Sherman's Travel

We’ve all read the doom and gloom surveys: Americans are less likely to travel this summer because of the high price of gas, the state of the economy, or maybe because Venus is in retrograde (can’t be too careful with your horoscope). It seems hotels have read these surveys, too, and have devised ways to entice you to stay by footing part of your gas bill or even doling out cold hard cash.

Perhaps the most generous offer comes from InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), which will give you a $75 prepaid MasterCard for every stay of two consecutive weekend nights (Friday-Sunday) through September 3. You will have to wait 6-8 weeks to receive the gift card, but the deal applies to all IHG brands, from InterContinental to Holiday Inn.

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One of travelers’ biggest complaints from 2010? Checked bag fees. InterContinental Hotel Group feels your pain: The company is extending its “Check It Free” offer through April 30, allowing guests to apply for a rebate to compensate for those pesky airline fees.

IHG also ups the ante this time around by doubling the maximum rebate per stay to $100 – generally the equivalent of checking two bags on both legs of a round-trip flight. The promotion is running across all IHG brands, from luxe InterContinental to boutique-style Hotel Indigo to budget-friendly Holiday Inn.

Of course, the offer is not without its caveats. You must book a two-night weekend stay (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) and you must pay for the stay with a Visa card to be eligible. Download the rebate forms and see all the conditions at www.ihg.com/freebag.

For more tricks on saving when you fly, check out our Top 10 Ways to Avoid Airline Fees. Then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates and travel deals on flights.