READERS' CHOICE: What's Your Favorite Theme Park?

Normally, you can become a member of Hertz's loyalty club only by paying an annual fee of $60. Now through April 30, though, a special promotion from Hertz is granting free one-year membership in the Hertz Club Gold. After the first year, members pay $60 annually. What benefits, exactly, does Club Gold membership provide travelers? The perks include the ability to skip lines (via specially designated counters or lots where you can head straight to the car), fast dropoff (park the car, leave the keys behind, and go), and, of course, the possibility of free rental days (each rental generates points, which can be traded in for free rentals later). If these benefits sound a lot like those included in other car rental reward programs, it's because they're pretty much are. In Hertz' breakdown of various elite levels of membership, Club Gold sits at the very bottom. There are no special bonus rewards on rentals, and no guaranteed upgrades for mere Club Gold members. Why, then, does Hertz Club Gold cost $60 annually in the first place? That's a good question. Loyalty programs from Alamo, Thrifty, Enterprise, and other car rental agencies are free to join, as are loyalty clubs for nearly every hotel and airline. Apparently, Hertz feels its services, and its loyalty club, are simply worth paying more for. The company does tend to rank highly in many customer service satisfaction surveys, but then again it doesn't necessarily always receive top honors. In any event, if you've always wanted to become a part of Hertz's loyalty club but didn't want to have to pay the annual fee, here's your chance. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: 5 Ways to Cut Down on Rental Car Gas Rental Cars May Soon Be Safer, Thanks to One Angry Mom Highest Ever $22 Billion Collected by Rental Car Companies in 2011

Today Direct Air has canceled its flights for two months, due to "failure to pay fuel bills." The six-year old airline, based in Myrtle Beach, S.C., had most of its routes between the Midwest and East Coast and Florida airports. The airline told ticket holders to ask their credit card issuers for refunds. Direct Air is one of many airlines hurting because of spiking fuel prices. Currently US airlines face the highest average cost for kerosene-type jet fuel in decades, at an average of about $3.20 a gallon. Foreign airlines are hurting, too. British carrier BMI has enough funds to last through the month, despite massive losses, says the Financial Times; British Airways is seeking approval to buy the airline by the end of the month, with rumored plans to eventually shut down the airline. That said, a BMI spokesperson told me: "we will be flying our summer 2012 schedule, so customers can continue to book with bmi with confidence." Elsewhere: India’s Kingfisher Airlines said today that it is “curtailing” its international routes because it’s been unable to pay staff salaries for several months. What do affected travelers need to know? Here are some key points: Don't expect other airlines to honor tickets from Direct Air. While that kind of courtesy has happened in the past, no rival airline I contacted said it would help passengers out. If you buy a ticket for a flight service you don't receive—even if it's on a foreign carrier—you're covered under the Fair Credit Billing Act (details, here). Ask your credit card issuer to remove the charges from your bill. By law, US airlines must have money to refund cancellations and Direct Air told the DOT that it has sufficient cash in its escrow account. But my calls to the airline weren't answered. Look to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to soon post instructions on its "cessations" page, with advice on what to do specific to each airline after it has officially shut down for good. Credit cards offer protection. Debit cards don't. Filing a credit card dispute is only worth trying if an airline has stopped flying its planes. Cancellations on individual flights don't count. Write your credit card issuer within 60 days after you receive the first bill with the charge. Keep a copy of the letter (not an e-mail) in case you need it later to prove you sent it. Send the letter to your credit card issuer's special address for inquiries. Don't mail it along with your monthly payment. In the meantime, don't pay the portion of the bill that accounts for the charge. SEE MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 4 Best Uses of Facebook and Twitter for Fliers Should U.S. Soldiers be Allowed to Pass Through Airport Security Quicker Than Other Travelers? (11 comments) One Airline Boards Its Customers Faster Than Most (19 comments)

We get to share our travel picks with you all year long. Now it’s your turn. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be asking for a few of your favorite things, both large (airline, cruise port, national park) and small (which hotel has the best toiletries?). Then we’ll compile your suggestions and let you vote for your top pick in May. Come back often—we’ll be posting a new question almost every day. Today’s question: What's your favorite secret beach? It doesn't have to be a desolate sandbar in the middle of the Pacific—but we're not looking for Waikiki, either. What's your favorite crowdless seaside retreat? (Don't worry—we won't tell.) Previous questions: What's the most useful free travel app? What's the most underrated American city for travelers? Where can you find the friendliest locals? Which hotel chain gives you the best value? The most beautiful airport terminal(s). What is your favorite cruise port? Which is the most improved hotel chain? What is the best airport to get stuck in? What is your favorite cruise line? What is your favorite ski area? Foreign or domestic. What Is Your Favorite Under–The–Radar Girlfriend Getaway? Which airline has the nicest flight attendants? We know you have your favorite. Which city has the most user–friendly public transportation system? What is your favorite rental car company? What is your favorite historical spot in America? What's the top destination on your bucket list? Which airport features the best food? —Marc Peyser MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 8 Cool New Tools for Finding the Perfect Hotel World's 16 Most Picturesque Villages Secrets to the 10 Most Popular Cruise Ports