Southwest airline discount coupon

Do any airlines still offer senior discount coupon books?

Do any airlines still offer senior discount coupon books?

Q. It seems that the airlines have now eliminated senior coupon books. Do any airlines still offer them and, if not, is there another way for seniors to fly for less?

A. Most major airlines have quietly dropped those senior discount coupon books that made travel affordable and flexible for people 62 or older. They've even eliminated the standard 10-percent discount on most fares, which was an industrywide feature for years.

However, US Airways still offers discounted senior fares to AARP members, which may or may not be less than regular fares, depending on whether or not there's a sale going on. Frontier still offers the 10-percent discount, and also offers Web-only senior fares on www.flyfrontier.com. Alone among the larger airlines, America West continues to sell senior coupons: $596 for four one-way flights.

Although SouthwestAirlines (www.southwest.com or 800-435-9792) never offered coupons, they do have some of the most flexible senior fares in the industry. For example, at press time the lowest regular fare from Chicago Midway to Baltimore on Southwest was $172 round- trip with a 14-day advance purchase and a one-night minimumstay. But the senior fare on the same airline was $81 one-way, with no round- trip purchase required and no advance purchase, assuming the fare is available on the day you want to travel.

Q. I read about a boat cruise that went along the East Coast and ended in Savannah, Ga. Do you have any information about this?

A. You're probably thinking of the Delta Queen Steamboat Co.'s Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light, two ships that used to visit Savannah. When the company went bankrupt, these ships were pulled out of service and they haven't been purchased by a new owner.

A cruise line called American Cruise Lines operates a seven-day coastal itinerary that begins in Jacksonville, N.C., or Charleston, S.C., and visits Savannah. Their Historic Antebellum South Cruise, with 16 departures in 2003, also calls at Hilton Head and Beaufort, S.C., and other ports, using an inland coastal route. The brochure rate is $2,520 in a standard stateroom, per-persondouble occupancy, but there are lots of promotions and specials, such as an $800 discount for early birds booking six months in advance, and half- price companion fares.

For more information, visit www.americancruiselines.com or call 800-814-6880 or your travel agent.

Q. Is there a source, preferably online, where you can book youth hostels and see reviews from previous guests to get an idea of what the hostels are like?

A. A good source is www.hostelworld.com, which lists hostels around the world and includes ratings from past visitors. You can also get an idea of prices and book online. You might also check out the Hostelling International American Youth Hostels site at www.hiayh.org, where you'll find descriptions of participating hostels and pricing, but no ratings from users.

By the way, hostels have come a long way in the past 20 years, and many offer private rooms with private baths. Gone are the days when you had to pitch in with chores or observe a curfew. And they're not just for youths anymore. George Hobica writes for the Copley News Service. If you have a travel question, send it in care of Travel Editor, the Daily Breeze, 5215 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503- 4077 or e-mail George Hobica at geohobica@aol.com.