AIR TRAVEL KIDS FLYING SOLO
With the summer travel season approaching, many families will be purchasing tickets for children to fly solo to visit a parent, to see grandparents or to go to camp. Rules that all airlines share are that children younger than 5 can't fly solo, unaccompanied minors can't fly on the last flight of the day, and check-in times may be longer. Most U.S. airlines don't allow unaccom- panied kids ages 5 to 7 on itineraries that require a change of planes. Even if your child is old enough to make a connecting flight, stick with a nonstop or direct flight (has a stop, but no change of planes) so you don't have to worry about cancellations or delays. Know fees and age restrictions before you book a flight. Southwest offers the best deal because it doesn't charge a fee, but it offers unaccompanied minor service only to children ages 5 to 11. For details on domestic carriers' unaccompanied minor policies, go to www.bestfares.com and enter ''kids flying solo'' in the search box.
DEALS, DEALS
• The Point Orlando Resort condo-hotel has introductory rates starting at $129 per night through May 31 (plus taxes of 12.5 percent and a daily resort fee of about $11). The family package rate, which includes continental breakfast, applies to a one-bedroom suite that sleeps four and includes a kitchen. Regular rates are $169 to $269, depending on date. il,1l,0p8 The resort is less than two miles from Universal Orlando Resort. 866-956-2015, www.thepoint-orlando.com.
• A Trio of Treasures package at lodges in Washington's Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest has been discounted for stays through June 13. Spend one night at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, one at the oceanfront Kalaloch Lodge and a third in the rain forest at Lake Quinault Lodge for $359 (plus $36 taxes). Priced separately, the deal would cost at least $421 plus taxes; deal does not apply May 23-25 or June 6-7. 866-773-5057, www.visitwashingtonparks.com.
• Vacation while you learn how to sail with a Family Take the Boat Learning Vacation from Offshore Sailing School. The discount applies to three courses at any of three Florida locations from June through October. Price for the five-day Learn to Sail course starts at $4,615 plus $55 resort fee for a family of up to six (two adults and four children ages 7-17) at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Myers Beach. The price typically starts at $1,760 per person. Deal includes five days of sailing instruction and hotel room for five nights. Book by May 30. 800-221-4326, www.offshore-sailing.com.
• The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board is offering its Instant Savings Summer Deal for travel through Sept. 1. Book a four-night or longer vacation to Grand Bahama Island by June 30 and receive savings of $200 per reservation. Prices vary by travel dates and hotel property. 800-822-4262, www.grand bahamavacations.com. Request promo code GBSUMMER200.
