Travel Guard® North America Celebrates Heroes; Offers Chance to WIN Hero's Vacation for Those Who Do Good

STEVENS POINT, Wis., June 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This Independence Day, Travel Guard North America (www.travelguard.com,) a leader in travel insurance plans and assistance services, is saluting the unsung heroes of travel - those who have helped others during medical emergencies, disastrous delays, harrowing honeymoons and so much more through random acts of kindness. With Travel Guard's new contest, World's Unluckiest Traveler® 2: THE RESCUE, any North American traveler can recognize a hero who saved the day by nominating them to win a "Hero's Vacation" at www.travelguard.com/unlucky.

Since World's Unluckiest Traveler® 2: THE RESCUE, launched on Memorial Day, stories of travel nightmares averted by the good deeds of others have rolled in.  Some submissions to date include "Captain to the Rescue," the story of an American family in Nigeria who experienced a distressing travel emergency. While riding his motorcycle, the husband broke his collarbone in an accident and needed emergency medical care outside of the country. The family boarded a flight to Germany, only to learn the hospital they planned to visit would not accept them due to their residency. With the help of a caring flight attendant and the captain of the plane, the entire family was moved to first class. Once on the ground, the captain himself helped find a suitable hospital and arranged accommodations for the family during the husband's recovery.

A Eurotrip gone wrong is recounted in "Pass(port) The Karma," the story of a young woman visiting Spain whose wallet was stolen in Barcelona. After trips back and forth to the consulate, she ultimately broke down at the airport. Overhearing her troubles, a man waiting for his daughter pulled out his credit card and purchased her flight back to the U.S.

The story "Trying to Get Home" tells of a family with two children, and another on the way, traveling from Pennsylvania to Kansas for the holidays.  Ninety minutes into their trip, their car's engine died, so they called some friends to ask for a ride back home. Their generous friends showed up with a surprise - an extra car for them to drive the rest of the way.

"The stories we've received so far are truly inspiring," said Carol Mueller, vice president, Travel Guard North America.  "While we can't always control what happens when we're traveling, it's nice to hear about people going out of their way to help when things go awry. We hope everyone traveling this summer will keep their eyes open for random acts of kindness and also make the effort to help fellow travelers in distress. It could end up paying off with a $10,000 vacation!"

Entries will be accepted on www.travelguard.com through Labor Day, September 5. On September 27, World Tourism Day, Travel Guard will announce the 10 best stories, as chosen by a panel of travel experts including:

• Spud Hilton - Travel Editor, San Francisco Chronicle
• Rick Seaney – Co-Founder, FareCompare.com
• George Hobica – Founder, Airfare Watchdog
• Harvey Chipkin – Freelance Travel Writer
• Christian DeBenedetti – Freelance Correspondent, Outside
• Eileen Ogintz – Syndicated columnist, Creator of TakingTheKids.com
• Everett Potter – Founder, Everett Potter's Travel Report
• Kim Orlando – Founder, TravelingMom.com

Throughout the month of October, the public will vote on the 10 best stories for the ultimate act of kindness. The winning hero, as voted by North America, will be awarded a $10,000 "Hero's Vacation." The person who nominated the winning story will win airfare for two anywhere in the U.S.

Travel Guard is also encouraging the public to spread the love by sharing their favorite stories of travel good deeds via Facebook, Twitter and other social networks. For more information on the contest and a full set of rules and regulations, visit www.travelguard.com.

About Travel Guard

Travel Guard, a Chartis company and worldwide leader in travel insurance and assistance, provides products and services to millions of travelers around the globe, including a wide range of emergency services through its wholly-owned assistance centers located in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Travel Guard helps leisure and business travelers alike solve problems and manage risks. Travel Guard's global reach, unparalleled service quality and proven operational capabilities allow clients to receive best-in-class care. Travel Guard's suite of technology platforms enables seamless integration with all major travel distribution systems and supplier channels. The travel insurance products marketed by Travel Guard are underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries and affiliates of Chartis Inc. For additional information, please visit our websites at www.travelguard.com and www.travelguardworldwide.com.

Follow us on  and "like" us on .

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND OR SALES PRESENTATION IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS CONTEST AND SWEEPSTAKES. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  The Travel Guard "Random Act of Kindness" Promotion starts May 30, 2011 at 9:00:00 AM EST and ends October 31, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM EST. Open to legal residents of the United States (excluding U.S. Territories), age 21 and over, and residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) over the age of majority in their province/territory, at the time of entry. The Promotion consists of a Video/Photo Contest ("Contest") component and a Voter Sweepstakes ("Sweepstakes") Component. To Enter the Contest: Beginning May 30, 2011 at 9:00:00 AM EST and ending September 5, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM EST go to www.TravelGuard.com and submit either a video or a photo along with an accompanying story describing your submission (between 10 and 200 words), about a random act of kindness by someone who has helped you or someone else when away from home, along with your full name, email address, phone number, country and state/province/territory of residence and a username and password, and the full name, email address, phone number, country and state/province/territory of residence of the Nominee. Contest Entries must be submitted by September 5, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM EST. Limit one Unique Contest Entry per person/household per day. To Enter the Sweepstakes: Beginning October 1, 2011 at 9:00 AM EST and ending October 31, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM EST, go to www.TravelGuard.com, and vote for one of the eligible Contest Entries, enter your full name, email address, phone number, country and state/province/territory of residence and a username and password. You will receive one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes ("Entry") for your Vote if you voted for the eventual Contest Grand Prize Winner. Limit one (1) Vote/Entry per person/email address per day. Odds of winning the Sweepstakes Prize depends on the number of Votes received for the Contest Grand Prize Winner during the Voting Period. Sponsor: Travel Guard Group, Inc., 3300 Business Park Drive, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54482.  Void in Puerto Rico and all other U.S. territories, Quebec and where prohibited by law. Subject to full official rules, available at www.TravelGuard.com/Unlucky.

Travel Guard's sponsorship of the World's Unluckiest Traveler Contest is not intended to represent in any respect that Travel Guard's insurance plans cover any of the events depicted in any single entry. For full and complete insurance coverage details, please contact Travel Guard directly.

SOURCE Travel Guard North America