So it’s getting to be that time of year – time to dream about our summer vacation plans. I don’t know about you, but at the beginning of May I’m as ready as the kids are for school to be done and I start seriously jonesing to hit the road and spend some fun time with my family. And today I’m dreaming of saving myself – and my readers – a little cash on these summer trips with Smart Destinations.
Smart Destinations Go Cards offer admission to a large number of attractions in cities across the United States and Canada for a set price. The idea behind these cards is to save travelers from paying full price for the things they want to do anyway and from standing in line to buy tickets. Users purchase the cards for a given city and get admission to dozens of museums, amusement parks, and other family attractions as well as getting discounts to local restaurants and tours. I was given a chance to review Go Cards on our trip to Los Angeles last spring and although I think they are great, my one criticism of them was that they aren’t necessarily a value for families with younger kids who might not want to do a huge number of things every day of their trip (i.e., they only save you money if you actually visit a lot of the places that are included in the price).
I’m pleased to announce that Smart Destinations will be offering a more customizable, flexible version of their product called Go Select. With these passes, you pay a discounted rate only for the attractions that you want to visit in a given city with a money-back guarantee for those attractions you don’t make it to (they also guarantee that you’ll be satisfied and that you won’t be able to get a combined cheaper offer). The discounts themselves vary but can be as high as 36 percent and since you are choosing only the things you know you want to visit, it’s a risk-free alternative that is sure to save you money on things you really want to see. You can use Go Select on visits to a minimum of two attractions in Boston, New York, Chicago, Oahu, or San Diego.
I gave Go Select a test run myself. We’re planning to visit Boston for a few days before we head up to Vermont in August. When I went in to look at the attractions that were offered, I saw several that we had already been planning to visit including a tour of Fenway Park, the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Science. I was also happy to see several bike tours of the city offering discounts as well and picked one of the downtown area.
The site is easy to use and shows you very clearly what your discount is for both kids and adults – I saved $30 for an adult pass to do all of the things I listed above. Once you’ve made your purchase, you are sent an email with a link to a printable pdf file containing your pass. You have 30 days from the first use of the pass to visit all of the attractions that you select, which means that most family vacations should easily be covered. You simply bring the pass with you to each attraction and will be admitted without standing in line for tickets.
Another really nice feature is that when you print your passes, you can choose to include information about each attraction you’ve selected including their opening hours, how to best to get there, and their website and phone number. This creates a handy packet for your vacation. (Eventually the passes and this information will be available for mobile devices as well).
Go Select will be available for the public on May 17. But I’m pleased to announce that you can get a preview of the site and a chance to use it this week. The first 100 Mother of All Trips readers who visit the site are invited to preview and purchase Go Select at rock-bottom prices that are even lower than the discounts that will normally be offered. You may get as much as 50 percent off! So if you’re planning a summer trip to any of the Go Select cities (or if you live there and are looking for some discounts on day trip fun) I hope you’ll take advantage of this great opportunity. Here’s how:
- Starting today, visit www.GoSelectPass.com
- Enter the activation code MOTHERTRIPS
If you do take advantage of this offer, I hope you’ll share what you purchased here and also on the new Mother of All Trips Facebook page! Happy trip planning.
And by the way, the photo is Tommy and Matt in Boston eight (gulp!) summers ago. I think it’s time to return don’t you?
Full disclosure: Smart Destinations gave me one free Go Select pass, which I have printed off and not yet used.
I've taken with my children and those I want to take. Explore and you'll find family travel tips, information about vacation destinations, and lots of stories about our adventures! 
