Following in the footsteps of Calgary and Vancouver, both Edmonton and Toronto Airports are now offering free Wi-Fi service to anyone wishing to use the service while visiting the airports. Toronto's service became free on August 1st and Edmonton's on July 30, 10.
More details: Toronto Edmonton
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Save 10% on select Aeroplan Flight Rewards
From the Aeroplan website
Between August 1 and 15, 2010, get 10% off your next business ClassicFlight or Star Alliance business or first class flight reward seat - for any travel date - within U.S. or between Canada and the U.S.
With this offer, you can save up to 6,000 Aeroplan Miles...
ClassicFlight Flight rewards
* Business class (short haul) – 25,000 miles. Now 22,500 miles!
* Business class (long haul) – 40,000 miles. Now 36,000 miles!
Star Alliance Flight rewards
* Business class (long haul) – 40,000 miles. Now 36,000 miles!
* First class (long haul) – 60,000 miles. Now 54,000 miles!
Full Details
Between August 1 and 15, 2010, get 10% off your next business ClassicFlight or Star Alliance business or first class flight reward seat - for any travel date - within U.S. or between Canada and the U.S.
With this offer, you can save up to 6,000 Aeroplan Miles...
ClassicFlight Flight rewards
* Business class (short haul) – 25,000 miles. Now 22,500 miles!
* Business class (long haul) – 40,000 miles. Now 36,000 miles!
Star Alliance Flight rewards
* Business class (long haul) – 40,000 miles. Now 36,000 miles!
* First class (long haul) – 60,000 miles. Now 54,000 miles!
Full Details
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Capital One Survey Finds Higher Income Levels May Mean A Less-Than Relaxing Holiday
Compared to Men, Women Prefer to Vacation With a Friend Over a Spouse
Toronto, ON (July 21, 2010) - While 71% of Canadians take a vacation to relax and disconnect from their day-to-day life, the unfortunate reality is just as many of them (72%) experience some form of stress planning their holidays. The Capital One Aspire Travel Survey (www.capitalone.ca) found that three-quarters of women (76%) say they've felt some stress when planning a vacation compared with only 68% of men. Surprisingly, the survey found that stress levels appear to go up for people in higher income brackets. On average, 75% of Canadians with an annual income over $50 thousand have more stress when planning a vacation than Canadians who earn under $50 thousand (69%).
“Canadians want to relax on their holidays and they are looking for products that make booking and going on vacation easier,” said Laurel Ostfield, Spokesperson, Capital One Canada. “By offering flexible redemption options, Travel Emergency Medical, Trip Cancellation and Baggage Delay Benefits, the Aspire World MasterCard gives cardholders the peace of mind that they are looking for.”
When it comes to choosing vacation companions, the survey identified some unique differences between genders. While men and women are equally interested in taking a vacation to relax, men are more interested than women in bringing their significant other with them (68% versus 45%). In fact, 21% of women want to bring friends, compared to 13% of men, and are twice as likely to want to bring their children with them than men (21% versus 10%).
“To reduce your stress when planning your trip, think carefully about the interests, financial status and physical ability of the person you want to go with, otherwise the wrong match could end up ruining your holiday,” said Loren Christie, Travel Expert for CTV’s Canada AM. “Whether it’s your spouse or your best friend, you don’t want to miss out on an adventurous outing because your travel partner couldn’t keep up, or blow your budget because your companion will only stay at five star hotels.”
It all changes, however, when it comes to golf vacations, where men (15%) are more than three times less interested in a golfing vacation with their significant other than compared to women (52%).
For both men and women, planning vacations with other family members compared to friends and children caused the most stress (60% for men and 70% for women), suggesting that people should think twice about taking their in-laws on vacation with them.
The Capital One Aspire Travel Survey also found:
• 77% of Canadians took their vacations in Canada over the past year
• Europe is the ideal destination of nearly a third of Canadians (31%), but there is a disconnect (likely financial) between where respondents take their vacations and where they would prefer to take them since only 8% of Canadians went to Europe in the last twelve months
• Most Canadians (42%) spent $1,000 or less on their last vacation
• 72% of Canadians surveyed have never used a loyalty rewards program to pay for part of their vacation
• Atlantic Canadians are the least stressed when it comes to planning their vacations (64%), compared to Ontarians who top all provinces with 74% saying they felt some stress
Travel expert Loren Christie offers the following tips for a stress-free vacation:
• Do your research – Check travel websites and talk to friends for recommendations and deals on everything from where to go, how to get there, and what to see.
• Use a flexible rewards programs – Look for a program with the flexibility to choose any airline, with no blackout dates, seat restrictions or unexpected redemption fees so you can build the vacation of your choice.
• Make a budget – Figure out ahead of time how much you want to spend and keep track of your receipts. Calculating your costs at the end of each day is a great way to stay on track to avoid any unexpected financial stress.
• Make sure you and your travel partner are on the same page – All the planning in the world won’t help if you only want to lie on the beach and your companion insists on sightseeing.
About the survey
From June 25 to June 30 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,021 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
About Capital One
Located in Toronto, Ontario, Capital One has offered Canadian consumers a range of competitive MasterCard credit cards since 1996, when the company first introduced the Platinum MasterCard in Canada. Capital One Canada is a division of Capital One Bank, a subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corporation of McLean, Virginia (NYSE: COF).
Toronto, ON (July 21, 2010) - While 71% of Canadians take a vacation to relax and disconnect from their day-to-day life, the unfortunate reality is just as many of them (72%) experience some form of stress planning their holidays. The Capital One Aspire Travel Survey (www.capitalone.ca) found that three-quarters of women (76%) say they've felt some stress when planning a vacation compared with only 68% of men. Surprisingly, the survey found that stress levels appear to go up for people in higher income brackets. On average, 75% of Canadians with an annual income over $50 thousand have more stress when planning a vacation than Canadians who earn under $50 thousand (69%).
“Canadians want to relax on their holidays and they are looking for products that make booking and going on vacation easier,” said Laurel Ostfield, Spokesperson, Capital One Canada. “By offering flexible redemption options, Travel Emergency Medical, Trip Cancellation and Baggage Delay Benefits, the Aspire World MasterCard gives cardholders the peace of mind that they are looking for.”
When it comes to choosing vacation companions, the survey identified some unique differences between genders. While men and women are equally interested in taking a vacation to relax, men are more interested than women in bringing their significant other with them (68% versus 45%). In fact, 21% of women want to bring friends, compared to 13% of men, and are twice as likely to want to bring their children with them than men (21% versus 10%).
“To reduce your stress when planning your trip, think carefully about the interests, financial status and physical ability of the person you want to go with, otherwise the wrong match could end up ruining your holiday,” said Loren Christie, Travel Expert for CTV’s Canada AM. “Whether it’s your spouse or your best friend, you don’t want to miss out on an adventurous outing because your travel partner couldn’t keep up, or blow your budget because your companion will only stay at five star hotels.”
It all changes, however, when it comes to golf vacations, where men (15%) are more than three times less interested in a golfing vacation with their significant other than compared to women (52%).
For both men and women, planning vacations with other family members compared to friends and children caused the most stress (60% for men and 70% for women), suggesting that people should think twice about taking their in-laws on vacation with them.
The Capital One Aspire Travel Survey also found:
• 77% of Canadians took their vacations in Canada over the past year
• Europe is the ideal destination of nearly a third of Canadians (31%), but there is a disconnect (likely financial) between where respondents take their vacations and where they would prefer to take them since only 8% of Canadians went to Europe in the last twelve months
• Most Canadians (42%) spent $1,000 or less on their last vacation
• 72% of Canadians surveyed have never used a loyalty rewards program to pay for part of their vacation
• Atlantic Canadians are the least stressed when it comes to planning their vacations (64%), compared to Ontarians who top all provinces with 74% saying they felt some stress
Travel expert Loren Christie offers the following tips for a stress-free vacation:
• Do your research – Check travel websites and talk to friends for recommendations and deals on everything from where to go, how to get there, and what to see.
• Use a flexible rewards programs – Look for a program with the flexibility to choose any airline, with no blackout dates, seat restrictions or unexpected redemption fees so you can build the vacation of your choice.
• Make a budget – Figure out ahead of time how much you want to spend and keep track of your receipts. Calculating your costs at the end of each day is a great way to stay on track to avoid any unexpected financial stress.
• Make sure you and your travel partner are on the same page – All the planning in the world won’t help if you only want to lie on the beach and your companion insists on sightseeing.
About the survey
From June 25 to June 30 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 1,021 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
About Capital One
Located in Toronto, Ontario, Capital One has offered Canadian consumers a range of competitive MasterCard credit cards since 1996, when the company first introduced the Platinum MasterCard in Canada. Capital One Canada is a division of Capital One Bank, a subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corporation of McLean, Virginia (NYSE: COF).
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Air India to make Toronto-Delhi route non-stop
For the upcoming winter season, Air India will be switching their one stop Toronto-Delhi service to daily non-stop service. The route will be flown with Boeing 777-300ER's and will no longer stop in London, England.
Flight Timings:
Toronto-Delhi Dep 1035 Arr 1125+1
Delhi-Toronto Dep 0125 Arr 0645
Flight Timings:
Toronto-Delhi Dep 1035 Arr 1125+1
Delhi-Toronto Dep 0125 Arr 0645
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Air Canada introduces new service for Quebec/Newfoundland
According the Airline Route Updates, Air Canada via the services of Exploits Valley Air Services will introduce a new once daily Sept-Iles – Wabush – Goose Bay – Gander route. The new service is slated to start on August 1.
Flight Timings
Sept Illes - Wabush Dep 0630 Arr 0820
Wabush - Goose Bay Dep 0900 Arr 1010
Goose Bay - Gander Dep 1030 Arr 1235
Gander - Goose Bay Dep 1520 Arr 1625
Goose Bay - Wabush Dep 1645 Arr 1755
Wabush - Sept Illes Dep 1815 Arr 1805
Flight Timings
Sept Illes - Wabush Dep 0630 Arr 0820
Wabush - Goose Bay Dep 0900 Arr 1010
Goose Bay - Gander Dep 1030 Arr 1235
Gander - Goose Bay Dep 1520 Arr 1625
Goose Bay - Wabush Dep 1645 Arr 1755
Wabush - Sept Illes Dep 1815 Arr 1805
Monday, July 19, 2010
Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2010
Today on RewardsCanada.ca we posted our second annual picks for Canada's top travel rewards credit cards.. We have combed over 60 different credit cards offering travel rewards for Canadians and of those there are a few that really stand out. While it is practically impossible to give this question a perfect one card answer, we can breakdown the market of Canadian Travel Rewards credit cards into five major categories that these cards fall into. Without further ado, here are the top travel rewards credit cards for 2010 as picked by RewardsCanada.ca:Top Airline Credit Card
CIBC AeroGold Visa / AeroGold Visa Infinite
Top Hybrid Travel Credit Card
RBC Visa Platinum Avion / Visa Infinite Avion
Top Travel Points Credit Card (with annual fee)
Capital One Aspire Travel™ World MasterCard®
Top Travel Points Credit Card (with no annual fee)
American Express Blue Sky Credit Card
Top Hotel Points Credit Card
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
For the complete article, details on each card plus runners up in each category please visit the full Canada's Top Travel Rewards Credit Card for 2010 page on the Rewards Canada website
Care to comment on our choices? Want to voice your opinion on the good and the bad of all the Travel Rewards Credit Cards in Canada. Share you views and experiences by leaving a comment below.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Air Canada adding service to New Orleans
Following on the heels of WestJet's announcement of service to New Orleans, Air Canada will return to New Orleans with daily non-stop service starting on Oct 30. The new route will be flown with Jazz CRJ-705 aircraft with executive and economy class onboard.
Flight Timings:
Toronto-New Orleans Dep 0950 Arr 1200
New Orleans-Toronto Dep 1235 Arr 1620
Source: Air Canada Press release
Flight Timings:
Toronto-New Orleans Dep 0950 Arr 1200
New Orleans-Toronto Dep 1235 Arr 1620
Source: Air Canada Press release
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Royal Air Maroc increases Montreal-Casablanca service
According to Airline Route Updates, Royal Air Maroc is increasing service between Montreal and Casablanca for the winter season. The number of flights will go up to 7 from 5 effective Dec 16, 10.
Flight Timings of new flights:
Montreal-Casablanca Dep 0735 Arr 1925 Days 46
Casablanca-Montreal Dep 2105 Arr 2359 Days 46
Flight Timings of new flights:
Montreal-Casablanca Dep 0735 Arr 1925 Days 46
Casablanca-Montreal Dep 2105 Arr 2359 Days 46
Thursday, July 8, 2010
WestJet adds New Orleans, Grand Cayman and Santa Clara, Cuba
From the WestJet press release:
CALGARY, July 7 /CNW/ - WestJet today unveiled its winter schedule for 2010-2011, featuring three new destinations, 10 new routes and expanded service on more than 30 others - and at everyday low fares all year-round.
Beginning in November, WestJet will launch seasonal, non-stop service to New Orleans, Santa Clara (Cuba) and Grand Cayman Island, all from Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
WestJet will also launch new seasonal, non-stop service between the following cities:
- Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Montreal and Montego Bay, Jamaica
- Montreal, Calgary and Varadero, Cuba
- Toronto and Palm Springs
WestJet will extend its non-stop service from seasonal to year-round between the following cities:
- Ottawa and Halifax
- Ottawa and Vancouver
- Toronto and Bermuda
- Toronto and Samana, DR
- Toronto and Puerto Vallarta
- Montreal and Punta Cana. >>
WestJet will increase the number of seasonal, non-stop flights this winter from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal to exciting destinations such as Honolulu, Maui, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.
CALGARY, July 7 /CNW/ - WestJet today unveiled its winter schedule for 2010-2011, featuring three new destinations, 10 new routes and expanded service on more than 30 others - and at everyday low fares all year-round.
Beginning in November, WestJet will launch seasonal, non-stop service to New Orleans, Santa Clara (Cuba) and Grand Cayman Island, all from Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
WestJet will also launch new seasonal, non-stop service between the following cities:
- Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Montreal and Montego Bay, Jamaica
- Montreal, Calgary and Varadero, Cuba
- Toronto and Palm Springs
WestJet will extend its non-stop service from seasonal to year-round between the following cities:
- Ottawa and Halifax
- Ottawa and Vancouver
- Toronto and Bermuda
- Toronto and Samana, DR
- Toronto and Puerto Vallarta
- Montreal and Punta Cana. >>
WestJet will increase the number of seasonal, non-stop flights this winter from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal to exciting destinations such as Honolulu, Maui, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Air Canada/Middle East Airlines launch codesharing services
Thanks to Airline Route Updates for the news:
As of Jul 1, Air Canada and Middle East Airlines launched codesharing services on each others flights. Air Canada has placed their flights numbers on MEA's flights between Beirut and Geneva and London Heathrow while MEA will be codesharing on AC's Canada-London flights and Montreal-Geneva flight.
As of Jul 1, Air Canada and Middle East Airlines launched codesharing services on each others flights. Air Canada has placed their flights numbers on MEA's flights between Beirut and Geneva and London Heathrow while MEA will be codesharing on AC's Canada-London flights and Montreal-Geneva flight.