What's a bargain?

I have a few basic guidelines for my travel purchases.

I am really focused on receiving great value without comprimsing safety, or quality.

I like a 4 star hotel at a 2 star price. If it means staying at that hotel on a Sunday instead of a Friday, to get the bargain, I will stay on a Sunday. That's the kind of compromise I'm willing to make.

I am NOT willing to stay at a poorly rated, rat hole of a hotel in Hawaii, just to be in Hawaii. Sometimes it means travelling in the off season, or less popular times, but that is worth it to me to get the experience I want at the budget I can afford.

To repeat... It's not about being cheap. I will save or change or forgo completely if the trip is not within budget. But if I'm going to spend my hard earned money, I want to be sure that it is WORTH IT.  A $800 flight to Florida would never be 'worth it' to me.


Flights Only:

Very briefly, I consider the following to be my 'good deal' prices: (From YWG airport)
Non-stop flight, where possible, return and includes taxes

1) Domestic flight (within Canada - BC to Ontario)                      $400


2) Domestic flight (within Canada - Maritime Provinces)             $550

3) Popular route USA (like Vegas, Phoenix, LA, Orlando, NY, Dallas, Chicago, Denver)       $500

4) Less popular USA, Alaska & Hawaii (routes with connections)           $600

5) Caribbean, Mexico & Costa Rica         $600

6) International, Including Europe, Scandinavia & Asia       $700

7) Australia        $900


Hotels: 

I consider most 4 star hotels a good price at $150 plus taxes
I consider most 5 star hotels a good price at $220 plus taxes

I consider most 4 star Vegas hotels a good price at $90 plus taxes/resort fees
I consider the 5 star Vegas hotels a good price at $129 plus taxes/resort fees


Packages: 

4 star, 7 night packages $1250 taxes included

5 star, 7 night packages $2400 taxes included

I expect to pay about 50% more for everything at Christmas and Spring Break time. Therefore, a good price for a flight in Canada at Christmas would be $600. I would consider that a decent Christmas bargain.

I won't call something  bargain, or draw attention to it, unless it fits my criteria of a bargain, or is exceptional in some other way.

Disney Cruise: Part 8... Current Prices

**Current as of December 3, 2013**

Your best source for Disney Cruise deals will be their own web site.  Right now there are special prices for Canadians being offered on 3 & 4 day cruises during January and February 2014.

Air fares to Florida, (MCO - Airport in Orlando) are an additional cost.

I recommend booking through your local travel agent. Cruises require additional documentation and paperwork and I have found the process seamless through CAA Manitoba Travel. PLUS, there are usually booking bonuses like on board credit, photo packages etc.

Regular price on a 5 day cruise on the Wonder. 

Choose a 4 day cruise on the Magic for $1000 less with Cdn discount. 

Have the best of everything with a Land & Sea package! 

It's an off week

Today I was looking at flight prices for my typical quickie trips (Phoenix, Vegas, Orlando) and the ones I dream about, like California and The Bahamas. Brutal. All the prices have gone up. Last week you could have bagged a round trip (tax in) to Phoenix for under $300. Same date, time, etc is now $582.

The Grand Forks to Santa Ana that I had flagged went up from $329 to $824 in the period of 10 days. Denver which was at $200 is now up at $239, so that's not a big jump... however an equal number of dates are sitting in the $400 range. (Pays to fly on a Wednesday or Sunday if you want the bargain.)

Its just the typical ebb and flow of flight sales. There will be sales and there will be regular prices that are much higher. Holiday dates and Fridays will always be more expensive.

Flight prices typically change on the Monday night or Tuesday of a week. Sometimes there are discount codes to apply, sometimes the sale comes up for everybody with no special codes. The Canadian Airlines are much more likely to offer "codes" than the US ones.

Really, it's about supply and demand. But, if you can spy a bargain and pounce when you see it, that's success! If you don't see a price you like, wait a few days or a week, see if it changes. HOWEVER, if you are within a month of your desired flight... anticipate that the prices will only rise as you get closer to the date. (Supply & demand)  The best prices statistically are 6-8 weeks out when the airlines strategically maneuver prices to fill their planes.

Flying within Canada? I can't remember any return flights less than $350 to anywhere. I generally consider anything under $500 to be a decent price within Canada. (All taxes and fees in.)