Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by jjbouma

Hi Chris,

I'm wondering if there's any sort of website that tracks prices of all inclusive resorts? Looking to see what the average prices are, highs/lows, seasonal averages etc. I'm trying to decide whether to take the group rate for a wedding to Mexico in April, or wait for awhile and see if the prices go down.

Thanks!

Hi JJbouma,

I'm not sure if you saw the article I wrote a short while ago...

What a Difference A Day Makes: Picking the cheapest dates for all inclusives

That might give you some idea of how seasonal trends affect prices.

Essentially, I've found that the best prices on average are usually found about 4-5 weeks ahead.

But the really, really, crazy discounts are often last minute with a week or two to go. The problem is, it could be any resort, anywhere, and the chance of it being the exact place you were hoping for is minimal. There's always that trade-off between price and flexibility.

I know last April, there were some really good prices towards the end of April. It makes sense, the snowbirds are coming home, people aren't looking to get away from the cold weather as much, so the planes and resorts start to empty out and you're more likely to see prices discounted.

But with a wedding it's tough, I'm assuming the date is set in stone and perhaps the resort. So the chance of that exact resort you want on the exact date offering a significant discount is going to be lower.

Overall, there hasn't really been any price movement on all inclusive packages past Christmas or early January. I would imagine most places are content to leave their April prices where they are for quite a while yet.

cM

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by theonlywhiteout

Hey Chris, just wondering if you've thought about tracking flight deals that match away games for FLames

Hi Whiteout, it's an interesting idea, I haven't really thought about it. The genuinely good deals are usually rare enough that hoping they match up with the Flames away calendar could be wishful thinking.

Essentially, the best chance would be when the Flames play the Kings, the Ducks, or San Jose. But it's been a while now since there's been anything too amazing to southern California. Phoenix would be another option, but there hasn't been anything too great since the spring.

The other best bet would be Florida, usually to Orlando, to watch the Panthers or Tampa Bay.

Vegas could be one to look at at the moment with flights around $300ish roundtrip on WestJet between now and February. 4 hour drive to L.A./Anaheim though of course.

cM

[cmyden]

Air Canada Releases 2 Promo codes and WestJet Sale

Promotion code NQPMBWP1 - Save 10% on any fare for travel within North America, Europe or Sun destinations (including Hawaii and Mexico).

Promotion code FQ4FF7J1 - Save 15% on any fare for travel off Asia, South Pacific (Australia) and Latin America/South America.

Full details: http://www.aircanada.com/en/offers/a...ver_fares.html

WestJet also claims to be having a 72 hour sale. Full details are here:

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/trav...tSale-20101012

Of course, not all of the fares they claim are on sale are necessarily a good deal. The Kelowna/Kamloops/Vancouver fares look decent. Las Vegas too.


Some November flights to London, UK have dropped to $529 roundtrip after tax

Thomas Cook has dropped their late October to mid November flights to London Gatwick down to $529 roundtrip after tax.


Departures: Oct 23, 28, 30 Nov 03
Coming back: Nov 3, 10, 17


Just look for the flights that are around $50 each way before tax on http://www.CanadianAffair.ca

screenshot:

cM

[cmyden]

United, Air Canada, and Delta are having a fare ware to Reno, Nevada

It looks like United, Air Canada, and Delta flights have dropped down to as low as $319 roundtrip after tax throughout their schedule between now and February 2011.

Reno is usually quite an expensive city to fly to, often hovering around $500-$600 for the cheapest flights.

One of the more notable date combinations in my opinion is December 21 to 29 on United, AKA a hallowed 'over Christmas' flight.

Screenshot from United.com



cM

[cmyden]

WestJet promo code for 10% off all destinations


http://www.westjet.com/promo/?s_cid=...ocode-20101013


Save an extra 10% off new online bookings when you travel up to February 28th, 2011.


To redeem this offer, bookings must be made on westjet.com. Both the Promo code PCR41 and Coupon code 3YZ0EQW are required at time of booking on the first page of the booking process. Bookings must be made by October 15, 2010 (11:59pm CT) and travel must occur before February 28th, 2011. Blackout dates apply between December 18, 2010 and January 4, 2011


cM

[cmyden]

Flights to Salt Lake City on Delta are a good deal at the moment - especially the Christmas one

Delta's flights from Calgary to Salt Lake City, Utah have dropped throughout their schedule, down to $333 roundtrip after tax.

That may not seem all that amazing, considering on occasion you can fly all the way to Florida for around that price. But the fact of the matter is that flights to Salt Lake are almost *always* very expensive, usually at least $500 roundtrip for the cheapest flights.

In fact, the second cheapest airline after Delta at the moment is US Airways or Air Canada, which are both around $600 after tax for the cheapest flights.

The best deal has to be the Dec 19-26 flight, because it's over Christmas. There's also dates available over New Year's as well. The best reason I can think of to check out Salt Lake City is the skiing/snowboarding. So many great hills just a short drive away. Oh and the Red Iguana restaurant, excellent Mexican food!

Screenshot from Orbitz



cM

Hit the Like button if you like this deal!

[cmyden]

The first good all inclusive deal for December has arrived

And it's not overly surprising that it's the Royal Decameron down in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They're one of the most consistent at heavily discounting certain departure dates from time to time.

They just dropped the price of their December 7-14 package down to $687/person after tax. Flight, accommodations, food, drinks, the whole 9 yards.

direct link to this package.

cM

[3 Justin 3]

Hey me and my friend are planning to go to Europe in May/June, for about a month. When do you figure the deals will come in for some cheap flights. I got Ryanair/Easy Jet for flights when I am going from European country to European country, but the big cost is the Flight there and back.

[jeremywilhelm]

Wanna go to cancun for reading week. Any time from Feb 18 to 28th.

Got anything for me?

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Hey me and my friend are planning to go to Europe in May/June, for about a month. When do you figure the deals will come in for some cheap flights. I got Ryanair/Easy Jet for flights when I am going from European country to European country, but the big cost is the Flight there and back.

Hi Justin,

Air Transat and Thomas Cook (the charter airlines) were pretty much the only cheap way of getting to Europe this year.

Anything can happen, but in general when they do make a large cut to their prices it seems to usually be about a month ahead of time or less.

You should have a decent chance of something cheap, especially for May departures.

cM

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by jeremywilhelm

Wanna go to cancun for reading week. Any time from Feb 18 to 28th.

Got anything for me?

Hi Jeremy,

Any discounts being made at the moment appear to be focused on the fall months and the first half of December. There hasn't really been any price movement for January/February/March.

At the moment I would say the best deal is the Grand Xcaret by Occidental for $1645/person after tax leaving on the 18th.

For comparison purposes it can be had for around $1200ish in December.

Of course, reading week is also very high demand, not quite like Christmas, but definitely very high. So you may not ever see any great deals during that period.

[cmyden]

WestJet Promo Code: 10% off anywhere they fly - [expires: October 31]

http://www.westjet.com/promotion/

Save an extra 10% to one of our 71 destinations, when you make a new online booking for travel until February 11, 2011.*

To redeem this offer, bookings must be made on westjet.com. Both the Promo code DES10 and Coupon code 5SBKVQ3 are required at time of booking on the first page of the booking process. Bookings must be made by October 31, 2010 (11:59pm CT) and travel must occur before February 11, 2011. Blackout dates apply between December 18, 2010 and January 4, 2011.

[fundmark19]

Just got back from the Decameron in Peurto Vallarta if anyone on a budget is looking for a decent place to go relax by the pool or on the beach then I highly reccomend it. It is nothing fancy by any means but they feed you lots and give you lots to drink and have lots of places to lay in the sand on the beach or by a pool including an adult pool I had a great time. Friendly hardworking staff! Would go back again if I wanted to visit the pacific side of mexico again.

[iggyntangs]

Trying to find a good deal for travelling to Vancouver from Calgary Jan 4-6 (or 7).

Haven't found any decent deals yet...any help/ideas?

[FFR]

Kind of a general question for anyone...

Does Air Transat offer one way fairs from Europe to Calgary? On their website I can search one way fairs from Calgary to Europe but not the other way around. Has anyone had any experience with this? We're looking at doing a transatlantic cruise in April but we need to find a decent priced flight to come home on! We can come home from almost anywhere - wherever is cheapest!

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by FFR

Kind of a general question for anyone...

Does Air Transat offer one way fairs from Europe to Calgary? On their website I can search one way fairs from Calgary to Europe but not the other way around. Has anyone had any experience with this? We're looking at doing a transatlantic cruise in April but we need to find a decent priced flight to come home on! We can come home from almost anywhere - wherever is cheapest!

Yep, they do, just use their UK site...

http://www.airtransat.co.uk/en/index.aspx

You can also try Thomas Cook through CanadianAffair.

http://www.canadianaffair.ca/en/flight-special-offers/


Thomas Cook and Air Transat are about the only cheap one-ways you'll find from Europe.

cM

[cmyden]

Calgary to Cabo, Mexico - $365 roundtrip after tax

Just like they did last week, Sunwing has dropped the price of their upcoming flight to Los Cabos, Mexico.

This time it's for November 1-8.

Screenshot from Sunwing.ca


cM

[cmyden]

Last Minute Halloween Flight: Calgary to Varadero Cuba, $376 roundtrip after tax

5 days before departure, Sunwing has dropped the price of their October 31 to November 08 flight to Varadero, Cuba down to $376 roundtrip after tax.



cM

[Swayze11]

Hi,

I am looking to go to Austin, TX on Nov 12th, should I buy now or wait?

[drewboy12]

Originally Posted by jeremywilhelm

Wanna go to cancun for reading week. Any time from Feb 18 to 28th.

Got anything for me?

Went last year, litterly had liek 3 hours of sun, cloudy rainy every other day... Go somewhere like the Dominican instead.