I'm in!

I will be flying up from PDX on Saturday morning with a stop in SEA (so I earn 2000 miles instead of 1000) and arrive in YVR at 10:49AM. My departure is on Monday at 11:25, also with a stop in SEA.

Once I decided I was too lazy to drive up from PDX I did have a rather interesting experience playing with the fares to YVR. I tried booking a fare of $195USD on United Connection (the wonderful non web version) over the weekend but every time I tried to reserve it, it jumped up to $207. Being a man of principle (and a cheapskate), I called tech support, who promised to look into it.

By Monday, we were still looking into it and then, suddenly, as were reviewing it together over the phone, the fare suddenly nose dived to $116! So I grabbed it ... though I still think they cheated me out of about $1 and change.

Anyway, I booked the first night at the Sheraton Wall Centre for $139CAD, via the TVC (Tourism Vancouver web site). Not a bad rate but when I called to report a security anomaly to "customer service", I wound up speaking with one of the rudest and most inept agents I have ever dealt with. It didn't leave me with a warm cozy feeling so I called the hotel directly today, which turned out to be a smart move. TVC sends the reservations directly to the hotel via email and instead of reserving the actual date of my stay, it was posted as the date of the email. The very pleasant agent at the Sheraton also suggested that the most economical way into the city is to grab a bus in for $12CAD, the hotel is typically the second stop.

Once that was all settled, I booked a room for Sunday night at the Hilton Vancouver Airport at a rate of $109 CAD (STOPOVER rate rules: must present airline ticket and stay no longer than one night). After I complete my upcoming NY sleeping run, this stay will put me one away from diamond.