Delta will be cutting the former Northwest Airlines route between Thunder Bay and Minneapolis as of Oct 10, 10.
Source: Airline Route Updates
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Air Canada / Aeroplan formally launch Million Mile Program
Air Canada's top frequent flyers are finally going to receive the recognition they have been asking for for many years. Aeroplan members who have earned one million or more status miles by flying with Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz will be recognized. The miles must have been earned from the inception of Air Canada''s Top Tier program (circa 1988) and does not include miles earned before that. Full details are not yet known and according to an Air Canada spokesman, all the terms and conditions will only be released to those who qualify.
Garnering information from two frequent flyer forums where there are members who are qualifying it appears that at the 1MM mile mark you receive a beautiful wooden box, Recognition Letter, Special Edition Reduced Model of an AC777-300ER, 2 x SWU,2 x SSWU upgrade coupons, AC SE Membership Card and Luggage Tags with a 1 Million Miles Logo. As well it appears you receive lifetime elite status regardless of miles flown. This of course could vary per person depending on the total number of miles as one Super Elite has stated you get lifetime Super Elite status if you have flown 3 million or more miles with AC and AC Jazz.
We will keep you up to date as more information comes out!
Aug 13 Update:
Here is a post from FlyerTalk by Air Canada's own Ben Smith with a few more details:
"We've had this program in the works for some time and as a result of your feedback and suggestions to me, my team and the entire company we made the decision to fast track the launch ahead of 2011 renom.
There are 3 levels to the program. 1, 2 and 3 million miles flown on AC/Jazz since the start of the status program.
1MM = Lifetime Elite status for member + exclusive benefits/gift unique to this status level
2MM = Lifetime Elite status for member + Lifetime Elite status for a nominated partner + exclusive benefits/gifts unique to this status level
3MM = Lifetime Super Elite status for member + Lifetime Elite status for a nominated partner + exclusive benefits/gifts unique to this status level
Those who have qualified will be receiving their individual personalized packages in the coming weeks. In the coming months we have additional functionality rolling out to facilitate the ability to track your progress toward achieving status in these new programs.
Thanks again for your feedback and continued loyalty."
For more details on what members are receiving and talking about please read the following threads:
FlyerTalk: 1,000,000 Million Milles Recognition from AC
CanFlyer: AC lifetime status
Garnering information from two frequent flyer forums where there are members who are qualifying it appears that at the 1MM mile mark you receive a beautiful wooden box, Recognition Letter, Special Edition Reduced Model of an AC777-300ER, 2 x SWU,2 x SSWU upgrade coupons, AC SE Membership Card and Luggage Tags with a 1 Million Miles Logo. As well it appears you receive lifetime elite status regardless of miles flown. This of course could vary per person depending on the total number of miles as one Super Elite has stated you get lifetime Super Elite status if you have flown 3 million or more miles with AC and AC Jazz.
We will keep you up to date as more information comes out!
Aug 13 Update:
Here is a post from FlyerTalk by Air Canada's own Ben Smith with a few more details:
"We've had this program in the works for some time and as a result of your feedback and suggestions to me, my team and the entire company we made the decision to fast track the launch ahead of 2011 renom.
There are 3 levels to the program. 1, 2 and 3 million miles flown on AC/Jazz since the start of the status program.
1MM = Lifetime Elite status for member + exclusive benefits/gift unique to this status level
2MM = Lifetime Elite status for member + Lifetime Elite status for a nominated partner + exclusive benefits/gifts unique to this status level
3MM = Lifetime Super Elite status for member + Lifetime Elite status for a nominated partner + exclusive benefits/gifts unique to this status level
Those who have qualified will be receiving their individual personalized packages in the coming weeks. In the coming months we have additional functionality rolling out to facilitate the ability to track your progress toward achieving status in these new programs.
Thanks again for your feedback and continued loyalty."
For more details on what members are receiving and talking about please read the following threads:
FlyerTalk: 1,000,000 Million Milles Recognition from AC
CanFlyer: AC lifetime status
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