News, Tips & Bargains : Deal of the Week

If a one-day shopping blitz at the Mall of America--the largest indoor shopping and entertainment complex in the United States--is on your to-do list, then Northwest Airlines has a one-day deal for you. The airline is offering round-trip fares of $159 from LAX to Twin Cities International Airport in Minneapolis/St. Paul on Nov. 25 and Dec. 10. Travelers must go and return on the same day. Flights leave at 6:45 and 8 a.m., which puts shoppers in Minnesota at midday. There’s a return flight at 7:45 p.m. Shuttle buses will take participants to the mall in Bloomington, which is five minutes from the airport, for $2 round trip. Airline tickets may be purchased on the day of travel, but Northwest recommends advance purchase. The offer is based on availability, which is limited; last year seats sold out quickly, a Northwest spokeswoman said. For reservations and information, call (800) 225-2525.

Free for the Asking

New from the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau is the fall-winter edition of the “San Francisco Book,” which has been updated and revised for the first time since 1984. The 100-page guide covers points of interest, attractions and neighborhoods, plus information on transportation, sightseeing, shopping and dining. Free copies are available, along with the annual Lodging Guide, at the Visitor Information Center, Lower Level, Hallidie Plaza, 900 Market St. To request a copy by mail, send $2 to cover shipping and handling to Visitor Information Center, P.O. Box 429097, San Francisco, Calif. 94142; tel. (415) 391-2000.

This Week’s Holidays

Banking and government offices will be closed or services curtailed in the following countries and their dependencies this week because of national and religious holidays:

Monday: British Virgin Is., Cayman Is., Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, Jordan

Tuesday: Brazil, Ivory Coast Rep.

Wednesday: Germany

Thursday: Myanmar

Friday: Bolivia, Haiti, Latvia, Morocco

Saturday: Belize, Monaco, Oman, Puerto Rico

Source: J.P. Morgan