9 travel contests that could brighten your holiday season
While you're busy making your holiday gift list, why don't you take a few minutes to try to gift yourself a travel prize? Here are nine great chances to win big but – as always – these contests will disappear faster than a box of cookies in the break room.
1. Barclaycard #IHAVEARRIVED contest for free trips to the Grammy Awards, New York or Napa Valley: Barclaycard Arrival Mastercard cardholders can take part in the last few days of the #IHAVEARRIVED social media contest for the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip for two to the Grammy Awards. All it takes is joining the online travel community and sharing your #IHAVEARRIVED moment (a fun travel experience, for example, that resulted from using the card's strong reward program). Those without the card can still participate and enter for the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to New York or Napa Valle. Other prizes include Mastercard gift cards and $250 Funjet Vacation vouchers. But hurry: the deadline to enter is Sunday, November 22.
2. Tastes of Japan Recipe Contest: Inspired by Aichi, Japan, a vibrant city known for its superb craft beer made of soy, All Nippon Airways (ANA) and the Japanese National Tourism Organization (JNTO) have created a unique contest that invites U.S. residents to submit an original recipe that involves their favorite beer. ANA will fly the winner and a guest to Aichi for the ultimate culinary adventure. To enter, you'll need to send a photo of your culinary creation and a 500-character or less description of the dish. The contest runs until December 21 and the winner will be announced during the week of January 11, 2016.
3. Loungebuddy credits for airport lounge visits: This is an easy one. If you download the Loungebuddy app (which lists airport lounges around the world) and use it to purchase access to any The Club airport lounge, you'll score a 100% credit that can be used to purchase other lounges through the app. The Club has seven locations in airports around the United States, including Atlanta, Dallas and Seattle-Tacoma. This deal is good until the end of the year.
4. Win a trip to the New York Times Travel Show: JohnnyJet.com and Allianz Global Assistance have teamed up to give away a trip to one of the country's biggest travel shows in New York City. The all-expenses-paid, three-night trip for two also includes dinner with two of Johnny Jet's travel experts. Other bonuses include a special guided tour of Lower Manhattan's monuments and an Allianz Travel Insurance “Go Bag” that includes a GoPro, portable power pack, passport holder with RFID protection and a Frommer’s EasyGuide to New York City. Enter to win between now and December 4.
5. Experience New Orleans Prize Package: Experience New Orleans is offering an all-expenses-paid trip to the Big Easy, which includes a two-night stay at the Maison Dupuy Hotel in the French Quarter, a "Paddle and Wheel" tour of the city, and brunch for two at the Court of Two Sisters. Enter to win any time between now and December 31.
6. 10 days of adventure for two in Chile: Enter this contest to win a 10-day adventure for two, sponsored in part by LATAM Airlines. This dream trip (that is valued at more than $22,000) involves traveling from Santiago, Chile to the Atacama Desert, complete with all of the gear that hikers and adventurers could possibly need. The itinerary also includes a visit to the Matetic Vineyards and Torres del Paine National Park. No purchase is necessary and contest entries must by received by December 18.
7. British Virgin Islands Prize Package: Domino magazine has a contest for a four-night vacation at Autograph Collection's Scrub Island Resort, plus a $1,000 credit for flights. Also included are daily breakfast, spa credits, and a $500 gift card to Draper James. The giveaway runs through November 25 and gives lucky winners the chance to explore the British Virgin Islands, including The Baths National Park on Virgin Gorda and the stunning beaches of Tortola.
8. Win five nights at any Fairmont hotel worldwide: This simple contest dishes up some amazing prizes, including five nights at any Fairmont hotel around the world. Other winners will score gift cards valued at $100, $500, or $1,000 each. No purchase is necessary and the deadline to enter is December 16.
9. Virgin America gets pumped for Vegas: Virgin America has partnered with Zappos.com to give away a trip for two to Sin City. The contest is part of a promotion for the Virgin America pump (that's a shoe for those of us not into footwear) designed in a color called "Concourse Red." The prize includes flights, two nights at The Cosmopolitan hotel and a $1,500 Zappos.com gift card. The best part about the new Virgin America pump (for those that want to dress like the airline's flight attendants) is that $10 from the sale of each pair of shoes goes to the American Heart Association.