Page 3 - AAA Schuylkill County – AAA Now! – January/February 2017

AAA
Volume 29, No. 1
HEADQUARTERS OFFICE
340 South Centre St.
P.O. Box 990, Pottsville, PA 17901 Telephone: (570) 622-4991 • 1-800-666-SCMC
BRANCH OFFICE
202 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252 (570) 668-1003
OFFICE HOURS
POTTSVILLE
Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
TAMAQUA
Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
OFFICERS
ROBERT W. WACHTER - Chief Executive Officer GEORGE URITIS - Chairman of the Board DAVID J. HOLLEY - President RONALD DERENZO - Solicitor
DIRECTORS
Wayne S. Hamilton .............................Orwigsburg
David J. Holley ...........................Schuylkill Haven Allen C. Koch .............................Schuylkill Haven John Levkulic .............................Schuylkill Haven Lowell P. Martin.................................... Frackville Robert Mills.............................................Pottsville John D.W. Reiley.....................................Pottsville George Uritis ........................................... Cressona
JUDIE KARHAN - Editor-in-Chief DOROTHY CROUCH - Senior Editorial Director HANS FRUST - Creative Director ANGELA ILICH - Director of Production LORRIE MULHALL - Regional Editor
AAA Now! (ISSN 08988552; USPS 002-243) is published quarterly by AAA Schuylkill County, 340 South Centre St., Pottsville, PA 17901. Periodicals postage paid at Pottsville, PA 17901 and at additional mailing offices. A subscription price of $1 per year to primary members is paid through dues.
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to AAA Now!
Schuylkill County, 340 South Centre St., Pottsville, PA 17901.
AAA does not endorse any product or service advertised in this publication other than AAA club services and products. The publisher of AAA Now! Does not endorse or make any representations or warranties concerning any service or product advertised in this publication. The published is not liable to any advertiser or reader for any errors or omissions in advertising or editorial copy appearing in this publication, provided, however, that the publisher will print a correction after the publisher has been notified of an error or omission.
WHAT'S INSIDE
AAA Member Benefits Travel Highlights of Poland Insurance Myths
AAA Discounts & Rewards®
Protect Your Pipes from Freezing
TM
Three Good Reasons to Buy Cruise Insurance
Sail Away with Allianz Global Assistance
GEORGE A. URITIS
Chairman of the Board
You’ve been planning your cruise for months. You’ve stocked up on sunblock, stowed away your passport and ironed your best Hawaiian shirt. But have your purchased travel insurance?
It may seem like just
one more expense, but experienced travelers know
dock, so many cruise lines have very strict cancellation policies.
In many cases, no refunds will be issued for trip interruptions, lost tickets, flight delays, no-shows or missing the check-in before departure. Even making a minor change to your travel plans may be considered a trip cancellation.
It’s tough, but that’s the way it works. That’s why cruise lines strongly recommend passengers buy cruise insurance. Consider an insurance policy that covers trip cancellations and trip interruption.
Medical emergencies happen on cruise ships, too –
When you’re lounging on the sun deck, it’s easy
to forget you’re hundreds of miles from the nearest hospital. Even if you’re in perfect health, you can never predict when you might break an ankle, suffer a heart attack or come down with the flu.
Ships’ doctors are equipped to provide prompt
insurance is essential to protect their investment. Here are three reasons you need to buy travel insurance for your next cruise.
Cruise lines have strict trip cancellation policies –
Think your cruise company will understand when your plans change suddenly and you have to make an emergency trip cancellation? Probably not. They count on having their cabins filled when the ship leaves the
Continued on page 5
Enjoy a Safe and Secure Trip Abroad with the AAA Credit Card
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
3
ROBERT W. WACHTER
Chief Executive Officer
AAA members enjoy added convenience and security at chip-enabled terminals while traveling abroad when they use a AAA “chip” credit card and take advantage of AAA’s foreign currency program.
While abroad, many travelers encounter merchants that won’t accept their traditional credit or debit cards. That’s
Here are a few key things you need to know about chip cards before you travel:
• Chip cards come in two types: ‘Chip & PIN’ and ‘Chip &
Signature.’ With Chip & PIN, the cardholder enters a 4-digit PIN to complete each transaction. With Chip & Signature, the cardholder simply signs for the transaction. AAA credit cards with chip technology are Chip & Signature cards.
• Most of Europe and a number of other countries prefer Chip & PIN technology, while most issuers in the U.S. are offering Chip & Signature technology. Therefore, when traveling abroad with a chip card issued by a bank in the United States, including your AAA credit card, you may need to let the merchant know that you’ll be signing for your transaction rather than entering a PIN.
• In addition, be sure to carry some cash in the local currency since, in some instances, U.S.-issued chip cards cannot be used in unattended terminals and kiosks in countries that issue Chip & PIN cards. That way you’ll be ready to grab a quick bite to eat or pay for ground transportation upon arrival. By purchasing foreign currency before you leave you also save on service fees. Many AAA offices provide foreign currency services, including buying back your leftover currency after the trip.
So relax, have a great trip, and enjoy the added security and peace of mind that comes with your AAA membership.
because in the United States credit card transactions are processed primarily by card readers that read the magnetic stripe on the back of the credit card. In Europe and many other countries, credit card transactions are processed primarily by card readers that read an embedded microchip on the card. Having a credit
card with a chip instead of a magnetic stripe makes
the chip transactions more secure, and as a result this technology has been widely adopted.
The good news for AAA members is that AAA credit cards are available with chip technology. If you already have a AAA credit card you can call the number on the back of your card to request a chip card. If you’re not
a AAA cardholder, visit your local branch office or AAA.com/credit card to learn about the many benefits of carrying a AAA credit card.
Now!