Today, JetBlue Airways announced the return on the All You Can Jet (#AYCJ) Pass! AYCJ is a month of air travel for one unbeatable price. This means if you’re planning a vacation to Las Vegas, a romantic getaway to St. Maarten or  weekend jaunt to Orlando, #AYCJ may be for you!

How to Book an #AYCJ Pass
This is how it works. Travelers wishing to pick up one of these passes need to become a TrueBlue member. Don’t worry, it’s free!

Then, choose your travel option with either the AYCJ-7 Pass which has no day-of-week travel restrictions for $699 or the AYCJ-5 Pass which excludes travel on Fridays and Sundays for $499. Better hurry. The announcement is burning up Twitter and the blogosphere and will probably sell out before the August 20, 2010, deadline to purchase. Travel can be booked beginning Aug. 23 for travel between Sept. 7 and Oct. 6, 2010.

Customers who purchase the popular #AYCJ Pass will have no boundaries - every available seat on every flight between Sept. 7 and Oct. 6 will be available with no blackout dates - to travel to more than 60 international and domestic destinations in JetBlue’s route network as often as they like. TrueBlue members will receive 4,200 points with the purchase of the AYCJ-7, or 3,000 points for the AYCJ-5. With one-way Award Flights starting at just 5,000 points, customers who purchase a Pass will be almost half-way to another roundtrip JetBlue flight.

What Do Jetters Have to Say?
We spoke with one last year’s Jetters, Matt Orr, co-founder of a Sarasota-based think tank called The Hub, to get his take on All You Can Jet. He told us the pass allowed him to meet up with his L.A.-based significant other in different cities across the country. During his jet setting journey, two of the most rewarding experiences were finding the best restaurants and meeting new people. Matt said, “Traveling makes me happy,” and JetBlue made him a very happy boy!

Additional Details About the #AYCJ Pass
Customers may book new travel or make changes or cancellations to #AYCJ reservations online at www.jetblue.com/aycj without a fee up to three days before departure. Changes or cancellations made less than three days before departure will be subject to JetBlue’s $50 change/cancel fee. Customers can upgrade to Even More Legroom seats on each flight for as little as $5 extra, depending on the flight. Other terms and conditions apply. Detailed information is available at www.jetblue.com/aycj.

Image Source: source: JETBLUE AIRWAYS

Budget Travel readers have spoken and we’re happy with what they have to say. Last week (July 29) during NBC’s “The Today Show,” Budget Travel’s Editor in Chief, Nina Willdorf, stopped by to announce winners of the publication’s “Readers Choice Awards.” Drum roll please…

…Dominican Republic captured the Best Value Destination title based on votes cast by more than 160,000 readers and travelers across the globe. DR was recognized as being an easily-accessible and affordable destination for U.S. travelers.

“We are honored to be voted a ‘Best Value Destination’ by Budget Travel readers. The award is so meaningful to us because it comes from savvy travelers who have visited the DR and experienced firsthand our refreshing offerings and lively culture,” said DR Minister of Tourism’s Vice Minister of International Promotion Magaly Toribio. “The DR Ministry of Tourism will continue to exceed expectations so that visitors can enjoy our country’s diverse eco-activities, magnificent nature, world-class beaches and sophisticated accommodations to suit every budget and taste.”

“Budget Travel readers are always looking for affordable, exotic vacation ideas and the DR was the clear front-runner in the category for best value destination,” said Nina Willdorf, Budget Travel editor, “The DR is an easy island escape that’s close to home.”

Earlier in 2010, the Dominican Republic received additional accolades including making CNN’s list of recommended “Affordable and Accessible Vacations in 2010″ and Los Haitises National Park and the DR made Travel + Leisure’s list of “30 Romantic Dream Trips 2010.”

When seeking an incredible tropical getaway that will be easy on your hard-earned dollars, a vacation in the Dominican Republic is the way to go. Getting there is easy, especially since there are eight international airports in the DR serviced by major U.S. airlines. Save even more with affordable Puerto Plata accommodations. We have connections to hook you up with something really sweet. Trust us.

Image Source: Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

Less than a two-hour drive east of Los Angeles, a Palm Springs vacation is an affordable, desert oasis full of welcoming treasures. Although summer temperatures are pushing the lower 100 degrees (Fahrenheit, and it’s a dry heat), maybe this summer is the time to take advantage of incredible Palm Springs lodging deals. Following are some hot places to keep (and look) cool when visiting Palm Springs this summer.

Chill out at Knott’s Soak City (pictured), the only water park in Palm Springs. The park is a flashback to the 1950s Southern California surf towns offering 18 refreshing water rides and attractions including water slides, wave pool and Pacific Spin – a multi-person raft ride with 132-foot long tunnel that drops 75 feet into a six-story funnel.

Breathe in fresh air at the top of Mount San Jacinto by taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The tram departs from an elevation of 2,643 feet at Valley Station and ascends to 8, 516 feet to Mountain Station.  Those up for some exercise can hike to Round Valley, a 4-mile, roundtrip hike from the Mountain Station.

For additional hiking opportunities, take a morning hike (when temperatures are cooler) in Indian Canyons for one of several hikes. Andreas Canyon is a fairly easy 2 miles hike through a grove of California fan palms and alongside a stream – which can provide refreshment.

Bountiful boutiques, glorious galleries, world-class art collections, and a 24-hour casino are refreshing indoor retreats from Palm Springs’ summer heat.

Dine alfresco under the stars and amidst the vibrant village scene. June 4 – 13, 2010, is Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week with more than 100 restaurants offering fixed-priced, three-course dinners at $24 and $36 price points.

Tee it up early in the day at a Palm Springs golf course where incredible summer rates are welcoming visitors.

Chill out during the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival & Film Market, June 22 – 28, 2010. This festival will screen more than 300 movies from 40 different countries. The week includes parties, screenings and seminars.
Additional places to keep cool in Palm Springs this summer can be found on the Palm Springs Visitors Center website.

Photo Credit: Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism