The good people over of AAA are making it easier for AAA members to save money while vacationing in the United States and Canada. A free GPS-based application called, “AAA Discounts,” for the iPhone is now available. First in a series of AAA applications planned for the iPhone, the app displays retail locations participating in the AAA Show Your Card & Save program. There are more than 100,000 discounts being offered throughout the U.S. and Canada. On average, AAA members each save $100 annually which pays for the cost of membership and then some.

It’s pretty sweet how technology and the discounts come together. The iPhone app pinpoints a user’s location then displays all merchants within the area offering an AAA discount.  The search can be customized by selecting business categories of interest including entertainment, shopping and travel. Details of the AAA discount are provided as well as address, telephone number and the best route from the current location with narrative directions.  The AAA Discounts app works on the iPod Touch as well when the user has access to WiFi.

Need roadside assistance? Select the “More” option to request assistance and the GPS location is transmitted, too. Not an AAA member? What are you waiting for? The only way to take advantage of these savings is to become a member and the AAA Discount app makes it easy to become one. A few finger taps connect you with an AAA membership counselor to begin savings and peace of mind with roadside assistance. Kinks are still being worked out of the free AAA Discount app but it’s still fabulous to have when traveling this summer.

Yup. There’s an app for everything.

The discount airline Direct Air (formerly Myrtle Beach Direct Air) is offering non-stop flights to Myrtle Beach, S.C., from 10 U.S.-based cities. Why is this a big deal? Because Direct Air leases A319 and A320 aircraft from Virgin America meaning passengers have the pleasure of indulging in buttery leather seats, satellite television, and a nice purple hue in the cabin versus that harsh, white light. Flight attendants are hosts and legal beverages (their term for drinks with alcohol) are ordered by touch screen. Alcohol-free drinks are complimentary while plastic is accepted for the adult beverages (on board it’s a cashless society).

The sweet cost to fly with this swanky airline? Depending on the departure city, airfares begin at $79 one-way plus taxes and airport fees. Advance seat assignment and checked baggage cost extra. Flights aren’t offered daily from departure cities but Direct Air is the perfect airline for a get-up-and-go long golfing weekend with the buds. With more than 100 golf courses to choose from, every weekend could be spent in Myrtle Beach playing on different greens. Or, venture off the course and onto the race track to fulfill the need for speed at NASCAR SpeedPark, a 26-acre race-themed amusement park.

Direct Air’s flights to Myrtle Beach are also ideal for a weeklong getaway with the family. There are 60 miles of beach for building sandcastles along with manmade and natural attractions guaranteed to create happy memories. Ride the Swamp Fox, an all-wooden roller coaster at Family Kingdom Amusement Park & Water Park or take a cruise aboard a riverboat. You get the idea.

Direct Air offers nonstop service from: Allentown, Pa.; Fort Myers (Punta Gorda), Fla.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Newark, N.J.; Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Plattsburgh, N.Y.;  Chicago (Rockford); Toledo, Ohio; and Worcester, Mass.

Now that flights are taken care of, book your Myrtle Beach accommodations now.

First off, remain calm. Everything’s going to be okay. Now that we have your attention, read on…

Spring Break’s around the corner and the U.S. State Department has issued a Travel Alert for U.S. citizens traveling and living in Mexico (view the notice here). Make note it’s a Travel Alert and not a Travel Warning but should still be taken seriously. This Travel Alert was issued in February 2009 due to the escalating violence in northern Mexico along the U.S. border although the U.S. State Department reports U.S. citizens have been kidnapped from across Mexico.

If you’re planning a vacation to popular Mexican destinations as Acapulco, Cancun, Cozumel, or Puerto Vallarta, there’s no need to be afraid, just be cautious, exercise common sense, and enjoy the moment. It’s tempting to do dumb things during Spring Break but remember to enjoy everything in moderation ranging from tequila-filled margaritas to beach time in the sun (keep the sunscreen lathered).

Other useful tips include staying in tourist-friendly areas, dress moderately – leave the bling and expensive gadgets at home, don’t do anything illegal (again, exercise common sense), and avoid drinking the tap water! Remember, soda from the fountain and ice cubes are most likely made from ordinary tap water. Be sure to pack Imodium or the trip. Importantly, do as your mother says and avoid dark alleys.

Also, brush up on a little Spanish before the trip. Although Cancun, Cozumel, et al, are popular with Canadians and Americans so English is spoken, speaking at least some of the language shows respect to the host country. LearnSpanishFeelGood.com offers good basic Spanish phrases for travelers.

No matter where traveling in the world there’s always an element of risk. When traveling to Mexico for Spring Break this year, use your common sense to have a positively memorable trip. Check out the U.S. State Department’s “Spring Break in Mexico: Know Before You Go” article for tips on what to expect.