|
|
THEME
PARKS
| Don't forget BAC Membership Services
has discount information on select theme parks nationwide.
Like the always popular Disney World/land, Sea World, Busch
Gardens and select Six Flags resorts, just to name a few. |
LODGING
| BAC members and families receive discounts
from 10-30 percent on select hotels nationwide. The hotels
include Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Ramada and Choice Hotels
(Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, etc.). The Hotel Royal Plaza located
in the heart of Downtown Disney in Florida has a special rate
for union members. Just $99 per night! Free transportation
to all Disney theme parks and Pleasure Island. Walk to Downtown
Disney! Children 12 years of age and under eat FREE. Rates
offered are for standard rooms and apply to leisure travel,
subject to availability. This is a union hotel. Call 1-800-248-7890;
ask for the union leisure rate. |
MOVIE TICKETS
| Enjoy a night at the movies through
BAC Membership Services! The VIP/Passport movie tickets are
discounted at more than 30 percent off the regular evening
box office price! Tickets can be purchased for admission to
any Sony, Loews, Cineplex Odeon, United Artists, Multiplex
and AMC Theaters nationwide. |
GO AHEAD VACATIONS
| New from the BAC and Union Privilege
is discounted travel for union members through Go Ahead Vacations.
Go Ahead Vacations is part of EF Education, the world's largest
education travel company. Today, over half of active union
members are over 45, and a fifth are over 55. The union retiree
population is growing, now representing nearly 20 of the combined
active and retired union population. This travel program was
designed with this population in mind. European tours are
the specialty of Go Ahead Vacations. Destinations also include
Central America, China, Australia, and New Zealand. Most group
tours are from 10 to 16 days. There is a lowest price guarantee
for all European tours plus a union-member- only savings of
an additional $50 on any tour and special bonuses for arranging
groups of at least nine people. |
RENTAL CARS
| BAC members enjoy up to 20 savings
from Budget and Avis. Whether it's a car, van, SUV, working
families can drive in style for less. Savings vary depending
on the vehicle, time of year, location and length of rental.
Budget: 1-800-455-2848 (reference union I.D. 1V816100) Avis:
1-800-331-1212 (reference union I.D. #A409917) Please call
BAC Membership Services @ 1-888-880-8222 for phone numbers
to these and our many other discount programs. NO union
dues are used to provide these benefits. |
AIG Auto Insurance
After a successful test run, AIG Auto
Insurance has been chosen as the sole provider for the new
Union Plus Auto Insurance program. Union members who responded
to the test mailings received an average annual savings of
$350 compared to their existing auto insurance provider. Based
in Wilmington, Delaware, AIG has been an auto insurance carrier
for over 20 years. As the 10th largest carrier offering insurance
directly to the consumer with no agent involvement, AIG has
an A.M. Best rating of A++.
Program features:
Premium deferment during prolonged strikes or lockouts. Rates
averaging 5 percent lower than AIG's competitive retail rates.
Available to drivers with less-than-perfect driving histories.
Policyholders can report claims 365 days a year, 24 hours
a day. AIG Insurance coverage is available in all states except
for New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands and Guam.
|
MEMBERSHIP
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MAP)
1-888-880-8222
Staying Healthy After Age
50:
Americans 50 and over can look forward to living longer, healthier
lives. Medical advances continue to help us find new and improved
ways of keeping ourselves healthy. Routine exams help detect
medical conditions early and often in time to correct or control
harmful conditions. And many illnesses that formerly were
killers are now considered treatable, including a number of
forms of cancer. A new report from the American Association
of Retired Persons (AARP) confirms that Americans can anticipate
longer life spans well beyond those of previous generations.
The AARP report also alerts those 50 and over to new challenges
they face as they prepare for retirement. The caveat: a majority
of Americans over 50 must make dramatic lifestyle changes
now if they wish to enjoy living longer in the years ahead.
These changes include developing a regular exercise regimen,
healthy eating habits and taking advantage of available care
offerings designed to monitor and manage our health.
Epidemic of Lethargy -
The tendency to avoid physical activity is an American epidemic,
particularly among the 50 and over crowd. Many are surprised
to learn, for example, that a "couch potato" lifestyle
places their health in serious, if not life-threatening, jeopardy.
While physicians have long cautioned that lack of physical
activity contributes to health problems, recent reports suggest
that inactivity is much more serious than we thought. In fact,
some experts suggest a lack of exercise is as dangerous as
smoking, and just as deadly- And, astonishingly, smokers who
exercise may live longer than their nonsmoking"couch
potato" counterparts. It is important we recognize that
medical experts are not promoting smoking, but instead, are
helping us understand the health hazards connected to lack
of exercise. The problem is that while most of us know we
are supposed to exercise, few realize the couch potato syndrome
can be lethal.
Medical experts also point to the fact that not only do a
majority of Americans fail to exercise, they increasingly
are obese. The lack of exercise coupled with high cholesterol,
fast-food diet, are causing serious health problems in those
middle-aged and beyond. AARP forecasts that while the 50 and
over crowd may be living longer, this same generation also
risks living with chronic health problems that will dramatically
lower their quality of life. Sadly, the picture looks gloomy
for those over age 50 who fail to heed warnings. Inactive
and overweight Americans will suffer from chronic illness
and disease, likely including chronic pain, and become heavily
reliant on prescription medication to alleviate their problems.
At the same time, however, they will be too young to qualify
for Medicare or other social programs that might help. In
1999, for example. AARP reports that only 14 percent of Americans
age 50 to 64 had health insurance coverage, while one in three
were obese. Equally concerning: while those over age 65 may
lead healthier lifestyles than the previous generations, they
sometimes are less likely to participate in their own health
care or to take advantage of medical screenings that might
keep them healthy or even save their lives.
Never Too Late -
The good news: its never too late to begin a healthy lifestyle.
Here are some suggestions for getting started:
Schedule and keep appointments for annual physicals.
Take advantage of routine screening tests, such as osteoporosis,
mammograms, heart and colon exams, designed to monitor and
keep you healthy. Be assertive with medical professionals
so that they listen to and respond to your concerns. Take
charge of your health by becoming actively involved in your
own healthcare. Ask your family doctor to help you develop
a wellness plan that includes a medically approved exercise
and eating regimen. Opt for small, steady improvements in
diet and exercise rather than sudden weight loss diet fads
and gimmicks. Become familiar with your family health history
to keep alert to health problems that you might catch early
or prevent. Eat well. Educate yourself about healthy food
choices. Get off the couch. Do something physical. Take a
walk with your partner. Take your grandchild to the park.
Invite a friend to meet you at the local shopping mall to
walk laps. Develop a hobby that gets you moving, such as gardening,
or do exercises while you watch television. If you would like
more information about wellness and leading a healthy lifestyle,
call the BAC Member Assistance Program (MAP). MAP is a free
benefit to active and retired union members and their immediate
families. MAP generally is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8
p.m. EST. All calls are confidential. The MAP director is
a licensed mental health professional who can assist you in
working towards a healthy lifestyle. In addition, MAP offers
help for problems such as depression and stress, alcohol and
drug addiction, family conflicts and retirement concerns.
Call MAP today (toll-free): 1-888-880-8222.
"Just ask for MAP." |
|
|
