I was using a free Air Miles flight to Nanaimo, when Air Canada asked for volunteers to take bump and take a later flight in exchange for compensation. I volunteered. Why wouldn't I? I was on vacation and wasn't in a huge rush.
The Air Canada clerk thanked me for volunteering and another passenger gave me a hug. She bubbled over graciously thanking me for giving up my seat so she could get back to work on time. (She must love her job! LOL)
The next thing that happened was 'sit and wait.' Indeed, all the confirmed passengers made it to the flight and everyone was boarded. The A/C clerk confirmed the flight was full. Once the doors closed, he made a phone call to the A/C courtesy/help desk and advised them of our agreement.
I walked down to the help desk and about 10 minutes of paperwork ensued. At that point, I was given vouchers for meals, a hotel (which was a really fabulous hotel), my new boarding pass for the morning flight, AND an $800 credit for future Air Canada flights. Yup. Awesome.
After an average (but still free) meal, at the hotel restaurant I climbed into bed and drifted asleep thinking of all the places I could go with an $800 flight credit. France. Hawaii. California. Ahhh... dreams of California in January. Not a bad way to fall asleep.
And that's how I hit the travel jackpot.
Showing posts with label free. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free. Show all posts
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Tickets to Countryfest
You don't have to hop on a plane to catch some great entertainment. A short drive away, in Dauphin Manitoba, is an annual country music festival that boasts some of the biggest names in the industry. Tickets are sold, and sold out 6 months in advance. BUT, you can still grab a day pass (or even a VIP meet and greet) by cashing in your Air Miles. A day pass is just 1400 Air Miles!
Need a few more Air Miles? You can always stop by the MLCC and pick up a few as you grab your favourite beverage.
Need a few more Air Miles? You can always stop by the MLCC and pick up a few as you grab your favourite beverage.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
5 Ways to Fly for FREE
Absolutely, positively legit ways to fly for FREE, or next to free. This is how I stretch my travel budget. You can do it too.
1. Travel rewards credit cards. You pick - every bank has one whether it's RBC Avion, or Capital One Sky Miles or CIBC Aerogold. MoneySense magazine ranked them last year. Only you will know which card is best suited to your life. Read the fine print. Some cards will charge you taxes or booking fees for your "free flight" other cards, such as TD Infinite will allow you to cover 100% of your trip (flight, hotel, taxes, etc) with their travel points/dollars. That would make your flight 100% FREE.
** An average user, should be able to net a free flight at least every 2 years.**
2. Gas, grocery and on-line purchases with Air Miles or Aeroplan can add up. This could net you a FREE flight, or cruise, or hotel certificates. Some redemptions require that you pay the taxes.
**An average household could accumulate $400 in free travel every 2 years or more. A "gold" collector or an aggressive points collector should be able to do the same every 12-15 months.
3. Fly flexible with Delta Airlines. Delta Airlines is notorious for overbooking flights. This, in my opinion, is not a bad thing for the bargain traveller. The last 4 out of 5 flights I have taken with Delta, they have asked (through the check - in kiosk) or at the counter, for VOLUNTEERS to wait for the next flight. Upon accepting, you are offered travel vouchers anywhere from $200 to $600, PLUS meal stipend and perhaps even hotel. Indeed I have done this with very pleasing results. Follow my math on this example: I paid $283 (per person, round trip, tax in - unreal seat sale) for a flight to the Bahamas. En route Delta offered a $600 future flight voucher to "bump" and take the next flight out. We accepted (a party of 4 - yes, that's $2400) and 6 months later used the vouchers for 1.5 flights each. ($400 to California and $200 towards Vegas/Denver etc.) So, we got 2.5 flights for $283 cash out of pocket, or about $500 for 3 round trip flights per person. Thank you Delta!!
**The key to this is to pick a popular route, with less popular flight times to follow. This ensures that you have excellent odds of still making it to your destination same day. Also, be polite and aware at the gate. Be prepared to volunteer and then spend time chillin' at the airport.**
4. Ask for Air Canada gift cards from Santa. You'll fly for free once you have enough cards saved. This is NEW for the airline industry. Air Canada just started offering them 3 months ago. Westjet does not offer gift cards.... yet. Air Canada gift cards are available at any Canada Post outlet or online at AirCanada.com
5. Win your flight! More and more charity auctions are offering travel prizes. Plus, there are numerous on-line contests. Somebody has to win. Why not you? I personally know 2 people who have won such prizes in the last year or so. Maybe you'll be lucky #3!
1. Travel rewards credit cards. You pick - every bank has one whether it's RBC Avion, or Capital One Sky Miles or CIBC Aerogold. MoneySense magazine ranked them last year. Only you will know which card is best suited to your life. Read the fine print. Some cards will charge you taxes or booking fees for your "free flight" other cards, such as TD Infinite will allow you to cover 100% of your trip (flight, hotel, taxes, etc) with their travel points/dollars. That would make your flight 100% FREE.
** An average user, should be able to net a free flight at least every 2 years.**
2. Gas, grocery and on-line purchases with Air Miles or Aeroplan can add up. This could net you a FREE flight, or cruise, or hotel certificates. Some redemptions require that you pay the taxes.
**An average household could accumulate $400 in free travel every 2 years or more. A "gold" collector or an aggressive points collector should be able to do the same every 12-15 months.
3. Fly flexible with Delta Airlines. Delta Airlines is notorious for overbooking flights. This, in my opinion, is not a bad thing for the bargain traveller. The last 4 out of 5 flights I have taken with Delta, they have asked (through the check - in kiosk) or at the counter, for VOLUNTEERS to wait for the next flight. Upon accepting, you are offered travel vouchers anywhere from $200 to $600, PLUS meal stipend and perhaps even hotel. Indeed I have done this with very pleasing results. Follow my math on this example: I paid $283 (per person, round trip, tax in - unreal seat sale) for a flight to the Bahamas. En route Delta offered a $600 future flight voucher to "bump" and take the next flight out. We accepted (a party of 4 - yes, that's $2400) and 6 months later used the vouchers for 1.5 flights each. ($400 to California and $200 towards Vegas/Denver etc.) So, we got 2.5 flights for $283 cash out of pocket, or about $500 for 3 round trip flights per person. Thank you Delta!!
4. Ask for Air Canada gift cards from Santa. You'll fly for free once you have enough cards saved. This is NEW for the airline industry. Air Canada just started offering them 3 months ago. Westjet does not offer gift cards.... yet. Air Canada gift cards are available at any Canada Post outlet or online at AirCanada.com
5. Win your flight! More and more charity auctions are offering travel prizes. Plus, there are numerous on-line contests. Somebody has to win. Why not you? I personally know 2 people who have won such prizes in the last year or so. Maybe you'll be lucky #3!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Caribbean Summer
Last year we took the kids to the Turks & Caicos on Air Canada's "Kids Fly & Stay Free" promotion.
It was the first time in 5 years in watching the Turks & Caicos prices that I managed to get it under $1000 per person for a week. We went in July and it was stunning. We stayed at the Ocean Club right on the beach at Grace Bay.
Grace Bay is constantly named in the top 10 beaches on earth by every travel magazine and web site. And with good reason.
Air Canada's promotion is back. While it doesn't specifically mention flying out of Winnipeg, the offers are still applicable flying from Wpg thru Toronto. Check with your favourite travel agent if you have difficulty.
We booked thru CAA and had a wonderful, wonderful trip at a great price.
It was the first time in 5 years in watching the Turks & Caicos prices that I managed to get it under $1000 per person for a week. We went in July and it was stunning. We stayed at the Ocean Club right on the beach at Grace Bay.
Grace Bay is constantly named in the top 10 beaches on earth by every travel magazine and web site. And with good reason.
Air Canada's promotion is back. While it doesn't specifically mention flying out of Winnipeg, the offers are still applicable flying from Wpg thru Toronto. Check with your favourite travel agent if you have difficulty.
We booked thru CAA and had a wonderful, wonderful trip at a great price.
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