Google Transit Now Includes NJ Transit Train Service

NJ Transit train raiders now have one more tool to help plan their trips: Google Transit.

Starting today, commuters in New Jersey can use Google Transit to check train schedule and plan trips statewide. According to a BusinessWeek article, the service now covers 164 rail stations and 60 light rail stations in the state. Currently train information is available on Google Transit. Bus information will be added at the end of this year.

I don’t use a lot of public transportation, but do take NJ Transit train if I need to go to New York. With this service, getting information I want becomes easier. It also makes me wonder “Is Google taking control of our information?” I use Google search, Gmail, Google Reader, Google Desktop, and Google Map. Now Google Transit!

---
Check Out These Related Articles:

• Ping Google and Get Your Blog Updated with Google Blog Search
• Google Introducing New Ping Service
• WordPress Users Can Ping Google Automatically
• $10 off $30 Promotion Extended
• $10 off $30 Promotion Extended and How to Get a 1GB Flash Drive for 95 Cents

Discover Revises Its Miles Card Reward Program

The mail I received yesterday from Discover regarding the Discover Miles reward program says starting April, card members can enjoy more benefits with the “completely redesigned” reward program. The card, renamed to the Miles by Discover Card, will offer more flexibilities for cardholders to earn and spend the rewards. Here’s a comparison between the old and new benefits:

I have a Miles card that I got last year for 0% balance transfer and the sign on bonus. Though I have no plan to make the card my everyday purchase card, the new benefit program certainly looks much better than the previous program.

---
Check Out These Related Articles:

• Closing One More Credit Card
• Credit Cards with Fat Rewards
• New Citi Dividend Card Reward Program Starts Today
• AMEX Downgrades Its Reward Program
• Who Offers the Best Gas Rewards Credit Card?

$0.99 One Way Fares at Spirit Airlines Today Only

Spirit Airlines is having what it calls "The Mother of All Spirit Sales" today. For some routes, the air fare can be as low as 99 cents (yes, 99 cents). For example,

• From Atlanta to Orlando, $0.99 each way, available on 2/10/07, 2/22/07, 2/28/07, 3/3/07
• From Boston to Detroit, $0.99 each way, available on 1/8/07, 2/27/07, 2/28/07, 3/7/07

just a couple of examples of their on sale items. If you are planing any air travel early next year, check their website to see your origin and destination are in their list of 99 cents fairs. The sales end tonight at 11:50 pm ET.

---
Check Out These Related Articles:

• Airliners Soliciting Petitions for Direct Flight to China
• $5 Free Money Received
• Highlight Of Changes In Pensions
• Random News: Promotions & Bonus Money at Chase Freedom Card, Revolution Card, and ING Direct
• So the Total Number of Visitors Today is

AAA Membership: Should I Renew It?

The renewal bill for my AAA membership arrived last night. The annual due is $60, which isn’t at a level that I can’t afford. But I am thinking about whether or not I really want to keep the membership.

I joined AAA in 1998 and the last time I used it was in 2004 when my car’s timing belt broke on the highway about 40 miles from home (my one-way commute distance was 56 miles). That car had nearly 150K miles on it at that time and was donated in 2005 after we bought the van. And the last time I attempted to use the card was early last month at NJ State Aquarium in Camden when I was trying to buy two tickets but was told that discount only available for tickets purchased at AAA office, not at the ticket booth (and that’s a weird rule). I also used AAA auto insurance for two years from 2001 to 2003.

Other benefits I took advantage from AAA in the past also included maps and travel books. But since we bought the van, which has a GPS navigation system, map became a thing of the past and I almost don’t check online driving directions any more. As for the travel guides, I don’t remember we ever carried one when we were on vacation. Besides, all kinds of travel information can be easily found online. The main reasons that made me think twice about my membership are 1) both of us are close to home (less than 18 miles for my wife and about 13 miles for me); 2) we are also close to each other (about 5 miles); and 3) our cars are still quite reliable (bought new in 2000 and 2005).

Of course, AAA membership does provide a peace of mind. Though it seems quite unlikely in the near term, I can’t totally rule out the possibility of another break down of my 2000 Accord. With an AAA card in my pocket, I know I won’t be left on the road with nobody to call for help.

Should I cancel the membership and save $60 a year? Or should I keep it for emergency?

---
Check Out These Related Articles:

• One More Benefit from Ameriprise Auto Insurance
• Check in the Mail
• Check in the Mail
• Ameriprise Paper Works Received
• Do Not Call Re-registration May not be Necessary After all

Airliners Soliciting Petitions for Direct Flight to China

Yesterday I got an email from Northwest Airlines, asking for support for its bid to operate a non-stop daily flight from Detroit to Shanghai. This is the second solicitation I received in less than three weeks. Early this month, Continental also email me to support their competition.

However, I only signed up with Continental not Northwest because, if successful, Continental will fly from Newark to Shanghai and Detroit seems to far away from me. Yes, I am a little selfish as I like to see Continental win the right since only one route will be open next spring and the competition is intense. Currently, only three cities, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, have direct flights to China due to limitations imposed by China. In my opinion, the number of routes to China doesn't seem to reflect the business ties between US and China, the top Asian trading partner of US. Contentinental started to fly from Newark to Beijing in June 2005 and when we took the flight to Beijing in May, the plane was packed.

Yesterday, USAToday ran an artilce on competitons among four US carriers for the next non-stop to China. To sign up your support for your favorite airlines, use these links:

• American Airlines
• United Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• Northwest Airlines

---
Check Out These Related Articles:

• Thanks for the Generous Donations!
• Soliciting Earthquake Relief Donation
• WT Direct Increases Interest Rate to 3.26% APY
• China Life Insurance Suspended, again
• China: 2008