Canadian Travel Hacking

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  • New Travel website lets you exchange your skills for a free room

    I found a cool new travel website that lets you save money when you travel!

    Worldpackers is a community based on collaboration and honest relationships that make travel more accessible to those seeking a profound cultural experience. Through an online platform, we connect travelers – looking to exchange their skills for accommodation – with incredible hosts from all around the world.

    worldpackers

    Here are some of the skills you can exchange for a free room:

    Administration

    Arts

    Bartending

    Cleaning

    Cooking

    Farming

    Gardening

    Handyman

    Housekeeping

    Kitchen Hand

    Music

    Night Shift

    Painting & Decorating

    Party Promoter

    Photography

    Reception

    Social Media

    Social Work

    Teaching Languages

    Teaching Sports

    Tour Guide

    Video Making

    Web Developer

    Is this something you would ever try?

  • 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.

  • Transfer points to Aeroplan to earn up to 40,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles

    Aeroplan has a transfer promotion where you can transfer from partners like Starwood, Hertz, Hilton, etc and as long as the total Aeroplan miles deposited from all of them reaches one of the bonus thresholds you will be awarded the respective bonus miles.

    aeroplan-bonus

    Bonus offer valid only on conversions made between July 27, 2015 and August 24, 2015 (11:59 EDT).

    Maximum 40,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles can be earned per Aeroplan Member. Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be issued by Aeroplan as follows: 1,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be deposited into the member’s account when the total Aeroplan Miles earned by converting points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion is between 5,000 and 9,999 Aeroplan Miles; OR 2,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be deposited into the member’s account when the total Aeroplan Miles earned by converting points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion is between 10,000 and 19,999 Aeroplan Miles; OR 4,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be deposited into the member’s account when the total Aeroplan Miles earned by converting points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion is between 20,000 and 49,999 Aeroplan Miles; OR 10,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be deposited into the member’s account when the total Aeroplan Miles earned by converting points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion is between 50,000 and 99,999 Aeroplan Miles; OR 25,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be deposited into the member’s account when the total Aeroplan Miles earned by converting points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion is between 100,000 and 149,999 Aeroplan Miles; OR 40,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be deposited into the member’s account when the total Aeroplan Miles earned by converting points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion is 150,000 Aeroplan Miles and more.

    Conversion of Membership Rewards® points from American Express Cardmember accounts into Aeroplan Miles are not eligible for this promotion. Although eligible CIBC Aventura cardholders as of October 1, 2013, can convert their Aventura points to Aeroplan Miles, these conversions are also not eligible for this promotion.

    Here is a link to the promotion.

  • 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!

  • Vancouver and Calgary to Shanghai in (September and October) Under $530 Round-trip

    On FlyFork today they posted an incredible deal for those folks in BC and Alberta looking to get to Shanghai.

    yvr-china

    Here is an example of a flight.

    Here is a link to the sale.

  • Uber Southwestern Ontario – First 4 rides are free (up to $20 each) until this Sunday, July 26

    I found a nice new promo for our readers in Southwestern Ontario.

    uber-seattle

    Residents of London, Waterloo Region, Hamilton, and Guelph will have access to the safety, convenience and reliability of Uber at prices up to 25% cheaper than a traditional taxi.

    Your first 4 rides will be FREE (up to $20 each) until Sunday July 24, 2015.

    Here is a link to sign up for Uber if you are not already a member.

     

  • Introducing Aeroplan miles on select grocery products at Costco

    For the first time ever, earn Aeroplan Miles on select Kirkland Signature grocery products at Costco warehouses.

    UPDATE: My Aeroplan contact has told me that this is a targeted offer.

    aeroplan-costco

    Simply visit a Costco warehouse between July 22 and August 18, 2015 and spend a minimum of $75 on select Kirkland Signature grocery products to earn 500 miles and get even closer to your next reward!

    Kirkland Signature products deliver unparalleled quality and value in a variety of categories.

    Find out more about all eligible Kirkland categories by clicking here and start earning miles with your grocery cart.

  • 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.