2 Weeks 2 Kids 2 Countries In July
#46
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC, Bonvoy, HH
Posts: 610
I don't know about the no sales tax at Woodbury, but if it is the same Woodbury as in the link below, it is part of the Premium Outlets mall. I know a few people from Toronto who drive the extra few hours to go to these malls instead of the outlets in Buffalo. There is one near Cleveland. I work with a woman who drives down every summer to the Pittsburgh location due to no sales tax on clothing.
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/centers/index.asp
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/centers/index.asp
#47
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,735
A bit more about Woodbury
From an article about the outlet mall:
Hit an outlet mall in Pennsylvania and there is no sales tax on clothing or shoes - saves you nearly 9% right there.
Local economic impact
Orange County officials sometimes refer to Woodbury Common as the county's cash cow as the sales tax collected on the clothing and footwear sold at the center, even after recent reductions by the state, provides a significant portion of the county's revenue. The center is also a significant part of the local property tax base, particularly for the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District.
However, it was also believed by many county residents to account for what was, until recently, a dearth of quality shopping opportunities on the west side of the Hudson as opposed to those available across the river, in southern Dutchess County. Retailers, according to this theory, were not willing to compete with a large outlet mall for visitors. They also believed that Woodbury Common saturated the upscale-shopping market in the county (Orange County's other two malls of note, the Galleria at Crystal Run and the Newburgh Mall, are geared to more downscale shoppers[citation needed]). So residents looking for upscale shopping long visited the Palisades Center in Nyack, Danbury Fair Mall in Connecticut or the various malls in New Jersey.
Traffic
The downside of the revenue is the traffic generated by the mall, particularly on major shopping days. Black Friday 2001 in particular was remembered for protracted snarling of not just the expressways leading to Woodbury Common but the local roads as well. Some motorists were trapped on the mall's internal roads for hours.[4] Woodbury town officials and residents were extremely upset and pressed state police and Premium Outlets' parent company, Simon, for a solution for future years as they said the company had been unresponsive to such concerns in the past. The following Memorial Day, state troopers, Woodbury police and mall officials tested a new plan whereby they viewed the situation from a command center and made decisions jointly.[5]
However, the Sunday of Labor Day weekend in 2006 also led to some legendary snarling, since bad weather abated just in time for back-to-school sales and roads backed up: U.S. Route 6 was bumper-to-bumper all the way to Palisades Interstate Parkway and the Thruway was backed up 15 miles (24 km) north to Newburgh. Officials called on the state to build a Route 32 exit ramp that lets southbound drivers reach the Thruway without turning left and blocking traffic. It was reported afterwards that New York's Department of Transportation had accelerated the process of designing such a connection.[6]
Heavy mall-related traffic is more than just an inconvenience to Woodbury residents, since as the name "Central Valley" implies, the mall is at one end of a lengthy valley between the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park on one side and Schunemunk Mountain on the other. Vehicle emissions thus tend to lower air quality. Many Woodbury residents feel the Mall has brought increased crime, traffic and pollution but little else to the town.
On Black Friday 2007, Woodbury Common held its second annual Midnight Madness attracting many people. Traffic at one time was held up for 10 miles (16 km) on the New York State Thruway.
So you'll be paying the usual sales tax there, plus there's a good chance of some significant traffic delays at or near the mall.Orange County officials sometimes refer to Woodbury Common as the county's cash cow as the sales tax collected on the clothing and footwear sold at the center, even after recent reductions by the state, provides a significant portion of the county's revenue. The center is also a significant part of the local property tax base, particularly for the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District.
However, it was also believed by many county residents to account for what was, until recently, a dearth of quality shopping opportunities on the west side of the Hudson as opposed to those available across the river, in southern Dutchess County. Retailers, according to this theory, were not willing to compete with a large outlet mall for visitors. They also believed that Woodbury Common saturated the upscale-shopping market in the county (Orange County's other two malls of note, the Galleria at Crystal Run and the Newburgh Mall, are geared to more downscale shoppers[citation needed]). So residents looking for upscale shopping long visited the Palisades Center in Nyack, Danbury Fair Mall in Connecticut or the various malls in New Jersey.
Traffic
The downside of the revenue is the traffic generated by the mall, particularly on major shopping days. Black Friday 2001 in particular was remembered for protracted snarling of not just the expressways leading to Woodbury Common but the local roads as well. Some motorists were trapped on the mall's internal roads for hours.[4] Woodbury town officials and residents were extremely upset and pressed state police and Premium Outlets' parent company, Simon, for a solution for future years as they said the company had been unresponsive to such concerns in the past. The following Memorial Day, state troopers, Woodbury police and mall officials tested a new plan whereby they viewed the situation from a command center and made decisions jointly.[5]
However, the Sunday of Labor Day weekend in 2006 also led to some legendary snarling, since bad weather abated just in time for back-to-school sales and roads backed up: U.S. Route 6 was bumper-to-bumper all the way to Palisades Interstate Parkway and the Thruway was backed up 15 miles (24 km) north to Newburgh. Officials called on the state to build a Route 32 exit ramp that lets southbound drivers reach the Thruway without turning left and blocking traffic. It was reported afterwards that New York's Department of Transportation had accelerated the process of designing such a connection.[6]
Heavy mall-related traffic is more than just an inconvenience to Woodbury residents, since as the name "Central Valley" implies, the mall is at one end of a lengthy valley between the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park on one side and Schunemunk Mountain on the other. Vehicle emissions thus tend to lower air quality. Many Woodbury residents feel the Mall has brought increased crime, traffic and pollution but little else to the town.
On Black Friday 2007, Woodbury Common held its second annual Midnight Madness attracting many people. Traffic at one time was held up for 10 miles (16 km) on the New York State Thruway.
Hit an outlet mall in Pennsylvania and there is no sales tax on clothing or shoes - saves you nearly 9% right there.
#48
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SYDNEY
Programs: *A Gold, HH dia,Hyatt plat,Sixt PLAT,QF , EY Gold
Posts: 1,890
Hmm good idea then . I'm driving from NYC to Cleveland so it's kinda on the way I think .
A new and exciting news less than a week before departure I got multiple emails from ihg reservations cancelling all my reservations including cash , points and Brg's 6 reservations in total. I rang ihg just now who told me it was a executive decision to cancel my entire ihg account along with all my reservations. Seriously less than a week out.
So now I have to make new reservations and I'm not happy about it.
A new and exciting news less than a week before departure I got multiple emails from ihg reservations cancelling all my reservations including cash , points and Brg's 6 reservations in total. I rang ihg just now who told me it was a executive decision to cancel my entire ihg account along with all my reservations. Seriously less than a week out.
So now I have to make new reservations and I'm not happy about it.
#49
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC*Tangerine
Posts: 417
Hmm good idea then . I'm driving from NYC to Cleveland so it's kinda on the way I think .
A new and exciting news less than a week before departure I got multiple emails from ihg reservations cancelling all my reservations including cash , points and Brg's 6 reservations in total. I rang ihg just now who told me it was a executive decision to cancel my entire ihg account along with all my reservations. Seriously less than a week out.
So now I have to make new reservations and I'm not happy about it.
A new and exciting news less than a week before departure I got multiple emails from ihg reservations cancelling all my reservations including cash , points and Brg's 6 reservations in total. I rang ihg just now who told me it was a executive decision to cancel my entire ihg account along with all my reservations. Seriously less than a week out.
So now I have to make new reservations and I'm not happy about it.
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,688
Hmm good idea then . I'm driving from NYC to Cleveland so it's kinda on the way I think .
A new and exciting news less than a week before departure I got multiple emails from ihg reservations cancelling all my reservations including cash , points and Brg's 6 reservations in total. I rang ihg just now who told me it was a executive decision to cancel my entire ihg account along with all my reservations. Seriously less than a week out.
So now I have to make new reservations and I'm not happy about it.
A new and exciting news less than a week before departure I got multiple emails from ihg reservations cancelling all my reservations including cash , points and Brg's 6 reservations in total. I rang ihg just now who told me it was a executive decision to cancel my entire ihg account along with all my reservations. Seriously less than a week out.
So now I have to make new reservations and I'm not happy about it.
#51
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DEN, or so it says...
Programs: UA1K/RCC, Avis CHM, NWA Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 2,886
A new and exciting news less than a week before departure I got multiple emails from ihg reservations cancelling all my reservations including cash , points and Brg's 6 reservations in total. I rang ihg just now who told me it was a executive decision to cancel my entire ihg account along with all my reservations. Seriously less than a week out.
So now I have to make new reservations and I'm not happy about it.
So now I have to make new reservations and I'm not happy about it.
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SYDNEY
Programs: *A Gold, HH dia,Hyatt plat,Sixt PLAT,QF , EY Gold
Posts: 1,890
It has come to our attention that some of your recent IHG Rewards Club account activities are in violation of the terms and conditions of IHG Rewards Club and the IHG Best Price Guarantee program. Such violations are considered fraudulent by IHG Rewards Club and IHG. As such we have terminated your IHG Rewards Club account, including forfeiture of all points accrued, and cancellation of all Rewards Nights. Any Best Price Guarantee claims received will be denied. You can review the terms and conditions of IHG Rewards Club www.ihg.com/rewardsclub. You can review the terms and conditions of IHG Best Price Guarantee program at https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/cus...rms-conditions.
Any upcoming paying reservations remain. While you are no longer being allowed to participate in our Rewards Club loyalty program, you are still allowed to pay for your reservations using credit cards or any other form of cash-like-payment. However no points or credit within the IHG Rewards Club or Ambassador would be given.
Should you wish to discuss this further, you may call me directly at <number redacted>. I am available from Monday through Friday during the hours of 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM Mountain Standard Time. In the event that I am away from my desk when you call, please leave a valid phone number and the best time when I may reach you. Please be advised that due to the nature of your issue, any further attempts to communicate with IHG regarding this matter will be immediately forwarded to me for handling, and I will only be able to provide you with a response via phone call.
Any upcoming paying reservations remain. While you are no longer being allowed to participate in our Rewards Club loyalty program, you are still allowed to pay for your reservations using credit cards or any other form of cash-like-payment. However no points or credit within the IHG Rewards Club or Ambassador would be given.
Should you wish to discuss this further, you may call me directly at <number redacted>. I am available from Monday through Friday during the hours of 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM Mountain Standard Time. In the event that I am away from my desk when you call, please leave a valid phone number and the best time when I may reach you. Please be advised that due to the nature of your issue, any further attempts to communicate with IHG regarding this matter will be immediately forwarded to me for handling, and I will only be able to provide you with a response via phone call.
Last edited by JDiver; Jun 29, 2014 at 7:52 am Reason: please do not post your or others' details / add text box for ease
#53
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I think they do not like the tricks you have been using with IHG, feel they were in violation of the terms and conditions and have fired you as a customer - though they are wiling to accept your money for paid reservations, you can not gain any points or benefits you haven't paid for.
#54
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,735
Hmm good idea then . I'm driving from NYC to Cleveland so it's kinda on the way I think .
A new and exciting news less than a week before departure I got multiple emails from ihg reservations cancelling all my reservations including cash , points and Brg's 6 reservations in total. I rang ihg just now who told me it was a executive decision to cancel my entire ihg account along with all my reservations. Seriously less than a week out.
So now I have to make new reservations and I'm not happy about it.
A new and exciting news less than a week before departure I got multiple emails from ihg reservations cancelling all my reservations including cash , points and Brg's 6 reservations in total. I rang ihg just now who told me it was a executive decision to cancel my entire ihg account along with all my reservations. Seriously less than a week out.
So now I have to make new reservations and I'm not happy about it.
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SYDNEY
Programs: *A Gold, HH dia,Hyatt plat,Sixt PLAT,QF , EY Gold
Posts: 1,890
I'm not locked into any hotels all my stays are best flexible . So I land on the 9th July at midnight now in yyz and have no hotel so il probably use travelpony to get a good deal with the free $35 and a good promo code . Then pick up the car and drive to Montreal Hyatt the next day . My andaz booking doesn't start until the 12th July .
I was looking at stay at the Hilton pearl river now on the way to NYC and leaving the car in that car park to save for parking and catching the train into the city .
Comments ?
I was looking at stay at the Hilton pearl river now on the way to NYC and leaving the car in that car park to save for parking and catching the train into the city .
Comments ?
#56
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 755
Ditch Woodbury. On your drive to Cleveland from Manhattan the Crossings Outlet Mall is just off the Tannersville exit.
Store listing to look at
Store listing to look at
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SYDNEY
Programs: *A Gold, HH dia,Hyatt plat,Sixt PLAT,QF , EY Gold
Posts: 1,890
Thanks looks like its a smaller complex then the Woodbury ones. My wife wanted the dkny store for kids. Is this store cheaper then the Woodbury outlets because there is no taxes .
#58
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K MM, BA-S HH-D, MB-G LT Sil, IHG-Plt, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 3,803
Just stumbled across this thread. Allow at least 5 hrs (plus stops) to drive from YYZ to YUL. Your exit time from YYZ will be highly variable due to 401 traffic. An alternative is highway 407 toll road which is parallel to 401 and a few miles to the north. Tolls will be automatically charged to your license plate and the rental car company will eventually charge them back to you.
Good place to stop is Kingston (another poster mentioned this). It is a university town with lots of history including being the capital of Canada, briefly. Just W of Kingston look for the Thousand Islands Parkway. This gets you off the 401 for an hour or so with great views of the St. Lawrence river as a bonus. The town of Gananoque is pretty.
Do you have a compelling reason to visit Montreal? I ask because you are doing a lot of extra driving just to get to another Hyatt and a very short stay. (Montreal deserves several days.) Plan your route into Montreal centre-ville. My advice is to not take Decarie. Take 40-E, 13-S, 20-E and then look for the exit that will get you to the Hyatt (Berri/St-Laurent/Old Montreal?). Check your dates. You may be in Montreal during the jazz festival with many of the events near the hotel.
If you can skip Montreal, I would leave Highway 401 at Prescott or Cornwall (both in Ontario) and head S through NY State. Stay at Lake Placid or vicinity. Lake Placid is about 1.5 hrs from Cornwall.
--
13F
Good place to stop is Kingston (another poster mentioned this). It is a university town with lots of history including being the capital of Canada, briefly. Just W of Kingston look for the Thousand Islands Parkway. This gets you off the 401 for an hour or so with great views of the St. Lawrence river as a bonus. The town of Gananoque is pretty.
Do you have a compelling reason to visit Montreal? I ask because you are doing a lot of extra driving just to get to another Hyatt and a very short stay. (Montreal deserves several days.) Plan your route into Montreal centre-ville. My advice is to not take Decarie. Take 40-E, 13-S, 20-E and then look for the exit that will get you to the Hyatt (Berri/St-Laurent/Old Montreal?). Check your dates. You may be in Montreal during the jazz festival with many of the events near the hotel.
If you can skip Montreal, I would leave Highway 401 at Prescott or Cornwall (both in Ontario) and head S through NY State. Stay at Lake Placid or vicinity. Lake Placid is about 1.5 hrs from Cornwall.
--
13F
#59
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SYDNEY
Programs: *A Gold, HH dia,Hyatt plat,Sixt PLAT,QF , EY Gold
Posts: 1,890
Appreciate your input. Im only going to montreal because if i take the drive down to nyc via buffalo it looks like a long boring trip , i figured this way its a little longer (few hours) and we get to see montreal.
Im suppose to pick up the car at 10-10.30am from yyz and start to head out to yul . Im hoping all the traffic will be gone by then and 5-6 hours later il be in montreal arriving around 4-5pm. Take the kids for a dip in the pool refresh go to the club lounge for some canapes then go for a walk around.
The next day wake up have breakfast and then drive into new york or somewhere close where i can stay the night park and leave the car there for a while and come back and pick it up later.
Im suppose to pick up the car at 10-10.30am from yyz and start to head out to yul . Im hoping all the traffic will be gone by then and 5-6 hours later il be in montreal arriving around 4-5pm. Take the kids for a dip in the pool refresh go to the club lounge for some canapes then go for a walk around.
The next day wake up have breakfast and then drive into new york or somewhere close where i can stay the night park and leave the car there for a while and come back and pick it up later.
#60
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,665
Appreciate your input. Im only going to montreal because if i take the drive down to nyc via buffalo it looks like a long boring trip , i figured this way its a little longer (few hours) and we get to see montreal.
Im suppose to pick up the car at 10-10.30am from yyz and start to head out to yul . Im hoping all the traffic will be gone by then and 5-6 hours later il be in montreal arriving around 4-5pm. Take the kids for a dip in the pool refresh go to the club lounge for some canapes then go for a walk around.
The next day wake up have breakfast and then drive into new york or somewhere close where i can stay the night park and leave the car there for a while and come back and pick it up later.
Im suppose to pick up the car at 10-10.30am from yyz and start to head out to yul . Im hoping all the traffic will be gone by then and 5-6 hours later il be in montreal arriving around 4-5pm. Take the kids for a dip in the pool refresh go to the club lounge for some canapes then go for a walk around.
The next day wake up have breakfast and then drive into new york or somewhere close where i can stay the night park and leave the car there for a while and come back and pick it up later.