Play Now, Pay Later

U.S. travelers will spend some $18 billion to see the U.S. in 1958. From Cape Cod (tourist inquiries up 40%) to California, warm weather vacation business is booming, thanks partly to easy-credit mechanisms. Items:

P: Phillips Petroleum Co. announced last week that its credit-card holders around the U.S. may buy as much as $150 worth of gas, oil, tires or auto accessories while on their vacation, and take up to six months to pay for their purchases.

P: American Express started to sell package tours on the installment plan with payments ranging from three months up to 20 months. A 15-day tour from Chicago to the Grand Canyon, California, and Las Vegas, Nev.--including fares, meals, lodging and guides--can be bought for $28 down plus payments of $23.79 a month for twelve months. Total cost: $313.48 v. $283 if all paid in advance. American Express expects 2,000 installment travelers to spend $1,000,000 on the plan in 1958, says that its domestic bookings are 10% ahead of last year.

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