iancal

14 hours ago, em-sk said:

 

If the flight is canceled or delayed by more than three hours the airlines has to offer the passenger the next available flight (on their own or a partner airlines flight) and a seat is available in the same class of service.    If the delay would result in arriving over 9 hours late then they have to also offer to rebook onto a competing airline if space is available. 

 

The 48 hour limit is a special case when it is due to a snow storm or other event that shutdown the entire airport..

 

What I find annoying is that WestJet switched to outsourcing their gate staff in all the secondary airports (including Victoria).  The contractors don't have training/access to reroute onto non-partner airlines.  They basically have to call into Calgary to have someone do it for them.  

 

The financial compensation only kicks in if the reason for the delay is under the control of the airline.  That is where they are playing games by claiming everything is out of their control which is nonsense. 

 

Canadian airlines are also required to move passengers around or assign seats at no cost to ensure that young kids are seated next to their parents.  

 

Here is the details.  https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/air-passenger-protection-regulations-highlights

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

The real question is the 'they have to' part actually practiced????  No different than the thousands of comp requests that have been turned down.  Or couples who have each claimed but received entirely different reasons why the airline refused their claim.

When I pay a premium for my seat on a long trip I am hardly going to give it up to some family member who decided to cheap out and not pay for their specific seats when in reality they all want to sit together.

After a 7 hour delayed flight in Faro, as we were in line to board the aircraft, Transat personnel came along and handed each person a one page explanation of their EU261 consumer flight rights...including instructions on how to claim.   

Can you just imagine AC, Westjet, Transat, etc doing that for delayed domestic flights???    I certainly cannot.

The EU261 rules, IMHO, really demonstrate how truly impotent the Canadian Transport Agency is when it comes to consumer rights and the enforcement of those sub standard  rules in practice.

2 minutes ago, em-sk said:

 

The Canadian rules are not as good as in the EU.  That is clear.

 

That said, they still force the airlines to reroute passengers onto competing airlines which I think is the critical item.  Compensation is nice but not as critical in my view.

 

Our impression is that Canadian airlines are skirting all of the rules ....including rerouting passengers when they can get away with it.

In our experience Canadian airlines will usually offer nothing or a small amount hoping that customers are ignorant of their rights.

My understanding is that Canadian airlines can cancel a flight.  They have up to 48 hours to provide an alternative without penalty. No so great for someone who is going away for the weekend.

My understanding from a few years ago is that you can do evisas, or visas on arrival only at certain airports within Vietnam.   

We were crossing by land from Cambodia so an evisa (or visa on arrival) was not permitted.   Hence we had to send our passports out while we were in Cambodia to the Vietnamese consulate in another city.  It was overnight.  Back at 4PM the next day as I recall.

We flew into Cambodia (Siem Reap) from Thailand without a Cambodian visa.  We were able to get a visa at the airport.  It took about 10 or 15 minutes.   Of course, it could be different now.

Cambodia was not a challenge for us.  Vietnam was different but once we figured out what we needed to do and who in Siem Reap to use it was a cake walk.

On 9/2/2022 at 5:15 AM, 6rugrats said:

The US is not even close to "catching up" to EU261/2004.  As already stated, these new regulations are really not much different from what already was in place, but it makes a good news story.  

My understanding is that the non EU countries like the UK and the Scandinavian countries have very similar, if not identical rules as EU261.

Canada has no real rules.  The rules have been purposely developed by the Transportation Agency to  have huge 'get out of jail' holes for the airlines.

It has made it very easy for Canadian airlines to skirt the rules and routinely  deny compensation. 

 The challenge is that the airlines had far more input into those rules  than did consumer groups.  They are designed to be essentially toothless and unenforceable  in practice.

When we lived in Vancouver we purchased a cruise on Wednesday.  Embarked on Saturday.

Now we live within an easy drive so we tend to look at the late booking...and the very late booking specials.   We can be there in a day.

Some of the last minute pricing for Alaska cruises over the past few years has been incredible.  Seems like a supply inbalance.  Lowest we have ever seen for 7 days was prior to covid.  $269 for an inside on Zaandam mid summer. No idea what the cabin was like though.  Saw the same price on NCL...the Sun I recall.

The 'math' does not work for us.

Yes.  

At least once when we waited too long to buy a late booking cruise.  The verandahs were sold out.

Instead, we spent the time cruising around our backyard.

Learned our lesson.

38 minutes ago, em-sk said:

 

Legal requirements in Europe are very consumer friendly.  They apply to EU based airlines and non-EU flights when they depart from EU countries. 

 

This is the US catching up.   Many but not all US airlines have a history of also doing the right thing even if not required by law.  

They also apply to EU carriers who fly from North America to an EU airport. 

 For us, all things being equal, we will select a Lufthansa, KLM, TAP,  Air France, etc. in preference to a domestic NA airline when flying to Europe.

Our compensation came from a Canadian carrier, Transat.  Frankly, we were surprised that our 600euro claim was accepted and paid without hesitation.

As far as I know this has always been fairly standard.  The only exception was weather delays. In the past we have had airline provided meal vouchers, hotels, and cabs when we have missed connecting flights.

Last month we were 7 hours late leaving Faro, Portugal.  It was a daytime flight.  We were given a mail voucher.   I also claimed compensation under the EU airline rules. 

 We claimed 600Euro each from the airline in late June.  We each got a cheque in early August for the equiv. of 600euro.

I can sleep on the plane. Even before blast off.   DW not so much.   We typically get to our hotel in Europe...Athens or London, just after noon.  Sometimes we have to wait several hours to get in, sometimes not. 

Our practice is to nap for an hour or so, shower, and then get out and walk about.  We are a little tired in the late afternoon.  We have a light meal and then we get to bed by 10.

Next day we feel fine.  The very last thing we want is to sleep for an extended time in the afternoon and then have trouble sleeping at night.    We have done this for years. Of flights to Europe and to flight to SE Asia.

We spent eight weeks in Mexico on our pre covid snowbird trip.  Independent travel.  Five weeks of which was spent going up the Pacific coast from Huatulco.

We are spontaneous travelers.  We originally booked three nights in Acapulco.  We enjoyed it so much that we extended it to six nights.  We used public transport.  We were out at night for dinner, etc.

We never felt unsafe or threated.   When we travel we are very aware of our surroundings and do not do things like wear expensive jewelry or flash money about where people can see it.  

The industry has not recovered.

The one thing that holds true pre covid and post covid is that pricing is based on supply and demand.  Just like it is for hotels, airline seats...everything really.   

Like others have mentioned, a few of our best last minute offers in the past were not advertised.   They came about when we emailed our TA at the time about taking advantage of another late booking. 

 Her response was always one of three.  Yes, I will book this for you.

  Or....I have another more competitive unadvertised offer for you to consider. 

Or...yes but I think you should wait a few days to book this because my info says this late booking price is about to drop again and there are still balcony cabins available.

It is why we never booked direct with a cruise line and why we have never been so called 'loyal' to any one cruise line.    We prefer to cherry pick.

Just as annoying as people who purposely speak in a loud voice when using their cell phones so that everyone within hearing distance can understand just how important and special that person really is.

We were in a restaurant in Italy where a tourist was doing exactly this.  The server came over and gave him an ultimatum.  Either get off the phone immediately or exit the restaurant. 

 The entitled person was less than pleased and more than a little embarrassed. 

When we decided to go carry on only the next thing we did after buying international size carry on rollers was to think about what we wanted to take. And what we knew made no sense whatsoever to drag along for weeks on end.

First decision was shoes.  One pair on our feet, one very light pair in the bag.  DW takes two and places on pair in my bag since there is room.

Second was fabric.  Only lightweight easy care (in case we had to rinse things out in a pinch) fabrics made it.  Layered clothing with matching colors.

No coats.  Just a light cotton sweater and an all weather nylon shell with hood. Even when we leave home in the winter to to to the airport.  Valuable jewelry stays home or goes into the safe deposit box while we are away.  We have no reason and no desire to impress anyone with bling.

The other thing that we realized is that travel stores often sell expensive clothing.   We both know about fabric.  Some of my best travel shirts than have come from Costco of all places.  One or two have seen trip after trip for five years.  Now replacing one or two because I am tired of them.

Finally...we cut out all the just in case stuff.  Just in case we end up on Mars where there are no stores, nor services, no suitable product.   We have found the opposite.  Especially when it comes to drugs-OTC and prescription.  No duct tape, no hooks, none of those useless (to us) dollar store items that push our bag weight over 8-8.5KG.   The last time I needed a good tape was six years ago in Hong Kong.  The airline check in clerk look at the handle on by carry on and said let me tape that up for you.  Better than duct tape...plastic baggage tape.

This has made us good to go on extended land trip and those that are sometimes punctuated with last minute cruises.

Over the years we have been surprised a few times at deeply discounted cruise prices during popular vacation periods when we really did not expect it.

We very infrequently enjoy any protection other than that provided by our credit cards against vendor non delivery or bankruptcy.

Just about all of our cruises are booked in the final payment window.  That means we pay the entire fare with no recourse.   Often 45 days or so prior to sailing.

Once on Princess, I was able to change my cabin mate from my father to my spouse because of a medical issue.  Two weeks from sail date .  Princess was incredibly helpful/flexible, as was our TA. 

There was only, at that time,  a $25USD admin charge attached to that change.

We were in Portugal in May/June.  We bought a bottle of wine at the Pingo Doce grocery store.  Same bottle a few times in different stores.  

While we were waiting at Faro Airport I went into the duty free.  Same wine was for sale.....at just under 3X the price I paid over the previous 3 weeks.

2 hours ago, slidergirl said:

I stayed in hotels for all but one 3 night part of my trip to France & Italy last month.  The one was a studio apartment in Aix-in-Provence.  I saw it pop up on several blogs.  It was in a perfect location on the Cours Maribeau.  I went in with my eyes wide open about apartment rentals.  It went problem-free.   

That said, I will always pick a hotel over a rental IF the location permits.  

I didn't notice the hotel pricing in Europe and Washington DC (a few days ago) to be what it has been for awhile.  And, the hotels were full.  What was surprising was the rental car prices for both.  I rent the manual transmission "econo box" cars in Europe and it was more than what I remember paying a few years ago.  DC was a shocker - $1000 for an econo box for 6 days...

 

hint on vacation rentals - stick to the people who are "super hosts" as they have passed certain over-and-above standards.  

I also rent standard transmissions.  In many parts of Europe I prefer having a standard.   We like getting the Fiat Panda.  Both of our carry ons fit exactly in the back luggage area with the security cover on them!

Rentals were very expensive in Portugal this past May/June And my understanding was that they could be difficult to get in some places in the Algarve. 

 But...I priced one and two week rentals through autoreurope on Crete for mid October and the rates were only slightly highter than usual.  The rentals we priced for Toronto in Sept. were more than double what we have paid in the past.

Our distinct impression is that US and Canadian hotel rates are up, up, up.  Especially the MIA and FLL rates we have shopped from time to time.  Despite that, we booked a local airport hotel for the same price as we have paid for the past three years or so.

We did not find increased prices in Portugal on our recent 5 week May/June trip.  With the exception of one area.

I have been shopping Greece for Sept/Oct.    Hotels seem on par to what we paid two years ago...and in the past. 

Just booked an AI in Puerta Vallarta this week  for ten days in late November.   Rate was very much on par with past trips.  But...air was up 15-20 percent.

Booked a week at a 5 star resort in Thailand for March 1.  The rate was an absolute bargain. So much so that we might do another 7 days there on our snowbird trip.  Air is up by 30 percent but we expect it to decrease closer to the end of the year.

We do everything from family run B&B's to six star resorts.  Did an apartment in Madeira for five days in May.  Very reasonable.  We have never done an airbnb or vrbo.

If they are anything like the Australian one they will be a snap.  Fill out a  short form,  provide your credit card number, enter, it is over.   Visa arrives in less than 5 minutes.

I keep left over euros, GBP's, USD's, Mex peso, and Thai bhats in my dresser drawer  We like to have at least enough for cab fare on our next trip. 

Plus a rather heavy bag of coins from around the world that I need to remember to drop off on the next international flight coin donation tube.

You cannot tell when fares will be the lowest.  We enjoyed one incredibly priced  balcony late booking on Celebrity  over Xmas.   Miraculously we were able to good last minute air.   We did a March spring break Caribbean three days prior to sailing when we touring Florida. 

Ditto for a last minute March break sailing from San Diego.  Jumped in the car and drove down the length of the I 15 and then toured on the way home.  It was an 8 day Carnival cruise.  One of our all time favorites.  We had a blast and still talk about it.  Service, food, entertainment was as good as we had ever had any of the other mass market lines.

We flew Halifax (or was it St Johns) to Dublin. It was fine.

But really, you have take each flight on its own.  They can be great one trip and mediocre the next.

Have flown many flights on Westjet-all over western Canada, Mexico, and Toronto.   It is an OK airline.  Nothing special.    Just booked it to Mexico in November...based on price and a nonstop from Calgary.

It was on time.  In flight service was fine.  No idea about the meal.  I probably passed on it if there was one.   We flew economy.

On 8/23/2022 at 10:40 AM, marazul said:

I think this is part of a myth about traveling in southern Europe.  For example, that there are always random strikes in Italy - FALSE, they are rare and they are scheduled on a website months ahead of time.  Or that there are transportation breakdowns in Greece - NOT, at least not any more than anywhere else.  Or, that you are almost certain to miss the boat if you do private tours - NOT so.  These are first world countries with infrastructure and professionals to match.  Inconveniences and accidents happen, but that's life and there are alternatives.  Yes, the level of stress is less and laid-back attitudes are more, but things work well.  Maybe not like at home (wherever that is), but you are not at home.  

 

I will add a similar anecdote to cruisemom's.  We were on Santorini for a few days and planning to take the hydrofoil to Mykonos the next day.  The meltemi winds were blowing pretty hard and, unbeknown to us, ferry companies were canceling routes for the next couple of days.  We arrived back at the hotel in the evening and were surprised to find out that our Greek travel agent had arranged for us to stay an extra night at the hotel, reissued our ferry tickets and adjusted the reservation for the Mykonos hotel.  And I wish we could find that level of professionalism everywhere.

This is why we tend to be very spontaneous travelers when we are on extended land trips.   Over many years the only times we have been inconvenienced was once on a pre announced 8 hour transit strike in Venice and with weather on the Adriatic or Med. 

 We have been to Italy numerous times....never encountered a rail strike that caused any significant impact on us.    Exact same for Portugal rail disruptions this past June.  

You can sign up for late deals by geography at Princess.  Celebrity and RCI publish 'Tuesday' specials.  We check one of the '90 day lists' and get email from another very large on line agency with their late booking offers on all lines.

If we were interested in a late booking our former TA would check and sometimes come back with a more attractive offer that was not advertised, was about to be advertised, or a fare that she had knowledge of it being reduced again within a few days.  Alas, we are on our own for the next one!