Canadian Travel Hacking

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  • 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.

  • United Airlines offers up to 1 Million United Miles for finding bugs

    United is committed to protecting their customers’ privacy and the personal data they receive from them, which is why they are offering a bug bounty program — the first of its kind within the airline industry.

    united-logo

    If you think you have discovered a potential bug that affects their websites, apps and/or online portals, please let them know. If the submission meets our requirements, we’ll gladly reward you for your time and effort.

    What is a bug bounty program?

    A bug bounty program permits independent researchers to discover and report issues that affect the confidentiality, integrity and/or availability of customer or company information and rewards them for being the first to discover a bug.

    Eligibility requirements

    To ensure that submissions and payouts are fair and impactful, the following eligibility requirements and guidelines apply to all researchers submitting bug reports:

    • All bugs must be new discoveries. Award miles will be provided only to the first researcher who submits a particular bug.
    • The researcher must be a MileagePlus member in good standing. If you’re not yet a member, join the MileagePlus program now.
    • The researcher must not reside in a country currently on a United States sanctions list.
    • The researcher submitting the bug must not be an employee of United Airlines, any Star Alliance™ member airline or any other partner airline, or a family member or household member of an employee of United Airlines or any partner airline.
    • The researcher submitting the bug must not be the author of the vulnerable code.

    Bugs that are eligible for submission:

    • Authentication bypass
    • Bugs on customer-facing websites such as:
      • united.com
      • beta.united.com
      • mobile.united.com
    • Bugs on the United app
    • Bugs in third-party programs loaded by united.com or its other online properties
    • Cross-site request forgery
    • Cross-site scripting (XSS)
    • Potential for information disclosure
    • Remote code execution
    • Timing attacks that prove the existence of a private repository, user or reservation
    • The ability to brute-force reservations, MileagePlus numbers, PINs or passwords

    Bugs that are not eligible for submission:

    • Bugs that only affect legacy or unsupported browsers, plugins or operating systems
    • Bugs on internal sites for United employees or agents (not customer-facing)
    • Bugs on partner or third-party websites or apps
    • Bugs on onboard Wi-Fi, entertainment systems or avionics
    • Insecure cookie settings for non-sensitive cookies
    • Previously submitted bugs
    • Self-cross-site scripting

    Do not attempt:

    Attempting any of the following will result in permanent disqualification from the bug bounty program and possible criminal and/or legal investigation.

    • Brute-force attacks
    • Code injection on live systems
    • Disruption or denial-of-service attacks
    • The compromise or testing of MileagePlus accounts that are not your own
    • Any testing on aircraft or aircraft systems such as inflight entertainment or inflight Wi-Fi
    • Any threats, attempts at coercion or extortion of United employees, Star Alliance member airline employees, other partner airline employees, or customers
    • Physical attacks against United employees, Star Alliance member airline employees, other partner airline employees, or customers
    • Vulnerability scans or automated scans on United servers

    Bounties

    If you have discovered a bug that meets the requirements, and you’re the first eligible researcher to report it, we will gladly reward you for your efforts. Below is our bounty payout structure, which is based on the severity and impact of bugs.

    Bug Bounty payout structure
    Severity Examples Maximum payout in award miles
    High
    • Remote code execution
    		 1,000,000
    Medium
    • Authentication bypass
    • Brute-force attacks
    • Potential for personally identifiable information (PII) disclosure
    • Timing attacks
    		 250,000
    Low
    • Cross-site scripting
    • Cross-site request forgery
    • Third-party issues that affect United
    		 50,000

    Here is a link to the United blog explaining the process.

  • Earn at least 5,000 Aeroplan Miles on your first Rocketmiles booking made with an Aeroplan affiliated Amex Card

    We found a nice promo from Rocketmiles and American Express today.

    rocketmiles-promo

    If you have never booked with Rocketmiles we have an offer for Aeroplan members who also hold an Aeroplan affiliated American Express Card.

    You’ll earn a minimum of 5,000 miles on your first booking made by July 31, 2015.

    Here is a link to the promotion.

  • 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.

  • Free 2 Year Regus Businessworld Gold Membership

    In association with Regus, the world’s leading provider of workplace solutions, Diners Club Australia are delighted to announce that all Diners Club Cardholders can now sign up for a FREE two-year Regus businessworld membership card valued at $700.

    activate-banner-1-diners

    Use this promo code: diners08bus

    The Regus businessworld programme helps you stay productive while traveling on business. No more meetings held in coffee shops or wasted time between appointments while you’re on the road.

    Regus businessworld Gold membership gives you the following benefits:

    • Unlimited, walk-in access to any of Regus’ 1000 global business lounges and cafés, with complimentary internet and refreshments.
    • Preferred rates on Regus meeting rooms, day offices and videoconference bookings
    • Professional administrative support, from packing and shipping to document printing and binding

    Source: DansDeals

  • Vancouver to Sydney, Australia – Under $1000 Roundtrip – Qantas Non-stop

    Qantas has shown some airfares from Vancouver to Sydney, Australia (SYD) for $999 roundtrip including taxes. The flights are non-stop.

    qantas

    In economy, to/from Americas, two bags free.

    Here is a sample fare on Kayak.

    Sydney for $999 – June 20, 22, or 25 to July 2, 4, or 6

    Sydney for $999 – July 4 or 6 to July 16 or 18

    Thanks to YVR Deals for pointing this out.

    It is low season but a nice fare.

  • WestJet Enhances ‘Plus’ Product

    WestJet has introduced improvements to its Plus product, available for booking starting today (May 6) for travel beginning Sept. 14.

    westjet-boeing-767-300-March5

    “The evolution of Plus is primarily targeted to business travellers who look for more comfort, flexibility and convenience,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. “With our growing network of nearly 100 destinations, ever-improving flight schedule and loyalty benefits offered to WestJet Rewards members, we are well positioned to meet the needs of travellers who are always on the go.”

    Guests in WestJet’s Plus seating will enjoy more personal space and comfort. Middle seats in Plus on WestJet’s Boeing Next Generation 737s will be outfitted with a new tray table between the aisle and window seat, giving guests a guaranteed empty middle seat for more space to work or relax during their flight. Seats in Plus on WestJet’s Boeing 767 aircraft will be wider than the airline’s current seats, arranged in a two-two-two configuration, with an aisle separating each set of two seats.

    WestJet is upgrading meal options for guests in Plus to include a premium boxed meal on longer 737 flights and premium hot meals served on 767 flights, both with complimentary alcoholic beverages.

  • Vancouver to Hong Kong Only $470 return – September 2015 to March 2016

    I found an amazing deal for us on the West Coast of Canada to get to Hong Kong.

    yvrhkg470

    This is operated from ANA Airways and stops in Tokyo (I think for the slight inconvenience it is worth it)!

    Source: Secret Flying

  • Aeroplan Miles Update – Accumulation changes for Air India

    Air India, a Star Alliance member airline, is India’s national carrier. Headquartered in New Delhi, they offer passengers seamless travel across domestic and international routes. Air India serves over 50 domestic destinations and 31 international destinations in 19 countries across Australia, Asia, Europe and North America.

     

    air_india

    You can earn Aeroplan Miles on most scheduled flights operated by Air India.

    Earning Aeroplan Miles on flights will change on March 1, 2015.

    • Earn miles when you purchase an eligible booking class and travel on flights operated by Air India. Some exceptions may apply.
    • Aeroplan Miles earned on all eligible Air India flights are also Altitude Qualifying Miles and count towards Air Canada Altitude™ status. For more details, please consult altitude.aircanada.com.
    • Be sure to provide your Aeroplan number when you make a reservation.
    • Always keep your ticket and boarding pass until the miles have been credited to your account. If the miles for a recent flight have not been credited, you can request the missing miles up to 11 months from the flight date. Learn more about Requesting Mileage Credit
    • Please refer to the charts below to see how many miles you will earn.
    • For codeshare flights marketed by Air India but operated by another Star Alliance member airline, the operating airline determines how many miles you earn for your flight. Therefore, the booking class that appears on your ticket may differ from the booking class that the operating airline uses to determine flight miles earned. Refer to the Eligible Flights Tab of the operating carrier.
    • Mileage earned is based on actual miles flown, the percentage of booking class accumulation and the minimum mile rule.
    • Charter flights operated by Air India are not eligible.
    • Codeshare flights marketed by Air India and operated by non-Star Alliance airlines are not eligible.

  • Aerogold Visa for Business – First year free, 20,000 Aeroplan Miles, Air Canada Benefits

    I found a nice offer for any business owners out there that would like a nice credit card bonus.

    aero-card-banner-bg-bus-en

     

    From April 1st 2015 to August 31st 2015, sign up for the CIBC Aerogold Visa for Business and it will be no annual fee the first year and also get:

    • Priority boarding
    • Priority check-in
    • 20,000 Aeroplan miles after first purchase
    • Free check-in luggage (first bag), Aeroplan ticket redemption only.
    • One time Maple leaf lounge pass.

    When you travel using an Aeroplan® flight reward on a flight operated by Air Canada®, Air Canada rouge® or under the Air Canada Express® banner, your CIBC Aerogold Visa Card for business allows you to board early. Air Canada passengers will now be boarding according to zones clearly indicated on the Air Canada issued boarding pass. Your priority boarding benefit makes you eligible for Zone 2 priority boarding.

    Every year, you benefit from a complimentary One-Time Guest Access Benefit to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge when you travel using an Aeroplan® flight reward on a flight operated by Air Canada®, Air Canada rouge® or under the Air Canada Express® banner. Just present your Aeroplan flight reward boarding pass and your CIBC Aerogold® Visa* Card for Business.

    Here is a link to the landing page on CIBC.