Online Reservations

Expedia provides the booking engine for the Web site. Below are links to it and other booking services for airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, vacations, and cruises, and to sites where you can make bids or participate in auctions. Explanations and tips for using each service follow the links.

Some online booking services allow you to check prices without becoming a member, but at most of the ones listed here you'll have to become a member to book. You'll be asked to give your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and other info and select a log-in name and password. If you're not comfortable using your credit card for purchases online, you can call in the card number to a toll-free (in the United States and Canada) number. For flights you book, the services encourage you to accept an electronic ticket (also known as an e-ticket), but you can ask for a paper ticket to be mailed to you for an additional charge.

Some online booking agents make certain fares---usually the cheapest ones---available to dues-paying members only. Sometimes the fare in question is still a bargain even after you add in the cost of the yearly membership, but make sure you get exactly what was advertised: Some companies have been known to pull a "bait-and-switch" routine by offering you a certain fare if you pay the membership fee, then telling you that your fare is "sold out" once they get your money. By all means, demand an immediate refund of your membership fee if you find this to be the case or believe the fare was misrepresented in any way.