Package-tour deals HOW TO BEAT THE HIGH COST OF VACATIONS
By Elif Sinanoglu

(MONEY Magazine) – If you are tired of pricey tours or wearying journeys to a major hub airport, think about joining one of the country's four best regional travel clubs. An initiation fee and $72 to $95 in yearly dues get you access to hundreds of first-class flights and/or excursions at 20% to 40% less than commercial rates. You can easily recoup the fees with just one club trip a year. As a member, you fly nonstop from the club cities of Indianapolis, Denver, Detroit or St. Petersburg. Plus, package deals include meals, day trips -- the works. Clubs will not only accommodate nonmember guests (for nominal fees) but will also customize trips for you and your friends. You fly aboard club-owned or leased Boeing 727s, so your companions, including the pilot, are often familiar faces. Tour groups are limited to 20 to 40 travelers. "The service is hassle-free," says Eugenie Sullivan, a 20-year Ambassadair member. Children travel free or at 10% to 50% discounts. Here's a brief club tour (unless noted, prices are per person, double occupancy; dues are per membership): -- Ambassadair (800-225-9919), founded in 1973 in Indianapolis, has 33,000 members from 33 states. This year's offerings include 285 trips. Sample: A five-country South America tour in May, 15 nights, $3,349 ($4,039 for singles). The club also organizes more than 80 day trips -- for instance, to Nassau for a day ($189). Fees: $100 initiation for families ($62.50 for singles); $72 dues. -- Ports of Call (800-843-6774), based in Denver since 1966, lists 26,000 members from 38 states. It has 150 trips set for '94. Sample: 15-day Scandinavian cruise and land tour in July, $4,299 ($5,499 for singles). Fees: $100, family initiation ($50, singles); $72 dues. -- Nomads (313-941-8000), begun in Detroit in 1965, has the highest fees because of a smaller (10,000) membership and its own $10 million plane; 70 planned trips. Sample: A 16-day cruise to Turkey and Greece, $3,450 to $4,425 ($4,310 to $4,590, singles). Also check out the Nomads Solos program. Fees: $600, family initiation ($300, singles); $90 dues. -- SkyCruisers (813-536-2267), organized last year in St. Petersburg, already boasts more than 2,000 members and 75 trips. Sample: 18-day package to New Zealand and Australia in April, $3,889 ($4,885, singles). Fees: $100 initiation per person; $95 dues. Why did president Tom Tepper found SkyCruisers? "Because," he says, "it's a better way to travel."