For Traveling Families

With expectations of a bumper year in domestic travel, airlines and other travel suppliers are tailoring their wares to enhance the trend. As the summer school recess is imminent, family travel is one area receiving a good deal of attention.

Eastern Airlines has come out with a children’s fare program during the summer, June 15-Sept. 15, to promote its flights to Florida from more than 70 U.S. cities including Los Angeles, San Diego and Ontario.

Under this program, coach fare tickets for children ages 2 through 17 will cost $49 round trip when the children travel with an adult. There are some restrictions. This fare is only available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (the children’s coach fare is $79 round trip Friday through Monday), and there are seven-day advance purchase and a Saturday night stopover requirements.

One Per Adult

Each adult can only buy a $49 ticket for one child. Any other children flying on the same flight would have to pay the regular rate. The children’s rate is only available on a round-trip basis.

As far as adults go, you can use the $49 rate with one child accompanying you on any fare Eastern offers. But you should be aware of and follow any other conditions and restrictions pertinent to your particular fare such as advance purchase, minimum and maximum stays, etc.

At this point there is no cancellation penalty with the children’s fare. The same may not be true of other special fares, especially Super Saver fares.

Eastern is also throwing in a special rental car rate of $9.90 a day. The cars will be provided by General Rent A Car by showing your Eastern boarding pass. However, you can make a reservation for your rental car when making your flight booking. You get unlimited mileage, but the other car rental payment incidentals such as collision damage waiver are not included.

The 12 cities involved are Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Jacksonville, Gainesville and Key West.

Contact travel agents or Eastern at (800) EASTERN.

Hyatt Hotels has clarified information it provided to this column regarding its weekend discount program. A 50% discount is available at most partcipating Hyatt hotels off the deluxe double room rates only, not all rooms. Lesser discounts may be available with other rooms.