Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

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

Doesn't sound all that smart, I know they've lost value but they aren't bolívars.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

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

Yeah, that's my other question. I'm going to Spain and some of the advice I've read says it's still cash only in a lot of places, but other things say you'll only have problems using cards if you go to really small businesses or out-of-the-way towns, which I don't plan on doing.

The last time I went to Europe was before they started charging the 2.5% foreign transaction fees on ATM withdrawals and I was in Germany, where as a Scotiabank customer, I could use Deutsche Bank ATMs with no additional fee.

Now, they charge the 2.5% fee on cash withdrawals the same as credit card purchases, and Spain doesn't have any "Global ATM Alliance" banks, so I wanted to avoid taking out cash over there if I don't need to.

[Fuzz]

I'd show up with Euros then. It was about 8 years ago, but I do remember using cash a lot there. Many of the little Tapas places preferred it. I always like to have some small bills when I arrive, just in case their is an issue with transit or taxis. Trying to find cash when tired and wanting to get to your hotel sucks.

[Bonded]

Are ATMs actually better? Will be going to France in a bit and was planning on getting some small bills ahead of time

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I'd show up with Euros then. It was about 8 years ago, but I do remember using cash a lot there. Many of the little Tapas places preferred it. I always like to have some small bills when I arrive, just in case their is an issue with transit or taxis. Trying to find cash when tired and wanting to get to your hotel sucks.

Exactly, which goes back to my original question of where is the best place to get Euros in Calgary?

The place in Eau Claire used to have better rates than the bank, but since Eau Claire closed, I don't know if the exchange place moved or if there's somewhere else with good rates.

[Fuzz]

I've always used Calforex.

[MoneyGuy]

When does Westjet expect its aircraft to be repaired from the hail damage and back to business as usual?

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

When does Westjet expect its aircraft to be repaired from the hail damage and back to business as usual?

Likely won't be fast. I'd imagine things will be rough until the winter schedule starts and things slow down

[activeStick]

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).

I used to travel only based on deals that popped up on YVR Deals and the tickets sell out quickly, but if you get to it immediately when the post is made, you'll usually be able to get tickets. Last time I got tickets from them though was probably 2017 or 2018 when a group of us snagged flights from Vancouver to Japan, then Taiwan, then to HK, all in for under $1,000. Best purchase ever!

[Brupal]

Foreign cash: pop into your local bank branch and ask for your foreign cash. Either they will have it or they will order it in and the next time they get a cash shipment (a few business days) you can pick it up. Otherwise go downtown to your bank’s Main Branch and they will probably have all the foreign cash you need. Rates are competitive, you are not going to be gauged.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Brupal

Foreign cash: pop into your local bank branch and ask for your foreign cash. Either they will have it or they will order it in and the next time they get a cash shipment (a few business days) you can pick it up. Otherwise go downtown to your bank’s Main Branch and they will probably have all the foreign cash you need. Rates are competitive, you are not going to be gauged.

"Competitive" in this situation probably means "pay 5% more than mid-market rate" and likely a $5 fee.

If you're getting a couple of grand for a trip that's meaningful, imo.

Plus going to a bank branch is an all-around terrible experience that it makes sense to avoid if at all possible.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by activeStick

I used to travel only based on deals that popped up on YVR Deals and the tickets sell out quickly, but if you get to it immediately when the post is made, you'll usually be able to get tickets. Last time I got tickets from them though was probably 2017 or 2018 when a group of us snagged flights from Vancouver to Japan, then Taiwan, then to HK, all in for under $1,000. Best purchase ever!

That seems to answer my other question: have people had good experiences with the YYC, YEG and YVR Deals sites? My wife is nervous about using them; I’m not.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by btimbit

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

Originally Posted by getbak

Yeah, that's my other question. I'm going to Spain and some of the advice I've read says it's still cash only in a lot of places, but other things say you'll only have problems using cards if you go to really small businesses or out-of-the-way towns, which I don't plan on doing.

Smaller towns in Portugal were not accepting non-EU credit cards or in some cases any credit cards. This is from my son who has been over there for the past year. Mostly merchants and restaurants, hotels etc. would all accept them.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

That seems to answer my other question: have people had good experiences with the YYC, YEG and YVR Deals sites? My wife is nervous about using them; I’m not.

Not sure what there is to be nervous about. They post of a deal and you go and book your own travel through regular websites.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

Not sure what there is to be nervous about. They post of a deal and you go and book your own travel through regular websites.

That’s what I tell her.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

That seems to answer my other question: have people had good experiences with the YYC, YEG and YVR Deals sites? My wife is nervous about using them; I’m not.

No problems each time I've tried. But also every time I've purchased tickets through YVR Deals, it was made on the airline's site. I was never buying through some sort of 3rd party or anything. I've bought tickets through deals that were posted on YVR Deals probably about 6 times.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Doesn't sound all that smart, I know they've lost value but they aren't bolívars.

You never know when you’re going to be in a pinch to pinch one off and the roll is empty.

[getbak]

As far as I know, the YYC etc. Deals sites are still run by cmyden, who started this thread 15+ years ago. As others have said, since the sites just link to the deals on other booking sites, there's not really anything to be worried about (unless the linked site is sketchy).

[cmyden]

Yep, as others have mentioned, you aren't booking 'through' YVR Deals, YYC Deals, etc. I'm just pointing out what the best airfare deals are. You can book them anywhere you want.

I'll usually post a link to Google Flights (the largest airfare search engine on the planet and the fastest way to browse prices).

From Google Flights, it used to be pretty obvious that they were sending you directly to the airline website for booking.

In recent past, they've added a ton of 'third party' booking websites and it's become a little less obvious.

If you're not used to booking many flights online, I would stick with booking with the airline directly.

There can be savings with the third party websites, but if you book through a third party website, they are who you need to contact if you should need any assistance with something. And that quality level can really vary.

Once you get to Google Flights, and you've selected your flights, on the third page or so it should look something like this:



In theory, you could even contact a traditional travel agent and have them book the flight for you. Some deals stick around for a while, and there's time to do that.

But when it's something really great or rare....

By the time we see the deals they’re sold out (two tries only).

...they can sell out pretty quick, as a ton of people are suddenly looking at them, booking them, etc, and this can drive the price back up.

(The airlines have mechanisms in place to dynamically re-price their airfares based on demand). The greatest deals often last in the range of 8-24 hours.

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[marsplasticeraser]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

That seems to answer my other question: have people had good experiences with the YYC, YEG and YVR Deals sites? My wife is nervous about using them; I’m not.

I've never booked through the site, I didn't know I could.

I use yycdeals as they find cheap flights, and then I book those on the airline website. Never had an issue, but as another poster said, the good prices go super fast!