Travel + Fun

Tips for Car Trips:

• Be Prepared by Having 24-Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance. 

Union Plus Motor Club costs less than AAA, plus you get $40 in gas rebate vouchers when you sign up for one year.

• Plan Itineraries and Arrange Accommodations Well in Advance.

Reservations for hotels, restaurants and rental cars get booked quickly during peak travel times. Book now to get great deals on nightly and weekly condo rentals with your Union Plus discount.

• Get a Tune Up.

Before any long-distance drive, get your oil changed and your brakes, fluids and tire pressure checked. The slightest deficiency in air pressure significantly reduces a car's gas mileage.  Use your Union Plus discount to save 10% on getting your car serviced at Goodyear.

• Get an Early Start to Avoid Holiday/Weekend Gridlock.

Traveling during late night/early morning hours helps. The worst times to travel are after meals since most travelers postpone leaving until they've eaten with their families. Make sure all your drivers are thoroughly rested.

Tips for Air Travel:

• Book Your Ticket ASAP.

The key to securing the best deal is flexibility in your travel date. Also check into special fares or consider flying into an alternate airport and renting a car. Save up to 25% with car rental deals from Union Plus and choose from the top 6 rental companies.

• Arrive Early.

Airport parking, long lines at security checkpoints, and oversold flights mean it's a good idea to arrive early.

• Keep a Close Eye on Your Belongings.

Be aware of your surroundings and keep a close watch over tickets, wallets, purses, and other belongings. Thieves don't take vacations; but they can ruin yours.

• Avoid Getting Bumped.

1. Get an advance seat assignment.
2. Check-in online. 
3. Don't be late.

• Remember 3-1-1.

Regulations limit the amount of gels and liquids passengers can take through security in carry-on luggage.  Keep travel-size toiletries to 3 ounces or less that fit comfortably in 1 quart-size, clear plastic zip-top bag with 1 bag per passenger. 3-1-1.

• Know Your Limits.

Pack light and know baggage limits. Many airlines now charge for checked luggage.

Ken Jones, a pump and still operator at a Coke (fuel) plant and United Steelworkers (USW) Local 09-12136 member from Birmingham, AL, is one of two lucky $5,000 winners of the Union Plus “What Kind of Union Car Are You?” Labor Day Sweepstakes.

Jones, who claims that he never wins anything, could not have been more surprised to learn he won the prize money for simply completing a short quiz which revealed what his ideal union-made car personality type is. Nearly 25,000 sweepstakes entries were received between August 1 and September 5, and fortunately for Jones, the odds were in his favor.

“I follow Union Plus on Facebook since I’m a rep with my union and want to stay up-to-date with all the benefits, and that’s where I saw some information about the contest. I thought I wasn’t going to win, but just for kicks I entered,” he recalled.

Jones, who currently drives a union-made vehicle made in Topeka, Kansas, says he feels strongly about buying American-made and union-made. When he learned that his ideal union-made car personality is a Cadillac CTS, he had a comical reaction.

“Well, I thought it was kind of neat. Those cars are really sharp automobiles, and if I only had enough money to buy a Cadillac CTS, I certainly would get one!” he laughed. “It definitely matches my car type — the size of it, and the little bit of a sporty look to it.”

Due to his role with his local, Jones said he is very familiar with the benefit programs Union Plus offers. He plans to use the Mortgage and Auto Buying Programs in the future, and his oldest daughter was awarded a Union Plus $1,000 scholarship a couple of years ago. He also tells his fellow union members about opportunities to save with Union Plus.

“I tell the guys I work with that being a union member has many benefits with Union Plus. You have the wireless discounts, the Mortgage Program, discounts on tires, the insurance programs. There’s quite a long list. Not only does it pay to belong to be part of the union, but with this sweepstakes, it really pays to belong!” Jones said.

When asked about what he plans to do with the $5,000, Jones told Union Plus that he plans to spend some of it on his wife and daughters, and put the remainder into savings.

The prize money for this contest was provided by TrueCar, the provider of the Union Plus Auto Buying Service. Union members looking for a great deal on a vehicle save an average of $3,279 off MSRP and receive special rebates for buying union-made. Click here to learn more!