Friday, February 26, 2010

Mexicana & Visa: Buy 1 Ticket get 1 Free

Mexicana and Visa have teamed up to offer a free companion ticket on round trip flights in coach class from Canada to the Mexican beach destinations of Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Huatulco, and Puerto Escondido. To book this offer you must call 1-877-801-2010 and provide promo code VISAC2x1. Of course you have to pay with your Visa Card. You must book by Mar 12 for travel until Mar 30. Blackout dates are Mar 12-15 and Mar 26-Apr 11

Source: Visaperks.ca

WestJet announces service between Calgary & Windsor

Had this one in my bookmarks for the past week and forgot to post it,

WestJet will launch seasonal summer between Calgary and Windsor on May 31. The once daily flights will run until October 30.

Flight Timings:
Calgary-Windsor Dep 1000 Arr 1523
Windsor-Calgary Dep 1615 Arr 1814

Source WestJet

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Air Canada - Canada Wins Feb 25, 10

In celebration of Canada's recent wins:
Today only, buy one Tango Plus fare and get one free*
from Canada to international and Sun destinations
(excluding U.S. and Hawaii) valid for travel until May 31, 2010.

* The promo code applies only on bookings made for two passengers on same reservation file. Passenger must travel together on same itinerary. The discount will be displayed as 50% off each fare. Taxes, fees, charges and surcharges are extra on the discounted fare as well.

To get your discount, book with this promotion code right here at aircanada.com:
Promotion code
FQQW9Z21

* Book by February 25, 2010 at midnight from the city of departure.
* All travel completed by May 31, 2010.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Where's the bonus? Air Canada Calgary-Tokyo

As I was updating my Aeroplan Bonus Opportunities page on Rewards Canada with the just released Aeroplan Bonus offers for the new Air Canada routes out of Toronto, it got me thinking, why isn't there an Aeroplan bonus for the new Calgary to Tokyo route? The route starts sooner then the new Toronto routes and has been public knowledge for sometime, so why no bonus? Most airlines tend to offer some sort of bonus when launching a new route to drum up business and pull customers from other airlines. In the past week alone I have posted offers from Air Canada, American, Jet Airways and more for bonus offers on new routes, but somehow the new YYC-NRT service does not have one.

Did Air Canada/Aeroplan forget?
Highly unlikely.


Is it possible bookings have been strong since the service was announced hence no requirement of a bonus?
This is definitely possible.


Could it be that the flight only operates three times weekly?
Also a possibility, whereby offering a bonus on a not so frequent route may not add much to the bottom line, as most travellers who this offer would appeal to are looking for flights that fit their schedule which could mean not using the direct flights and routing though YVR


Of course only Air Canada and Aeroplan know why they are not offering a route bonus on this new route.

Perhaps Air Canada may put something up though as the competition, Japan Airlines just launched a systemwide double mile offer, accelerated elite status and other offers as an apology to their Bankruptcy issues, so some travellers may just choose JAL out of YVR for their Japan flights. ANA has also matched JAL's double miles offer but that would mean transitting in the U.S. as the bonus is only applicable to ANA metal, but once again several potential travellers may opt for this type of routing to take advantage of the bonus miles.

Changes to Air Canada's Calgary-Whitehorse service

According to Airline Route Updates, flights on Air Canada to Whitehorse will change from once daily CRJ-705 to twice daily CRJ-200 for the summer 2010 season.

Flight timings as follows:
AC8231 YYC1045 – 1230YXY CRJ D
AC8233 YYC2045 – 2230YXY CRJ x6

AC8230 YXY0730 – 1110YYC CRJ x7
AC8232 YXY1300 – 1640YYC CRJ D

Air Canada - Canada Wins Feb 24, 10

In celebration of Canada's recent wins, we're pleased to offer you:
Today only! Get 20% off any fare to Sun destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico plus Sydney Australia, for travel from Canada from April 5 to December 9, 2010.

To get your discount, book with this promotion code right at aircanada.com:

Promotion code
X44WHUQ1
  • Book by February 24, 2010 at midnight from the city of departure.
  • Fares are valid for travel from April 5 to December 9, 2010.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Air Canada Buy One Get One Free in Canada

(As mentioned by Paul in a comment below)

Go Canada! Buy one Canada fare, get one free*

We're proud to be the Official Airline of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games! Every time Canada wins a medal, you win too! We'll be featuring a different special offer right here at aircanada.com. Check back often.

In celebration of Canada's recent wins:
Today only, buy one Tango or Tango Plus fare for travel within Canada and get one free*. Valid for travel until April 30, 2010.

* The promo code applies only on bookings made for two passengers on same reservation file. The discount will be displayed as 50% off each fare. Taxes, fees, charges and surcharges are extra on the discounted fare as well.

To get your discount, book with this promotion code right here at aircanada.com:

Promotion code
QFMAGUC1
  • Book by February 22, 2010 at midnight from the city of departure.
  • All travel completed by April 30, 2010.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

American First/Business Class mistake fare to Miami

Looks like a mistake in the loading of a First Class fare for American Airlines flights between Calgary and Miami. Total price with all taxes in is about $712 (regular price can be as high as $4000) There seems to be tons of availabilty but you want to try to route through Dallas as the MD-80 on the YYC-DFW leg has business class and if you can, try to get the 777 between DFW and MIA for First Class. Avoid routing through Chicago as the YYC-ORD flight has no business or first class. This offer may die at anytime so take advantage soon. Also looks like it needs 21 day advance purchase.

Bookable on AA.com or Expedia.ca

Thanks to why fly on Canflyer for the heads up

Hot Deal! Mexicana Calgary-Mexico City from $209+tax roundtrip

This excellent offer was forwarded to me by Jody from YYC and is bookable until Feb 21, 10. It is valid for travel until Jun 10, 10 with the following blackout dates:
From Calgary: Mar 14-15, Apr 3-6, Apr 10-12, May 2-5
From Mexico City: Mar 12-14, Mar 25-28, Apr 11-12, Apr 30-May 2

You book this online at Mexicana.com* or call your travel agent.

* - We are partnered with Mexicana and by booking through this link you are helping support Iflycalgary.ca




Wednesday, February 17, 2010

YYC welcomes the Milestones Project

Here is a press release I received from YYC about a visual exhibit on display at our airport:

YYC welcomes the Milestones Project

Exhibit about diversity finds home at Calgary International Airport

CALGARY, AB – International travellers and returning Canadians will now be greeted with 35 images from the renowned-Milestones Project, a visual exhibit that aims to highlight our commonality through photos of children from around the world. As the first airport in Canada to host the exhibit, YYC is pleased to welcome the project, which has been founded by Dr. Richard and Michele Steckel.

“It is an honour to become part of the Calgary International Airport (YYC) community via our photographs and messages of mutual respect and understanding,” said Dr. Richard Steckel.

The Milestones Project is a collection of photos of children experiencing moments that are familiar to us all, from a child’s first steps to a first tooth. These ‘milestones’ show that despite race, culture or religion, everyone shares common traits and that those traits unite us. The exhibit can be seen throughout the Canada Border Services Agency’s international arrivals area at YYC.

“It is appropriate that when people come into Canada, whether they are visiting or coming home, they can see this display and be reminded that we really do celebrate diversity in this country,” said Garth Atkinson, President and Chief Executive Officer for The Calgary Airport Authority. “We are excited to be a part of this project.”

“CBSA is proud to host the Milestones exhibit,” said Candace Lyle, Chief of Operations at Calgary International Airport. “We feel that the location of the project is fitting considering CBSA is the first face of Canada.”

The Milestones Project was founded in 1998, and has been brought to Calgary with the assistance of Dexterity Consulting and various sponsors. It is a photographic tribute to humanity meant to inspire individual action to eliminate discrimination and create a culture of peace. For more information visit www.milestonesproject.com.

Air Canada - Canada Wins Promo Feb 17, 10

20% off any fare to our international and sun destinations for travel from Canada until December 31, 2010.

Book by February 17, 2010!

To get your discount, simply enter this promotion code when booking at aircanada.com:
Promotion code
CFBCGH81

* Book by February 17, 2010 at midnight from the city of departure.
* All travel completed by December 31, 2010.

Earn Double American AAdvantage Miles between Calgary and Chicago


To celebrate the launch of American Eagle's new service between Calgary and Chicago O'Hare, the AAdvantage program is offering double AAdvantage miles on all published fares between the two cities (and other new routes of Chicago, so if you connect to one of them you'll get even more miles). The promo runs from April 6 to June 30, 2010 and requires registration. You can find out more details on Rewards Canada's AAdvantage Bonus Mile Opportunities page.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Air Canada - Canada Wins Promo

From Aircanada.com:

Go Canada! Save 20 % on Executive First fares

In celebration of Canada’s recent wins, we’re pleased to offer you 20% off Executive First Flexible and Executive First Lowest fare types for travel from Canada to international destinations until December 31, 2010.

Book by February 16, 2010!

To get your discount, simply enter this promotion code when booking right here at aircanada.com:
Promotion code
NCAR6YG1

* Book by February 16, 2010 at midnight from the city of departure.
* All travel completed by December 31, 2010.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Air Canada reduces flights from Calgary to Western U.S.

The following Air Canada routes will be changing out of Calgary:
- Los Angeles will drop to 2 flights per day from 3
- San Francisco will drop to 1 flight per day from 2
- San Diego is cut fully after initial reports had it going from AC mainline to AC Jazz
- Phoenix is cut fully after initial reports had it running over the summer season on weekends.

There is always the possibility that Phoenix and/or San Diego will return for the winter season as those destinations rely more on Calgarians trying to escape winter.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Rocky Mountain Lounge Update

I had the pleasure of communicating with the Servisair Lounge Supervisor at YYC and she was kind enough to provide further news on this lounge after I asked if any airlines had contracted the lounge. Well as of yet no airlines have contracted the relatively new lounge in the YYC Transborder area but American Express Platinum card holders (Amex Platinum, Amex Business Platinum, Amex Corporate Platinum, Holt Renfrew Platinum, Aeroplan Plus Platinum and the Centrium Card) have access as do A-Circle, and Airport Angel members.

The pricing for the lounge has changed, probably to reflect the new rules of not allowing passengers through US Customs until 2 hours prior to their flight. The new rates are as follows: before 09:30 $20.00 / person and after 09:30 $25.00 / person

Monday, February 1, 2010

Continental expands Air Canada codesharing out of YYC

Continental has expanded their codesharing with Air Canada by adding their flight numbers to Air Canada flights between YYC and Castlegar, Ft. McMurray, Kamloops, Lethbridge and Seattle.

Source: Airline Route Updates