Discounts and Bargains to Mexico

Mexicana Airlines has introduced a Senior Saver Fare of 10% to 20% off all existing fares for travelers 65 or older. There is no club to join and no extra charges.

In addition, a companion of any age gets the same discount provided the couple travels together on all flights.

Mexicana’s Senior Saver Fare is 20% off of existing applicable fares during June, September, October and November. It drops to 10% during July, August and December.

The only requirement is that proof of age be presented upon request on flights throughout the trip. If the trip starts this month and ends in July, the first portion would get the 20% discount, the July portion would qualify for a 10% discount.

Here are some sample savings supplied by the carrier on service from Los Angeles, the largest of the carrier’s nine U.S. gateways, to 11 major cities and resort areas in Mexico and Central America:

To Mazatlan, normal round-trip economy fare is $199, with the 20% discount yielding a $39.80 saving, the 10% discount a $19.90 saving. To Cancun, normal fare is $355 round trip, with the 20% senior discount yielding $71 in saving, 10% discount a $35.50 saving; to Guatemala, $439 regular round-trip fare, a 20% discount means $87.90 off and a 10% discount is $43.90 off.

Fares quoted are in U.S. funds. Information and ticketing is available from any travel agency.

Program Expanded

Also for Mexican travel, Holiday Inns Inc. has announced that discounts for members of its Travel Venture Club--for those 55 or older--have been expanded to include Holiday Inn hotels in Mexico and Canada.

Members receive 15% weekday and 25% weekend room discounts at more than 900 participating U.S. Holiday Inn hotels in addition to other discounts on Republic and Western airlines, Hertz and National car rental agencies.

The Travel Venture Club also announced that Western Airlines will give club members a 33% companion discount on any of its Mexican flights from now to Sept. 14.

Membership in the Holiday Inn Club requires a $25 fee. Information is available from any local Holiday Inn or by calling (800)-HOLIDAY. The same number can be used to verify which Holiday Inn hotels in your intended vacation area are participating in the Travel Venture Club.

Betty Lowry, former chief flight attendant and now president of the United Airlines Silver Wings Plus, was in town recently to pass on some tips for mature travelers this summer:

This summer is shaping up to be very busy and a little hectic at times, said Lowry, who with more than 40 years of travel experience (37 in flight service) has sound advice.

“Senior travelers would do well to remember two terms: midday and midweek,” she said. “Those times are easily the best for senior travel, to take advantage of fewer crowds, shorter lines and less tiresome waiting. Besides, that’s when the best air fares are almost always available.”

Other tips from the president of United’s Silver Wings Plus, which is open to those 60 and older but provides the 10% discount off all UAL fares for anyone 65 and older:

“Seniors should always work with a travel agent. There is simply no way that an individual can keep track of changing air fares and schedules, and agents are quick with support on hotel accommodations, car rentals and special tour packages for seniors.

“For more comfort, especially for those who like to get up and move around, choose wide-bodied aircraft. The most stable seats are over the wings. Try for a bulkhead seat--the rows with a partition in front of them--for the most leg room.

“Avoid long lines and carrying heavy luggage by checking your bags at the curb. At $1 a bag tip for the skycap, it’s money well spent to start off a trip relaxed,” she advised.

July 1 Deadline

Lowry also pointed out that seniors have only until July 1 to qualify for United’s $25 lifetime membership in Silver Wings Plus, also the $100 Companion charter membership fee.

“After July 1 there will be an annual membership fee,” explained Lowry, “so if you’re planning to do lots of air travel in the next few years, you’ll be saving money by acting promptly.”

Full details of United’s Silver Wings Plus have been noted here in former columns. They involve many features in addition to the 10% air discount for those 65 and older. One major feature is that your $25 lifetime membership fee (if you enroll by July 1) is returned through a $50 certificate for air travel.

For more information, see your travel agent or contact United’s Silver Wings Plus Travel Club, P.O. Box 92591, Los Angeles 90009, phone (800) 232-4400.