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Don't you hate it when you arrive to the airport for a trip, and the airline charges you an arm and a leg for checked luggage? What happened to the good old days of flying freight free? Well, Mexicana Airlines is taking us back to the golden age of free baggage policies. Anyone who flies with Mexicana can check two bags for free. Considering that most airlines are adding fees to everything from drinks to headphones nowadays, that's a pretty good deal! Make that deal even better with 1.0% Cash Back when you shop through Ebates too!

Did we mention that Mexicana will also provide an open bar? Not a bad to start a vacation to Cancun, which is currently on sale right now, starting at $196 round trip. Click here to see all of Mexicana's promotional fares.

So, you're probably thinking, two free pieces of checked luggage -- not bad, right?

Passengers departing from California, the home state of Mexicana's US headquarters, are getting an unbelievable deal. Fly through December 10, 2009 and check a third piece of luggage at no cost. That's three, count them; three bags. No need for skimpy packing on this vacation. Bring the surfboard, your Wii, maybe even your favorite couch! (not quite but you get the idea) If you're from California and planning a getaway before Dec 10, 2009, click here to travel in style with Mexicana Airlines' unbeatable offer.

The holidays are more than a time to give and receive gifts or visit relatives near and far. It's a time to get away from the cold and go someplace where the sun actually shines. Like Aruba, Bermuda, Florida, or, of course, Hawaii. Before you brush off paradise because "It's too expensive", check out Orbitz where you'll get 1.0% Cash Back, and find plenty of Orbitz coupons. Instead of listening to someone brag about the great deals, be the one doing the bragging.

Some of the top deals you'll find on Orbitz include saving 60% on Sandals vacations, and Aruba all-inclusive vacations for just $699. That includes flight and hotel! If you want to stay closer to home, you'll find Lake Tahoe hotels starting at $67 and Miami hotels starting at $64. No matter where you choose to spend your holiday vacation, book it through Orbitz for cash back and money saving coupons!

Find more travel deals in our Travel and Vacations category!

One of the benefits of being single is that the only family you really need to deal with is your own. And this is especially advantageous during the holiday season; you don't need to split your time nor do you need to spend money on double the holiday travel or to visit a family that is not your own. Lucky for me my holidays are rather simple and streamlined but still require travel, which is why I am booking early to take advantage of big deals now and getting cash back through Ebates, so I can use the money I save for an actual vacation.

If you are like me and booking your holiday travel early, try the Ebates Travel Search where booking flights, hotels, cars or entire vacation packages is simple and takes mere minutes. Or, if you would rather search by coupons, check out a list of travel coupons from various merchants so you can find the best deal on your destination. If you want to squeeze in a mini-vacation before the holiday season begins, check out deals from Expedia, where if you book early, you can find October vacations (airfare with three night hotel) starting at just $187 with 1.0% Cash Back from Ebates.

Whatever your travel needs, book through Ebates and save!

Well folks, this is it. Summer is almost over. The kids are all going back to school, the weather is getting cold (or, here in SF, it's warming up), and pretty soon we'll be into the dog days of Fall. For most, the unofficial mark of the end of summer is Labor Day, which is going to be celebrated in exactly a week. The one up side of bidding your shorts and flip flops a fond farewell is that Labor Day weekend provides many of us one little three-day sendoff party.

If you're looking to get away from home, and sending off Summer in style, start all your travel plans at Expedia. If you shop through Ebates, you'll also have a choice of Expedia coupons to pick where you want to go and how much you want to save on your travel plans. Want to save on cruises? We've got you covered. 40% off car rentals? Hey, why not? Flights for a whole lot less? You'd better believe it.

So no matter what you're looking for, make sure you shop at Expedia, and to save even more, enjoy 1% Cash Back through Ebates plus get your hands on Expedia coupons!

Labor Day is fast approaching, and deal savvy Ebates shoppers can find great travel deals for the holiday weekend during the Hotels.com Labor Day Sale. Save up to 40% on top destinations around the country. Save even more when you extend your vacation and take advantage of the Hotels.com rebates. Get $20 back on three nights stay, $30 back on a five night stay, or $50 back on an eight night stay!

Looking for an extra-ordinary road trip?  Check out some of these roadside attractions:



World's Largest Toilet - Columbus, IN, hotels from $60

Explore the giant toilet, which is part of the giant house, in the Kids Commons.  If you climb to the top of the house, you jump in the toilet and slide back down to the bottom.

Sci-Fi Cafe and Museum - Burlington, WI, area hotels from $51

Visit the combined Sci-Fi café, gift shop, museum and research center devoted to all things alien & paranormal. Take a haunted woods tour and find out why Burlington is one of the most haunted cities in the US.

Orange World - Kissimmee, FL, hotels from $40

Eli's Orange World is the world's largest orange (although technically the building is only the top half of an orange). It features a wide variety of citrus-themed products, and has appeared in several movies and documentaries.

Giant Safety Pin - San Francisco, CA, hotels from $34

This 21 foot tall safety pin was created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, famous for their series of large sculptures of every-day objects. Visitors can walk under it when they visit the De Young Museum sculpture garden.

Book your hotel by September 7th and travel by September 15th to take advantage of these deals. Plus, earn 3% Cash Back on your bookings by shopping at Hotels.com using your Ebates account!

Come and experience a unique beach destination in Mexico.

Los Cabos is located at the southernmost tip of the State of Baja California Sur. This area encompasses the two coastal towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

Mexicana Airlines takes you to Los Cabos where you can enjoy year-round professional golf courses, spectacular whale watching, striking white sand beaches, and clear sapphire seas that provide an exceptional setting for your next escape to Mexico.

Travel from any Mexicana Airlines gateway in the US, Canada, and Europe on direct flights to San Jose del Cabo - where available - or through convenient connections via Mexico City.

With an open bar, complimentary meals, and two checked bags at no extra charge, Mexicana provides an convenient way to travel to this exotic destination. As a special offer, Mexicana.com is offering round trip airfare to Los Cabos starting at just $202 on flights booked this month. Book yours now and have a great trip! Plus, don't forget - you will earn 1% Cash Back on all your travel bookings with Mexicana when you use your Ebates account!

With time flying by and the days of Summer marching along, there is no doubt that before we know it, Fall will be here and any chance for a Summer vacation will be lost. But your chances to squeeze in an affordable Summer getaway are not! Book last-minute travel through Ebates and save money with cash back and check out United Coupons for hot deals on airfare for a variety of destinations close to home and far away.

And while there are no current United Coupons, the savings on airfare do not end there. You get cash back from Ebates and competitive rates directly from the airline. Booking straight from United saves you money on third party fees that some sites charge. Also you have access to more flights and the freedom to cancel and change your flight more easily. So don't let Summer pass you by without a vacation. Check out United through Ebates today and save big!

Browse all of our coupons or just our Travel & Vacation Coupons!

Vacations make people feel good, reconnect with family, and be more productive. Still, 34% of employed U.S. adults report they don't use their vacation days. Don't let this happen to you! There is still time to take a summer vacation. Whether you are looking for an all-inclusive family resort or a bungalow for two, you can find the perfect trip to suit your budget at these tropical hot spots. They offer nightlife, snorkeling, sailing, white sandy beaches, waterfalls and plenty of relaxation.

Some of the great deals include:

Cancun: Oasis Palm Beach Family Resort & Spa All Inclusive - $89 a night (70% off)
Hawaii: Castle Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki - $65 a night (50% off)
Barbados: The Palms Resort - $52 a night (60% off)
Jamaica: Legends Beach Resort - $62 of a night (40% off)
Los Cabos: Tesoro Los Cabos - $69 a night (70% off)


Plus, when you book on Expedia, you can get $100 off instantly with exclusive coupon codes for vacation packages. Simply book four nights plus a flight on a participating airline, and enter the code at checkout.



COUPON CODE                 AIRLINE                 REGION FOR TRAVEL
TBMEXICO100                   Aeromexico                      Mexico
TBHAWAII100                      United                            Hawaii
TBCARIBBEAN100              JetBlue                         Caribbean
TBSOUTHAMERICA100       Avianca                     South America
TBCENTRALAMERICA100    TACA                      Central America
TBSOUTHPACIFIC100     Air New Zealand     South Pacific (excl. Australia and N.Z.)

Book your trip to paradise by August 15th to take advantage of these deals. Plus, earn 1% Cash Back on your bookings by shopping at Expedia and using your Ebates account!

Unless you've been living under a rock, you're familiar with the catchy Priceline jingle, and have come to know William Shatner as more than Captain Kirk, but as the Priceline Negotiator. In fact writing this guarantees I'll be singing the commercial until my coworkers politely ask me to put a sock in it. Aside from the hilarity of William Shatner slashing prices with judo chops, Priceline also provides it's users with a chance to save on car rentals, hotels, airfare, and vacation packages. Instead of listing each and every available discount, my advice to you is to check out Priceline coupons for great deals and 2% Cash Back.

Long deterred by sites claiming to be the cheapest place to book a flight, I recently made the switch to Priceline and have begun naming my own price. For those of you who consider yourself a control freak, Priceline coupons are an easy way to get the best price without relinquishing control. Good luck negotiators!

Get cash back when you book with Ebates!

Independence Day, the quintessential Summer holiday, is here and Americans are gearing up for cookouts, fireworks and celebration. Some especially savvy Ebates shoppers are also checking in on good sales, exclusive coupons, and cash back for the weekend. While there are many deals for the weekend to be found, the 4th of July weekend makes me think of deals on Summer travel. And because this weekend I will be spending much more time poolside than at the computer, I need to streamline my search for travel by heading over to Ebates then to Travelocity where I can get 1% Cash Back and access to Travelocity coupons for even more savings. 

Whether you are looking to save on a quick weekend trip to visit family in San Diego, or a European getaway or even a rental car, get money saving Travelocity coupons and cash back when you shop through Ebates.

Make booking your travel deals a breeze with our Travel Search.

Happy Independence Day!

Living across the country from my family means vacations come in short supply, as any free time is dedicated to visiting with loved ones. Relaxing? No. Cheap? Yes. Between free lodging (courtesy of my parents' couch) and free meals (again-courtesy of my parents), my only true cost comes down to airfare. Determined to actually see somewhere besides Boston in the dead of winter, I've started my search for affordable hotels at where else? Hotels.com. Not only will I get 3% Cash Back from Ebates, but I'll also find exclusive Hotels.com coupons.

What kind of coupons? Try Paris from $77, Sydney from $65, and Miami from just $42. Or, if you're not sure where you want to vacation, check out their 4th of July sale where you'll enjoy up to a 40% discount, or free nights on top hotels. With so many ways to save on lodging, I'm convinced that I'll be able to take a "real" vacation. Now all I have to worry about is my meals!

Shop our Travel & Vacations category for more savings!

Summer vacation. Take it or leave it? Despite rising airfare, and everything else, I am still determined to find great deals on the vacation of my dreams. Had I not been a member of Ebates, this may be impossible. However, thanks to CheapTickets coupons, not only will I get 1% Cash Back, but I'll find plenty of sales on car rentals, vacation packages, and even hotels. Now all I need to figure out is where I want to go.

Having narrowed down my choices to Hawaii or a southwestern road trip, I'm able to pick the discount that serves me best. If a tropical paradise is in my sights, I'll be sure to use CheapTickets coupons for savings of 40% at the Marriott Waikiki Beach. If it's a road trip I'll be taking, I'll use CheapTickets to save 50% on weekend car rentals at participating Hertz locations. No matter where I decide to vacation, it's nice to know I'll save big with CheapTickets Coupons, and Ebates!

Shop our Travel & Vacations category for huge savings!

With the official first day of Summer right around the corner (June 21st) and not a Summer vacation plan in sight, I have become increasingly more desperate to put some kind of getaway on the calendar and not let another Summer sneak by without some kind of vacation, even if I am short on funds. So I started my quest for travel at Ebates, using the Ebates Travel Search page and found many options for great destinations on a tight buck. One of my favorite sources for cheap travel is Hotwire because I can get Hotwire Coupons to add to existing great deals with 2% Cash Back. After all of those savings I can get away for less than I ever imagined.

Find this great Hotwire Coupon for rental cars starting at just $13.95 a day with no hidden fees. With this deal, I can take a weekend trip to L.A and make some scenic stops along the way for less than $15 a day and still have plenty of money to drop on the strip!

Find the best travel deals and coupons when you book through Ebates!

Hey, it's almost summer, and do you know what that means? It's almost time for summer vacation! But instead of loading the kids up into your dilapidated RV and driving into the Grand Canyon, why not make this summer something special? With 2% Cash Back this week on top of our United Vacations coupons, you can save extra on your perfect vacation sale just by using Ebates!

Did you know that flying can be a cost effective, safe alternative to driving? It's true! Driving across the United States can cost you thousands of dollars in hotel rooms and gas, but with United Vacations, you'll be flying and saving the entire way! With our United Vacations coupons, you'll even get $200 off any destination with code MEXCARGROW!

So, g'head! Save hundreds today with our United Vacations coupons! You'll be cashing Big Fat Checks with your Ebates cash back in no time!

If Spring Fever has you itching to get out of town, check out the Last Minute Deals available on Expedia. Find great hotel and vacation package deals for top destinations like Las Vegas, New York, and Orlando. Or, if you want to stay closer to home, there are plenty of hotel options for weekend road trips, from Albany, NY to Yosemite National Park.

Not sure where to go?  Try some of our favorite destinations.

Northeast - Meander the twisting brick streets of Boston, MA and enjoy the neighborhood cafes & shops. Visit Bunker Hill, eat a bowl of clam chowder at the Union Oyster House (Boston's oldest restaurant) and soak in history while walking the Freedom Trail. 

Southeast- Always a family favorite, Orlando is the theme park capital of the US. From Kennedy Space Center to Disneyworld to Wet N' Wild, there is something to please everyone. Many hotels offer free breakfast for kids and transportation to the closest attractions. Nights start at $29 when you book and travel by April 22nd.


West Coast - Enjoy a weekend in San Francisco. Walk along the waterfront, which includes Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square. Take a ferry across the bay to Sausalito and browse the art galleries or have a meal with a view at a local restaurant.

Find flight + three-night packages from $215 when you book by April 30th.

Southwest - Remember the Alamo with a trip to San Antonio. The RiverWalk offers plenty of restaurants and shopping opportunities. Visit between April 16th to 26th, and celebrate at Fiesta San Antonio, with over 107 events. Enjoy carnivals, parades, oyster bakes, art exhibits and much more. And if you book by April 28, you can enjoy free nights or up to 50% off San Antonio hotels.

The best part of all these deals is not only do you save money on a number of in-demand getaway destinations, you will also earn 1% cash back through Ebates when you book with Expedia!

A common misconception about hotels is that if you are booking one, you are going on vacation. However, most often hotel rooms are booked for the things in life we don't want to do (weddings, business trips, and family emergencies). So, why not shop Hotels.com through Ebates and get 3% cash back and countless coupons and special offers and save on the hotel rooms you do not want to book?



In addition to having an unrivaled selection of hotels at rock bottom prices, Hotels.com has a section of deals, where if you need a really good deal on a hotel room at the very last minute, you can easily book with the confidence that you a getting the lowest price with 3% cash back and bountiful coupons to choose from. Current specials include Seattle for $42 and Philadelphia for just $49! So, if you need to visit your sister in Tulsa or attend a wedding in Orlando, first take a trip to Ebates, then to Hotels.com and save big on somewhere to stay wherever life takes you!

Find a complete inventory of travel deals, coupons, and cash back on travel here.

It's no surprise that Mexico has become a premier spot for getaway travel; they have beautiful sandy beaches, sparkling clear blue water, and a vast array of frozen cocktails with little umbrellas in them. Plus, with the exchange rate and the different economies right now, it's the perfect time to go south of the border and have some fun.

While most of you may know about the great values on trips to Mexico at the moment, I don't know how many of you are aware of Mexicana Airlines. You also might not be aware that Mexicana Airlines is going to be the Ebates Daily Double this coming Saturday, April 18th, which means you'll be getting 2% cash back on all your travel purchases. Take a look around their site - they have killer deals on flights, package deals on hotels and resorts, and even flights to non-Mexican countries. If they've been in business for eighty seven years, they must be doing something right!

Save some money with online deals and rebates on all your travel plans, wherever you go, with Ebates!

With summer inching closer, the antsy "I need a vacation" feeling is becoming more and more impossible to quiet. So I have decided to take the plunge and book a vacation despite my limited financial resources. I will do this while I reap the only benefit of the financial crisis: lots and lots Cheap Travel! If I am looking for cheap travel and travel coupons, I always make sure to check out Expedia, where I can book everything from a rental car to a plane ticket and all-inclusive vacations. I will also get 1% cash back from Ebates and an abundance of  Expedia coupons to choose from.

I quickly discovered that with an Expedia coupon, I could fly round trip to Mexico for the amazingly affordable price of just $196! By keeping my airfare under $200, my options are endless when it comes to hotel and exciting activities to occupy my days.

And if I am feeling like I want to leave the trip planning to the experts I can book one of Expedia's package deals and get away to Mexico for $527 with 1% cash back.

Looking to Travel for less? Check out our Travel category and find coupons from Expedia and many more!

In case you haven't noticed, there's something that's been going around Ebates -- travel fever! This is the kind of fever you want to spread. The kind of fever that has side effects like saving money on hotel reservations, earning cash back on vacation packages, and booking cheap flights. So if you are planning ahead for Summer vacations, want to take a last-minute Spring Break trip, or just want to hit the ol' dusty trail and get away for a while, make sure you head over to Ebates first and make sure you get cash back on all your travel plans.

Also, from now through next Saturday April 18th, enjoy Double Cash Back at a number of our favorite travel merchants! You will be able to earn extra cash back on everything from flights and hotels to luggage and sun screen. Be sure you check back every day - unlike our package deals, each of these offers only lasts one day!

I have a confession to make. I hate, no, make that loathe, planning vacations. Spending my free time browsing countless travel sites, calculating whether the "package" deal will actually save money, and dealing with blackout dates (coincidentally the same dates I have off from work) is enough stress to warrant giving up the idea altogether. Thanks to Ebates and Southwest Vacations, the stress of planning is gone. Not only will I find money saving coupons, but I'll receive double cash back through Ebates.

At Southwest Vacations, you're able to shop by destination, vacation theme, or by which deals save the biggest bucks. Need party time with the hubby? Save up to $75 on Las Vegas packages with code LASSPRG. Looking for a family vacation? Enjoy up to three nights free at the Universal Orlando Resort. For information on activities in your destination, Southwest Vacations provides shows, tours, and other excursions, all at reduced prices. Considering the myriad of ways to save money, I'll never put off planning a trip again.

It's officially travel season. Even yours truly, who usually leads a hermetic life within the seven by seven confines of San Francisco proper has booked a trip for Vegas next month. It's time for some Spring Break getaways or to start making graduation travel plans, maybe even get a leg up on summer vacations if you're really on the ball. Regardless of where you end up traveling, one thing is for sure: you don't want to pay full price for a rental car.

Whether you are doing a short weekend getway, taking a road trip, or want to do a more economical "stay-cation" by renting a sports car and tooling around your home town like a wild yahoo, a rental car can be a godsend. However, the price of a car can often be prohibitive. Luckily we have some great Enterprise Coupons at Ebates right now that will save you a ton of money in addition to the 2% cash back you'll earn on all your Enterprise Rent-A-Car transactions.

There are two Enterprise Coupons right now that you can take advantage of: first is 50% off weekend rentals at Enterprise on most cars at most neighborhood locations. That's about as good a deal as you can find if you're renting for weekend getaway that you don't want to use your own car for. But if you're traveling, fret not, we also have a coupon for a free upgrade on your next airport rental at Enterprise.

So there you have it: two great opportunities to put some Enterprise coupons to use for your getaway needs. Now you just have to earn some cash back on flights and hotels as well...

I know I know, it may sound too good to be true, but you'll have to trust me on this one. For a limited time, Expedia is offering prepaid $50 MasterCard debit cards to anyone making a qualifying purchase. You can choose from tens of thousands of participating hotels, book a four night stay almost anywhere, and if you want to save even more, book your flight through Expedia as well. Not only will you be getting a $50 gift card, you'll also get 1% cash back just for using your Ebates account. Just make sure that you book by March 1st (that means two weeks, you procrastinators) and travel through March 30th.

I don't have to tell you folks what a great deal this is - if you are a globe hopper, you already know that Expedia is one of the premier destinations to get the lowest prices on your travel plans. They've literally got everything you could hope for: flights, car rentals, vacation packages, hotels, activities, even cruises! So if you're traveling for business, pleasure, or just to see the family (a mix of both, in my book) you can now do all your traveling for a whole lot less and get $50 to spend on absolutely anything you want.

In an act of utter kindness, the calendar has given us a long weekend that happens to encompass one very special day. That day would be Valentine's Day. Typically V-day falls on a Tuesday, Thursday, or the night before the big presentation is due. In the past, Valentine's Day has always consisted of running home from work, throwing on whatever looks "cute", and waiting for a table while seated at the bar. By the time the bf and I are actually able to sit down to a meal, we're both too drunk and too cranky to enjoy ourselves. The evening is a blur, and next thing I know, it's time to get ready for work again.

So much for romance.

This year, though, the stars have aligned, and I intend on making this weekend the best it can be. I'm sure you'll want to do the same. So with that in mind, here are some weekend getaway ideas. These places are sure to put the spark back in your relationship, without burning a hole in your pocket.

For those looking for a little less conversation, a little more action, Vegas is where it's at. Book by February 28th, and enjoy flight plus two nights hotel accommodations starting at $180. Shopping at Expedia gets you 1% cash back.

Note To Reader: Vegas weddings are in fact legal marriages, so please think twice.


Sailing is the new flying, only the food is way better. Shop CheapTickets and sail for as low as $47 a night, plus enjoy other savings such as free onboard spending. CheapTickets will get you $2 cash back.

Note To Reader: Although the food is delicious and abundant, consuming 10,000 calories a day will have you in the hands of the ship's nurse. Unlike the commercials, she is not a bikini goddess.


The Tudor Dynasty was an English family known for ending the War of The Roses, and for losing their wives. The Tudor Hotel in New York is known for being a historical landmark, and for having rooms as low as $107 a night. Receive $3 cash back.

Note To Reader: Book through Orbitz and say forget about it. The price, not your wife.


With the airlines needing a kidney just to check your baggage, renting a car is more sensible than ever. The perks include exploring what lays beyond the backyard, and paying as little as $13.95 to do so. Rent your car through Hotwire and receive 2% cash back.

Note To Reader: Make use of comforts such as extended leg room and a guaranteed window seat. There is no in-flight movie, however use of electronics is always acceptable.

Have a Great Trip!

The L Mansion Hotel in Marrakesh, Morocco is one of the premier spots for those seeking luxury in one of the world's most exotic locations. The photo to the left shows the opulent lobby, where the colorful mosaics and ornate architecture hint at another time. In other words, this photo represents my idea of the perfect vacation. When planning a vacation, attire goes hand in hand with location, and can set the tone of the trip. A Winter getaway to Aspen requires cozy knit socks, cashmere wraps, and heavy wool cardigans perfect for sipping coffee on the veranda. A trip to St. Tropez requires clothing fit for the beach as well as late night parties. Clothing choices, like vacations, are meant to make a woman feel amazing, and nothing does this better than Cruise/Resort Wear.

Attire is everything when on vacation. The right dress can elevate your night from great to unforgettable, the right bathing suit can make going to the pool a pleasure, or a pain. And the right jewelry? Well that goes without saying. Spring trends this year are all about bold, colorful, even neon colors with a strong emphasis on tailoring. Resort/Cruisewear this year follows that trend, but with a touch of luxury. This season I've noticed a return to "smart" dressing, with designers creating pieces that have an air of sophistication, instead of the all-too-common sex appeal. Oscar De La Renta's Resort Collection embodies this look with pieces such as silk shantung pants, and a floral brocade skirt. 

Nothing says "I'm on vacation" like the perfect dress. Something light and airy, yet luxurious. This Scarf Gown by Diane Von Furstenberg is perfect for any warm weather occasion. The magic of this dress is it's versatility. Whether paired with heels, or sandals and a denim jacket, this dress is the perfect feel-good piece. I love how the black and white asymmetrical print with punches of bright yellow has a nautical feel to it. The shoulder straps made of rope add to this playful vibe. Shopping with Saks not only earns you cash back, but their designer videos are a great introduction to Spring's upcoming trends. My favorite is the debut of Oscar De La Renta's Resort Collection, which can be viewed here.

Enjoy and Have a Good Trip!

I'll come right out and say it at the top: I am obsessed with messenger bags. It's hard to say exactly why that is, but truer words have never been spoken. It could be the versatility, it could be the reminiscence of those few years of adolescence when all the cool kids wore their backpacks on one shoulder, much to the detriment of their posture and spinal alignment, or it could be the insinuation of a messenger bag that I actually use my bicycle much more than I actually do.

So here's my issue: I already own a messenger bag that I am completely happy with. At this rate, it should last me another ten years since there is hardly a sign of wear on it after three years of ownership and daily use. It has traveled with me to and from work every day. It has gone to Europe and back with me. It stands up to the rain better than I do these days. If nothing else, I suffer from complete and total product satisfaction, which means I don't need to shop for a new messenger bag... forever.

Now, if there is no reason to buy a new bag, or even shop for one, I will have to do the next best thing: I will blog about how great the bag I am interested in is.

Ever since I purchased my new MacBook, I have been seeking out a more intelligent way to transport it. I have a laptop sleeve which is a perfect fit for my much larger and much bulkier Dell laptop, but just doesn't seem like that great of a fit for the MacBook. That's why I have recently been eyeing Timbuk2's line of laptop messenger bags. I'm fond of them for a number of reasons, really. First, they are a San Francisco company. They started here almost twenty years ago, and even to this day, every bag is manufactured right here in the City by the Bay. They also offer both a number of pre-fabricated designs in addition to the option to design most every bag for your very own custom order.

That means I can create something as simple and subdued as this black and grey bag (at left) or something as bold and eye-aching as this "interesting" creation I made (at right). Either way, check out all the great bag-designing options as well as the pre-made bags at Timbuk2, and save 6% on whatever you decide to design when you shop through Ebates.

Got a three-day weekend coming up but haven't made plans? It's all about Vegas, baby. Pack your bags- we've got some sizzlin' deals that'll take you to the strip and leave you plenty of cash for the craps table. Book three nights with ORbitz and save $50 with code 50LVORBITZ. Planning to stay in an MGM MIRAGE Resort? Save up to $100 when you book with Southwest Vacations . Don't want to plan ahead? Make a spontaneous getaway with Travelocity and save $50 on your last-minute package with code VEGAS50LMD.

Want to really save on your next family vacation? Travel in the off-season and you'll cash in big time! Expedia is offering an unbelievable package deal to Disneyland Resort in Southern California. Book a minimum 3-day Park Hopper Bonus Ticket between January 7 and April 24, 2008 and get two extra days free! Stay four nights or longer at any Disneyland Resort hotel from January 7 through April 20, 2008, and you'll get a deluxe, $150 Disney Gift Card. This is potentially hundreds of dollars in savings. Book your Disneyland Resort vacation by April 1st to take advantage of this incredible offer!

Ski season is almost here, and there's  no better time to find cheap lift tickets! Headed to Big Sky, Montana? Start at Travelocity for lift tickets starting at $23.50 and 1% Cash Back! Priceline offers up to 50% hotel discounts in resort towns like Vail, Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Lake Tahoe, and Aspen. Lastly, don't miss out on free lift tickets for Crested Butte when you book through Expedia! You'll love the charming Victorian store fronts and exquisite cuisine that have made this tiny town famous. Tickets are good November 25th through December 15th and of course, you get 1% Cash Back from Ebates.

This Thanksgiving, don't surrender your toiletries to airport security! Tuck these convenient kits in a sandwich bag and you'll stroll through without a hitch. Try Juice Organics skincare line (a $45 value) for just $29, Anthony Logistics for Men Grab + Go Portables, or the L'Occitaine Shea To Go for only $20- perfect for dry skin. Remember- orders of $50 or more ship free, and you choose three free gifts with your order at Sephora!

Do you remember when a ticket to Disneyland cost $3.50? Yeah, me neither. I was too busy crying and cajoling, begging my parents to loosen the pursestrings just a wee bit more so I could eat another churro and guzzle more Mickey lemonade and stuff another bag of cotton candy down my insatiable five year old gullet. 

These days, a trip to the Magic Kingdom will cost you just slightly more than an arm and a leg. Those churros are $3.50 a piece, a lemonade is at least five dollars (hey, you can't skip the souvenir cup) and, oh- the admission tickets? Forget about slapping down a twenty (or a fifty...or a hundred) and getting the whole family ushered into the park.  These days, tickets to Walt Disney World are $123.54 with the Park Hopper add-on option. Don't think for a second that you can get away with the regular ol' base ticket; once your kids read about Disney's Animal Kingdom, your vacation budget will slowly fade away in the shadow of Kilimanjaro Safaris.

My point? A trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World isn't cheap. Of course, you can always buy your tickets through Ebates and earn Cash Back, but why not try your luck at getting them for free? As featured in Monday's newsletter:

Want to make a little magic this fall? Enter to win four free tickets to Walt Disney World Resort at Southwest Airlines! The winner gets roundtrip air for four via Southwest Airlines, five-night accomodations at Walt Disney World, four Magic Your Way tickets with Park Hopper Option and access to the Disney's Magical Express Service, an exclusive complimentary shuttle and luggage delivery service! You'll make memories to last a lifetime! See Southwest Vacation for complete details. Remember to check out other great Southwest Vacations offers available through Ebates, including offers for San Diego, New Orleans and more!

Set off for Sin City without the sinful spending. Book your Las Vegas trip with Southwest Vacations and save up to $100! It's easy: Save $75 per reservation when you arrive Sunday through Wednesday in September or October and save $100 per reservation when you arrive Sunday through Wednesday from November 1 through December 19, 2007. Take off a few extra days, and jet off to the strip for a long Labor Day week!

If you're tempted to do some last-minute summer travel or you're planning a Labor Day getaway, don't even think about booking your hotel without this offer from Hotels.com! Valid on travel through October 31, 2007, you can earn up to a $100 rebate when you book your hotel room through Hotels.com by August 31, 2007. The more days you book, the more money you get back! Enjoy big bucks back on your favorite hotels from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to Orlando.

What an incredible offer! Simply use your MasterCard for a minimum three night stay and instantly save $50! Choose from hotels in over one thousand destinations worldwide. You'd better hurry- this is peak travel season and hotels are filling up fast!  Book now because this offer expires on June 30th. Imagine relaxing on the white sands of Hawaii or strutting your stuff in Vegas! Simply enter promotional code HOTEL50 at checkout and you'll enjoy rock-bottom rates in some of the most prime vacation spots worldwide.

Today only, earn Double Cash Back at Travelocity!

One of the hottest offers at Travelocity is for Sunscape Resorts & Spas. Kids eat, stay, and play for free! Adults can lounge on white beaches while kids explore the exotic surroundings, enjoy beach campouts and more with the Sunscape Explorer's Club! With incredible offers like this, you'll stretch that vacation budget while creating memories that last a lifetime.

Today only, earn 2% Cash Back at Expedia! It's the perfect time to book your air travel and accomodations for Spring Break! Expedia has specials on several different vacation destinations, like...

• Air Jamaica flights from only $204 round trip
 
• Vegas hotels from $55, plus fun perks like spa, food and beverage credits
 
• Hawaii Spring Sale
 
• Spring Getaways including Europe, tropical beaches and cruises from $267

To see all offers for Expedia travel, see our coupons page!  A trip to Jamaica sounds mighty tempting.

How about you? What is your favorite spring break/summer vacation destination?

It can be hard to keep up with the constantly changing security guidelines implemented by the TSA. For anyone traveling within the next month or so, keep in mind the new "3-1-1 for Carry-Ons" rule.

From TSA:

• Liquids, aerosols and gels must be in containers three ounces or less
• Items must be put in a one quart, clear plastic zip-top bag
• Only one zip-top bag per passenger

What this means is that you could stock up on oh-so-exciting  travel bottles and Ziplocs, but why not use this as an excuse to buy lots of pint size luxurious beauty products? Sephora and Beauty.com are featuring beauty goods available in 3 oz. or smaller sizes. Try Cargo Daily Lip Gloss, Smith's Rosebud Salve, GoSmile Jet Set Kit or L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream.

Want to earn Cash Back on travel supplies? Click Here to join Ebates!

We had so many great submissions to our Summer Vacation Photo Contest! Thank you to everyone who voted.

Come check out the winners! They won $700, $500, $400 and $300 travel prizes for Expedia!

Enjoy your prizes and know that your families are cute, your photography is awesome...

and you have the envy of every Ebates staffer involved in this contest.

We've got the travel bug here at Ebates! Not only are we running a contest for a cool prize from Viator, but today we launched our  Summer Vacation Photo Contest!

These prizes are big, too- the four best photos win Expedia prizes worth $700, $500, $400, and $300 PLUS...one voter gets a $100 gift card!

Just think of the possiblities: A Vegas vacation, a relaxing cruise...it's the perfect excuse to take off for a couple days!

Now you're wishing you had been a little more careful about putting your finger in front of the lens back in June, huh? It's ok- Photoshop works miracles. You can just say that flesh-colored blob was an ancient ruin of unknown origin that somehow happened to get in the foreground of your picture.

Choose your photo carefully and good luck!

Update: This contest has ended. Check back in a few days to find out if you are the winner of the $500 prize.

Are you the Biggest Ebates Fan? Prove it!

We want you to put on your writing cap and tell us why you love Ebates! Maybe it's the Cash Back, the 800+ popular stores or the great coupons! We want something short and sweet: 300 words or less.

What's in it for you? A $500 gift card to Viator.com! Only the best entry will win.

Be sure to check out the terms and conditions before entering, but when you're all set to write your entry, go to this page, and get started!

If you haven't heard of Viator.com, you're missing out! Viator is an easy way to book all kinds of cool activities at worldwide destinations. They've got everything from the Napa Valley Wine Train to a cruise down the Rhine River to a show on Broadway!

If you're not planning on taking a vacation to a far-off locale, you could always book tickets to something fun close to home! You could splurge on a luxe Champagne Brunch at a nearby port, or take the family to the local aquarium!

$500 is a nice chunk of change, so choose your words wisely!

So what if I spent my entire weekend watching Queer as Folk? This is about poultry, people!

If  you're looking for a new pair of running shoes and you're hoping to do  a little more globe-trotting than marathoning, then why not get your  new kicks from Le Coq Sportif?  They're cooler than similar shoes from Puma or Gola, because no one  will know what brand of shoes you're wearing. Imagine how baffled  people will be when you lift up the leg of your Diesel jeans to reveal a proud and colorful rooster! You can say you picked them up in some quaint little boutique in Montmarte!

The best part is that this is one chicken the masses haven't devoured, so they are often on sale. Eastbay has a Pick Your Price sale right now, and you'll find lots of Le Coq Sportif sneakers for $29.99-$39.99! Yoox.com has an even bigger selection of colors at the same low prices.

Check out the Le Coq Sportif homepage. It's in French, and it's a Flash site (so can't be  translated), but it's still worth checking out the pigs in sunglasses,  chickens wearing sneakers- you know, the kinds of things one looks for  in a good website. Maybe you can woo some cute Frenchman (or  Frenchwoman) to translate it for you over a romantic dinner of brie and  baguette. Or poulet!

 

If you head over to the Coupons and Specials page on Ebates, you will find tons of great deals on travel from  Mazatlan to Minneapolis. It's hard to know where to begin! Considering  it's mid-July, lots of people already have their summer travel booked,  which makes it hard to use those "BOOK YOUR FLIGHT IN 10 MINUTES AND  IT'S FREE!!" specials.

Well, maybe they're not that extreme, but a lot of them require some, er....last-minute planning. This may work for some, but for the rest of us with certain day-to-day obligations, a little advance notice would be helpful. Travelocity is giving $200 back when you book a vacation..The best part is that you can travel anytime  before January 7th, 2007! That's nearly 6 months to kick back and plan  your trip. How about some winter cliff-diving in La Quebrada? A little gelato di fragola for late August? You can travel to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean- there's lots of options.

If you want to keep your vacation domestic, assuming you don't have a fear of mice , why not consider a family trip to Orlando? I've heard they have some great theme parks there. I promise you won't have to sit in a 1972 Ford Squire for 1,200 miles.

Just book a vacation to Orlando through Travelocity, and you get $150 back! You can wait until October to take your vacation, or go now! These deals both expire in July, so be sure to book soon.

Have any of you gotten a great vacation deal on Travelocity? They've always got lots of Coupons and Specials- post a comment and let's hear about it!

P.S. Got a spare moment? Visit our Technorati Profile

Ever wonder what other Ebates users do when they log in? Do they plan lavish vacations to Paris for $150 off on the Coupons and Specials page?

Do they buy a new iPod for those rather languid afternoons in their deeply discounted luxury hotel suite in St.Germain des Pres?

I'll let you in on a little secret.

They all go to Office Depot.

Yes, you read correctly.  I know it doesn't sound as thrilling as a whirlwind holiday to Berlin for $673 or a browse through the Louvre, but goshdarnit! Ebates users  love some good old-fashioned office supplies! Especially those that get  them a $30 discount when they spend at least $150. It's one of the most  popular coupons on Ebates, and for good reason: Office Depot sells tons of practical items that you probably use every day!

First,  make sure you read the fine print on the $30-off deal, because there  are a few things that you cannot buy at a discount, like computers,  cameras and printers. There are plenty of other cool items, however,  that'll get you big savings.

For instance, everyone needs ink cartridges, right? Those things can get kind of expensive. If you're not planning on leaving the printer/scanner/FAX-using  population any time soon, you might want to consider stocking up. For  some models, getting $30 off is like getting an entire cartridge for  free! And you don't have to do anything but click "Add To Cart" to get  it!

Other smart ways to use the coupon are with things like office furniture and supplies- you could get an ergonomic desk chair or even just the basics.. Hey, thousands of Ebates users can't be wrong!

Remember to start at Ebates to get your Cash Back!