These contests and sweepstakes are free to enter, and you might win a trans-Atlantic cruise or other vacation for up to four people. What you probably also will win is the prize of being on the email list of the companies sponsoring the contests. Sometimes I wonder if these things are really a way of beefing up their marketing lists and Facebook likes.
2012 London Olympic Games — Go for gold with the Hilton HHonors Come Dream With Us Sweepstakes for a chance to win a five-day trip for two to London to watch Team USA compete in the 2012 Olympic Games. Other prizes include trips to watch the gymnastics and swimming team finals in the USA before the international games, and 50,000 Hilton HHonors points. Here’s the link to enter. You must be a Hilton HHonors member to win — but signing up is free. Enter to win by October 31, 2011. As an added bonus, you’ll earn an extra entry for every night you stay at any of Hilton’s more than 3,700 hotels worldwide.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 — This is one of the most beautiful and elegant ships afloat, and the grand prize of this free sweepstakes is a trans-Atlantic crossing. The grand prize in Cunard’s Feel Famous sweepstakes is a trans-Atlantic crossing for two, from Southampton to New York City, plus two airline tickets to get you to London for the cruise. There’s nothing on the website to say exactly when this free seven-day journey will take place, but you have until November 30th to enter — click here to enter. The entry form asks your age, which may — or may not — have an impact on your chance to win. This contest was posted first on ShermanTravel.com
Holland America Alaska — This sweepstakes requires that you ‘like’ Holland America Line on Facebook, plus answer some marketing type questions, for a chance to win a seven-day Alaska cruise for four including two verandah staterooms. The sweepstakes runs through Nov. 30, 2011 and the winner will be selected a few weeks later. Holland America is using Facebook a lot to market their cruises, including a ‘roll call’ tab that lets you connect with fellow travelers on the same upcoming cruise to meet virtually. That sounds like good idea — it could help you find some interesting people to share a dinner table with, and avoid the duds.
Beaches, Turks & Caicos or Jamaica — Beaches is a family resort, so it makes sense the sweepstakes is sponsored by Horizon Organic products and the family magazine Kiwi. The grand prize in the Horizon Family Vacation Sweepstakes is a four-night getaway for two adults and two children up to age 15 at the all-inclusive Beaches resort in Turks & Caicos or Jamaica. The sweepstakes sign-up requires that you also sign up for newsletters from Kiwi magazine and the Kiwi family advisory board, and if you win, there’s a $25 a night ‘processing charge’, so there’s a price for free. You have until January 31, 2012 to enter. Here’s the link to enter. Thanks to FrequentFlier.com for alerting me to this sweepstakes.
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