard for ballistic eye protection. Most are also prescription ready, making them ideal safety equipment for riders who require corrective lenses.

Wiley X’s Climate Control Series sunglasses are particularly popular with riders, thanks to the company’s patented, removable, soft foam Facial Cavity Seal that’s designed to seal out wind, dust, debris and cold. New-for-2012 Climate Control models include the WX Echo and WX Gravity, combining cutting-edge styling with the benefits of wrap-around protection. These new models are available in a range of frame/lens combinations, allowing riders to find the ideal pair for their individual sense of style and road performance needs.

Source Wiley X, Inc.