Finland Super-Bargain only from YWG

I've analyzed this incredible deal a number of ways:

Is it from all Canadian cities? No.
Is it to all major European destinations? No
Is it just one airline? No (All the big players are in on this price war.)
Is it just a few select dates? No.  (Bargains can be found right thru May 2016)
Is it just from Delta cities? No  (Prices are higher in the USA)

Here are the screenshots, take August 7th.  Please keep in mind that "C" in front of a price means Canadian Funds. US cities are shown is US dollars. (Thus converted to Canadian funds would be 25% higher still)  Everything is shown round-trip all taxes and fees included, except for the second photo which is a one-way fare, used for comparison.  Charts and analysis at shown below from the "On The Fly" app, which I absolutely love.

Even Manitoba Spring Break has a super price. (Departing March 27) But you have to fly back April 4th to get the best bargain. In some school divisions this would mean missing the first day back.

To read my original post on Finland, and why you should consider it for a future travel adventure, click here. 

Prices are subject to change without notice.

Half price of the typical fare. It's like a 2 for 1 deal. 

One way is more expensive than a return trip!

Base fare is just $130 to/from YWG to HEL. That's crazy! You'd pay more for dinner at The Keg.

Paris, $300 more as a destination. BUT, if you plan your Delta flights right, you can have a stopover in Paris for free. 

Helsinki? Adventure Awaits

There is a remarkable flight sale on right now. If you have ever dreamt of visiting Finland, you need to jump on this deal.

From Winnipeg, Manitoba (YWG) to Helsinki, Finland (HEL) for about $600, but as low as $558, depending on dates. There are lots of great dates in November, early December and late January for around $600.  (This is about half price!)  Many airlines participating in this sale, including Delta, KLM, Air Canada, Air France.

Paired with hotel for 5 or 6 nights, it can be had for under $1000. (shown below) Yes, that's return flights, hotel and taxes all included.

In November, the temperature is near 2C. It is the beginning of the winter season, similar in climate to Manitoba, except that it will be more of a damp cold due to it proximity to the Baltic Sea.

Visit your favourite agent to jump on this deal before it disappears.  There's even an opportunity for a stop over in Paris at no extra charge, if you book your flight times right!

Helsinki tourism link will whet your appetite for this adventure.

Finland is also the site of this year's World Juniors Hockey. However, during this event, prices will be much higher.

Fast 5 Travel Tips: All time best bargains

My personal list of travel bargain jackpots. All from the last 7 years.

5.  We added 4 nights in Florida to a hockey trip to Minneapolis for $275 per person. So we drove to MSP, watched my son play hockey, left the car at the hotel, then got on a plane to Florida for 4 days/nights at at amazing Hyatt resort.  Flew back to MSP and drove home. Would have been over $1000 per person if we'd flown from home.

4. Kids fly & stay free. A bargain found post-strike with Air Canada back in 2012. We took the kids to the Turks n Caicos Islands. Was under $$900 per person for a family of 4. Amazing value considering the regular price is about $6000 per family of 4 at a modest resort there.

3. Air Canada had Olympic specials in 2010 when Canada hosted the winter Olympics in Vancouver/Whistler. One such special landed me a $99 flight (& taxes)  to the Bahamas. So I went for a 3 day weekend. That was awesome.

2. Found a First Class Delta flight to Maui at Christmas, for $495 tax included, roundtrip. Yes, First Class at Christmas. Amazing! So, even with hotel and food we spent about $3000 for 8 days in Maui over the busiest holiday time of the year for a family of 4.  I think that was 2009.

1. $283 round trip flight from Minot to Nassau, on Delta. In transit, the airline offered us $600 per person (family of 4)  in future travel credits to bump & catch the next flight out. Yes! Hell yes, we took that deal.  So we then had 1 year to use the travel credits. We had 6 free flights to California out of those $2400 in credits in 2013/14.  Unbeatable travel bargain luck!

The Delta-fication of Westjet

September 15th, 2014.... the day Westjet started charging for checked baggage.

It was a Canadian thing. They were the most polite, most friendly, and the most, don't-worry-about-it airline. Welcome aboard... sure, bring your stuff, relax, let us pour you a coke and offer you a peanut-free snack.

Westjet, our little Canadian-engine-that-could. A jumpstart company founded in memory, heck not even 20 years ago, built on employee investment and partnership. No more community minded company than Westjet. Do you remember their Christmas commercial?  We all cried.

Today, all is forgotten as people take to Twitter to spew their aggression against baggage fees.

While baggage fees are getting all the buzz, they also announced a new tier system to their frequent flyer program. This is a pretty good advancement for folks who use Westjet regularly and for business travel.

These changes make Westjet a little more mainstream and a lot more Delta-like. This isn't a bad thing. Delta, which became a code-share partner of Westjet just last year, is one of the world's most successful airlines. 

Lastly, with both these airlines you can avoid (1) checked bag fee by carrying their credit card. With their signature credit card you are awarded this privilege. Plus, you also earn credit towards future flights. 

Are you onboard? 

See the Boston Red Sox

Are you a baseball fan? Wouldn't it be amazing to see the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park?  Yes it would! And if you start planning the trip now, you'll nab a bargain.

Delta Airlines has Boston (BOS) Logan Airport on sale NOW. This is true for dozens of departure cities across North America.  In some cases, flights are about 40% off. Sale dates appear straight through until August.

Sales and preferred dates don't last long. I'm guessing you have a 2-3 day window to book your flight. After that you can take your time booking the rest of your baseball dream trip. You might even want to rent a car for a day or two and see Cape Cod and the ocean. How about a seaside lobster roll? Doesn't that sound like a well-rounded week? Now you can sell it as a couples' vacation to your spouse! LOL

Step by step: 

1. Go to the Boston Red Sox schedule and pick the game(s) you like. Baseball often plays 2-4 days in a row at home. This should give you a chance to pick a couple different opponents you wish to see. (Make sure your dates don't align with major holidays/events, unless you wish to pay more)

2. Run your dates through an iphone app like "On The Fly" to get flight prices. (See screen shots below.) Or, go straight to Delta.com. You can then book through whatever travel service you like. If you want to double dip.... go to airmilesshops.ca and then click through to expedia.ca. You will be booking through a trusted operator, plus collecting Air Miles on the value of your purchase. (Which of course, when accumulated can later be used towards a different trip. See how I do this? )

3. Get tickets to the games. Cheapest thru the Boston Red Sox site, but you can also use Stubhub.com if you are looking to score particular seats or a game that is normally hard to get tickets to. Expect to pay more.

4. Watch for hotel deals near Fenway. This is the easy part. No rush...though good to start looking now and watch for loyalty specials with your favourite chain.

Total estimated costs per person:

Flights: $365
Tickets $100 (2 games)
Cabs to/from airport: $35*
Hotels 5 nights $300*
-----------------------------
$800

*Cost split between 2 people
Food/souveniers/tours extra

For my examples I have searched and chosen May 28-31st games. You could see the Atlanta Braves and the Tampa Bay Rays.  There are substantial savings with this flight sale. Best rates are out of GFK. You can choose flight times in both directions that do NOT NECESSITATE an overnight stay in Grand Forks. Awesome flight times available. ***If you don't already have a Delta Skymiles loyalty account. Make sure to sign up first. It costs nothing!

Now that you're booked, enjoy! You've got something amazing to look forward to this summer!

Rhode Island in the Fall

Sometimes I feel like I write about the same or similar destinations all the time.

What about Providence, Rhode Island this time?  While I've never been, I understand it's a very quaint and laid back coastal area. It is the third largest city in the state and is known for its performing arts centre, its architecture and its place in US history. (It was one of the original 13 colonies of the USA.) And, of course, it's proximity to the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS and Foxborough Stadium! Oh, and it's the state capital.

If you want to see the New England Patriots play, rent a car and drive to Foxborough which is only about half an hour away. Foxborough is halfway between Providence and Boston.

To learn more:  www.visitrhodeisland.com would be a good place to start.

The airport code for Providence, RI is PVD.

These discounted flights are available through Minot, Grand Forks and Winnipeg.  Grand Forks being the least expensive. Lots of dates available!

Maybe you'd like to go the week of October 27th and see the Miami Dolphins play?

Here's the sample chart that shows the availability of the bargains Delta is offering.

Time to buy flights

Tuesday is typically the day when airlines adjust their prices, sell off last minute fares and start their sales.

Today, is a good day!

Delta has LOTS of bargains. Fly to California (round trip) into the John Wayne Airport for $301 taxes included. Many dates available.  $301 from MOT. $322 from GFK and $428 from YWG.

Fashion Island Mall, Newport Beach Cali

If you are interested in the Newport Beach area and the (fabulous!) Hyatt Newport Regency hotel you can flip back through this blog for lots of info on this great destination.

United had raised their flights to Denver back into that $360 range, but today it's actually sitting at $150 again. I simply must find a weekend in Denver this Spring!

Phoenix flights are $273 round trip from MOT. Though YWG is $525.

Want to go to Texas? Delta will take you to DFW, IAH or AUS for about $300. Rather fly to/from Winnipeg? Be prepared to double that price.

It's a good time to buy your summer flights, if you are in the market.

Our California Adventure

9 Hole Golf Course at Back Bay/Newport Beach Hyatt

Consider this a heads up on a series of my California reviews. I certainly will have lots to share from our brief time in California.  We had a memorable time!

Over the next few days I hope to tell you:

Why flying into SNA was better than LAX.
Why I LOVE the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach.
The genius-ness of a coffee bar that converts daily into a modern lounge.
Why I chose taxis over renting a car.
How I golfed in January for $25.
Why rain isn't a bad thing.
Bargains on Balboa Island.
Why I chose club seats again.
How we met Teemu Selanne.
How breathtaking palm trees are to me.
Why high priced patio cocktails and Twitter = fun.
About my patio lunch at Bloomingdales.
Fish and fabulous shops of Fashion Island.
Why I, for a moment, wished my feet were size 6, not 8.
Matthew the valet and the Canadian $5.
And how I did something I hadn't done in 27 years.
Why I never did see Mickey Mouse, and I'm ok with that.

Just a quick footnote, today's prices from YWG, MOT and GFK  to SNA, are $485, $370 & 344 respectively for an assortment of 4 day stays in February and March. Those are return prices, taxes included for flights only. Hotels and fun are extra.

 

Sports trips

Some of these have to be booked at the last minute... like playoff games. But they are do-able. My brother and I went to a Stanley Cup Playoff game in Tampa Bay in 2011. We went on 8 days notice. As soon as the teams were set for the eastern finals, I took a look at the schedules and found us a flight to Tampa.

Best sports trip ever!  We managed to get tickets (stubhub) 10 rows off the ice. We got to see Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins) shut down the Lightning. He was unreal that game and later went on to win the Vezna that year.  He was definitely the story of the Stanley Cup. And we saw that!

This year, right now, I have to say Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are THAT story. They hit the playoffs at home on January 12th.  If you book now, TODAY, you can grab a Delta flight out of Minot, Fargo or Bismark for less than $200 return. (taxes all in).

Add that to a $300 game ticket, $200 hotel and $200 for food and you have an unbelievable life experience. If I were you, I'd go. GO NOW.