Comparing the Bahamas

Here's a bargain if you can go in the next 5 weeks. Sure, the weather here at home is still nice, but it's not BAHAMAS nice!

The hotel is the Wyndham. I've stayed at the twin sister Sheraton on the same 1/2 mile stretch of beach. (Cable Beach and it is seriously gorgeous!) I've even wandered thru the Wyndham but I have never stayed in the rooms. The Sheraton Cable Beach is amazing and I would stay there again in a heartbeat. It is about 10% more expensive than the Wyndham here on average.

For comparison, I searched the same week and destination for each of the next 5 months. All are Westjet packages and are the same flights. So... apples to apples.  As always, I recommend NOT making a decision on price alone. Do check the recent Trip Advisor reports on the destination and specific hotel BEFORE you book.

Typically the price in the 5star column for the Bahamas is Atlantis Resort. Which, as you know, is my favourite place on earth.

Aye Karumba!!! A week in Florida under $500.

Holy! Here's another super bargain.

This includes Westjet direct flights to Orlando (MCO) from Winnipeg (YWG), plus hotel and taxes for 7 nights.  It's current as of October 23rd at midnight.  The bargain was found at Expedia.ca

It can also be purchased through westjetvacations.com
You can choose from nearly 100 hotels with this package through expedia. The same can not be said through Westjet. However, if you have Westjet Dollars (earned through your credit card) you will have to book directly through Westjet.

In the 3rd photo you will see "Top Package Deals" and "Top Flight Deals." Note that the flight alone is $388 (an excellent price) but when purchased as a package, you can get 7 nights hotel (taxes/fees) for just an additional $100. OBVIOUSLY the package is the way to go here.

I pulled out the Westgate Town Center hotel as another example. It's 1 mile from Disney, is situated on the lake AND offers you a full kitchen. There are excellent savings to be realized here by cooking your (even a few) own meals.  The price quoted is for a 2br villa. And for me, the more space the better, always! Lastly, in choosing a hotel, I ALWAYS read the recent reviews. What are people like you saying..... this week, not 4 years ago. Current information is as valuable as gold.

This is an awesome deal. Really impressed with this. Typically, in packages this cheap, you get inconvenient flights or flights with multiple connections. This is Westjet and direct. Unbeatable!!

At Christmas you will pay 3-5 times this price. And Disney is celebrating Christmas in the parks already. Fake Christmas starts immediately after Remembrance Day. Been there... done that.... and LOVED IT!  I had "see the full size gingerbread house (as seen on Food Network) in the lobby of the Grand Floridian Hotel" on my bucket list. Checked it off in 2011.  You could too!


Here's the screen shot evidence of the deals:

Damn that's cheap!

Low taxes too. Love my redtag.ca grids!

Damn why do I have to work straight to November 4th?

Maybe win a trip?

I never did get a chance to see any of CTV's Amazing Race Canada, but I did enter their contest a couple of times. The allure of potentially winning a year's flight pass in Executive Class with Air Canada was almost dreamy.

But I didn't win.

But an unlimited flight pass for a year, well, that's my new fantasy.

Until then, I'll maybe enter a contest here or there and dream a bit. That's what gets me through the days when work is hard. I think about a sunny beach or a ball game or my next Vegas adventure.  When you work in an 8 foot stretch of windowless kitchen, you need to have an imagination. I'm testing out potential trips and routes and events in my mind. You really didn't think I was worrying about how much ketchup was left in the bottle, did you?

Here's another fun contest from Air Canada. Each week in October they are giving away 3 free trips. One to each of three destinations: Florida, New York and Vegas.  Maybe if I'm really lucky I'll win the New York trip. I haven't been there...yet!

https://www.aircanada-ssl.com/spintowin/public/en

5 Things to know before you travel (Anywhere)

Before you ever set foot on a plane or cruise off on your dream trip you need to know:

1. Are there any travel advisories from our government?  (weather, politics, disease)

2. What are other travellers saying about the destination right now? Tripadvisor.ca  Current reviews from real travellers are invaluable! Their tips and follies can save you money and potential mistakes.

3. What will the weather be like? (This will help you pack appropriately)

4. What are your emergency strategies? What is the Plan B if something goes wrong and your airline strands you? How will you survive if your wallet is stolen?

5. What are your potential health needs and what does your insurance cover? Do you have the 1-800 numbers handy for your credit cards/insurance providers/Government of Canada?

The better you prepare ahead of time, the safer you will be. All good trips are safe trips!

Go West with Air Miles from YWG

This week's Westjet discounts are good for Winnipeggers.

A flight for Gold collectors, from Winnipeg to Calgary is down to 1020 Air Miles for a return trip. The taxes will cost you just under $200.

www.airmiles.ca

As a comparison, I also looked at the non-discounted cash fares for the same dates, from YBR (Brandon) and they are $365 which is a very reasonable cash price.

There were no Air Miles flights available from Brandon for those dates. However, when you CAN get the Brandon/Air Miles flights it will cost 1475 Airmiles and about $200 in taxes. There just appear to be limited dates as the Brandon route is selling so well for Westjet already. And that, is a good thing!

All prices and notes are current as of October 7th, 9AM.

Hope someone gets the flight they need at a price they can afford out of this one! I just love it when people get a chance to re-connect with friends and family.

Please do drop me a note and let me know if you've had a chance to take advantage of any of the trips/bargains I've noted. Would be grateful for the feedback.

Have a happy Monday!

No Bargain

Somethings aren't worth the "bargain" price.  IMHO this would be one of them.

I'll have to say that I don't know anyone who would just hop on a plane to Mexico City. (This isn't a resort package to a 5 star beach!)  And with safety concerns and the negative stories in the media, I can't see that people would consider taking a family trip here.

If you're bald, buying a hairbrush on sale is no bargain.  Ditto, for this one.

We'll all have to wait to next week and see what airmiles.ca is offering then.

St. Lucia this weekend! $1000 AI

This looks like a delightful surprise. It's about half the usual price.

Of course it only works if you're not busy and you also have $1000 kicking around and time off work. But very cool if you do! St. Lucia is definitely on my travel TO-DO list.

Aircanadavacations.com  Here's the last minute search link.