Don’t Be a PATS-y

AAA Travel Offers Tips for Super Bowl Savings - Not Scams

Another year, another Super Bowl for the Patriots and another opportunity for devoted fans to make the trek to the big game! Unfortunately, it is also an opportunity for scammers to ruin everybody’s good time.

For those planning to go the distance, AAA says there are several ways to save - but be cautious cutting corners.

“Patriots fans will head to Minneapolis to make memories that last a lifetime. The goal is for everyone to feel like a winner, regardless of the outcome,” says Suzanne Aresco, Director of AAA Travel. “This means having a solid game plan and putting protections in place to avoid getting blind-sided”.

With that in mind, AAA Travel is offering money-saving tips for those headed to Minneapolis for the Big Game, whether they are actually going to the game or just going to take part in the experience.

Money saving tips from AAA Travel:

1. AAA Members can save 15 percent or more on all Ticket Monster sporting event tickets, including the Big Game. To purchase tickets, AAA members can visit AAA.com/Ticketmonster and enter their valid 16-digit membership number at checkout to receive their discount. This can be a significant savings given the steep face value of even the least expensive seat.
2. Book airfare now and SAVE. The closest airport to U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). The sooner you can book, the better, as last-minute air travel can be much more expensive.
3. Fly to Chicago or Milwaukee and SAVE - Check out other airports to save money on airline tickets, hotel costs and rental car costs and availability.

• O’Hare International Airport in Chicago (non-stop flights from BDL available) is a 6 hour and 20 minute drive from Minneapolis but could offer better airfare and hotel rates and renting a car could be much easier there than in Minneapolis.
• General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee (1-stop flights from BDL but beware - some may go through Philadelphia!!) is 5 ½ hours from Minneapolis could be another option for those who don’t mind a drive.

1. Book hotels at a distance – Bus and rail lines into Minneapolis are plentiful so consider staying outside the city and using public transportation to get to the game. The further out you stay, the greater the discount, the greater the availability.

1. Take advantage of discounts – AAA members can save from airport parking (27% discount at Roncari) to travel, hotels and tickets. Don’t book anything without asking for the discount!

1. Use a Travel Advisor – A travel advisor will help minimize your risk and maximize your budget and, in the event of weather-related emergencies (Minneapolis!) or any other issues that could arise, working with a Travel Advisor means you won’t have to go it alone.

1. Consider travel insurance – Even with the savings, traveling to the Super Bowl will likely be costly. Protect your investment so you can feel like a winner, regardless of the outcome.

AAA Offers Tips for Avoiding a Super Scam

1. Use your credit card – this will give you leverage, recourse in the event of a problem
2. Use only reputable companies/hotels/private rentals – beware of private rentals by homeowners who could engage in a bidding war or double book. AAA advises travelers, especially those who are booking on their own or going the Airbnb/VRBO route to call the hotel or homeowner personally to make sure you have an actual reservation.
3. Read the fine print – Beware special deals on airfare, hotels and ‘packages’. Many locations in and around Minneapolis are hosting viewing parties and are charging hundreds, even thousands of dollars for ‘tickets’ that are NOT to the game. 

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and more than one million members in Connecticut.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit www.aaa.com.