Need a hotel this weekend?

Here's a quick little deal. All you need to do is use the www.expedia.ca iphone app to book your hotel. Easy-peasy when you're on the road.

Summer flights to Maui

Just when I thought this week was going to pass without any notable bargains, I spied this anomaly.

Screen shot from the On The Fly App

The sale fare is from Winnipeg (YWG) to Maui (OGG) on United Airlines.

Depending on the number of days you stay prices vary in that $600-$680 range. There are excellent flight times available. This is a flight price only, but it does include all taxes etc for the return trip.

Prices are higher, and back to that $850 range by September.

In Maui I stayed at the Maui Coast Hotel and would recommend it. Many people choose to rent condos. There are also some pretty exclusive hotels like the Ritz-Carlton, Westin, Four Seasons, Hyatt Regency etc.

Whatever your budget, you can start a bargain trip with this airfare from YWG. It's at least $200 higher per person to fly out of the USA on this one.

Incidentally, $617 is the round trip price from Edmonton or YEG and it is much closer to Maui!

This appears to be a sale from Canada, by United.  Thanks United!

Pool view at the Maui Coast Hotel

International Peace Gardens

Take a day trip!





Looking for a "one tank trip" close to home?  Why not drive to the International Peace Gardens at the Manitoba - North Dakota border near Boissevain?

It is located on Manitoba Highway #10 and is just about an hour south of Brandon.

The Peace Gardens are more than floral displays. They also showcase artifacts commemorating our history of friendship and partnership across the border, including concrete peace towers symbolizing our togetherness.

Steel girders from New York and the 911 tragedy are in a memorial display there as well.

This is a popular site for school tours and is a welcoming tourist stop. Plan for 90 minutes or longer to visit. If you plan to include lunch double your time allotted.

Using Hotwire or Expedia Unpublished

I've only used the Hotwire.com "blind" hotel pick a few times, but I've always been pleased with the results.

There are literally hundreds of different sites and ways to book your hotel room. And each way leads to the exact same room. There are not magic CAA rooms, Hotwire, Expedia, gold club, or unicorn rooms. Each and every room can be used, paid and stayed in the same manner. Prices will vary widely, and each booking site takes a commission.

Hotel nights, like event tickets are consumable and worthless if not used.

A hotel could have 200 rooms sit empty at $200 a night. Or they could sell off some of those at a discount (say, $125 a night). $0 times 200 is $0.   Or, 20 rooms at $125 is $2500. Obviously it's better to make $2500 than zero.

The "hotwire" method is to choose a location, price and amenities first and then gamble on which hotel you will receive. You must pay (by credit card) your entire stay BEFORE they reveal to you which hotel you are staying at.  But once the money transfer is complete, you know instantly.

Expedia.ca is offering this same savings and service. They call them "unpublished" hotel rates. I have booked with Expedia as well and so far (I have a stay next month) never been disappointed.

The Expedia hotel I just booked is listed on most travel sites, including the hotel's own site between $132 & $145 per night. When I bought it "blind" I paid $80 per night. I saved over $200 on a 4 night stay. This is good because I plan to use that $200 on event tickets. This is a 3 star hotel which offers free breakfast, free internet, pools, games room, shuttles and more. By knowing the amenities it offered and its verified class (3 star) I knew it would meet our needs regardless of the name.

If you are brand loyal, or have platinum status with a particular hotel chain, this is likely not the service for you. However, if your travels are a little more flexible and you are more interested in events/activities than your pillow brand, you might love this service, like I do.

Short Stay in Toronto?

Here's a bargain on a direct Westjet flight. There are morning and evening flight times to choose from. I've always said if that you can go anywhere in Canada under $400 per person return, it's a good deal.

To pair it with a hotel, I've turned to Hotwire.com to see what they have. 

Here's a great deal for a 4 star Downtown hotel. If you're willing to "gamble" on a brand of hotel, in a specific location, Hotwire is an excellent choice. Especially when 90% of the Hotwire customers who stayed at this hotel give it the thumbs up. 

So, for about $700 per person, you have a great 4 night Canadian vacation get away. 

Allegiant - A profitable little airline

I found this article on Allegiant Air very interesting.

Allegiant Air "A scrappy little airline"

Allegiantair.com

Brandon to Banff: Planning a Road Trip to Remember

Statistically, it's about 1200km in each direction. The value of a family road trip... priceless.

Let's say you are planning 7 days on the road. This is how it might look:

1) Brandon to Swift Current, SK (6 hours)  A low key day of driving and a night in a hotel with a pool.

2) Swift Current to Drumheller, AB (5 hours) Arrive by 3pm and enjoy an evening of touring the town and visiting Dino attractions. See the tourist centre and climb the T-Rex. Stay at the Best Western Jurassic Inn

3) A full day at the Royal Tyrell Museum  (Admission $11 per adult; Under 6 free) There is so much to see and do here. Plan to spend the day. Great outdoor spaces too for a breath of fresh air and a little running/climbing to take the edge off. Stay a 2nd night in Drumheller.

4) Drumheller to Banff (3 hours)  Enjoy the beauty of the mountains and explore this National Park  Family Pass to the park is about $20 for the day. Plan for about $30 a night to camp or at least $200 per night for hotel. Choose to stay 20 minutes down the road in Canmore Alberta at $150 or less.

5) Back to Calgary for a day at the Zoo.  Ride passes are extra. Then a short drive to Medicine Hat to grab a hotel for the night.

6) It's 8 hours home from here. Do you have one last hotel stop and water slide night? Or is it time to book it home?

7) Home Sweet Home!







Estimated costs associated: $1535 for 7 days total.

5 tanks of gas at $75:    $375

3 nights hotel at $140: $420
4th night free (Loyalty Program Reward)
5th night hotel $150:  $150

1 Night camping $40

Family passes to museum, park and zoo:  $100

Road snacks and souveniers:   $150

Meals at $50 per day average for family, 6 days:  $300
----------------

To find savings on the road trip I would suggest the following:

Stay at the Best Western chain of hotels. They have a summer reward plan made for road trips like these. Simply register in advance for their (free) rewards program. Then book your nights. You can even book with a CAA or Military Discount. Just be sure to book with the chain, not through a 3rd party booking service like Expedia or Hotwire.  Then if you have Airmiles, go to their site and redeem 950 airmiles for a $100 gift card for the Best Western Chain. You can use it as payment at any of their hotels.

Look for Calgary Zoo admission coupons in Alberta tourist centres or on their web site for a discount here.

Collect Airmiles at Shell Canada on gas, or Aeroplan miles at Esso.

Pack a cooler of drink boxes and snacks before you go. Car bingo and movies on the DVD player are a must as well! And don't forget the camera!