Merchants basically want to pass the fees to consumers and as a consumer that pays for everything with his credit card this is a good thing!
The Canadian Bankers Association weighed in Tuesday, arguing that this decision was in the best interest of consumers. “This decision means that Canadians can continue to choose how to use their credit cards and to enjoy the benefits of credit card use that they have come to value,” president Terry Campbell said in a statement.
[quote]Has anyone that paid cash for anything really received a discount? [/quote]
Enjoy up to 25% OFF or a free night at Fairmont resorts and hotels across North America.
Fairmont Summer Promotion 2013
Book before August 9, 2013 12PM EST for stays until September 30, 2013. Offer is Subject to availability at time of reservation at participating Fairmont Hotels & Resorts locations worldwide.
Offer varies by property and includes one of the following: up to 20% off the room rate at the time of reservation OR a complimentary consecutive night stay at a single property based on a minimum night stay.
Advanced reservation is required and a non-refundable deposit will be taken at time of reservation.
Members booking the Fairmont President’s Club exclusive offer may be required to present identification at check-in.
Earn double reward miles with AAdvantage, Aeroplan, Asia Miles, PhoenixMiles, MileagePlus and Miles&More
This is a nice offer with the double miles earned and it works out great with a short stay.
We were fortunate to have a nice weekend getaway in Whistler with a stay at the Four Seasons Whistler.
The Four Seasons Whistler was recently awarded the Number 2 spot among the Top 20 Resorts in Canada and rated among the Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards.
This hotel provided us an upgraded room (on a top floor) and provided a crib and child-proofed the room.
Four Seasons Whistler Upgraded roomFour Seasons Whistler Crib in child proof room.
Take a look at the gorgeous crib in our room with diapers, wipes, and baby cleaning products.
Four Seasons Whistler Crib ammenities
We even received a welcome snack and letter from the chef.
Four Seasons Whistler Welcome Gift – Stuffed Animal, water, fruit, and biscotti.
The hotel staff goes out of there way to make sure you have a nice time and are taken care of.
We were lucky to come up on a sunny Saturday with low occupancy to take advantage of the nice pool they have (no chlorine). They had sunscreen, bar staff, towels, spa water, and anything that you needed. We loved taking our daughter in the pool.
Four Seasons Whistler Pool
Swimming at the Four Seasons Whistler Pool
After our swim we took a nice hike with friends. Everything is so close that once you park you don’t need the car in the village.
We went for dinner at Fifty Two 80 eatery + bar (Sidecut was closed).
What a meal we had!
Fifty Two Eighty Four Seasons Whistler – Pan Roasted Steelhead – 6oz Steelhead, Sautéed Broccoli And Spinach, Pine Nut Olive RelishFifty Two Eighty Four Seasons Whistler – 8oz. Kobe Style Burger, Pepper Jack Cheese, Onion, Bacon Jam, Heirloom Tomato, ‘dd’pickle, Secret Sauce, Sesame Kaiser Bun
My wife had the burger and I was so jealous after!
For dessert I had a Chocolate Trio – Raspberry Cromesqui, Ginger Chocolate Mousse, White Hot Chocolate and Lime, Mini Ice Cream Sandwich.
Chocolate Trio – Raspberry Cromesqui, Ginger Chocolate Mousse, White Hot Chocolate and Lime, Mini Ice Cream Sandwich
We were so stuffed!
Breakfast the next day at the restaurant was incredible. I could not imagine being hungry after eating here (good quality food with large enough portions).
Swiss Bircher Muesli – Apples, Grapes, Yoghurt, Honey, OatsStrawberry Shortcake French Toast – Strawberry and Marscapone Cream FilledBraised Short Rib, Sundried Tomato Mini Waffle, Poached Eggs, Red Pepper Bearnaise
Finally, I had the four bites (all incredible)! I had this after having a heaping bowl of muesli.
Vanilla Marinated Fruits, Peach Yoghurt Parfait, Berry Smoothie, Spinach Feta, Red Onion, Egg White Fritatta Bear Four Square – ‘EMP’ Eggs, Meat, Potato, Triple Stack of Pancakes
Here is a family photo of us all stuffed!
Four Seasons Whistler Family Photo
What is your favourite Whistler hotel? I know what mine is.
Described as a ‘Vertical City’ and world’s first truly mixed utility tower, Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest man made structure standing at 828m in height and is the centrepiece to the 490-acre development known as Downtown Dubai.
2. Shackleton’s Hut, Cape Royds on Ross Island, South Pole
The hut served as the base of operations for the British 1907-1909 Nimrod Expedition, an early attempt in the race to the geographic South Pole led by a young Ernest Shackleton
4. Kala Patthar, a stop along the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek.
While on the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal you can stand face to face with Mount Everest, the “Goddess Mother of the Earth”, from the easily reached high-point of 18,192-foot Kala Pattar. Trekkers climb this peak before dawn to catch a glimpse of Everest at sunrise.
To get a taste of modern city life in Singapore, simply search forMarina Bay Waterfront Promenade and Fullerton Heritage Promenade and use Street View to explore the city’s popular bay front and bay skyline. If you’re planning to travel with family or are simply an animal lover at heart, you can also now go on a virtual adventure to the Singapore Zoo.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil starts next year Thursday, June 12 in Sao Paulo and ends on Sunday, July 13 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Here is a link to the complete match schedule.
I wanted to share some ways to travel to Brazil for Canadians and how they can get to Brazil on points using Aeroplan and Air Miles. I recommend booking ASAP because flights are going to be difficult to find during this popular event.
How to get to Brazil World Cup with Aeroplan
According to the Aeroplan rewards chart, Brazil is classified as Southern South America. An economy return ticket will cost 60,000 Aeroplan miles from anywhere in Canada.
I could not find availability from Victoria for this redemption but I recommend calling the Aeroplan contact center to get in touch with an agent that can create an itinerary and find potential options.
How to get to Brazil World Cup with Air Miles
Air Miles considers this season to be high-season so it would cost 11,025 Air Miles and 8,269 Air Miles if you were a Gold member.
Tickets will go on sale on FIFA.com on August 20, 2013.
We found a great Norwegian Cruise Lines sale for the West coast (Vancouver port).
Must book by July 19, 2013.
This cruise below is as low as $279 (inside cabin)!
5 Nights Pacific Coastal Cruise from Vancouver to Los Angeles Norwegian Pearl
Ports of Call: Vancouver, British Columbia; Astoria, Oregon; San Francisco, Ca; Los Angeles, California.
2013 departures: Sep 29
Disney FASTPASS Service is a complimentary benefit to all park Guests that allows you to enjoy the rest of the Disneyland Resort while your place in line is saved.
Here are a list of the rides covered at the two main parks in Disneyland:
Starting at $175 an hour, with a six hour minimum, you can hire a Disney Guest Relations host to escort you and your family or group around the park (this does not include admission costs).
The VIP host essentially serves as an unlimited FastPass for your entire group. The VIP host can escort you into any FastPass line at any time, regardless of when the posted return time is or if the ride’s FastPasses are all distributed for the day.
When I heard about this unethical trick to get to skip the line at Disneyland I was floored.
[styled_box title=”Disclosure” color=”red”]I do not condone this and consider this unethical.[/styled_box]
Disabled Tour Guide
Did you hear about this interesting story last month about guests hiring physically disabled tour guides so they can skip lines at Disney World.
[quote]The Disney corporate policy allows each guest who needs a wheelchair or motorized scooter to bring up to six guests to a more convenient entrance. [/quote]
I was so shocked when I read this story (I hate hearing stories where people take advantage of a disability).
I am the owner of the American Express Canada Gold Rewards Card and when I logged into my account today I noticed that they have a redemption bonus of 25% (until August 31, 2013).
American Express Canada Gold Rewards Credit Card
Usually 1,000 American Express Membership Rewards points = $10 credit toward travel spending. Your new return will be $12.50.
This credit card has several perks when you register for this card:
Earn 20,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® points
Earn double points on many travel and everyday Card purchases (grocery, gas, and drugstores) and earn one point for every $1 in Card purchases everywhere else.
No annual fee for the first year.
With the bonus American Express Membership Rewards points you would receive $250 off any travel booked!
How the redemption works is easy:
On your account summary page, choose the hyperlink, “Use points for qualified travel transactions“.
Hyperlink to use points for travel
Then on your account summary page you will see the new bonus:
Use your points against balance
What I like about this card is that it is flexible.
Many people spend their travel dollars differently and you can use a travel agency, tour operator or even an online travel website to book your travel plans with these membership reward points that you earn. Charge last-minute flights, seat sales, car rentals, cruises, and more to your Card. Your points can even cover taxes and fees.
Once it charge appears on your statement, call American Express to redeem your points. You will not see any blackouts or seat restrictions in your way when you redeem.
You also have the option of transferring to to Aeroplan or other frequent flyer and hotel programs (usually on a 1 to 1 point basis).
[button href=”http://canadiantravelhacking.com/go/amex-gold” align=”left”]Register for the American Express Canada Gold Reward Card[/button]
[styled_box title=”Disclosure Statement” color=”black”]I own this credit card and by clicking on my referral link, you will earn a Welcome Bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points when you charge $500 in purchases to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership. I earn a referral bonus of 10,000 commission Membership Rewards points if you successfully apply for the card. [/styled_box]
