Holidays bring magazine subscription deals

If magazines are on your shopping list, how can you pay less? Hearst is returning its holiday sale offering new one-year subscriptions for $5. More than a dozen magazines fall under the promotion including Esquire, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Seventeen, Marie Claire, Popular Mechanics, Town & Country and Good Housekeeping. Find the deal at bit.ly/5hearst. If that doesn’t work, go to bit.ly/hearst5.

If you have airline frequent-flyer miles you don’t mind burning, you could get a one-year subscription for free. For example, you could trade 500 Delta SkyMiles or American Airlines Aadvantage miles for 12 issues of Sunset or Essence magazines. For 800 miles, you could get Real Simple, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Money, People en Espanol , or InStyle. Still other magazines are offered through Mags For Miles (MagsforMiles.com), where United, Alaska, Spirit, Frontier and Hawaiian airlines frequent-flyer points also are accepted.

Beware of luggage charge: Now that several airlines offer cheaper “basic economy” fares, take note of whether you’re OK with their restrictions. Example: You’re forbidden to use the overhead bin, but you may carry on a small bag that can fit below the seat in front of you on United or American flights.

Basic economy passengers who take “a full-sized carry-on bag to the gate will be required to check their bag and pay the applicable checked bag fee plus a $25 gate handling charge,” states United.com. The same is true on American Airlines, whose website warns: “If you take them to the gate you’ll pay an extra $25 gate service fee per item plus the applicable bag fee.” By contrast, Delta does allow use of overhead bin space for basic economy customers. Prefer checking luggage? Southwest still allows passengers to check two bags for free.

BJ’S update: Broward reader Harry M. said he followed a recent tip and went to BJ’s Wholesale Club to ask for a free one-day pass. But he got a surprise — he was declined and told the passes aren’t offered. So what’s going on?

Answer: Strangely, the FAQ section of BJ’s website says one-day passes are offered (see it at bit.ly/ BJfaq). Prompted by his query, I contacted the public relations office at BJ’s headquarters and received this email back: “We are currently offering non-members a free threemonth trial. During this time, oneday passes will not be available.”

Have a tip? Email Cutcorner@aol.com.