For the fifth consecutive year, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has been named by Skytrax as North America’s best airport.
The announcement was made in Barcelona earlier today during the World Airport Awards – a global benchmark of airport excellence that is known within the travel industry as the Passengers’ Choice Awards.
The rankings are based entirely on independent passenger surveys and is held in the highest regard for its impartiality and integrity.
YVR Airport was also named the world’s best airport serving between 10-20 million passengers, ranked 2nd in the North America’s best airport staff list, and ranked 9th overall in the world’s best airports list (just behind Zurich and ahead of London Heathrow). The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel on the east end of the terminal building was named the best airport hotel in North America.
Air Canada has announced that its leisure carrier subsidiary, Air Canada rouge, is expanding to Western Canada to serve a number of predominantly leisure markets from Vancouver and Calgary to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Anchorage. Flights on these routes, currently operated by Air Canada, will be converted to Air Canada rouge service beginning this spring, as will flights to San Diego from Toronto.
Air Canada Rouge
In addition, the airline announced that it will introduce new seasonal non-stop service operated by Air Canada rouge between Vancouver and Phoenix beginning Dec. 17, 2014. Existing service from Calgary and Toronto to Phoenix will also be converted to Air Canada rouge. Flights and optional Air Canada Vacations packages are available for purchase at http://www.aircanada.com.
Ben Smith, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, said that: “The expansion of our leisure carrier to Vancouver and Calgary, in tandem with Air Canada’s mainline fleet renewal, is a key element of our strategy for sustainable, profitable growth at both airlines.”
Smith pointed out that: “California and the U.S. Southwest are favourite vacation destinations for our Western Canada customers and Anchorage is an important port of call offered with Air Canada Vacations cruise packages. Air Canada rouge is best suited to compete more cost effectively in these markets where there is both a high leisure travel demand and low-cost competition.”
And he added: “We will continue to evaluate future market opportunities as new aircraft are introduced into the mainline fleet and existing aircraft are released for operation by Air Canada rouge as market demand warrants. Since its launch in July 2013, we have successfully deployed Air Canada rouge to serve Caribbean, European and select sun destinations in the United States. We look forward to offering customers in Western Canada a full range of products and services offered by both airlines, each suited to specific markets on a route-by-route basis.”
This is the highest premium card in Canada (and a charge card). It charges $699 for an annual fee.
This sounds pricey but let me explain why this was a good deal.
Incredible travel benefits:
1. $200 Annual Travel Credit = $400 credit over 2 years.
The American Express Platinum Card comes with an annual $200 Travel Credit that can be used towards any single travel booking of $200 or more charged to the card through the Platinum Card Travel Service.
$200 Airline Credit American Express Travel.
So basically, you get $200 each year to use of credit so if you apply now, you will get $200 in 2014 and another $200 in 2015.
This is $400 in total credit that can be used!
2. Exclusive Toronto Pearson International Perks
The Platinum Card offers several benefits for travellers flying from or through Toronto Pearson:
Complimentary Valet Service at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. The $25 Valet service fee is waived when you present your Platinum Card upon car pick up.
15% Discount on parking when you use the Platinum Card to pay for the parking at the Express Park in Terminal 1 and Daily Park in Terminals 1 and 3.
Access to the the Pearson Priority Lane when clearing security at Terminals 1 and 3.
Great little bonus for travellers connecting or living in the GTA.
3. Elite Statuses and Complimentary Memberships
American Express Platinum Card holders will be awarded the following Elite Statuses and memberships:
Starwood Hotels: Starwood Gold Preferred Guest
Carlson Hotels: Club Carlson Gold Elite Status
Accor Hotels: Le Club accorhotels Platinum
Fairmont Hotels: Accelerated earning of Fairmont Presidents Club Platinum (requires 5 stays to achieve)
Hertz: Hertz #1 Club Gold
Avis: Avis Preferred
Here is a nice summary table for the hotel elite statuses:
Remember once you get your status, you have the status for at least a year (unless you cancel before the 2nd year). I recommend trying to status match based on these high statuses in other programs like Hilton and Marriott.
4. Complimentary Lounge Access
Through the Canadian Platinum Lounge Benefit enjoy complimentary lounge access across most major Canadian cities regardless of airline or fare booked. When traveling with participating airlines in The Airport Club Program, enjoy complimentary airline club access across the US and Internationally. What’s more, as a Platinum member, you have complimentary access to the American Express Lounge – a private lounge reserved for our most valued Cardmembers. The American Express Lounge is located at Gate B, Domestic departures at Toronto’s Pearson Airport.
Premium Complimentary Lounge Access
Also, as a Platinum member you can receive Complimentary Membership in Priority Pass– one of the world’s largest independent airport lounge programs. For complimentary entry, simply present your Priority Pass membership card and a ticket valid for travel on that day on any airline, regardless of class of service.
If you’re travelling with a guest, he or she may accompany you free of charge. For each additional guest, a nominal fee of $27 USD per person per visit will be charged to your Platinum Card.
This is a nice perk and works great for travel hackers like myself that don’t have paid tickets and use miles!
5. Access to book Fine Hotels & Resorts
With a newly enhanced selection of over 700 locations around the world, Platinum members have even more Fine Hotels & Resorts to choose from than ever before. When a Platinum member is ready to book, they can simply let Platinum Card Travel Service know and enjoy enhanced value services such as a complimentary breakfast for two, a 12 noon check-in, a late check-out, and a room upgrade or a complimentary benefit such as a lunch for two or a spa credit (subject to availability). I can’t wait to use this service.
6. Car Rental Upgrades
When a Platinum member rents a car with Hertz, they are entitled to a Complimentary Car Upgrade (subject to availability), fast-track service, and up to 15% discount on the best available rental rates.
When a Platinum member rents with Avis, they enjoy faster rental and reservations and up to 25% discounts on rentals in North America and 20% discounts Internationally.
Remember that 60,000 Aeroplan miles is a return ticket to Europe (and includes a stopover), or 2 round trip-tickets anywhere in North America.
If you chose not to transfer, 60,000 American Express Membership Points is equal to $600 of travel booked on your card. How the points work is that once you earn points you simply use your outstanding points towards any travel purchases you may have. You simply do this online or call them.
Use a travel agency, tour operator or even an online travel website to book your travel. Charge last-minute flights, seat sales, car rentals, cruises, and more to your Card. Then call American Express to redeem your points to cover the charge – including fees and taxes too.
This is a great idea if you do not want to use Aeroplan, Avios or other great programs but just want to use them right away. This works for families that travel via ferry or take cruises or other types of holidays to help reduce the cost.
8. Rewards and Insurance Benefits
This card comes with Concierge service, American Express Front of the Line service and the same insurance benefits as before such as Trip Cancellation, Out of Province Medical, Flight Delay/Interruption and more.
9. International Airline Program
Anytime you purchase a qualifying Business or First Class ticket for international air travel with your eligible American Express Card on over 25 participating airlines*, you can enjoy savings on a ticket for a companion.
*Airline-imposed fuel and security surcharges and fees and government taxes and fees on international air transportation are the responsibility of the Card Member. See terms and conditions for details.
10. High Earning Ratio
On the earning side it offers 1.25 Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent on the card. This is similar to the American Express Starwood Card (after the transfer bonus).
As you can see from my previous posts, I am a big fan of big sign-up bonuses and annual fees.
The deal is that until June 9, 2014 only you can earn up to 24,000 points which is enough for up to 3 FREE hotel Nights at over 1,500 Choice Privileges locations across North America. By the way this card has no annual fee. Plus earn 2 points for every $1 spent on the card.
You also get automatically upgraded to Elite Gold status, which gives you:
The ability to book free nights 50 days in advance instead of 30 days.
I love this website when I want to stay in an expensive city but cannot afford a hotel. This lets you find houses, apartments and even treehouses with great prices. I even have my condo listed (to make extra travel money to get away). (Use our referral and get $25 credit with your first booking)!
Use this coupon to get 11% off the price of your booking at a participating Best Price Guarantee hotel when you spend a minimum of C$350 for your entire stay.
You must pay for your stay when you make the booking. The discount doesn’t apply to any taxes, fees or additional costs, and you’ll need to pay the full price for any other rooms in this booking.
To use this coupon, you must be over 18 years old. You need to book by 11:59 pm CST on March 16, 2014 on the Canada English or French version[s] of Hotels.com for a stay to be completed between February 10, 2014 and April 20, 2014. Bookings are subject to availability and the hotel’s terms and conditions.
This coupon can’t be used for:
Package bookings i.e. hotel + flight
Bookings made through Group Travel Services
Bookings paid for at the hotel
Bookings paid for in a foreign currency
Bookings at non-participating hotels
Bookings made prior to receipt of this coupon
Go to hotels.com/deals/hotel-exclusions for a list of non-participating hotels. Participating hotels are subject to change at any time.
This coupon is only valid for the first 15,000 bookings as long as you use it by the deadline above. You’ll be able to check that it’s still valid before completing a booking. There’s a limit of one coupon per booking, and it can’t be combined with other offers.
Like Royal Caribbean, Norweigian came out with a Kids Sail Free promo on some of the sailings. And unlike RCCL, NCL did not manipulate the cabin price to increase the adult fare.
Better deals out there for families of 4 would be: – March 28, 2014 – 7 days Western Caribbean sailing on the NCL Pearl for $1053.28USD (interior guaranteed) – April 7, 2014 – 10 days Southern Caribbean sailing on NCL Sun for $1262.45USD (interior guaranteed) – May 3, 2014 – 7 days Eastern Caribbean sailing on NCL Getaway for $1610.18 (interior guaranteed)
But hurry – this offer ends March 9, 2014. Conditions apply. *One-way Economy adult fare for travel in Economy class, excluding sales taxes. **One-way Discounted fare in Sleeper class (meals not included) in a cabin for two (2), in double occupancy, excluding sales taxes. Price per person. †One-way Discounted fare in Sleeper Plus class (meals included), in an upper berth, for travel by June 15, 2014, excluding sales taxes. ††One-way Discounted fare in Sleeper Plus class (meals included) in a cabin for two (2), in double occupancy, for travel by June 15, 2014, excluding sales taxes. Price per person. Tickets must be purchased no later than March 9, 2014. The number of seats is limited. The 50% discount applies to the Regular adult fare or Economy Plus adult fare. To benefit from this offer, Economy fare, Sleeper class Discounted fare or Sleeper Plus class Discounted fare must be selected for travel in Economy, Sleeper or Sleeper Plus classes. Fares may vary based on selected day of week and time of departure. Not valid for Sleeper Plus class on the Ocean (Montreal-Halifax).
Buy your tickets online or call 1 888 VIA-RAIL (1 888 842-7245), TTY 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired).
We all need an eye exam – might as well earn miles while getting the exam!
Meet Aeroplan’s newest partner.
FYidoctors has everything you need for a complete eye care experience, including: • Comprehensive eye exams • Advanced diagnostics • Exclusive custom lens manufacturing • A wide selection of premium and exclusive frames • And much more Plus, new patients will also earn 500 bonus miles. That’s in addition to the 1 mile per $1 spent on purchases year‑round.
To celebrate the arrival of Aeroplan’s newest partner, until April 30th, earn 3X the miles when you complete an eye exam and make any eye wear purchases, such as frames, lenses, contact lenses, coatings and sunglasses.
