In the event of a dispute over the identity of an online entrant, entry will be deemed submitted by the "Authorized Account Holder" of the e-mail address submitted at time of entry. Authorized Account Holder means the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Entry materials/data that have been tampered with or altered, or mass entries or entries generated by a script, macro or use of automated devices are void. The Sponsor is not responsible for: (i) lost, late, misdirected, damaged or illegible entries; or (ii) error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions of any kind, or inaccurate transmission of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any web site or any combination thereof; or (iii) any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in the Sweepstakes. By participating in the Sweepstakes, you (i) agree to be bound by these Official Rules, including all eligibility requirements, and (ii) agree to be bound by the decisions of Sponsor and the independent judging organization, which are final and binding in all matters relating to the Sweepstakes. Failure to comply with these Official Rules may result in disqualification from the Sweepstakes. Sponsor reserves the right to: (i) permanently disqualify from any sweepstakes it sponsors any person it believes has intentionally violated these Official Rules; and (ii) withdraw the online method of entry if it becomes technically corrupted (including if a computer virus or system malfunction inalterably impairs its ability to conduct the Sweepstakes), and to select winner from among all eligible entries received prior to withdrawal. 

Legal Warning: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN individual, whether or not an ENTRANT, TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE, destroy, tamper or vandalize this WEB SITE OR interfere with the OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES, IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS and SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES and diligently pursue all remedies against ANY SUCH individual TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. 

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.   

Eligibility: The Choose Your Own Escape Sweepstakes ("Sweepstakes") is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, age 21 or older at time of entry. Employees of the Real Simple Magazine (the “Sponsor”) and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to enter or win. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited by law.  

How to enter: Method #1: Visit www.realsimplerewards.com/escapes and follow all entry instructions to complete and submit the online entry form. Online entries must be received between 12:01 AM Eastern Time (“ET”) on May 12, 2008 and 11:59 PM (ET) on October 20, 2008. Online entrants subject to all notices posted online including but not limited to privacy policy. Limit: One online entry per person. Online entries made with multiple email addresses, under multiple identities or through the use of any other device or artifice to enter multiple times will be deemed invalid. Method #2: To enter via US mail, write your name and address on a postcard and mail to: Choose Your Own Escape Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 9332, Medford, NY 11763-9332. Each postcard must be mailed separately. Mail-in entries must be postmarked between May 12, 2008 and October 20, 2008 and received by October 27, 2008. Photocopied, illegible or mechanically reproduced entries are not eligible. All entries and requests become Sponsor’s property and will not be returned or acknowledged. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, damaged, misdirected or postage due mail/entries. 

One Grand Prize: $500 to be used by winner towards the escape/vacation of his or her choice (approximate retail value: $500.00). Prize will be awarded as an American Express gift card. Gift card is subject to American Express gift card terms and conditions. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received, estimated at 1: 5,500. 

Winner Selection: Winner will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries received.  Random drawing will be conducted on or about November 3, 2008 by an independent judging organization whose decisions are final and binding. Winner will be notified by mail and/or email. If a potential winner cannot be contacted, or if prize notification is returned as undeliverable, or if the selected winner cannot accept or receive the prize for any reason, or he/she is not in compliance with these Official Rules, it will result in disqualification, and the prize will be awarded to an alternate winner in a separate random drawing. No substitutions are permitted except if prize is unavailable, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded. Prize is not redeemable for cash. Prize is non-assignable and non-transferable except to a surviving spouse. Winner is responsible for any federal, state, local and sales and income taxes. Any other incidental expenses on prize not specified herein are the sole responsibility of winner. Entry and acceptance of prize constitutes permission to use winner's name, prize won, hometown and likeness for online posting and promotional purposes without further compensation, except where prohibited by law. 

General Provisions & Limitations: Participating entrants agree to these Official Rules and the decisions of the judges and the Sponsor, and release the Sponsor, and its affiliated companies, and all other businesses involved in this Sweepstakes, as well as the employees, officers, directors and agents of each, from all claims and liability relating to their participation, acceptance and use or misuse of prize. Winner assumes all liability for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused, by participation in this Sweepstakes or use or redemption of any prize. Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Sweepstakes or in the announcement of the prize. 

This Sweepstakes shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of New York, U.S.A. without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions. By participating, entrants agree that any and all disputes arising out of or relating in any way to this Sweepstakes shall be litigated only in courts sitting in New York, NY, U.S.A. 

Winner’s List: For winner’s name (available after December 15, 2008), send a stamped self-addressed envelope by December 15, 2008 to: Choose Your Own Escape Sweepstakes Winner, Real Simple Magazine, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, RM8-133A, New York, NY 10020.   

Privacy Policy: By entering, the information you provided may be sent to promotional partners identified in this promotion. You may be contacted by the Sponsor and/or any promotional partners with future promotional offers. Information provided by you to participate in this Sweepstakes is subject to Sponsor's privacy policy located at www.realsimplerewards.com. 

Sponsor: Real Simple Magazine, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

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