American Way Magazine is located in the seat pocket in front of you on every American Airlines flight, and in the latest issue they profile the winners in the 2011 Road Warrior contest.

Neal Gottlieb, of Sausalito, CA, was the Grand-Prize Winner. He traveled a total 101,854 miles last year as co-owner and founding twin of Three Twins Ice Cream (if you’re not familiar with Three Twins, they make an incredible lemon cookie ice cream that’s, thankfully, not available in Dallas, otherwise I’d be 500 pounds).

Coinciding with their Road Warrior issue, American Way has launched a new Road Warrior Community and they’re offering a chance to win 100,000 AAdvantage Miles by joining and submitting a review:

With all of your travels, we know you’ve gathered some great insider tips about cities around the world. Share them with our Road Warrior Community for your chance to win 100,000 AAdvantnage Miles!

After registering for the Road Warrior Community you will be able to build an itinerary and write a review of your favorite restaurants, hotels, bars, and other attractions.

From the rules:

Sweepstakes offered only in the U.S., and is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.

Entrants must either create an online itinerary or leave a review in order to be eligible to win the Grand Prize.

Prize Value: $1,990.00.

The deadline to enter is September 14, 2012 at 11:59 pm CDT.

Go here for terms and conditions and to enter. Good luck!

Today is the last day to cast your vote in the American Way Magazine 10th Annual Road Warrior Contest:

Welcome to the American Way Road Warrior voting phase of the contest! Back in the summer, we asked all you road warriors out there to brag on yourself a little (or a lot!) We wanted to know WHY and HOW and WHAT makes you a true American Airlines road warrior deserving of big prizes, a fancy photo shoot, starring on the cover of American Way and all the fame that comes along with such an honor.

Over 3,000 of you responded and boy, did you brag! We were impressed beyond belief. After hours of reading these amazing entries, we chose the five that knocked our socks off. Now these five entries are here for your viewing and voting pleasure. So cast your vote between now and November 30 for a chance to win 100,000 AAdvantage miles! Invite your friends and family to vote as well – the more the merrier!

The winner of the 100,000 AAdvantage miles will be drawn and notified the first week of December, but you will have to wait patiently to find out the results of the Top Five Finalist Voting until March 15, 2012 when the American Way Road Warrior Special Issue boards American Airlines planes.

From the official rules:

Deadline for voting is November 30, 2011 at 11:59 pm CST.  One (1) winner will be drawn on or around December 1, 2011. 6. Winner will be notified on or around December 1, 2011.

Go here to vote.  Good luck!

The Rapid Traveler has just joined Boarding Area!  He’s got lots of great trip reports and photos, so if you haven’t already discovered his blog, Rapid Travel Chai, go here to check it out and say hello.

I hope Maya Leibman is giving the editors at American Way Magazine the American Airlines company discount, because they’re giving away a lot of AAdvantage Miles.

They’re already going to award 1 million AAdvantage Miles to the winner of the 10th Annual Road Warrior contest. And then yesterday, they announced that they’ve selected the final Road Warrior candidates and that anyone that cast a vote a to pick the winner will be entered in a drawing to win 100,000 AAdvantage Miles.

Now they’re offering another drawing with the winner receiving 50,000 AAdvantage Miles and a two night stay at the Room Mate Grace Hotel in New York City:

Located in the heart of Manhattan, Grace, a Room Mate Hotel, offers 139 uniquely designed guest rooms, all with modern layouts and a chic atmosphere one would expect from a boutique hotel property.

• GIFT New York, the sophisticated hotel lobby bar is the perfect place to meet friends and experience the Manhattan vibe.

• All rooms include luxury bed and linens, a private, spa-like bath and a host of modern-day amenities.

• With contemporary décor and a provocative indoor pool, sauna and steam room, Grace truly provides a welcoming home away from home.

Enter for your chance to win two nights for two in a premium room at the Grace Hotel. The prize includes 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles as well as breakfast for two daily.

The retail value of the prize is $1,995 and it’s probably safe to assume that the winner pays taxes. There’s a limit of one entry per person and you have to submit it by November 14, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. CST. It’s pretty simple to enter, just go here and provide your contact info or to read the terms and conditions.

Good luck!

In July, American Way Magazine launched their 10th Annual American Way Magazine Road Warrior Contest.

The grand prize: 1 million AAdvantage Miles. To enter, contenders were asked to complete a survey by answering five questions:

• Describe the ONE most memorable experience you’ve had during your many travels on American Airlines that proves you should be named this year’s Road Warrior Grand Prize Winner

• Name 10 reasons American Airlines makes your travel life easier. (50 words or less each)

• Describe a typical 2-week time period in your life of flying American Airlines (routes, cities visited, miles flown, etc.).

• List the top 10 reasons you should win this year’s Road Warrior Contest. (50 words or less each)

• Tell us the name of your favorite city and describe the must-do items on your itinerary (hotels, restaurants, attractions, shopping, sightseeing, etc.) when visiting there.

Five finalist have been selected by the editors of American Way Magazine, and now you can possibly win 100,000 AAdvantage Miles by voting for you favorite:

Welcome to the American Way Road Warrior voting phase of the contest! Back in the summer, we asked all you road warriors out there to brag on yourself a little (or a lot!) We wanted to know WHY and HOW and WHAT makes you a true American Airlines road warrior deserving of big prizes, a fancy photo shoot, starring on the cover of American Way and all the fame that comes along with such an honor.

Over 3,000 of you responded and boy, did you brag! We were impressed beyond belief. After hours of reading these amazing entries, we chose the five that knocked our socks off. Now these five entries are here for your viewing and voting pleasure. So cast your vote between now and November 30 for a chance to win 100,000 AAdvantage miles! Invite your friends and family to vote as well – the more the merrier!

The winner of the 100,000 AAdvantage miles will be drawn and notified the first week of December, but you will have to wait patiently to find out the results of the Top Five Finalist Voting until March 15, 2012 when the American Way Road Warrior Special Issue boards American Airlines planes.

Voting begins today and you can only vote once. You can find a copy of the rules here.

Go here to read the answers that were submitted by each finalist and to cast your vote. Good luck!

American Way Magazine, the American Airlines in-fight publication, just announced a new sweepstakes that offers a chance to win a golf vacation package at the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida:

Owned and operated by The PGA of America and ranked among the “75 Best Golf Resorts” by Golf Digest, PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida, serves as your Ultimate Golf Destination.

PGA Golf Club: 54 holes of Championship Golf by Tom Fazio and Pete Dye

PGA Center for Golf Learning & Performance: 35-Acre Instruction, Practice, Technology and Fitness Park, and home to PGA of America Golf School

PGA Museum of Golf: See Golf’s 4 Major Championship Trophies

The Grand Prize winner will receive 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles, a 2-night stay for two including breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn, two rounds of golf for two players, a $50 resort credit, winner’s choice of PGA Golf Club hat from the golf shop, a lunch for two, and a 1-hour lesson for winner and guest from the PGA Center for Learning and Performance.

This is a sweepstakes rather than a survey, so to enter all you have to do is submit your name and contact info  before Sept. 14, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.  

The retail prize value is $2,300.00 and the winner pays taxes.   Go here to enter or to read the terms and conditions.

Good luck!

“Travelers” Photo credit: Thomas Hawk on Flickr

I don’t consider myself a real Road Warrior. I average about two or three trips a month and spend my share of time at the airport, but in the end, I spend more time at home than on the road, so at most I’d say that I’m a seasoned air traveler, worthy perhaps of Road Cadet status.

A couple of years ago, I did a 5 week stretch in which I traveled 28,942 total miles. By the end of my time on the road, I had sort of lost all sense of place, it was pretty much airport, plane, car, hotel, office building, repeat, and one city became pretty much the same as any other. For me, that was an unusual amount of time on the road, something I’ve not since repeated and don’t plan to do again if I can help it.

For others though (and I know a few of these people), it’s just the way of life.

It’s hard to believe that it’s that time of year already, but the Annual American Way Road Warrior Contest has started. So if you’re a citizen of the sky, you should consider entering this contest. The winner will receive One Million AAdvantage Miles:

Okay, you missed entering the Road Warrior Contest last year and you’ve been kicking yourself ever since. We understand. But you’re here now and that’s all that matters. So, welcome to the 10th Annual American Way Road Warrior Contest!

Your mom probably warned you about bragging (she said it was rude) but we WANT you to brag about yourself and your traveling prowess! We’ve conjured up some fun tasks for you to complete and we can’t wait to hear about your life as an American Airlines road warrior.

Here are the prizes:

ONE GRAND PRIZE: one million AAdvantage bonus miles, one 7-night vacation for two at the St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kauai, Hawaii from AmericanAirlines VacationsSM, one 1-year Avis President’s Club membership from Avis and one 1-week rental of an Avis Cool Car from Avis, one 1-year American Airlines Admirals Club membership and two complimentary American Airlines Five Star ServiceSM greets for up to two individuals traveling together.

ONE SECOND PRIZE: One 5-night vacation for two at Nannai Beach Resort in Recife, Brazil fromAmericanAirlines VacationsSM, one Bose Lifestyle V35 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones, one 1-year Avis President’s Club membership from Avis, three free Rental Reward Days from Avis, and one 1-year American Airlines Admirals Club membership.

THREE THIRD PRIZES: one 4-night vacation for two in a Grand Studio Suite at the Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa in los Cabos, Mexico from AmericanAirlines VacationsSM, one pair of Bose Quietcomfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones, three free Rental Reward Days from Avis, and one American Airlines Five Star ServiceSM greet for up to two individuals traveling together.

There is also much notoriety that comes with winning. Road Warrior winners will travel to Miami for their very own photo shoot and be the stars of our special March 15, 2012 Road Warrior issue.

To enter, you’ll need to complete an entry form and answer a few quetsions, such as:

Describe the ONE most memorable experience you’ve had during your many travels on American Airlines that proves you should be named this year’s Road Warrior Grand Prize Winner

Name 10 reasons American Airlines makes your travel life easier. (50 words or less each)

Describe a typical 2-week time period in your life of flying American Airlines (routes, cities visited, miles flown, etc.).

List the top 10 reasons you should win this year’s Road Warrior Contest. (50 words or less each)

Tell us the name of your favorite city and describe the must-do items on your itinerary (hotels, restaurants, attractions, shopping, sightseeing, etc.) when visiting there.

The deadline to enter is August 31, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.  Go here to read the rules or to submit your entry.

“Welcome to Historic Durango” Photo credit: Steven Castro Conte on Flickr

It’s just now July 1 and we’ve already had a few days of 100 degree temps here in Dallas, and by August there will be more Texans in Colorado than there will be in Texas. American offers more than 25 flights a day to Colorado from Texas and during August they could probably deploy Boeing 777s on the DFW to Colorado Spring route and sell every seat at full price.

So this new American Way Magazine sweepstakes with a chance to win a vacation in Durango, Colorado couldn’t come at a better time.

I’m not a professional writer (as you’ve no doubt noticed by now) nor am I in the marketing business, but if I was asked to write a marketing campaign for Durango, I’d probably just write something like “Durango. It’s beautiful and it’s not 107 degrees“.  Here’s how the writers at American Way describe it:

Durango is your adventure destination; a quintessential Colorado, mile-high vacation destination. This southwestern mountain town has several claims to fame, including Mountain Bike Mecca, Best Water Town in the West, and Friendliest Vacation Town. Discover for yourself what makes Durango such a unique and unforgettable place. There is so much to see and experience in Durango – where do you begin? From river rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, fishing and zip lining to historic walking tours, music festivals, shopping, art galleries and museums, you’ll never run out of options for a great vacation in Durango.

Here’s a description of the prize:

Enter for a chance to win a Durango, Colorado getaway for two.

The prize includes 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles, 3 nights at the Rochester Hotel, half-day rafting trip on the Animas River for two from Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Trail Tours, a day of zip line adventure for two from Soaring Tree Top Adventures, trail ride for two at Elk Point Lodge, two Total Adventure tickets for Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort.

The prize also includes food & beverage gift certificates from Cocina Linda, Steamworks Brewing Company, and Vallecito Lake Country Market, a dinner and show with the Bar D Chuckwagon, a live performance at the Henry Strater Theatre, a $75 gift card for the Spaaah Shop and Day Spa and an Osprey Durango Day Pack.

Go here to submit your entry.  The deadline to enter is July 31, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.

Good luck and have a great Fourth of July!

“Colombia, the only risk is wanting to stay.”
Credit: columbiatravel on YouTube

American Airlines Publishing’s Spanish language Nexos Magazine is sponsoring a Reader Sweepstakes with the winner receiving a 7 night stay for two in Columbia and 70,000 AAdvantage Miles:

Two-night all-inclusive stay at Poblado Plaza Hotel in Medellin, three-night stay at the Hotel Comfenalco at the Parque Arvi Nature Preserve in Piedras Blancas, two-nght all-inclusive stay at the Hotel Mariscal Robledo in Santa Fe de Antioquia province PLUS 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage Miles.

To enter, just go here and complete the reader survey by August 15, 2011. You’ll also find terms and conditions there as well.

Good luck and have a great weekend.

Don’t forget, you still have a few days to win 70,000 AAdvantage Miles and a stay at a luxury resort in Granada from American Way Magazine.

“Win” Photo credit: Drew McLellan on Flickr

AAdvantage 30th Anniversary Deal of the Day update: Just in time for Mother’s Day, earn 30 AAdvantage miles per $1 spent with 1800Flowers.com, FTD or Teleflora. Go here for details and don’t forget to submit your name in the daily drawing for 30,000 AAdvantage Miles.

American Airlines just started new service to two cities in Europe: Helsinki and Budapest. To help promote the new routes, American Way magazine is sponsoring a contest with the winner picking a trip one of them:

Enter for a chance to win two Round-Trip Coach Class tickets on American Airlines to your choice of Budapest, Hungary or Helsinki, Finland. Not sure which one to choose? Select Budapest, situated in Eastern Europe, to enjoy renowned museums, parks and a great nightlife. Or experience the design and culture of Finland on American’s new service to Helsinki. The deadline to enter is May 31, 2011 by 11:59 p.m. CDT.

If I had to choose, I think I’d pick Budapest just for the number of entries on Atlas Obscura, particularly this odd place. Which city would you choose?

To enter or read the terms and conditions, go here. Good luck!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrJJ4LgiePA
Underwater sculpture installation at Moiliniere Bay, Granada by Jason de Caires Taylor

When I think of Granada, I think of two things: the U.S. led invasion back in the 1980s and Jason de Caires Taylor’s underwater sculptures.

I was a kid back when the invasion happened, so I don’t remember much about it, and it’s not been in the news much since then, but a few years ago I came across an article about the underwater sculpture installation and decided to add it to my list of “places to see”. The artist, Jason de Caires Taylor, created the underwater sculptures to draw tourist away from some of the more fragile coral reefs off the Granada coast and to help restore the reef in an areal hat has been destroyed by storms these last few year. Visitors can visit them by taking one of the glass bottom boat tours, or by snorkeling or diving to see them.

American Airlines and American Way Magazine have brought back the Reader’s Survey and they’re offering a prize of 70,000 AAdvantage Miles and a 7 night stay at the LaSource GRENADA resort:

Enter to Win a Trip for 2 to Grenada
Winners will receive a 7-Night ALL-INCLUSIVE stay for two at LaSource GRENADA, the Caribbean’s award winning luxury all-inclusive spa resort plus 70,000 AAdvantage miles to fly American Airlines.

This boutique resort on secluded Pink Gin Beach is a place of extraordinary splendor with sumptuous dining at a choice of three restaurants, a private white-sand beach and much more.

If underwater sculptures aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other things to do at the LaSource GRENADA resort:

This all-inclusive stay includes daily spa treatments, all dining, all beverages, taxes & service charge. As part of this all-inclusive package, guests may also enjoy tennis, archery, gym, weight training, aerobics, volleyball, fencing, stretch classes, hiking, table tennis, pool table, bicycle tours and a 9-hole executive golf course, and one dive per week.

Go here to read more about the sweepstakes.   To take the survey or to read the terms and conditions, go here and simply enter your name, address, and phone number located at the beginning of the electronic survey and answer all questions. The deadline to enter is June 30, 2011.