Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[cmyden]

Air New Zealand has been offering some pretty good sale prices from Calgary lately, first the Cook Islands, and now New Zealand. Typically the bottom price to Auckland is somewhere between $1500-$1700 roundtrip after taxes from YYC, and New Zealand never seems to really go on sale.

To get the price down to $1253, you need to use the promo code that brings the price down by $200.

The promo code is NZAUS200C and is valid for use until February 28, at 11:59 PM MST.

Here's an example of how to get a flight for $1253:

1. Go to AirNewZealand.ca

2. Search for a flight from Calgary to Auckland (AKL), departing on March 29 and returning on April 11.

3. Use the promo code NZAUS200C when searching.

The code will work to anywhere that Air New Zealand flies in New Zealand or Australia.

http://yycdeals.com/calgary-to-new-z...ip-after-taxes

[Ozy_Flame]

Oh for god sakes, I just went to New Zealand and paid almost the same amount in taxes using Aeroplan points . . . . FML.

[KOgear]

The cost of tickets when you try to use aeroplan miles is ridicolous for flights in region 5.

[username]

I was in NZ a year ago and paid 1900 for my flight - fml!

[St. Pats]

My son is looking to go on a rugby tour to Germany in early June. Looking for anyway possible to reduce the cost of the flight. Any help/ suggestions appreciated.

[Ozy_Flame]

Hey cmyden, decided to go last minute (April 19-22) to Las Vegas. Any suggestions on the best site to book? Or when? Prices aren't as cheap as I was hoping (naturally) but anything helps. I haven't been in like 15 years and I have no ideas where to go. Needs a hotel on the Strip that the girlfriend will approve for an anniversary gift but won't break the bank.

Thanks!

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Hey cmyden, decided to go last minute (April 19-22) to Las Vegas. Any suggestions on the best site to book? Or when? Prices aren't as cheap as I was hoping (naturally) but anything helps. I haven't been in like 15 years and I have no ideas where to go. Needs a hotel on the Strip that the girlfriend will approve for an anniversary gift but won't break the bank.

Thanks!

I'll get to work on writing a flight & hotel guide to Vegas, but the short version would be: compare the packages through WestJetVacations & AirCanadaVacations against a Flight & Hotel Combiner site (Expedia, Travelocity, etc) and you will have your bases covered as far as packages go.

Building your own package is a slightly different story, but prices are likely to be similar to the Flight & Hotel Combiners, unless you can find a better deal than usual on your own to a Vegas hotel than the Flight & Hotel Combiners are using when combining airfares from the major airlines with the latest hotel rates. There's a better chance of that happening in Vegas than other destinations, perhaps by signing up for hotel e-mail lists, or scouring the threads on some deal forums.

Incidentally, GoJumpOn, a site offering the Group-deal concept on airfares, made it's debut in Calgary, and their first flight is to Vegas from Apr 19-21....

http://yycdeals.com/gojumpon-a-group...uts-in-calgary

$421 roundtrip after taxes for the airfare. It was about $165 cheaper than the non-stop (direct) flights on the major airlines at the time I wrote the article. But that's for a flight that may or may not happen! Probably not the best idea for an anniversary gift.

[Ozy_Flame]

Thanks!! Much appreciated!

[Ace]

^Love this concept

[rubecube]

Hey Chris,

This is more for the YYJer or YVRers, but I've been finding some pretty decent deals getting to the Carribean from Bellingham. You just have to play your cards right and combine Allegiant air with a flight from Las Vegas to one of the East Coast hubs (usually JFK, Miam, Ft. Lauderdale, Charlotte). I figured it out and can get to either Freeport or Nassau for about $400-$500 rountrip (including taxes). Let me know if you want me to type you up a little guide. This usually involves staying overnight in Vegas on the way there and back, but it's better than spending 20 hours in various airports.

EDIT: Should and this works to Turks and Caicaos, Aruba, etc.

And on a side note, which would you recommend out of all the Carribean islands? We're looking at Bahama, T&C, Curacao, Barbados, and St. Maarten...possible the Virgins, but it would be in August (am aware of hurricane risks). We're not huge partiers but girlfriend likes a little bit of nightlife and shopping. I like snorkelling, getting blitzed on the beach, relaxing and usually some kind of adventure tour (ATV, etc).

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Hey Chris,

This is more for the YYJer or YVRers, but I've been finding some pretty decent deals getting to the Carribean from Bellingham. You just have to play your cards right and combine Allegiant air with a flight from Las Vegas to one of the East Coast hubs (usually JFK, Miam, Ft. Lauderdale, Charlotte). I figured it out and can get to either Freeport or Nassau fro about $400-$500 rountrip (including taxes). Let me know if you want me to type you up a little guide. This usually involves staying overnight in Vegas on the way there and back, but it's better than spending 20 hours in various airports.

EDIT: Should and this works to Turks and Caicaos, Aruba, etc.

And on a side note, which would you recommend out of all the Carribean islands? We're looking at Bahama, T&C, Curacao, Barbados, and St. Maarten...possible the Virgins, but it would be in August (am aware of hurricane risks). We're not huge partiers but girlfriend likes a little bit of nightlife and shopping. I like snorkelling, getting blitzed on the beach, relaxing and usually some kind of adventure tour (ATV, etc).

Sure! I'm sure there are some West Coasters on here that would love to hear about it.

I haven't been to many Caribbean islands, as I'm not really one for relaxing on the beach, and a lot of them seem not to offer a whole lot more than that. I get antsy after an hour and need to go do/see something, and whenever I've researched a Caribbean island, it seems to come down to great beaches, snorkeling, and diving, followed by more great beaches, snorkeling and diving.

I picture the shopping being touristy trinkets I'd never buy, and for nightlife, the bigger the population center, the better the nightlife, is what I find as a general rule.

Puerto Rico is one I have on my list though, as there's a few things there I'd like to check out (eg: Bioluminescent Bay and some caves). I picture everything to do with Turks & Caicos or Curacao being very expensive from food to accommodations.

Wasn't a huge fan of the Bahamas when I went, but it was just a short visit, and only really saw Nassau.

Hopefully someone on here that enjoys the Caribbean can give better advice to help with your decision!

[sameg]

Couple quick questions for everyone that frequents this thread

I'm heading over to Europe for the first time next month and am confused about to best way to exchange my money.

i) When is the best time to exchange cash? Here before I leave? Or should I just use an ATM over there.
ii) I've read MasterCard can have some pretty big fees for using it over there and should be avoided. Is this correct?
iii) Anything else I should consider?

I'm with BMO if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by sameg

Couple quick questions for everyone that frequents this thread

I'm heading over to Europe for the first time next month and am confused about to best way to exchange my money.

i) When is the best time to exchange cash? Here before I leave? Or should I just use an ATM over there.
ii) I've read MasterCard can have some pretty big fees for using it over there and should be avoided. Is this correct?
iii) Anything else I should consider?

I'm with BMO if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance

I would limit the use of a debit card unless at a reputable bank. My ex got defrauded for north of $2500 using her card in Amsterdam, she was with Scotia and they essentially told her to pound sand.

At least with a VISA there is some form of protection for the consumer, and you won't be on the hook for fraudulent activities.

[Maccalus]

Originally Posted by sameg

Couple quick questions for everyone that frequents this thread

I'm heading over to Europe for the first time next month and am confused about to best way to exchange my money.

i) When is the best time to exchange cash? Here before I leave? Or should I just use an ATM over there.
ii) I've read MasterCard can have some pretty big fees for using it over there and should be avoided. Is this correct?
iii) Anything else I should consider?

I'm with BMO if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance

When I was in Europe, personally I just hit up ATM's to withdraw cash every few days. I found this to be the easiest with the best exchange rate/fees. I only had issues using my card at a couple of american bank branded machines in switzerland.

[Domoic]

Does anyone know of direct flights from Calgary to Boston in the summer?

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by Domoic

Does anyone know of direct flights from Calgary to Boston in the summer?

As far as I know, there have never been non-stop flights between Calgary and Boston. I think the fastest it can generally be done is with a one hour stopover each way, such as in Montreal using Air Canada.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by cmyden

Sure! I'm sure there are some West Coasters on here that would love to hear about it.

I haven't been to many Caribbean islands, as I'm not really one for relaxing on the beach, and a lot of them seem not to offer a whole lot more than that. I get antsy after an hour and need to go do/see something, and whenever I've researched a Caribbean island, it seems to come down to great beaches, snorkeling, and diving, followed by more great beaches, snorkeling and diving.

I picture the shopping being touristy trinkets I'd never buy, and for nightlife, the bigger the population center, the better the nightlife, is what I find as a general rule.

Puerto Rico is one I have on my list though, as there's a few things there I'd like to check out (eg: Bioluminescent Bay and some caves). I picture everything to do with Turks & Caicos or Curacao being very expensive from food to accommodations.

Wasn't a huge fan of the Bahamas when I went, but it was just a short visit, and only really saw Nassau.

Hopefully someone on here that enjoys the Caribbean can give better advice to help with your decision!

Do you have an email you want me to send this to, or just post it here?

[me_dennis]

Does anyone know what's considered a good deal from YYC to Chicago in the fall (thanksgiving weekend in october).?

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Do you have an email you want me to send this to, or just post it here?

Here would be great!

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by cmyden

Here would be great!

Well I just had this huge long post typed up and then accidentally hit the back button on my browser. FML.

The comparison is essentially this. Using Aruba as an example, whether you're flying out of Victoria or Vancouver the price is essentially the same.

Taking a flight out of Bellingham to a major hub such as LAX, LAS, SFO, PHX through Allegiant or Alaska will save you about 7-10 hours of travel time each way and upwards of $200. Sometimes I like to mix and match the two and buy one way on Allegiant and return on Alaska, and vice-versa. Their prices are competitive, but you're probably look at somewhere between $150-$250 (return) including taxes to get from BLI to one of your hubs.

The other negative of using the major Canadian carriers is that you're likely facing one of those long, but not long enough layovers in a city like Miami, Toronto, etc. As in, you can expect to be sitting around an airport for 6-8 hours each way.

If you do use Allegiant, you may run the risk of a layover, but as you're not bound to one carrier to get you home, you extend your layover for as long as you want - say an extra two nights in Vegas or L.A. Obviously this cuts into your budget (well not if you know how to work Vegas), but it beats spending the equivalent of a day in an airport.

An example I used was a trip to Aruba. Here's the itinerary from YYJ (cost $875):

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/view/d...c-aa9b7cee20b3

Total hours in transit depart + return = 40
Total layover hours = 20

Here's an example of an itinerary from Vegas (cost $451):

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/view/d...c-aa9b7cee20b3

Total hours in transit depart + return = 21
Total layover hours = 3

Now, granted those layover numbers are a bit deceiving, as it's likely you'll have to spend a night in whichever city you catch Allegiant or Alaska out of on the way back, unless you can get an early morning flight out of Aruba or wherever. However, the beauty of this is you can add it to your vacation, as you're no longer tied to your major carrier. For instance, my girlfriend and I are planning on doing one of these and spending a couple of days in Vegas on one or both sides of the Carribean aspect of our trip.

Here's an example itinerary for us:

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/view/d...c-aa9b7cee20b3

Our plan would be to fly from BLI to LAS on Monday, August 5th, then the night of the 5th from LAS overnight to Aruba. The cost of this flight is $510 after taxes. I'm pretty confident flight prices will go down between now and then, but either way, not bad. Coming back our flight lands in Las Vegas at 11:30 PM, so we're going to spend a couple of days there before hopping an Allegiant/Alaska flight and driving home. The Allegiant portion of the the trip is $150 after taxes.

Overall, with ferry, parking, etc. It will probably end up being a $700 trip, but the time saved and spent doing things we'd enjoy, with the extra $200/pp saved seems to make it worthwhile.

We haven't decided on Aruba. Hell, I think she's still leaning to Poland, but this was just an example. Flights to the Bahamas, T&C, Barbados, etc. are all anywhere from $200-$400 cheaper to do out of Bellingham.

One note I did want to add, for those who are interested in flying to the Bahamas, is to check prices to Ft. Lauderdale. There is now an express ferry service that runs for about $50 (I think that's return) between Ft. Lauderdale and Freeport.