Canadian Travel Hacking

Month: July 2013

  • Four Seasons Whistler Trip Report

    We were fortunate to have a nice weekend getaway in Whistler with a stay at the Four Seasons Whistler.

    The Four Seasons Whistler was recently awarded the Number 2 spot among the Top 20 Resorts in Canada and rated among the Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards.

    This hotel provided us an upgraded room (on a top floor) and provided a crib and child-proofed the room.

    Four Seasons Whistler Upgraded room
    Four Seasons Whistler Upgraded room
    Four Seasons Whistler Crib in child proof room.
    Four Seasons Whistler Crib in child proof room.

    Take a look at the gorgeous crib in our room with diapers, wipes, and baby cleaning products.

    Four Seasons Whistler Crib ammenities
    Four Seasons Whistler Crib ammenities

    We even received a welcome snack and letter from the chef.

    Four Seasons Whistler Welcome Gift - Stuffed Animal, water, fruit, and biscotti.
    Four Seasons Whistler Welcome Gift – Stuffed Animal, water, fruit, and biscotti.

    The hotel staff goes out of there way to make sure you have a nice time and are taken care of.

    We were lucky to come up on a sunny Saturday with low occupancy to take advantage of the nice pool they have (no chlorine).  They had sunscreen, bar staff, towels, spa water, and anything that you needed. We loved taking our daughter in the pool.

    Four Seasons Whistler Pool
    Four Seasons Whistler Pool

     

    Swimming at the Four Seasons Whistler Pool
    Swimming at the Four Seasons Whistler Pool

    After our swim we took a nice hike with friends. Everything is so close that once you park you don’t need the car in the village.

    We went for dinner at Fifty Two 80 eatery + bar (Sidecut was closed).

    What a meal we had!

    Fifty Two Eighty Four Seasons Whistler - Pan Roasted Steelhead - 6oz Steelhead, Sautéed Broccoli And Spinach, Pine Nut Olive Relish
    Fifty Two Eighty Four Seasons Whistler – Pan Roasted Steelhead – 6oz Steelhead, Sautéed Broccoli And Spinach, Pine Nut Olive Relish
    Fifty Two Eighty Four Seasons Whistler - 8oz. Kobe Style Burger, Pepper Jack Cheese, Onion, Bacon Jam, Heirloom Tomato, ‘dd’pickle, Secret Sauce, Sesame Kaiser Bun
    Fifty Two Eighty Four Seasons Whistler – 8oz. Kobe Style Burger, Pepper Jack Cheese, Onion, Bacon Jam, Heirloom Tomato, ‘dd’pickle, Secret Sauce, Sesame Kaiser Bun

    My wife had the burger and I was so jealous after!

    12oz Grilled Angus Ribeye, Hand Cut Spicy Fries, Spinach, Gratin, E2 Sauce
    12oz Grilled Angus Ribeye, Hand Cut Spicy Fries, Spinach, Gratin, E2 Sauce

    For dessert I had a Chocolate Trio – Raspberry Cromesqui, Ginger Chocolate Mousse, White Hot Chocolate and Lime, Mini Ice Cream Sandwich.

    Chocolate Trio - Raspberry Cromesqui, Ginger Chocolate Mousse, White Hot Chocolate and Lime, Mini Ice Cream Sandwich
    Chocolate Trio – Raspberry Cromesqui, Ginger Chocolate Mousse, White Hot Chocolate and Lime, Mini Ice Cream Sandwich

    We were so stuffed!

    Breakfast the next day at the restaurant was incredible. I could not imagine being hungry after eating here (good quality food with large enough portions).

    Swiss Bircher Muesli - Apples, Grapes, Yoghurt, Honey, Oats
    Swiss Bircher Muesli – Apples, Grapes, Yoghurt, Honey, Oats
    Strawberry Shortcake French Toast - Strawberry and Marscapone Cream Filled
    Strawberry Shortcake French Toast – Strawberry and Marscapone Cream Filled
    Four Seasons Whistler Trip Report-26
    Braised Short Rib, Sundried Tomato Mini Waffle, Poached Eggs, Red Pepper Bearnaise

    Finally, I had the four bites (all incredible)! I had this after having a heaping bowl of muesli.

    Vanilla Marinated Fruits, Peach Yoghurt Parfait, Berry Smoothie, Spinach Feta, Red Onion, Egg White Fritatta Bear Four Square - ‘EMP’ Eggs, Meat, Potato, Triple Stack of Pancakes
    Vanilla Marinated Fruits, Peach Yoghurt Parfait, Berry Smoothie, Spinach Feta, Red Onion, Egg White Fritatta
    Bear Four Square – ‘EMP’ Eggs, Meat, Potato, Triple Stack of Pancakes

    Here is a family photo of us all stuffed!

    Four Seasons Whistler Family Photo
    Four Seasons Whistler Family Photo

    What is your favourite Whistler hotel? I know what mine is.

  • 5 New Places To See On Google Street View

    I love Google Street View! This is a must have tool for travellers as it lets you get better aware with the area or city you are travelling to.

    Google Street View Harry Potter studio
    Google Street View Harry Potter studio

    They have recently added places that let you preview your bucket list and plan your trip more!

    1. Burj Khalifa “At The Top” Observation Deck (124th Floor), Burj Khalifa, Dubai

    Described as a ‘Vertical City’ and world’s first truly mixed utility tower, Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest man made structure standing at 828m in height and is the centrepiece to the 490-acre development known as Downtown Dubai.

    Source

    2. Shackleton’s Hut, Cape Royds on Ross Island, South Pole

    The hut served as the base of operations for the British 1907-1909 Nimrod Expedition, an early attempt in the race to the geographic South Pole led by a young Ernest Shackleton

    Source

    3. Diagon Alley, the real-life Harry Potter set at Warner Bros. Studio in London

    Source

    4. Kala Patthar, a stop along the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek.

    While on the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal you can stand face to face with Mount Everest, the “Goddess Mother of the Earth”, from the easily reached high-point of 18,192-foot Kala Pattar. Trekkers climb this peak before dawn to catch a glimpse of Everest at sunrise.

    Source

    5. Singapore

    To get a taste of modern city life in Singapore, simply search forMarina Bay Waterfront Promenade and Fullerton Heritage Promenade and use Street View to explore the city’s popular bay front and bay skyline. If you’re planning to travel with family or are simply an animal lover at heart, you can also now go on a virtual adventure to the Singapore Zoo.

    Source

    What place do you wish that they had on Google Street view?

     

  • How Canadians can travel to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup

    I am a big football soccer fan.

    Fifa World Cup 2014 for Canadians
    Fifa World Cup 2014 for Canadians

    The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil starts next year Thursday, June 12 in Sao Paulo and ends on Sunday, July 13 at the  Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Here is a link to the complete match schedule.

    I wanted to share some ways to travel to Brazil for Canadians and how they can get to Brazil on points using Aeroplan and Air Miles. I recommend booking ASAP because flights are going to be difficult to find during this popular event.

    How to get to Brazil World Cup with Aeroplan

    According to the Aeroplan rewards chart, Brazil is classified as Southern South America. An economy return ticket will cost 60,000 Aeroplan miles from anywhere in Canada.

    I could not find availability from Victoria for this redemption but I recommend calling the Aeroplan contact center to get in touch with an agent that can create an itinerary and find potential options.

    How to get to Brazil World Cup with Air Miles

    Air Miles considers this season to be high-season so it would cost 11,025 Air Miles and 8,269 Air Miles if you were a Gold member.

    Tickets will go on sale on FIFA.com on August 20, 2013.

    Brazil Visa Requirements for Canadians

    To find out more about the Visa requirements, visit the Consulate General in Vancouver website fee schedule. Be prepared to spend another $100 (at least).

    Have any of you gone to a World Cup?

  • Sept Cruises (West Coast) As low as $279 per person)

    We found a great Norwegian Cruise Lines sale for the West coast (Vancouver port).

    Must book by July 19, 2013.

    This cruise below is as low as $279 (inside cabin)!

    5 Nights Pacific Coastal Cruise from Vancouver to Los Angeles 
    Norwegian Pearl 
    Ports of Call: Vancouver, British Columbia; Astoria, Oregon; San Francisco, Ca; Los Angeles, California.
    2013 departures: Sep 29

    This is a great price for a short cruise.

    They have other cruises in September on sale.

    Source

  • How to skip the lines at Disney World

    I have never been to Disneyland or Walt Disney World or even Euro Disney but everyone hates lines!

    How to skip the lines at DisneyWorld and Walt Disney Land.
    How to skip the lines at DisneyWorld and Walt Disney Land.

    Fastpass

    Both parks, Walt Disney World and Disneyland, you can acquire a Fastpass.

    Disney FASTPASS Service is a complimentary benefit to all park Guests that allows you to enjoy the rest of the Disneyland Resort while your place in line is saved.

    Here are a list of the rides covered at the two main parks in Disneyland:

    Disneyland Park

    Disney California Adventure Park

    VIP Tour

    Starting at $175 an hour, with a six hour minimum, you can hire a Disney Guest Relations host to escort you and your family or group around the park (this does not include admission costs).

    The VIP host essentially serves as an unlimited FastPass for your entire group. The VIP host can escort you into any FastPass line at any time, regardless of when the posted return time is or if the ride’s FastPasses are all distributed for the day.

    When I heard about this unethical trick to get to skip the line at Disneyland I was floored.

    [styled_box title=”Disclosure” color=”red”]I do not condone this and consider this unethical.[/styled_box]

    Disabled Tour Guide

    Did you hear about this interesting story last month about guests hiring physically disabled tour guides so they can skip lines at Disney World.

    [quote]The Disney corporate policy allows each guest who needs a wheelchair or motorized scooter to bring up to six guests to a more convenient entrance. [/quote]

    I was so shocked when I read this story (I hate hearing stories where people take advantage of a disability).

    Would you ever use any of these services?

  • Hot Atlantis Sale – 75% off – Ends July 19, 2013

    I have only been to the Bahamas once, but we went to Atlantis and it rocked!

    Bahamas Atlantis Seat Sale
    Bahamas Atlantis Seat Sale

    I found this great deal to save up to 75% off at Comfort Suites Paradise Island

    For $399 per person you get 5 days, 4 nights, Breakfast included.
    Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.

    Packages include:

    • $250 Air Credit Included in Price
    • Kids Eat Free: 1 child per paying adult
    • Free Upgrade to Superior Room (when you book a SuperSaver-SS4 room)
    • Free Access To Atlantis Water Park & Beaches
    • Free Hot Buffet Breakfast

    [button href=”http://www.cheapcaribbean.com/landing-pages/2877.html?&searchParameters.departureAirport=FLL&searchParameters.localeId=307&utm_campaign=shermanstravel_trav_bulletin_07162013&utm_medium=trav&utm_source=shermanstravel&utm_content=bulletin” align=”left”]Atlantis Bahamas Deal[/button]

     

  • American Express Canada Rewards Promo 25% bonus – End August 31st

    I am the owner of the American Express Canada Gold Rewards Card and when I logged into my account today I noticed that they have a redemption bonus of 25% (until August 31, 2013).

    American Express Canada Gold Rewards Credit Card
    American Express Canada Gold Rewards Credit Card

    Usually 1,000 American Express Membership Rewards points = $10 credit toward travel spending. Your new return will be $12.50.

    This credit card has several perks when you register for this card:

    • Earn 20,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® points
    • Earn double points on many travel and everyday Card purchases (grocery, gas, and drugstores) and earn one point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
    • No annual fee for the first year.

    With the bonus American Express Membership Rewards points you would receive $250 off any travel booked! 

    How the redemption works is easy:

    On your account summary page, choose the hyperlink, “Use points for qualified travel transactions“.

    Hyperlink to use points for travel
    Hyperlink to use points for travel

    Then on your account summary page you will see the new bonus:

    Use your points against balance
    Use your points against balance

    What I like about this card is that it is flexible.

    Many people spend their travel dollars differently and you can use a travel agency, tour operator or even an online travel website to book your travel plans with these membership reward points that you earn. Charge last-minute flights, seat sales, car rentals, cruises, and more to your Card. Your points can even cover taxes and fees.

    Once it charge appears on your statement, call American Express to redeem your points. You will not see any blackouts or seat restrictions in your way when you redeem.

    You also have the option of transferring to to Aeroplan or other frequent flyer and hotel programs (usually on a 1 to 1 point basis).

    [button href=”http://canadiantravelhacking.com/go/amex-gold” align=”left”]Register for the American Express Canada Gold Reward Card[/button]

     

    [styled_box title=”Disclosure Statement” color=”black”]I own this credit card and by clicking on my referral link, you will earn a Welcome Bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points when you charge $500 in purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. I earn a referral bonus of 10,000 commission Membership Rewards points if you successfully apply for the card. [/styled_box]

  • First Class Trip Report Seattle to Maui – Alaska Airlines

    We are so fortunate to have Alaska MVP status.

    With the free Atlantic Silver status we acquired, my wife and I status matched to Alaska MVP status. This was perfect timing as we  booked a flight from Victoria, BC (YYJ) to Kahalui, Maui (OGG).

    My daughter and I fly first class on Alaska Airlines
    My daughter and I fly first class on Alaska Airlines

    Here are some of the applicable benefits with being an MVP:

    • Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades anytime on Y, S, or B fares or 48 hours prior to departure on other fares.
    • Priority Boarding on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.
    • Checked Baggage Fee Waiver for first two bags on Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, and for the first checked bag on Delta Air Lines for MVP® member and companions traveling in the same reservation. Companion waiver does not apply to group bookings.
    • 50% Bonus Flight Miles on Alaska Airlines, AeroMexico, Air France, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, KLM, or LAN.

    We saved a bundle and earned mega points for our trip!

    So luckily the flight from Seattle to Maui had availability in first class and 48 hours prior to the flight we were automatically upgraded.

    [quote]I still can’t believe our daughter is not even two years old and has already flown first class![/quote]

    As soon as were seated in row 4 we had a chance to enjoy the complimentary passion fruit mimosas. For our daughter, the flight attendant provided a drink with 1/2 passion fruit and 1/2 water as per our request (she asked what we could get her).

    In first-class you have access to a DigEplayer for free, this is usually $10 in economy class. This has a few recent movies, tv shows and music. I liked the large selection of older movies (which I prefer over recent hits). This was a nice touch.

    Our daughter was relatively well behaved during the flight. They did not have any pillows and we should have remembered to bring a large one for her to sleep on (it is easier and more comfortable).

    Here is a photo of the menu:

    Alaska Airline First Class Menu
    Alaska Airline First Class Menu

    Appetizer:

    Thai Chicken Lettuce Wrap with Hawaiian Sweet Roll

    Thai Chicken Lettuce Wrap with Hawaiian Sweet Roll
    Thai Chicken Lettuce Wrap with Hawaiian Sweet Roll

    Entree:

    Pineapple Glazed Chicken Breast with Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Stuffing with Broccolini

    Pineapple Glazed Chicken Breast with Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Stuffing with Broccolini
    Pineapple Glazed Chicken Breast with Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Stuffing with Broccolini

    The best part was the wine service and dessert (outstanding Pinot Blanc and Bananas Foster).

    Bananas Foster
    Bananas Foster

    The entree and appetizer were kind of ordinary (I noticed others didn’t touch the appetizer).

    Near the end of the flight we were each served a complimentary mai tai. I don’t know who was the bartender but it was the best and strongest mai tai I ever drank.

    complimentary mai tai
    complimentary mai tai

    It made the long journey to Maui more enjoyable!

    [youtube width=”500″ height=”500″ video_id=”38ypzL9yWN0″]

    Have you ever flown first class?

  • Free Top Tier Status with Accor Hotels (For Status Match)

    One of my favourite travel hacks is status matching.

    logo-leclub-accor

    Basically, if you have status in one program you request the equivalent status in another program. This gives you extra perks for free!

    Once you have this free platinum status you can request status in Best Western, Club Carlson and Priority Club loyalty programs.

    Here’s a current offer for instant Platinum status (your mileage may vary).

    The offer is in Polish, but fortunately Google Chrome has built-in translation.

    You must open a new account, it cannot be applied to existing accounts. And when you do so you must use an email address that’s not currently on file with them.

    Even if you don’t frequently stay at Sofitel, Novotel, Pullman, Mercure, and other related properties frequently, you never know when you might find yourself in one and having top tier status can’t hurt.

    Platinum status comes with double points at Sofitel, Pullman and MGallery hotels a complimentary drink and welcome gift, and subject to availability and on request 4pm late checkout and an upgrade.

    Source

  • Should I take this Starwood Vacations offer?

    We are currently staying at the The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, an incredible beachside resort on Maui (we love it by the way).

    maui1

    We took part in a promotional offer sent to my wife (an SPG credit card holder) for $798 that included:

    • 6 days’ and 5 nights’ accommodations at The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas
    • $75 resort certificate that can be used toward dining, shopping or spa services within the resort
    • $185 AVIS Rental Car Certificate

    This has been a great value, the hotel room we are staying in (island studio) does not have a view of the ocean but I do not believe in paying extra for views (if I get this on upgrade it is OK). The room is big enough for my wife, daughter and I and has adequate cooking facilities.

    We took an optional 90-minute 120-minute presentation (for an extra 7,500 Starpoints) that showed the benefits of Starwood ownership – sharing the other resorts and villas they have and the benefits of villa ownership.

    After we declined we were offered another package:

    7 nights and 8 days at the The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas and 50,000 Starpoints for $400 Deposit and 12 payments interest free of $199. 

    The catch is that we need to use the package within 2 years and we can’t book the last 10 days of the year.

    The cost is $2788!

    Should I pull the trigger?