Hi Rick-

I am not sure how it all ties in, but it seems that "Entertainment Cards" are branded by other companies. At one time (this may still be the case), AOL was offering the Entertainment Card under its own brand, AOL Traveler's Advantage. AOL members could sign on to AOL and simply use keyword "TA".

I have joined TA a few times. I always receive a booklet of hotels, a membership card and a voucher for a free night's hotel stay - I think it takes about 2 weeks to arrive.

The "contact us" on their website reads:

"For questions about your membership or the rewards it offers, call us toll-free at 1-800-548-1116 ; we're available from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST on Saturday or click here to email us for Membership Questions. "

I would call the number and ask them to check the booklet to see if the hotel you are interested in is listed. If so, what are the dates you can get the 50% off rate (for STT, it is usually off-season).

After that, call the hotel and make sure they still honor the card.

The TA website says you can join for $1 for the first two months and $9.99 per month after that. You can cancel within the first two months. I suppose you could time it right and join for $1, take your trip, then cancel. If you don't cancel within 2 months, you wind up with an annual membership.

Honestly, if you travel, the deals are really good. I've gone to Paris, London, USVI, Puerto Rico and many places in the US on my card.

The catch is that the hotels offering the 50% rate are normally the larger hotels (since the deal is that the 50% rate is offered when the hotel expects not to exceed 80% capacity) Thus, you'll find lots of convention hotels and larger properties listed - very nice places (Hilton, Wyndham, etc), but large.

AND, the deal is 50% off of the rack rate, not the lowest hotel rate, so you have to shop ALL of the offers for the hotel and see what is best. In my experience, the 50% has always been better than the hotel's best promotion.

On STT, I recall Sapphire, Point Pleasant and Secret Harbour being listed as 50% off - i *think* Westin on STJ and a STX hotel (I think Buccaneer). I have always used it for Sapphire - no problems. Though, they make me pay for my room in advance (at the time of booking).

I really don't know how TA and the Entertainment Card tie in...but my card says Traveler's Advantage on the front and Entertainment on the back. I suspect Entertainment wholesales out the card offer and allows its wholesale clients (such as AOL) to brand it with their own brand (called "white labeling"). So, when you call a hotel, just say you have an Entertainment card. They all know what that means. They will ask you for your member ID#, which is on your card.

Also, my card offers 5% cash back if you book with a hotel that isn't one of the 50% off hotels listed. So, you can stay at the Ritz and get 5% cash back off of your bill. They have also offered me 5% back on car rental and airfare, but in order to get the 5% back , you have to book through them. Since I have been able to find cheaper car rental and air on my own, I have nenver booked with them. I see that they have recently instituted a low price guarantee, so it seems more likely to get the 5% now.

Let us know if you have success with a USVI property and this card. I would call myself, but they are closed now.

Good luck. It is a sweet deal if you can get it.

Bluewater

Thank you again. It sounds too good to be true. I will check it out

Rick

I know it sounds good, but it is true. There are dozens of little "secrets" like this in the travel industry.

Now all you need is your Buy one/get one free dining Rotary Coupon book for STT restaurants and you'll be the half-off king! Family of four? Buy two Rotary Books! There's a good feeling in sitting down to a restaurant meal in the VI and knowing that two of the four people at your table are eating FREE.

Where can I get the rotary coupon book?

The Rotary Club's Dining Out Coupon Book is available from the gift shop at the hospital, the East End Secretarial Service, Color of Joy at the Entrance to Elysian Resort, Home Again in Red Hook and a number of other places...

Try calling: 340-775-7483

The books come out in the Spring and are good through December 15...so winter travelers are out of luck. The names of the participating restaurants are released in the Spring. STT and STJ restaurants participate...some for lunch, some for dinner. The deal is usually to buy one entree and get the second of equal or lesser value for free.

Thank you Bluwater. Those books will come in handy