Lupe Lira, Club Director of Digital Media, traveled both east and west and saved along the way.
One of my favorite things about traveling is finding ways to experience more while spending less. Over the last few years, I’ve been able to explore different cities using Club discounts; Club travel partners MemberDeals and MyDeals; and travel perks that helped make each trip smoother, more affordable, and honestly, more fun.
From historic landmarks to theme parks and famous city food spots, these trips became even better knowing I was saving along the way.
Destinations
- Washington, D.C.
- New York City
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Kona and Hilo, Hawaii
Club discounts make traveling easy and affordable.
One thing these trips all had in common was how much easier Club discounts made traveling. Between attraction passes, transportation tours, hotel savings, meal discounts, and rental car deals, the savings added up quickly and made it possible to experience even more along the way.
Washington, D.C. (2021)
History Around Every Corner
In 2021, I traveled to Washington, D.C. with a group of friends and used MemberDeals to save on sightseeing through CityPass and a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour.
The tour took us to many of the city’s most famous landmarks, including:
- The White House
- Washington Monument
- Lincoln Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
We also toured several Smithsonian Institution museums, which could easily take days to fully explore.
One thing that really stood out was our tour guide. He knew D.C. and American history incredibly well and somehow made every story entertaining. It didn’t feel like a history lesson. It felt like hearing stories from someone genuinely passionate about the city, which made the experience even better.
From D.C., we drove about two hours to Gettysburg National Military Park to learn more about one of the most significant battle sites in American history. We rented a car using Club car rental deals, which made it easy to turn the trip into a mini East Coast road trip.
Since we already had the rental car, we also visited Monticello, the historic home of Thomas Jefferson. One interesting fact I learned was that Jefferson personally helped design the home and filled it with creative inventions and hidden features that were considered advanced for the time. It’s also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
New York City (2024)
Views, Ferries, and Discounted Bagels
In 2024, I finally made it to New York City and once again used MemberDeals for a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour and CityPASS attractions.
The bus quickly became my main form of transportation because it conveniently stopped near my hotel in the Financial District. It made getting around the city so much easier without constantly figuring out subway routes.
One of the highlights of the trip was going to the top of the Empire State Building. Standing that high above the city was honestly surreal. Seeing the endless skyline, tiny yellow taxis below, and the energy of New York stretching for miles made the entire experience feel larger than life.
I also took a ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty for some iconic selfies and spent time riding a bike through Central Park, which gave me a chance to slow down and enjoy New York’s unique mix of culture, recreation and nonstop movement.
Of course, I had to try New York pizza to see what all the hype was about. Let’s just say… I enjoyed the discount more than the pizza itself. Surprisingly, the morning bagels were a much better experience and came with a generous 25 percent off through MyClubDeals. I definitely recommend checking the discounts while you’re out exploring because the savings really add up throughout the trip.
I stayed at a Marriott Downtown Manhattan property in the Financial District that I booked through MyDeals, which not only helped me save money, but also allowed me to earn hotel points at the same time.
Orlando (2024)
Disney Magic and Big Savings
Later in 2024, I headed to Orlando for a Disney-focused vacation.
I visited:
- The Magic Kingdom
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- EPCOT
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Since I went in August, the weather was definitely an experience of its own. Between the muggy heat and random thunderstorms, there were moments where it felt like I was melting one minute and sprinting for cover the next. Yikes!
Even with the weather, the trip was worth it. I saved on park admission through MemberDeals and booked my hotel using Travel Deals powered by MyDeals. The hotel savings alone came out to approximately $39 per night, and the included Continental breakfast helped cut down food costs in the mornings.
By the end of the trip, I estimated I saved about $376 using Club discounts and travel perks throughout the vacation.
Philadelphia (2025)
Cheesesteaks and ‘Rocky’ Steps
In 2025, I visited Philadelphia and used Club discounts on the Big Bus Tour to explore the city’s must-see spots.
Some of my favorite stops included:
- Betsy Ross House
- Chinatown
- LOVE Park
- The Franklin Institute
- Philadelphia Museum of Art, home of the famous Rocky Steps
- Independence Visitor Center and the iconic Liberty Bell
And of course, I had to stop by Reading Terminal Market for a cheesesteak.
Kona and Hilo, Hawaii (2025)
Jeeps, Volcanoes, Coffee and Island Adventures
In 2025, I traveled to Kailua-Kona and Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii and used our Club auto rental discounts to save approximately $300 on a Jeep rental for five days.
Having the Jeep gave me the freedom to really explore the island at my own pace. I spent the trip driving across different parts of the island, learning more about Hawaiian culture, beach hopping, trying local food, and enjoying some of the freshest tropical fruits I’ve ever had.
One of my favorite experiences was learning more about the island’s famous Kona coffee. Visiting local coffee farms and tasting fresh Kona coffee right where it’s grown was completely different from anything store bought. The views overlooking the coffee fields and coastline made the experience even better.
I also made time for a museum tour to learn more about Hawaiian history and local traditions, which gave me a greater appreciation for the culture and stories behind the island.
One of the most unforgettable parts of the trip was visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Seeing the volcanic landscapes in person felt almost unreal. I even made it up to the summit, where the views completely changed from tropical scenery to dramatic volcanic terrain above the clouds. It’s one of those experiences that makes you stop and appreciate how powerful and beautiful nature can be.
Between the rental car savings and the flexibility to explore on my own schedule, the Club discounts made the entire Hawaii trip even more enjoyable.