Airmiles Armchair Chatter

[dancin Disney style]

Thank you for the Pearson report. It's just what I needed to hear.

Anyone have thoughts on booking with WestJet now for a flight in late April. Great seat sale now. My inclination is to wait and see how they do over the next few months (re cancelling flights etc) and book in February. Flight is YOW-YYZ-LAX April 30-May 6

Westjet is no better, no worse than anyone else. I personally have never had any issues with them and nothing but excellent customer service. However, there is lots of negativity towards them.

Your best bet is to find either the flight with the best price or best schedule. Be aware though that booking months in advance the likelihood of a time change is very high. That goes for all carriers. At this time I’m not game to fly Swoop or Flair or any similar….no matter how cheap. Those no fills carriers are not reliable.

 

[ottawamom]

As I can't get the answer from AM today. If I cancel a reservation (refundable) made through AM do I get the taxes and fees returned to my CC as well as the AM into my account? Second guessing my choice of hotel as I've found a better deal for tickets and hotel on the Disneyland site.

 

[hihohiho]

As I can't get the answer from AM today. If I cancel a reservation (refundable) made through AM do I get the taxes and fees returned to my CC as well as the AM into my account? Second guessing my choice of hotel as I've found a better deal for tickets and hotel on the Disneyland site.

I just did this yesterday! I got the Airmiles back within minutes, and they refund the credit card but minus the $10 booking fee.

 

[bababear_50]

When I cancelled a Hotel using Airmiles ,,I got them back into My account right away. (Orlando Universal Hotel).
Credit card took a few days.
Hugs Mel

 

[Donald - my hero]

I've been REALLY struggling these past few months, motivation is basically gone and diet isn't going very well - trying to reintroduce as much as we can before we head south in February. I reached about rock bottom last week and told hubby I wanted to cancel the trip - worried about what I will be able to eat and his answer? Oh hell-to-the NO, let's book a shorter trip ASAP as a trial run Ever mention how much I love that man?!

I've spent the bulk of the weekend pricing out various options, using miles completely, using some miles & cash combined, booking a package thru WestJet, Air Canada, Costco, Expedia, flights separately, hotel direct and I'm going cross-eyed over all the numbers!

Easiest solution of course, would be to upgrade our longer stay to something that has some kind of cooking facilities but that seems to be $$$$, akkkkk

​

 

[ottawamom]

I understand the headache all those #'s can cause. I finally broke down and made up a spreadsheet for comparison purposes. While I haven't booked anything but the hotel yet I have solid plans as to what I'm going to do for flights and park tickets once the right moment arrives. That is half the battle right there.

Decided not to do a Disneyland Good Neighbour package afterall. It would be $200 cheaper but I'd have to deal with package cancellation terms and conditions or get travel insurance. Not worth the $200 for me. (we do have travel medical through DH work)

You're so lucky, a mini trial trip. Sleep on your plans it'll become clear with a little time.

 

[bababear_50]

You'll get there Hon....
Hugs Mel

 

[tinkerone]

I've been REALLY struggling these past few months, motivation is basically gone and diet isn't going very well - trying to reintroduce as much as we can before we head south in February. I reached about rock bottom last week and told hubby I wanted to cancel the trip - worried about what I will be able to eat and his answer? Oh hell-to-the NO, let's book a shorter trip ASAP as a trial run Ever mention how much I love that man?!

I've spent the bulk of the weekend pricing out various options, using miles completely, using some miles & cash combined, booking a package thru WestJet, Air Canada, Costco, Expedia, flights separately, hotel direct and I'm going cross-eyed over all the numbers!

Easiest solution of course, would be to upgrade our longer stay to something that has some kind of cooking facilities but that seems to be $$$$, akkkkk

View attachment 709474​

If you are anything like me, a 'now' vacation is what is called for. We have the family cruise/WDW vacation booked for Feb. but that seems so far away. So very happy we have our 'us' vacation coming up in less than two weeks.
Hope you get things worked out. Would renting DVC points help with your needs at all? I'm sure you have already thought about that however when we rented for the studio with DVC points, it wasn't all that much more and it had a kitchenet. Not that I used it, but it was there if I wanted to.
Sending you happy thoughts. Let us know how you make out.

 

[mort1331]

i 2nd the dvc rental,,,but its tight to get something at 7months let alone 1 or 2 since there is a small glut of points out there and everyone using them. That being said,,,try and look at some last minute ones,,,some people have points expiring and they are always cheaper as well some prebooked dates and cant go. Good luck I wish I had extra but not this year.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I finally figured out how to use the complicated (to someone with depression brain-fog that is!) Redtag site and it's looking like we can swing a 4 night - full 5 day stay at POP in the middle of December using miles, paying about $550 in taxes & fees and STILL have enough miles for 10 day hoppers in Feb/March. Not sure whether we'll be doing any parks for the shorter trip since that's the really pricey part of the stay and if that's the case maybe drop it down to 3 nights 4 days. I'm looking at Air Canada, flight leaves Toronto at 6:30 am and Orlando at 9:25 pm so both travel days are actually full days on site.

I looked at renting points for DVC for the longer stay but it's simply too pricey and that's why this shorter trip is needed to scope out the food possibilities - can the kitchen handle my needs, do we need to change to a different resort that could, do we need to scrap the complete trip and rethink everything, do I simply say screw it, get gazzillion epi-pens, an entire suitcase of medications to deal with the side effects of eating what the rest of the world does?

 

[marchingstar]

I just wanted to say I hear you on the DVC booking part. We’ve been trying to book something for *a while* now through a third party company and it’s exhausting. We made the mistake of locking in dates first with non refundable flights, so now we’re working down the list of our preferred resorts and hoping we get somewhere. Because of our resort choices and group size, DVC would be a cost savings. But as non-DVC people it’s also a stressful process.

If you’re in a standard room, would something like a toaster and kettle make enough of a difference that you could have some safe foods in the room? I feel like you can either pack those small appliances or order super cheap versions from target while you’re on the longer trip.

I finally figured out how to use the complicated (to someone with depression brain-fog that is!) Redtag site and it's looking like we can swing a 4 night - full 5 day stay at POP in the middle of December using miles, paying about $550 in taxes & fees and STILL have enough miles for 10 day hoppers in Feb/March. Not sure whether we'll be doing any parks for the shorter trip since that's the really pricey part of the stay and if that's the case maybe drop it down to 3 nights 4 days. I'm looking at Air Canada, flight leaves Toronto at 6:30 am and Orlando at 9:25 pm so both travel days are actually full days on site.

I looked at renting points for DVC for the longer stay but it's simply too pricey and that's why this shorter trip is needed to scope out the food possibilities - can the kitchen handle my needs, do we need to change to a different resort that could, do we need to scrap the complete trip and rethink everything, do I simply say screw it, get gazzillion epi-pens, an entire suitcase of medications to deal with the side effects of eating what the rest of the world does?

 

[kristabelle13]

Holy moly are the DL price increases annoying. I just. Wow. I knew they were going up….but when you add in Genie+ and a 5 day PH ticket is over $100/day?! That’s reallllllly high. (And for context, I only have to pay for me. And I haven’t paid cash for DL tix since 2009). And now, I’m like….legitimately second guessing my next trip’s plans….thank goodness for AM tix and being able to “buy” tix for everyone who’s coming.

$540USD/ticket. Maybe im also feeling the crush of the exchange rate too. $746CDN for 5 days.

What a sad morning lol

 

[hdrolfe]

Holy moly are the DL price increases annoying. I just. Wow. I knew they were going up….but when you add in Genie+ and a 5 day PH ticket is over $100/day?! That’s reallllllly high. (And for context, I only have to pay for me. And I haven’t paid cash for DL tix since 2009). And now, I’m like….legitimately second guessing my next trip’s plans….thank goodness for AM tix and being able to “buy” tix for everyone who’s coming.

$540USD/ticket. Maybe im also feeling the crush of the exchange rate too. $746CDN for 5 days.

What a sad morning lol

Have you looked at the UK tickets? https://www.attractiontickets.com/e...ets/5-day-disneyland-california-hopper-ticket perhaps the Eur would be a better exchange rate?

Tickets are the biggest expense though.

 

[kristabelle13]

Have you looked at the UK tickets? https://www.attractiontickets.com/e...ets/5-day-disneyland-california-hopper-ticket perhaps the Eur would be a better exchange rate?

Tickets are the biggest expense though.

That’s a good tip for my back pocket, thank you!

Those tix come in at $646CDN then would be + $125USD for G+ - so another ~$170 Canadian so ~$815CDN so a little bit more.

I haven’t noticed but I wonder if the redtag AM tix fluctuate w/exchange rates - has anyone noticed?

Exchange rates are really bumming me out today….lol :/

 

[Pumpkin1172]

Holy moly are the DL price increases annoying. I just. Wow. I knew they were going up….but when you add in Genie+ and a 5 day PH ticket is over $100/day?! That’s reallllllly high. (And for context, I only have to pay for me. And I haven’t paid cash for DL tix since 2009). And now, I’m like….legitimately second guessing my next trip’s plans….thank goodness for AM tix and being able to “buy” tix for everyone who’s coming.

$540USD/ticket. Maybe im also feeling the crush of the exchange rate too. $746CDN for 5 days.

Yup....the price increases have me thinking " Like what the he-ll ". We will only be doing one or 2 Disney days anyways - we are more of the intense roller coaster riding family of Universal - but man...the price for a Savi'ls light saber is 249 US...which equals about 350.00 Canadian So I will let the boys decide if they truly want to experience it as they will be paying for that out of their own pockets. This is the first time for them experiencing Florida. It was NEVER something we could even dream of doing when they were young. So I'm thinking they will want to do it. But holly Hannah batman!!!!!!!!! That price!!!!

Good thing this momma went back to work at HomeSense for the winter to cushion the vacation fund!!!! The price increases for Genie+ and IIL along with general food price increases....YIKES!!!!!!

 

[kristabelle13]

Yup....the price increases have me thinking " Like what the he-ll ". We will only be doing one or 2 Disney days anyways - we are more of the intense roller coaster riding family of Universal - but man...the price for a Savi'ls light saber is 249 US...which equals about 350.00 Canadian So I will let the boys decide if they truly want to experience it as they will be paying for that out of their own pockets. This is the first time for them experiencing Florida. It was NEVER something we could even dream of doing when they were young. So I'm thinking they will want to do it. But holly Hannah batman!!!!!!!!! That price!!!!

Good thing this momma went back to work at HomeSense for the winter to cushion the vacation fund!!!! The price increases for Genie+ and IIL along with general food price increases....YIKES!!!!!!

yeah, it's all a bit much, eh? I feel like it's so sad I waited 2.5 years to do basically anything and now basically everything is at the tippy top of what im willing to spend ....at least until wages go up.....le sigh.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

yeah, it's all a bit much, eh? I feel like it's so sad I waited 2.5 years to do basically anything and now basically everything is at the tippy top of what im willing to spend ....at least until wages go up.....le sigh.

It is disheartening!!!

It will be the first and last time they probably go there. The good thing for us is - they are willing to spend their money for some portions of the trip. They live at home - paying some rent - but are getting their head start on life having nice padded bank accounts (hopefully investments they won't have to touch until they are 50) and some budgeting and life money skills they need for the real world.

For me, it's the dream that we are finally able to take them there and experience it! I want it to be a great time!!!! But today's announcement has me a little bummed. But I also know they have some nicely padded bank accounts, and this will be a good teaching lesson on how to research, budget and see how you fair at the end of the trip! I want to make it a lesson for them also.

 

[hdrolfe]

That’s a good tip for my back pocket, thank you!

Those tix come in at $646CDN then would be + $125USD for G+ - so another ~$170 Canadian so ~$815CDN so a little bit more.

I haven’t noticed but I wonder if the redtag AM tix fluctuate w/exchange rates - has anyone noticed?

Exchange rates are really bumming me out today….lol :/

Ah right I wasn't planning to do G+ next time I go, only perhaps the individual ones.
I was looking at March break next year, but we want to do Universal, I'm trying to figure out if I can do the after hours parties and maybe 1 day at Epcot/Animal Kingdom so we can ride Guardians. But a 1 day ticket is stupid expensive too

 

[cari12]

Holy moly are the DL price increases annoying. I just. Wow. I knew they were going up….but when you add in Genie+ and a 5 day PH ticket is over $100/day?! That’s reallllllly high. (And for context, I only have to pay for me. And I haven’t paid cash for DL tix since 2009). And now, I’m like….legitimately second guessing my next trip’s plans….thank goodness for AM tix and being able to “buy” tix for everyone who’s coming.

$540USD/ticket. Maybe im also feeling the crush of the exchange rate too. $746CDN for 5 days.

What a sad morning lol

Yep, and it makes me especially sad because Genie+ is effectively a ticket increase because FastPasses used to be free and are now $25 USD per day! And from our May 2022 experience, afternoons/evenings are fairly unmanageable with very long wait times for everything unless you have Genie+.

 

[kristabelle13]

Yep, and it makes me especially sad because Genie+ is effectively a ticket increase because FastPasses used to be free and are now $25 USD per day! And from our May 2022 experience, afternoons/evenings are fairly unmanageable with very long wait times for everything unless you have Genie+.

Yeah, it’s actually legitimately wild that my annual pass in 2015 was cheaper than a 5 day PH and it basically included a version of genie+

I hope the dates we choose are AP blackout dates