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  • Advantages of Booking Virtuoso Rates With Classic Travel

    I am a big Virtuoso fan!

    Basically, you can additional amenities (like free breakfast and spa and/or meal credit) and benefits like free upgrades just for using these different travel agents.

    The problem is finding what the rates and benefits are. The solution is using Classic Travel.

    Here are some advantages of using them:

    • You can choose any credit card that you want to use. There is no fee for booking with our web platform or getting access to the added value amenities. Cancel with one easy click
    • For the most part (though it varies by hotel) cancellations can be done up to 48 hours prior to your booking.
    • In addition to Virtuoso rates, Classic Travel has launched its added value Preferred Partner Hotel Program Hotels that might not be in other programs such as Amex or Mastercard Elite. Classictravel.com is becoming one of the largest collection of luxury hotels with added value amenities.
    • You get access to a full service agency. The people handling your calls and requests are our travel agents and are well-traveled individuals who have personal relationships with the hoteliers.
    • Many hoteliers come to the agency weekly, which allows us to build many personal relationships with properties.
    • Amex, at least in the US, has closed most of their storefront locations. Their agents thus tend to travel less than the typical Virtuoso agent and have fewer opportunities to speak with hoteliers.

    I have used them in the past and recommend them (very professional and easy to work with).

    Here is an example of where these special rates can save money.

    Here is a sample booking for the Aria Hotel Las Vegas for September 16, 2014-September 17, 2014.

    aria-vs-kayak aria kayak

    The differences in these rates show that you pay less with Virtuoso than with Kayak (around $15 less or so) and Virtuoso offers at least a $50 credit towards your stay at the resort plus spa passes, which makes it a pretty good deal.

    Have you ever booked a Virtuoso rate?

  • An AIR MILES reward worth talking about: #AirMilesStories

    I am a big fan of Skype but nothing beats a connection with your family and friends in real life.

    It is tough living in BC without any of our extended family around (we are fortunate to have great friends) but this was our choice.

    Thankfully, frequent flyer programs help family members get together or attend special events or even go to medical appointments.

    My story is that when I was young and broke freshly graduated university student, I couldn’t afford a ticket to a wedding in Southern Ontario and my friend’s mother loaned me her AIR MILES for a ticket so I can be with my friends for the wedding!

    I always remind myself to always try to help people that need a hand sometimes!

    As we all get ready to settle into the Thanksgiving long weekend and in the spirit of giving thanks and reflecting on our friends and families, I wanted to share with you a story about Christine & Stephanie.  The two met seven years ago while both of their children were admitted to Sick Kids Hospital.  While they remained close, it was their dream to have Christine and her son Colin come to Thunder Bay (my home town) to visit with Stephanie and her family.

    Watch the video to see how the story unfolded.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X35kRvnBPXQ&feature=youtu.be

    What is your #AirMilesStory?

    Post your story on airmiles.ca/stories.

    I did not receive compensation from AIR MILES for writing this post or sharing this story (I thought it was a good tie-in with Thanksgiving this weekend)!

  • WestJet Seat Sale – Ends October 8, 2014

    Yet another WestJet Seat Sale!

    westjet-seat-sale

     

    Book by: October 8, 2014 (11:59 p.m. MT)*
    Travel until: February 11, 2015
    Blackout dates from: December 17, 2014 to January 7, 2015

    How to get this deal: For Canadian destinations travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Offer limited and subject to availability.

    For Canadian destinations:
    *Seasonal start and end dates apply and are indicated in the booking flow. Book by October 8, 2014 (11:59 p.m. MT) for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays until February 11, 2015. Blackout dates from December 17, 2014 to January 7, 2015.
    Fares on other days may be higher.
    Total price to fluctuate on flights with connections of 4 hours or more.
    Seat sale fares are discounted from WestJet’s lowest regular fare, apply only to flights marketed and operated wholly by WestJet and are not applicable when travelling with our code-share, interline or other airline partners.
    Fuel surcharge between $22 – $45 per direction still applies to Air Miles™ redemption bookings.
    Seats at these fares are limited and may not be available on all flights.
    New bookings only.
    Non-refundable.
    Advance purchase required.
    Flights may not operate on certain days.
    All fares shown are one-way.

  • New Google Flight Feature – Flight Price Tracking

    We discovered a great new feature for Google Flight users to help them save money on finding a flight that matches their price budget.

    Google Now recently added an awesome new feature that has the potential to save frequent travellers a ton of money. In fact, even people who travel only sporadically stand to save some serious cash thanks to Google.

    google-flight-tracker

    Since Google Now features such deep integration with Google search, it obviously has the ability to tell when you’ve been searching for a flight. Now, however, Google Now will take note of a search and constantly monitor specific flights for you, periodically popping up a card that shows pricing changes for the flights you’re looking for.

    Does anyone use this app on Android?

  • New American Express Canada Platinum Benefits

    I received a snail mail letter from the President of the AMEX Bank of Canada (why not just send an email!), informing me of some new benefits for us American Express Platinum members (here is my detailed review of this card).

    amex-canada-platinum

    I wanted to give all our readers a summary of the new benefits.

    I still like this card but I think the American Express Gold Rewards card is a better value (25,000 Membership Rewards Points and first year free and great benefits).

    Here is a summary of the new changes:

    Redeem your $200 travel credit online.

    Now, get the added convenience of redeeming your annual $200 travel credit online when you book your travel at americanexpress.ca/travel.

    New Centurion Lounges.

    Enjoy complimentary access to The CenturionSM Lounges, where you’ll experience world-class service chef-crafted fare, premium wines and specialty cocktails in a luxurious, contemporary setting.

    Newly Opened

    • New York LaGuardia (LGA) Lounge:

      Located in Terminal B on the third level, pre-security.

      Hours: 6:00am – 8:00pm

    Existing Lounges

    • Las Vegas (LAS) Lounge:

      Located in Concourse D opposite Gate D1.

      Hours: 5:00am – 12:00am

    • Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) Lounge:

      Located in Concourse D opposite Gate D17 on the upper level.

      Hours: 5:00am – 10:00pm

    Simply present your Platinum Card, and upon request, your same-day boarding pass on any carrier and government issued ID.

    Future lounge locations are expected to open at San Francisco International Airport by the end of 2014, and Miami International Airport in early 2015.

    Enjoy complimentary access to Plaza Premium Lounges all over the world offering exceptional airport lounge experiences.

    • London Heathrow (LHR) Lounge in Terminal 2:

      Located in Terminal 2 – The Queen’s Terminal, Lounge A3

      Hours: 9:00am – 11:00pm

    • Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Al Reem Lounge:

      Ground level, Terminal 1, International Departures

      Open 24 hours daily

    Simply present your Platinum Card, and upon request, your same-day ticket on any carrier and government issued ID.

    As a Platinum Cardmember you have access to more than 600 airport lounges in 83 countries.

    Explore the offers below, and when you’re ready to reserve, call Platinum Card Travel Service at 1-800-668-9147. Your resort credit will be applied to your hotel account at the time of your stay. Experiences must be booked between August 1, 2014 and January 31, 2015, for stays from August 1, 2014, to February 3, 2015. You can book up to three rooms under this promotion. Blackout dates may apply.2

    • Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford (Napa Valley) CA, USA
      • Receive a $200 USD credit applicable for premium wine/champagne not included in the rate when you book select room categories.3
    • Twin Farms, Barnard VT, USA
      • Receive a $200 USD credit applicable for premium wine/champagne not included in the all-inclusive rate.4
    • Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, Vancouver, Canada
      • Receive a $100 CAD Food and Beverage credit applicable at Bacchus Restaurant and Lounge with a minimum two-night stay. Offer excludes alcoholic beverages, room service and gratuities. Blackout dates apply.5
    • Auberge Saint-Antoine, Quebec City, Canada
      • Receive a $100 CAD Food and Beverage credit applicable at Panache Restaurant or Café Bard Artefact with a minimum two night stay.6
    • The Point, Upper Saranac Lake NY, USA
      • Receive a $280 USD credit applicable to spa services, excluding spa retail use. Blackout dates apply.7
    • The Weekapaug Inn, Westerly RI, USA
      • Receive a $200 USD Resort credit applicable to spa services, food and beverage and activities with a minimum two night stay. Blackout dates apply.8
    • Ocean House, Watch Hill RI, USA
      • Receive a $200 USD Resort credit applicable to spa services, food and beverage and activities with a minimum two night stay. Blackout dates apply.9
    • The Inn of the Five Graces, Santa Fe NM, USA
      • Receive a $200 USD credit applicable to spa services, excluding spa retail use when you book the select room categories. Blackout dates apply.10
    • Eden Roc at Cap Cana, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
      • Receive a $200 USD credit applicable to spa services inclusive of value added tax, excluding spa retail use. (Closed for the month of September.)11
    • Kensington Riverside Inn, Calgary, Canada
      • Receive a $200 CAD Resort credit with a minimum two night stay. Credit will be applied at checkout.

    Nothing earth shattering but it is nice to use the travel credit only instead of phoning an agent.

     

  • New WestJet Rewards tiers: Teal, Silver and Gold

    I am not a big WestJet fan (I usually fly Air Canada as I try to use Aeroplan)!

    westjet

    They have made some major changes to their rewards program.

    This is effective October 29.

    On October 29, 2014, WestJet Rewards will take off with new tiers. With Teal, Silver and Gold, you can enjoy higher WestJet dollar earn rates and milestone awards.

    When you reach Gold, you’ll also get another free checked bag, priority security screening, advance boarding and even more milestone awards.

    With the new tiers there will be higher WestJet dollar earn rates on WestJet flights, additional companion flights awarded and new easy-to-use flight benefits for our most frequent guests.

    • Our new tiers are Teal, Silver and Gold and come with a variety awards and benefits, based on how much you spend on WestJet flights in your individual qualifying year.
    • You’ll be eligible to earn up to 5% back in WestJet dollars on WestJet flights. That’s double the maximum of 2.5% back today.
    • The qualifying flight spend required to earn your first companion flight each year will be lowered from $4,500 to $4,000.
    • Companion flights awarded in a year will be expanded. Instead of a maximum of two companion flights each qualifying year (one domestic and one system-wide), you’ll have the ability to earn an unlimited number each year. You’ll receive a domestic companion flight at $4,000, a system-wide companion flight at $6,000 and another system-wide at $10,000. You’ll then continue to earn system-wide companion flights for each additional $5,000 increment of flight spend in your qualifying year, with no limit.
    • Companion flights will have one-year expiry dates, reduced from two years today. But since you’ll now be eligible to earn more companion flights, you’ll have more to use, more often. Companion flights awarded prior to October 29, 2014 will maintain the original expiry dates.
    • Along with lounge vouchers and advance seat selection, members in Silver and Gold will receive their first checked bag free. This will be available to the member and up to eight (8) additional guests travelling on the same reservation (valid for member only when travelling on a group booking, which is a booking of 10 or more guests on the same reservation). Members in Gold will also receive a second checked bag free, as well as additional flight benefits such as priority security screening, advance boarding and the ability to change to an earlier or later flight on the same day of travel without a fee.

    Once you achieve Silver or Gold, you’ll get to keep your flight benefits until the end of your next qualifying year, unless of course you achieve a higher tier, in which case you’ll enjoy that higher tier’s benefits. The ability to keep your Silver or Gold tier and benefits in future years will be based on your total qualifying flight spend in the second year and each year following.

    I still am not sure if they will do status matches but I am more loyal to Air Canada.

  • 1,000 bonus Aeroplan miles per stay at Fairmont Hotels (Ends December 30, 2014)

    Earn 1,000 bonus Aeroplan miles, with Fairmont stays booked between September 22 and November 30, 2014 for stays until December 30, 2014.

    fairmont-bonus

    This is in addition to the 500 base earn miles Distinction dDiamond and dBlack members also receive 250 Distinction bonus miles per stay.

    Plus, as a Fairmont President’s Club* member, you can earn more Aeroplan Miles per eligible stay based on your membership status:

    • Club members can earn 500 base miles
    • Premier members can earn 750 miles (500 base miles + 250 bonus miles)
    • Platinum members can earn 1,000 miles (500 base miles + 500 bonus miles)

    Register now.

  • Costco Canada to Stop Taking American Express

    AmEx was the only credit card accepted at Costco stores in Canada, and has worked with the warehouse-club chain to issue co-branded cards.
    amex

    Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST), the largest U.S. warehouse-club chain, will stop accepting all American Express Co. (AXP) cards in Canada on Jan. 1 after a breakdown in negotiations between the two companies.

    “The credit card relationship between American Express and Costco Wholesale Canada will not be renewed when it expires on Dec. 31,” Lorelle Gilpin, vice president of marketing and membership for Costco Wholesale Canada, said yesterday in an e-mail to Canadian customers.

    AmEx, the biggest U.S. credit-card issuer by purchases, was the only credit card accepted at Costco stores, and has worked with the warehouse-club chain to issue co-branded cards. U.S. stores will continue to accept AmEx, with the exception of TrueEarnings and American Express Platinum Cash Rebate cards issued in Canada.

    “The terms of the contract was up, AmEx and Costco entered into negotiations and were unable to come to terms,” David Barnes, a spokesman for AmEx in Canada, said in a phone interview. “This is very specific and exclusive to Canada. There are separate contracts for AmEx’s U.S. Costco relationship.”

    Costco will still be offering a credit card and has signed a new agreement with Capital One.  The Capital One Platinum MasterCard will serve as both a credit card and a Costco membership card and this change means that Costco will accept all Mastercard credit cards in their stores – not just Costco branded cards.

  • Air Canada To Charge $25 For First Checked Bag

    Air Canada is revising its checked baggage policy for customers travelling with an Economy Class ticket issued after September 17, 2014 for travel on or after November 2, 2014 as indicated below.

    ACbaggage-charge

    It is more important than ever to pack light! This is in response to the WestJet charge (I hate that we have not enough competition in this space).

    I knew they would match WestJet (but I didn’t think it would happen so quickly).

    Travel within Canada:

    • Tango fares: Check a 1st bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction) and a 2nd bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction).
    • Flex fares: Check a 1st bag free of charge and a 2nd bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction).
    • Latitude fares: Check 2 bags free of charge.

    Travel between Canada and the U.S.*:

    • Latitude fares: Check 2 bags free of charge.

    Travel between Canada or the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Caribbean or the U.S. Virgin Islands:

    • Tango fares: Check a 1st bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction) and a 2nd bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction).
    • Flex fares: Check a 1st bag free of charge and a 2nd bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction).
    • Latitude fares: Check 2 bags free of charge.

    Between Canada or the U.S.* and Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua:

    • All Economy fares: Check a 1st bag free of charge and a 2nd bag for $25 CAD/USD (per direction).

  • 7,500 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you complete two Radisson stays

    Club Carlson members who register for the Takeoff with More Miles offer and complete two Eligible Stays at participating Radisson hotels by December 15, 2014 will earn 7,500 Aeroplan® Miles.

    AEROPLAN_PromoTakeOffwithMoreMiles_page_header_890x225 (1)

     

    Club Carlson is offered by Carlson Hotels, Inc. (“Carlson”), subject to Terms & Conditions. To be eligible for the Offer, you must be a Club Carlson member, an Aeroplan member, register for the Offer with your Aeroplan number by December 14, 2014, and present your Club Carlson member number during at check-in (“Eligible Member”). Eligible Members who complete two Eligible Stays between September 15, 2014 and December 15, 2014 will earn 7,500 Aeroplan Miles (“Bonus Award”). Please allow four (4) to six (6) weeks after December 15, 2014 for miles to be credited to your account. Only one Bonus Award per Aeroplan account.

    An “Eligible Stay” for purposes of this Offer is a stay of one or more consecutive nights at a Participating Property, at a rate eligible for Gold Points®. You must provide your Club Carlson membership number at the time of reservation or check-in. By participating in this Offer, you agree to these terms and conditions and the Club Carlson terms and conditions. Participating Hotels are subject to change without notice. Offer is subject to availability and blackout dates may apply. Carlson is not responsible for any technical failures/interruptions, internet accessibility problems, incomplete or inaccurate registration information, or other errors of any kind that may affect your enrollment in Club Carlson or participation in this Offer. Carlson reserves the right to add, modify or discontinue these terms and conditions, the Offer or Club Carlson, with or without notice or liability to you. Offer is void where prohibited by law, rule or regulation.