Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[woob]

Originally Posted by jar_e

After 2.5 years, finally got my APPR ruling in my favour. Ridiculous WestJet filed to defend their position but then submitted nothing, clearly just looking to kick the can down the road. We’ll see how soon they actually fulfill their compensation requirements.

I’m guessing their default is to defend. It’s probably a check box in whatever software they use lol.

[WideReceiver]

A helpful poster had me convinced to get a Wise card but now I’m not sure. What’s the determining factor? Do I call my credit card company for the foreign exchange rate? If it’s within 1% of the Wise rate maybe I just use my CC and ATM card at machines? Go Wise if the spread is higher? This is for a few weeks in Japan.

Is the foreign exchange rate the determining factor?

[Ryan Coke]

Same, I’m open to being convinced, but…..

I did some detailed comparison a few years ago with USD, and I had a US account, card, and transferred through an exchange service that got me the best fees. Of course it’s worth it if you’re purchasing property or something large, but for some random day to day expenses, it wasn’t. I have a rewards card that gives me back 1.5% in rewards, and that made it a saw off on the cost between using my exchange service and my US card vs. just using my regular Canadian card.

So even now, even if there is an extra 1% you are paying between the exchange and the service fee, is it really worth it? It’s an extra $10 on $1000 worth of spending, and for that I’ll just use my regular Canadian card.

As I said, I’m open to being convinced, but right now my plan is to just use my Canadian CC in Japan myself when we go next month.

[Hanni]

I used Wise in the states recently and would agree with you for the most part. My card has a 2.5% foreign transaction fee, it also earns 1% back on regular purchases, so is it worth it for 1.5%? You're right it's a $15 difference on $1000 spend (in my case), and the Mastercard exchange rate looks pretty comparable to Wise.

My biggest reason was so that I could hedge on the exchange without needing to do it in cash. Once Trump was elected I was very worried about the dollar as our trip was a month after innauguration, Wise allowed me to convert currency and then use it on the trip in the same vehicle.

[WideReceiver]

Recommendations for accommodations in Waterton?

[brocoli]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

Recommendations for accommodations in Waterton?

Kilmorey Lodge is the newest and quite nice. Also the Bayshore is a great stay. Watertone Lakes Lodge is fine. Really nothing crazy special there, but all are fairly safe bets

[activeStick]

Any recommendations for a solid esim? Heading overseas to mainland China and Hong Kong soon and haven't travelled there since before covid, so not up to date on the latest and greatest ones! Appreciate any recommendations you might have!

[marsplasticeraser]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Any recommendations for a solid esim? Heading overseas to mainland China and Hong Kong soon and haven't travelled there since before covid, so not up to date on the latest and greatest ones! Appreciate any recommendations you might have!

I’ve used Airalo in about 20 countries. Works great. And one time it didn’t customer support was incredible and they got it working. Like a real person helped me on chat.

[Scrambler]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Any recommendations for a solid esim? Heading overseas to mainland China and Hong Kong soon and haven't travelled there since before covid, so not up to date on the latest and greatest ones! Appreciate any recommendations you might have!

If you are a Wealthsimple client you might qualify for a free esim from 'Gigs'. I used that recently in Ecuador and Colombia and that worked great for me.

I tried using Saily in Japan, far to glitchy and poor connections.

Like another reply Airalo not a bad option either, but I found myself without connection a little too often.

[WideReceiver]

We’re in Japan now using Airalo. It’s great.

[Manhattanboy]

Question. My passport expires in June but I am travelling to the USA at the end of April for 10 days. From everything I read about the US I should be fine as my passport will not expire while I am in the US.

Has anyone heard anything to the contrary?

I don’t want try to expedite a renewal if I don’t have to.

[Geraldsh]

June is only a month away from April! I would start the renewal process now so if worse comes to worst you can have someone mail the new passport to you.

[Fuzz]

According to this you should be OK, but who knows in 2025.


https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/fi...e-20220316.pdf

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Geraldsh

June is only a month away from April! I would start the renewal process now so if worse comes to worst you can have someone mail the new passport to you.

You have to send your current passport in for renewal, so that wouldn't work.

[RandyHolt]

I went in early February with a passport that expired in April and there was no issue.

The only caveat is Trump is erratic and could change this at any time which was my concern before my trip.

[WideReceiver]

Just curious if anyone who’s traveled to the U.S. or is about to has wiped their phones and social media of rage against Trump? I think the risk is very low but not zero. No, I’m not going; just curious.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

Just curious if anyone who’s traveled to the U.S. or is about to has wiped their phones and social media of rage against Trump? I think the risk is very low but not zero. No, I’m not going; just curious.

I've seen/heard a bit lately about removing social media apps from your phone before crossing the border, or using a burner phone if you have really hot takes.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

Just curious if anyone who’s traveled to the U.S. or is about to has wiped their phones and social media of rage against Trump? I think the risk is very low but not zero. No, I’m not going; just curious.

I just passed customs at yyc for the third time in the last 4 weeks this morning. Wouldn’t even know anything is different. Once they didn’t even scan my passport. If you get pulled into secondary they can do whatever they want but that has always been the case.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I've seen/heard a bit lately about removing social media apps from your phone before crossing the border, or using a burner phone if you have really hot takes.

he doesn't

[Dodsdomd]

Got a couple of very specific questions and hoping someone might be able to assist with some recent experience.
Row 5 (front of premium economy) on a Westjet 787-9 Dreamliner... is there a foot rest that comes out? Row 6-8 definitely have them but trying to confirm if row 5 does as well. Also, how close is that bulkhead in front of row 5? Can you stretch your legs decently?