Senior News Line
A deal too good to pass up

If you have a National Parks Golden Age Passport, there have been some changes. The Department of the Interior has created a new program called America the Beautiful.

The America the Beautiful Senior Pass will give you free access to federal recreation sites that charge an entrance fee or standard amenity fee. Plus you'll get a discount on some of the expanded amenity fees, usually 50 percent. The Pass still costs $10 and is good for life. (Your old Passport will still be good for your lifetime.)

Here are two examples of the discounts:

If you're in a non-commercial vehicle at a site where they charge by the vehicle (such as a park), up to four people (including yourself) can get in free.

If you're at a walk-in recreation site, up to four of you will get the discount.

For those who are under age 62, there is an annual pass, which now costs $80 for a limited time, typically a year. While a carload of you can still be admitted for free to a park that charges by the vehicle, you won't get the same fee discounts as the with Senior Pass.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@ gmail.com.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.