Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

I haven't looked into Turo specifically, but most auto insurance policies will cover whatever car you are driving. For example, if I borrow my friend's car and crash it, my insurance would cover the damage. Same deal for rental cars with any policy I've ever held.

Most? I'd say that would be the exception from everything I've seen.

[Nufy]

Anyone gone through the claim process for compensation from Air Canada lately ?

I just went through a week long adventure of delayed / missed / cancelled flights on a trip back east.

Only 1 of the 4 scheduled flights were on time. Once was cancelled entirely resulting in me spending the night on a bench in Montreal (YUL).

[btimbit]

WestJet chartered Canadian North to run some routes for them this weekend, which is cool to see

[jar_e]

Having to make an unexpected trip to Europe for a funeral in September. Anyone have any recommendations for must see things in Amsterdam and Krakow?

Edit: didn’t see the travel thread was still stickied…I’ll try that too.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by jar_e

Having to make an unexpected trip to Europe for a funeral in September. Anyone have any recommendations for must see things in Amsterdam and Krakow?

Edit: didn’t see the travel thread was still stickied…I’ll try that too.

Salt mine near Krakow.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine

[Engine09]

I did that salt mine tour, was very glad we went. Beautiful pools of water and the carved statues were the highlights.

Auschwitz is not too fan from Krakow, that was a powerful visit.

[ryeguy252]

Have a four day layover in Seoul at the end of November, any suggestions on where to stay? Online says Myeongdong or Hongdae? We are travelling with a 1 year old.

TIA

[getbak]

Where's the best place to get foreign currency now (Euros specifically)?

There used to be a place in Eau Claire that had the best rates, but that doesn't exist anymore.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by ryeguy252

Have a four day layover in Seoul at the end of November, any suggestions on where to stay? Online says Myeongdong or Hongdae? We are travelling with a 1 year old.

TIA

Lotte Hotel Seoul or Lotte Hotel World.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by getbak

Where's the best place to get foreign currency now (Euros specifically)?

There used to be a place in Eau Claire that had the best rates, but that doesn't exist anymore.

In the past I have used Calforex. Their rates seemed fair and better than the banks.

More recently I have just used Wise. I load up the account and tap, tap, tap. You can also withdraw cash if needed.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by getbak

Where's the best place to get foreign currency now (Euros specifically)?

There used to be a place in Eau Claire that had the best rates, but that doesn't exist anymore.

An ATM when you get to Europe. That'll be way, way cheaper than any other way.

[MoneyGuy]

Has anyone here actually booked through the YYC/YEG Deals sites? By the time we see the deals they’re sold out (two tries only).

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by btimbit

WestJet chartered Canadian North to run some routes for them this weekend, which is cool to see

Does that mean those people got Canadian North food? Lucky people if so.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Does that mean those people got Canadian North food? Lucky people if so.

I wonder, since they'd be getting serviced by WestJet's catering.

Today WestJet chartered some Summit Air RJ100's as well, which is super cool

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Has anyone here actually booked through the YYC/YEG Deals sites? By the time we see the deals they’re sold out (two tries only).

You have to be on the emails and ready to go when they come out. I book a lot of my vacations on those deals

[getbak]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

An ATM when you get to Europe. That'll be way, way cheaper than any other way.

Even with all the fees they tack on now?

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by getbak

Even with all the fees they tack on now?

Depends on your bank but still generally better than the fees you pay at a currency converter place

Just avoid some ATMs at airports, they can be extra high

Are you sure you even need them? When I went in the spring I didn't use cash once

[Fuzz]

Germany uses cash only in lots of places, so depends on the country.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by getbak

Even with all the fees they tack on now?

Yes. I just got back from Europe yesterday, and was generally paying 3 Euro to the machine owner and another couple of bucks to my bank. I took out 500-1000 Euros at a time, so as a percentage the fees were like 1% and the exchange rate is many percentage points better than somewhere like calforex or getting cash from the bank.

I like having cash in Europe for places like restaurants - once I have the cheque I can just leave cash vs waiting for them to come back with the machine, which saved quite a bit of time as places were generally pretty busy.

[topfiverecords]

When you are in urgent need of a bathroom, be sure to have some Euro on you in many countries.