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  • Bid Your Starpoints to Attend 2014 Tim Hortons Heritage Classic – Vancouver vs Ottawa

    What a great idea to use your Starpoints balance to attend the 2014 Tim Hortons Heritage Classic between Vancouver and Ottawa in Vancouver, BC.

    Starwood Preferred Guest is the Official Hotel and Resort of the National Hockey League — and you can watch all of the hockey action outdoors by redeeming your Starpoints.

    As a bonus — for most of the choices below — you can also procure passes which allow you to go behind the scenes and find out how outdoor hockey happens in the National Hockey League.

    2014 Tim Hortons National Hockey League Heritage Classic

    • Score two tickets and behind-the-scenes access for the Ottawa Senators versus the Vancouver Canucks at BC Place in Vancouver.

    The current bidding win is 27,000 (who knows what it will take to win), should I use my Starpoints to win or not?

    Tickets are going for around $217 each at the moment – I don’t know where these tickets are (I am assuming they are worth more than standard General admission tickets).

    Enjoy!

  • Gogo Network Goes Live Over Canada

    Gogo (NASDAQ: GOGO), the world leader of in-flight connectivity and a pioneer in wireless in-flight digital entertainment solutions, announced today that the first phase of its Canadian air-to-ground Wi-Fi network is live in Canada, with the balance of the network expected to go live in the first quarter of 2014.

    Gogo’s ATG Canadian network will allow the company to offer seamless in-flight Internet service between the U.S. and Canada to its airline partners.

    The network will offer Gogo the ability to deploy a suite of connectivity technologies inCanada that include its original ATG and next generation ATG-4 technologies, as a well as its hybrid ATG and satellite technology, which is called Ground to Orbit (GTO).  Gogo’s GTO technology will deliver peak speeds of more than 70 Mbps and, Gogo believes, will be the best performing in-flight connectivity service for commercial aviation for the Canadian and continental U.S. markets.  

    “We are bringing our full suite of in-flight technology solutions to Canada, whether that’s ATG, satellite, or our hybrid GTO technology,” said Gogo’s president and CEO Michael Small.  “Coupled with our Ku and Global Xpress Ka satellite solutions, Gogo’s Canadian network will allow the company to offer our airline partners a range of technology solutions to meet the needs of each individual airline no matter the size of the aircraft or where that aircraft is flying.” 

  • B.C. judge won’t issue interim order over pharmacy-rewards points and miles

    I love to double-dip to get miles or points with my pharmacy purchases.

    The chief justice of British Columbia’s Supreme Court has refused to issue an interim injunction so two grocery chains can continue to offer rewards points to their pharmacy customers.

    The college that regulates pharmacists in B.C. began enforcing a bylaw that prohibited incentives programs on Dec. 2, 2013.

    Sobeys West Inc. and Jace Holdings Ltd., which operate Canada Safeway and Thrifty Foods stores, is challenging the bylaw in court at the end of this month, but on Dec. 20 they applied for an interim injunction.

    This was a great way to collect extra miles but no more!

    In a ruling posted online Friday, Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson says the stores tried unsuccessfully to negotiate a delay to the bylaw and must now live with their decision until the case has been heard.

    Source

  • TravelZoo Canada – $59 For a Niagara Falls Hotel + $225 in bonuses

    For only $59 you get a one-night stay in a hotel, plus a ton of other credits including meal and gaming credits, which total up to $225 on their own.

    Click here to check out this deal on Travelzoo.com now

    For only $59 you’ll get:

    • one night stay at Best Western Fallsview on a Sunday to Friday
    • $70 Ruth Chris Steakhouse dining voucher
    • $20 Outback Steakhouse voucher
    • $10 IHOP voucher
    • $100 of game play at Captain Jack’s Pirates Cove entertainment complex and admission for four to Cannon Ball Blasters and Time Freak
    • $25 slot play voucher at Fallsview Casino

    If you decided you wanted to go on a Saturday night, pay $69 instead of $59. If you want to stay for two nights, you’ll pay $99 total for Sunday to Thursday or $119 arriving on a Friday or Saturday. You can even travel during spring break (March 7 – 16) for $75 a night. The two-day or the spring break deals also give you a $20 TGI Friday credit and WEGO shuttle passes for two and an additional $10 for IHOP. Spring breakers also get four IMAX tickets.

  • $429-$482 — Victoria to Honolulu into May (R/T, w/Tax)

    Flights to Honolulu, Hawaii, from cities across Canada are now available starting at just $429 roundtrip, including taxes.

    These fares are up to $200 off regular roundtrip prices.

    Use the Fly.com Fare Calendar links below to easily find the best dates to travel February – May (unless otherwise noted). Book today — many of these fares are not advertised by the airlines and may disappear at any time.

    Note: There may be a $5-$15 price discrepancy between the calendar and search results.

    FROM
    R/T incl. TAX

    VIEW FARES

    Victoria
    $429-$482

    Vancouver (February-April)
    $446-$486

    Calgary
    $502-$522

    Winnipeg
    $580-$600

    Regina
    $588-$650

    Ottawa
    $594-$614

    Montreal
    $597

    Toronto
    $597

    Halifax
    $618-$624

    About: Fly.com searches hundreds of airlines and travel websites (such as Travelocity or Orbitz) for the best fares. Users are taken directly to the airline or travel website of their choice to complete the booking.

    Airline Fee Information:

    Terms and conditions such as blackout dates, advance purchase, cancellation policy and associated fees vary by route and carrier, and can be obtained from the travel supplier at the time of booking.  All fare prices are subject to availability.  Additional restrictions may apply.

  • 4-Star KLM Launches Spring & Summer Sale from Vancouver

    Today, KLM released a worldwide sale with departures from Vancouver. This is the first time the airline has discounted fares for spring and summer travel this year.

    Save as much as $300 roundtrip on the regular cost of these routes, including Cape Town, South Africa — which recently placed first on the The New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2014 travel feature — along with Laikipia Plateau, Kenya (No. 19), Dar es Salam, Tanzania (No. 39) and Vienna, Austria (No. 46).

    Fares have been discounted for travel May 7 – June 18. Our favourite routes from Vancouver are (roundtrip, including taxes and fees):

    • Amsterdam, Netherlands (nonstop) … $1079
    • Istanbul, Turkey … $1079
    • London, United Kingdom (pictured) … $1079
    • Prague, Czech Republic … $1079
    • Vienna, Austria … $1079
    • Nairobi, Kenya … $1479
    • Cape Town, South Africa … $1479

    Midweek fares are the lowest; weekend departures are $60 more roundtrip. For $200 more roundtrip, depart over the notoriously pricey summer season, June 19 – Sept. 10.

    This is part of a larger KLM sale that ends Feb. 4. The fare calendar through the link below will highlight the lowest prices. Click here for baggage and fee information from KLM.

    Read More »

    About the airline: KLM boasts an official 4-star rating from Skytrax. In-flight entertainment options include seat-back television screens that feature more than 1000 hours of entertainment on almost all intercontinental flights.

  • Win Free Nights and Bonus Points With Starwood’s Take A Spin Sweepstakes

    To celebrate the launch of the new partnership, SPG and Caesars are holding a fun “Take A Spin” sweepstakes where SPG members can earn free nights, bonus Starpoints, a trip to Vegas and more. You can enter once per day per membership number now through February 7. To participate, go to the game page here and enter your SPG number. That will redirect you to a page where you can click a “SPIN,” and like a slot machine, if the three images match up, you win a prize.

    Screen shot 2014-01-13 at 4.53.46 PM

    Source: http://thepointsguy.com/2014/01/win-free-nights-and-bonus-points-with-starwoods-take-a-spin-sweepstakes/

  • American Express Rewards Bonus of 2,014 Membership Points on purchases of $400 or more of travel

    Earn 2,014 Bonus Membership Rewards® points when you charge $400 or more in one single transaction to an eligible Card on eligible± hotels and car rentals from December 19th, 2013 to February 13th, 20141.

    Whether you plan to have a relaxing family holiday or a pampering weekend at a spa hotel, you’ll find a wide selection of flights, hotels, and car rentals.

    What’s more, the 2,014 Bonus points are on top of the 1 additional point you can earn for every $1 you charge to an eligible on eligible± travel bookings2.

    So why not get 2014 off to a perfect start and book your next adventure with American Express Travel?

    Basic Cardmembers enrolled in the American Express Membership Rewards Program that book travel through the American Express Travel website are eligible. 2,014 Bonus Membership Rewards points offer available on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made from December 19th, 2013 to February 13th, 2014. A one time Bonus of 2,014 Membership Rewards points will be awarded per Membership Rewards account on purchases of $400 or more (after taxes and fees) charged to an eligible Card for eligible hotel and car rental bookings booked through americanexpress.ca/travel where American Express (not the hotel or car rental company) is the merchant. Purchase must be in a single transaction of at least $400 and cannot be cumulative purchases.

    Use of Membership Rewards points and an eligible Card for payment qualifies for the Bonus provided at least $400 is charged to an eligible Card.

    Eligible Cards include: The American Express® Card, American Express® Gold Rewards Card, Platinum Card®, Centurion Card®, Choice Card from American ExpressTM, ChoicePlus Card from American ExpressTM, Business Platinum CardTM from American Express, American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card, American Express® Corporate Card, American Express® Corporate Gold Card, American Express® Corporate Platinum Card, and the Platinum Credit Card. Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Program apply.

    ±Hotel bookings under the Fine Hotels and Resorts program are not eligible for this Bonus Membership Rewards points offer.

    In order to redeem points for any travel booking, the Membership Rewards Program account must be active and the Card must be in good standing.

    Please allow up to 10 weeks for Bonus points to be credited to your account.

  • Winter zips at Whistler by Superfly on offer

    WEST-SuperFly_whistler-Jan8

    Superfly Ziplines of Whistler has just introduced new winter zipline tours.

    The Superfly ziplines operate on Rainbow Mountain, some 200 metres above the forest floor and over a kilometre in length.

    The Winter Zipline Tour includes a ride in a heated snowcat and hot drinks in a private yurt, followed by the three-hour zipline experience, priced at $129 for adults.

    The Crystal Lodge in Whistler Village is offering a Soar & Slumber package, which includes two night’s accommodation, a zipline day tour, free parking for one vehicle, a late check-out and free wireless Internet access. Prices start at $126 p.p., per night.

    (http://www.superflyziplines.com)

  • Benefits for Aeroplan Distinction members at Fairmont hotels

    Aeroplan Distinction members will receive special treatment, based on their Distinction level, when they book a stay directly with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts using their exclusive Fairmont Distinction Promotional Code.

    Enjoy a luxury hotel experience along with extra benefits according to each Distinction level.

    dSilver members receive:

    • Room upgrade at check-in (when available)
    • Daily complimentary breakfast

    dBlack members receive:

    • Room upgrade at check-in (when available)
    • Daily complimentary breakfast
    • $25 hotel credit

    dDiamond members receive:

    • Room upgrade at check-in (when available)
    • Daily complimentary breakfast
    • $25 hotel credit
    • Welcome amenity

      Terms and Conditions from the Aeroplan website:
      *A stay is defined as one or more consecutive nights at the same hotel, regardless of the number of check-ins and checkouts. The price for this offer is equal to Fairmont’s Best Available Rate for the room-type booked for that date. All bookings must include your Aeroplan Number for each stay or provided in your Fairmont President’s Club profile. Offer does not apply to existing bookings. Advance reservations are required. This offer is subject to availability of rooms. Cancellation policies vary by property. Valid on bookings made between January 1 and December 31, 2014 for stays completed by January 15, 2015. Offer cannot be combined with other Fairmont promotions or offers. Offer subject to change without notice, including possible extensions of expiry date. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is responsible for the fulfillment of this offer. This benefit is not applicable when members redeem Aeroplan Miles for a stay at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. Black-out dates vary by property, for a complete list please seewww.fairmont.com/promotions/limited.
      1.To be eligible for this offer, you must be a dSilver member, use the exclusive Promotional Code provided at http://www.aeroplan.com/your_aeropla…nctionBenefits and make your reservation directly with Fairmont.
      2.Room Upgrade to next room category, is offered at time of check-in, and based on availability.
      3.Complimentary breakfast excludes In Room Dining. Daily breakfast for two (2) includes a full American breakfast in the Hotel’s main dining room.
      4.To be eligible for this offer, you must be a dBlack member, use the exclusive Promotional Code provided at http://www.aeroplan.com/your_aeropla…nctionBenefits and make your reservation directly with Fairmont.
      5.$25 hotel credit, per stay: dBlack and dDiamond members will receive (1) $25 hotel credit ($25 CDN at Canadian properties and $25 USD value at all other participating locations). Hotel credit has no cash value and cannot be applied toward the daily room rate, or for Third-party activities billed to the suite. Hotel credit cannot be applied to Fairmont Store or other retail outlet purchases within the property. Credit will be applied to applicable charges at check-out. No refunds will be issued if the dollar value of the promotion is not used. The credit will expire by checkout time the morning of the guest’s scheduled departure date. Guests are responsible for paying any remaining balance due at checkout time for charges applied to the room that exceed the total credit during their stay.
      6.To be eligible for this offer, you must be a dDiamond member, use the exclusive Promotional Code provided at http://www.aeroplan.com/your_aeropla…nctionBenefits and make your reservation directly with Fairmont.
      7.Welcome Amenity varies by hotel.