Canadian Travel Hacking

Category: General

  • Aeroplan Earning Changes with Delta Hotels and Resorts

    Delta Hotels & Resorts has now joined Marriott International, becoming the newest hotel brand of the Marriott Rewards®Program.

    Delta Loyalty Program
    Delta Loyalty Program

    Members will continue to earn Aeroplan Miles for their eligible stays with Delta hotels as follows:

    Beginning June 18th, 2015 until February 2016:

    • All Aeroplan Members will receive 500 Aeroplan Miles per eligible stay at any Delta hotel or resort property.
    • To earn miles during this period, you must present your Aeroplan Number upon every check-in. Your Aeroplan Number will not be stored by Delta during this time.

    Beginning February 2016:

    • Aeroplan Members will be able to earn 2 miles for every qualifying US$ spent as a member of Marriott Rewards for stays at Delta Hotels and Resorts.
    • Members will earn Aeroplan Miles by joining the Marriott Rewards program and/or updating their membership profile to earn “Miles” with “Aeroplan”.
    • Previous clients of Delta Hotels and Resorts may have already been pre-enrolled into Marriott Rewards.

    Here is a link to any questions you may have.

     

  • WestJet unveils its new In-Flight Entertainment and Communications system

    I have not been on a WestJet flight in years (been trying to redeem my Aeroplan miles)!

    Flight WS532 from Calgary to Hamilton at 0650 is the first public flight of the new In-Flight Entertainment and Communications system.

    westjet-boeing-767-300-March5

    WestJet Connect

    WestJet Connect brings the internet and the best in entertainment straight to your laptop, tablet or smartphone while you are in the air. Bring your own device and download the WestJet app before your flight and you’ll be ready to go.

    Internet connectivity

    Ever wonder if email travels faster than a plane? Now you can find out with our on-board internet access. Purchase a Flight Pass for $7.99-9.19 (Flight Passes are good for a single flight).

    TV and movies

    Take your pick between complimentary and paid content including new and classic movies, TV episodes and live-streaming TV. During our introductory offer, you can watch all paid programming for free.

    In-seat power

    Keep your devices powered up on our Boeing 737 aircraft equipped with new Slimline seats and a 110-volt AC (compatible with North American, European and British standards) and 5-volt direct DC USB power plug-in at your seat.

    Travelling on one of our 767 aircraft? You’ll have a direct DC USB power plug-in at your seat. Guests in Plus will also receive 110-volt converter for use during the flight.

    Forgot your charging cable? We’ve got your covered. Purchase a WestJet-teal charging cable on board. This single cable includes three connectors: micro-USB, Apple 30-pin and Apple Lightning.

    We are in the process of updating our aircraft, please be aware that not all of our aircraft are currently enabled with WestJet Connect.

    Tablet rental program

    WestJet has introduced tablet rentals as we transition to our new inflight entertainment system. A limited number of tablets will be available on some of our newest aircraft instead of live seatback television for flights over three hours and 20 minutes, not including our red-eye flights. Guests will be able to rent a tablet preloaded with movies and television shows. The rental price is $6.99-8.04.

    Live seatback television, inflight movies and shows

    WestJet is pleased to offer live satellite seatback television provided by Bell TV on some of our Boeing 737 flights within Canada. You’ll get to choose from our channel line-up of the best in sports, news, lifestyle and more. On domestic flights of 2.5 hours or longer you can also watch one of the latest pay‑per‑view Hollywood blockbusters.

    WestJet flights serving great U.S. and international destinations will offer either seatback television with complimentary stored programming or a limited number of tablet rentals, for a fee, on flights without seatback television. We also recommend bringing books, magazines, tablets, portable DVD players or toys for your little WestJetters. For a description of our tablet rental program please see above.

    Earbuds

    Earbuds are available for purchase on all flights that offer inflight entertainment options. They’re yours to keep, so you can use them on all your WestJet flights (they’re also compatible with all your other gadgets). If you have your own earbuds, bring them along. All 3.5 mm (approximately 1/8 in) stereo headphone connections (with one prong) will work with our systems.

    Travelling with WestJet Encore

    As our WestJet Encore turboprop aircraft are not equipped with an inflight entertainment system, we recommend bringing books, magazines, portable DVD players/tablets for yourself and some toys for your little WestJetters. Just remember your carry-on allowance is limited. You can also enjoy WestJet Magazine – our inflight magazine – available in the seatback pockets.

  • Before you bring out your selfie stick – find out if it is banned

    I was just recently in New York City and selfie sticks were everywhere!

    selfie-stick

    An online ticket company, AttractionTix.co.uk, has just launched a brand new venture, CanIBringMySelfieStick.com, a website that provides all the answers to where selfie sticks can and cannot be used.

    Using a handy grid format, it’s easy to see that you can’t bring it to the Brooklyn Museum!

    Personally, I find them intrusive!

  • Avianca in Brazil Joins Aeroplan as New Travel Partner

    Aeroplan today announced the addition of Avianca in Brazil to its roster of travel partners.  Starting today, Aeroplan Members can earn and redeem Aeroplan Miles for travel with Avianca Brazil, bringing the total number of airline partners to 34.

    avianca

    Aeroplan Members will be able to use their miles for flights with Avianca Brazil through Aeroplan’s Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards that offer industry-leading value at a fixed mileage level.

    “We’re excited to add Avianca Brazil to our program,” said John Boynton, Chief Marketing Officer, Aeroplan.  “This addition will give our members greater choice when it comes to accumulation and redemption opportunities with Avianca in Brazil offering our members 23 domestic destinations with over 200 daily flights.”

    Avianca, a Star Alliance member is the fastest growing airline in Brazil, and widely recognized for its product and service, due to its modern fleet, full on-board service and individual in-flight entertainment. It is the only airline in Brazil to have been awarded the highest grade for seat pitch in all of its fleet, by local civil aviation authorities (ANAC).

    They provide domestic services to destinations throughout the country, operating from its primary hub at Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport, with additional bases at Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador International Airports

    For more information, please visit:  www.aeroplan.com and click on partners.

  • Complete list of Aeroplan carriers with small or no fuel surcharges

    One of the main complaints I hear about redeeming miles in Canada is that many airlines charge enormous fuel surcharges that don’t make it worth it to redeem miles. Here is a list of carriers that do and do not collect fuel surcharge with Aeroplan.

     

    Aeroplan fuel surcharges (YQ) collected on the following airlines:

    Air Canada (AC)
    Lufthansa (LH)
    All Nippon Airways (NH)
    Asiana (OZ)
    Thai (TG)
    Austrian Airlines (OS)
    LOT Polish Airlines (LO)
    TAP Portugal (TP)
    Adria Airways (JP)

    Aeroplan fuel surcharges (YQ) NOT charged on these airlines:

    Aegean Airlines (A3)
    Air China (CA)
    Air India (AI)
    Air New Zealand (NZ)
    Avianca/TACA (AV)
    Brussels (SN)
    Copa (CM)
    Croatia (OU)
    Egypt Air (MS)
    Ethiopian (ET)
    Eva Air (BR)
    SAS (SK)
    Shenzhen (ZH)
    Singapore (SQ)
    South African Airways (SA)
    Swiss (LX)
    Turkish (TK)
    United (UA)

    All fuel surcharge amounts are applied by Aeroplan on behalf of the ticketing carrier and are passed through directly to the ticketing carrier. Fuel surcharge amounts are determined by each airline and may change from time to time. Aeroplan has applied fuel surcharges for flight rewards on Air Canada since 2004. The fuel surcharge amounts to be applied by Aeroplan for flights on Star Alliance airlines will be the same as those applied by the individual airlines within their own frequent flyer programs.

    Fuel surcharges applied to flight rewards on the following Star Alliance airlines became effective on January 25th, 2012: Adria Airways and TAP Portugal.

    These are in addition to fuel surcharges applied to flight rewards on Lufthansa that became effective on November 9th, 2011 as well as: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines and THAI that came into effect on November 30th, 2011.

    Members making voluntary changes after the applicable effective date to existing bookings with these airlines will also be subject to the fuel surcharges.

  • Toronto’s Pearson Offers Pre-Flight Family Friendly Activities

    Toronto Pearson is inviting passengers to “Camp Pearson” to celebrate the great Canadian summer.

    logo_CampPearson

    Located in Terminal 1, through Aug. 26, Camp Pearson is offering travellers family friendly activities in a space that is reflective of an iconic Canadian summer.

    Passengers are invited to “hike” to Camp Pearson and experience a number of activities, including:

    • Stop by The Cottage, a rustic space where you can purchase TORONTO 2015 souvenirs.
    • Relax in a Muskoka chair by the crackling fire to the sounds of some of Canada’s award-winning musicians in The Campfire Lounge.
    • Have some play time at the Kids Zone, where little ones can take part in Canadian-themed activities like the Map of Canada puzzle wall, colouring sheets and more.
    • Head over to the I Love Canada Zone and write down a reason why you love Canada on a sticky note and place it on the wall to help build the Canadian flag.
    • Test your knowledge of Canada by collecting Camp Pearson trivia cards at various retail locations.
    • On Friday evenings, sample some Canadian-inspired menu items from airport chefs.

    “We have created a pre-flight experience reflective of the best elements of summer in Canada,” said Scott Collier, vice-president of Customer and Terminal Services at Toronto Pearson. “Celebrating summer at Toronto Pearson means Muskoka chairs, sampling Canadian food, expressing national pride and making new memories.”

    Here is a link to their website.

  • Porter Airlines Inc. agrees to pay $150,000 for allegedly violating Canada’s anti-spam law

    Porter Airlines Inc. agrees to pay $150,000 for allegedly violating Canada’s anti-spam law

    The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that Porter Airlines Inc. has agreed to pay $150,000 as part of an undertaking for alleged violations of Canada’s anti-spam legislation. Once made aware of the investigation by the CRTC, Porter Airlines was cooperative and immediately took corrective actions to comply with the legislation.

    porter-racoon

    An investigation launched by the CRTC’s Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer alleged that Porter Airlines failed to comply with various requirements of the law between July 2014 and April 2015. The company allegedly sent some commercial emails that did not contain an unsubscribe mechanism. In other instances, it is alleged this mechanism was not clearly or prominently set out. Certain emails also allegedly did not provide the complete contact information as required by the law. Porter Airlines also allegedly failed to honour, within 10 business days, requests from some recipients to unsubscribe from receiving future commercial emails.

    In addition, for certain emails sent between July 2014 and February 2015, the company was unable to provide proof that it had obtained consent for each electronic address that received its commercial emails.

    As part of the undertaking, Porter Airlines will improve its existing compliance program to ensure that its activities, going forward, are fully compliant with Canada’s anti-spam legislation. The enhanced compliance program will include increased training and education for staff and improved corporate policies and procedures.

    The CRTC is assessing complaints submitted to the Spam Reporting Centre that are under its mandate and a number of investigations are currently underway. The CRTC is working with its partners, both within Canada and internationally, to protect Canadians from online threats and contribute to a more secure online environment.

    The CRTC can discuss corrective actions with individuals, firms or organizations, which may lead to an undertaking that includes an amount to be paid and other corrective measures. As part of its powers, the CRTC can also issue warning letters, preservation demands, notices to produce, restraining orders and notices of violation. Moreover, the CRTC can ask a court to issue a search warrant or an injunction.

    Canadians are encouraged to report spam to the Spam Reporting Centre. To ensure the CRTC has enough information to conduct an investigation, the report should include the full email (including the message’s header) and a description of why the email is considered to be spam. Information sent to the Centre is used by the CRTC, the Competition Bureau, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to enforce Canada’s anti-spam legislation.

    Quick Facts

    • Porter Airlines has voluntarily entered into an undertaking with the CRTC’s Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer for alleged non-compliance with Canada’s anti-spam legislation.
    • As part of the undertaking, Porter Airlines has agreed to make a $150,000 payment, comply with Canada‘ anti-spam legislation and improve its existing compliance program.
    • Porter Airlines allegedly sent some commercial emails that failed to comply with various requirements of Canada’s anti-spam legislation, including those relating to unsubscribe mechanisms, the provision of contact information and proof of consent.
    • Once made aware of the investigation by the CRTC, Porter Airlines immediately took steps to fully comply with the legislation.
    • To help businesses comply with the law, the CRTC has provided numerous information sessions across the country and made guidance materials available on its website.
    • The CRTC is working with its partners, both within Canada and internationally, to protect Canadians from online threats and contribute to a more secure online environment.
    • Canada’s anti-spam legislation protects Canadians while ensuring that businesses can continue to compete in the global marketplace.
    • Canada’s anti-spam legislation was adopted by Parliament in December 2010 and came into force on July 1, 2014.

    Quote

    “We appreciate that Porter Airlines took corrective action once it became aware of our investigation. The company has voluntarily entered into an undertaking and committed to comply with Canada’s anti-spam law. This is a great outcome for Canadians, and we encourage them to continue to report suspected violations to the Spam Reporting Centre.

    This case is an important reminder that to be fully compliant with the law, proof of consent is required for each electronic address. Some businesses are under the mistaken impression that they are compliant with the law by relying on general business practices or policies as proof of consent for the majority of the electronic addresses to which they send their commercial emails. This is simply not the case.”

    Manon Bombardier, CRTC Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer

  • WestJet announces service to London Gatwick

    WestJet announced it has selected London, England as the first transatlantic destination from Canada for its wide-body Boeing 767-300 aircraft. Service from Canada to London will be through London Gatwick.

    westjet-boeing-767-300-March5

    “This news marks the next phase in the international portion of our strategic plan,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. “WestJet is at the right scale to make this step in our evolution. Combined with our low-cost approach and renowned people-driven service, we have the network, brand and infrastructure to successfully enter and grow in the wide-body market. We look forward to announcing, later this summer, our entire schedule and low-fare approach for the spring of 2016.”

    “Wide-body capability now allows us to serve London Gatwick from anywhere in Canada and brings into consideration more international destinations in the future. The Canadian cities we will fly from will be determined over the course of this summer,” continued Bob Cummings. “We will meet with airports across the country to determine the most suitable ones we believe will meet our needs and those of our guests.”

    Further announcements on schedules, pricing and launch cities will be communicated later this summer with service commencing in spring 2016.

    Where do you think they will have flights from? I hope not St. Johns!

  • Why Canadians Should Never Use an Awards Booking Service

    I consider frequent flyer miles similar to currency as they have a value and how you choose to use those miles gives you a different return (i.e. high-end blender vs business class ticket reward).

    I have seen so many award booking services pop-up in Canada where you pay $100 for assistance on booking an award ticket.

    travel-booking-service

    I feel this is a tremendous waste of money for most Canadians.

    There is so much FREE information available on-line and it is not rocket science as some services would have you believe.

    Looking to get to Europe without spending an arm and a leg for taxes and fees with Aeroplan?

    Read my guide for free! If you don’t like my guide, just google, “Save taxes with Aeroplan”.

    Another reason is that we only have 3 major programs that most Canadians collect from (Avion, AIR MILES, and Aeroplan).

    I read this CBC article where the author explained how Canadians could use a service like this and I couldn’t believe how much press this got!

    The problem is the article did not explain enough about why the difference is there and any examples.

    If you need any advice, just send me a note via the blog and I will help you for free!

     

    Save your money and use it for your travels! $100 can go a long way in most cities.

  • Air Canada to Tag ‘Approved’ Carry-On Bags

    Starting May 25 at Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) and expanding progressively to other airports throughout the month of June, Air Canada will have staff at both check-in and security checkpoints to quickly confirm and tag carry-on bags that meet the airline’s carry-on dimensions as “approved.”

    air-canada

    According to officials, this will make it easier and safer to stow personal items on board, may help reduce wait times at security, and will help avoid flight delays caused by larger bags being checked at the gate.

    If a customer’s carry-on baggage needs to be checked Air Canada will help with that at check-in. If a customer gets to security and needs to check a bag that exceeds allowable size limits, they will receive a special card that will get them quickly back to a check-in agent, and then on to their departure gate.

    Air Canada’s carry-on policy allows customers to bring on-board one standard article, such as a roller bag, and one personal article, such as a briefcase or laptop bag. Dimensions must not exceed: Standard article: 23 x 40 x 55 centimetres, including handles and wheels; Personal article:16 x 33 x 43 centimetres.