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LESS MONEY, MORE MILES FOR CARIBBEAN TRAVEL

March 11, 2004 – American Airlines has conjured up both a sale and a miles promotion to lure travelers to and from the Caribbean this spring.
For Virgin Islands residents, the offerings could provide an incentive to get off island — to travel to the mainland or visit another Caribbean island.
The sale prices are for travel between April 1 and June 15, and flights must be booked by March 24. There are lots of fare variations, depending on what day you travel and what flight you pick. Let's say you want to depart the territory on April 14 and return on April 21. Here are some minimum fares being offered:
– A direct flight from St. Thomas to New York and back — $355.50.
– A direct flight from St. Thomas to Miami and back — $379.
– A direct flight from St. Croix to Miami and back — also $379.
– A flight from St. Croix to New York connecting through San Juan — $380. (There is no direct flight.)
Now, about those frequent-flyer miles:
If you book your flight online using American's Web site, you'll get 1,000 additional AAdvantage miles.
But the real deal comes if you book a Caribbean vacation package: The airline will give you 11,000 extra AAdvantage miles if you book online, and 10,000 if you call or use a travel agent. Here, travel must be between April 15 and Nov. 15, and vacations must be booked by April 30.
What's actually being offered is 8,000 additional miles for the hotel portion of the package and 2,000 miles for the airfare if you call or use a travel agent. The air portion is worth another thousand extra miles if you book online.
V.I. residents as well as travelers living elsewhere can rack up the miles for five-day stays in Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Grand Cayman or Puerto Rico.
For those who outside the territory, the selection of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John hotels participating in the package promotion makes the pie even sweeter:
St. Thomas — Antilles Point Pleasant Resort, Bolongo Bay Beach Club, Grand Beach Palace Resort, Marriott Frenchman's Reef Resort, The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, Sapphire Beach Resort and Marina, Secret Harbour Beach Resort, and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort and Spa.
St. Croix — Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Club St. Croix Beach and Tennis Resort, Colony Cove Beach Resort, Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort and Casino, Hibiscus Beach Hotel, and the Buccaneer Hotel.
St. John — Caneel Bay Resort, Gallows Point Resort, and the Westin Resort and Villas.
For a getaway to Puerto Rico, V.I. residents have their choice of these resorts and hotels: Embassy Suites Dorado Del Mar Beach and Golf Resort; ESJ Towers; Hotel El Convento; Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort and Country Club; Intercontinental San Juan Resort and Casino; Isla Verde Courtyard by Marriott; Las Casitas Village and Golden Door Spa; Paradisus Puerto Rico Beach and Golf Resort; Rincon Beach Resort; San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino; The Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel, Spa and Casino; Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort and Golf Club; Wyndham Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino; Wyndham El Conquistador Resort and Golden Door Spa; and Wyndham El San Juan Hotel and Casino.
To reserve an American Airlines vacation package, visit the AA Vacations Web site, or call (800) 321-2121.
To book a flight taking advantage of the sale fares, visit the American Airlines Web site, or call (800) 474-4884.

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