FT in YVR - Adventure North of the Border
Apr 27, 2001 | 8:07 am
#136
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,291
Regretfully, even though I live only 140 miles away from Vancouver, I won't be available to make it.
Coming back from Salt Lake City late on Friday after being gone a week and leaving Monday morning for Fairbanks for another week. So....I think I will spend the weekend with my son.
Everyone, have a great time and post lots of pictures online!
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Coming back from Salt Lake City late on Friday after being gone a week and leaving Monday morning for Fairbanks for another week. So....I think I will spend the weekend with my son.
Everyone, have a great time and post lots of pictures online!
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Addicted to airline miles? Check out: The Airline Mileage Workshop
Apr 27, 2001 | 8:13 pm
#137
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1P; HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,686
I still don't have a place to stay. 
On the advice of others, I tried Priceline, but none of my reasonable bids were accepted (even with bonus money).
Should I raise my bid for a 3*, or start over with 2* and risk getting something sleazy?
On the advice of others, I tried Priceline, but none of my reasonable bids were accepted (even with bonus money).
Should I raise my bid for a 3*, or start over with 2* and risk getting something sleazy?
Apr 28, 2001 | 12:03 am
#139
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Home Sweet Home
Posts: 383
I'm still hoping someone can help me figure out how to get to the restaurant from the Mariott at the airport....
I guess if I don't hear anything I'll just get a rental car...
From the get-together web page it looks like there's parking near the restaurant...
KevinB
I guess if I don't hear anything I'll just get a rental car...
From the get-together web page it looks like there's parking near the restaurant...
KevinB
Apr 28, 2001 | 4:35 am
#140
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Kevin-
Looks like the city bus strike is still on.
There is Airporter service for $C12 one way, or $C18RT, from the airport to the downtown area. See: http://www.yvr.ca/Transport/Buses/bus_companies.htm
That's what I'll be taking to my hotel when I arrive Friday afternoon.
Looks like the city bus strike is still on.
There is Airporter service for $C12 one way, or $C18RT, from the airport to the downtown area. See: http://www.yvr.ca/Transport/Buses/bus_companies.htm
That's what I'll be taking to my hotel when I arrive Friday afternoon.
Apr 28, 2001 | 5:47 am
#141
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Honolulu,HI, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3MM
Posts: 839
KevinB,
You can take the free Marriott hotel shuttle to the airport. Then you can take the Airporter (Arrivals level on domestic and international terminals) into town. It takes about 30 minutes. I think that the Pan Pacific Hotel (Route 2) is the closest to the restaurant. As Tom mentioned, it is $12 Cdn one way and $18 Cdn RT. The Airporter runs from 6:30 am and the last one leaves downtown at 12:30 am. You can take the 6:15 pm Airporter and get to the Pan Pacific hotel at 6:49 pm. Depending on how late you want to party, the last Airporter from the Pan Pacific back to the Airport is at 11:04 pm. I would confirm the timetable when you get to Vancouver. You can check out their website at www.yvrairporter.com or call 1-800-668-3141.
You can take the free Marriott hotel shuttle to the airport. Then you can take the Airporter (Arrivals level on domestic and international terminals) into town. It takes about 30 minutes. I think that the Pan Pacific Hotel (Route 2) is the closest to the restaurant. As Tom mentioned, it is $12 Cdn one way and $18 Cdn RT. The Airporter runs from 6:30 am and the last one leaves downtown at 12:30 am. You can take the 6:15 pm Airporter and get to the Pan Pacific hotel at 6:49 pm. Depending on how late you want to party, the last Airporter from the Pan Pacific back to the Airport is at 11:04 pm. I would confirm the timetable when you get to Vancouver. You can check out their website at www.yvrairporter.com or call 1-800-668-3141.
Apr 28, 2001 | 5:54 am
#142
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Honolulu,HI, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3MM
Posts: 839
Airport transportation options:
The Airporter info is in the previous post. For those staying at the Renaissance, you go on the Route 1 Airporter.
Limojet Gold Express has flat rate limos which carry 6-8 passengers to downtown. The flat rate is $34.24 Cdn (inclusive of all taxes). Find them outside the Arrivals level at the domestic and international terminals. (604) 273-1331.
Taxis are metered and run between $21-$24 Cdn dollars.
The cheapest transportation is the public bus when they aren't on strike. It is $1.50 to $3.00 depending on where you are going. Take Route #100.
[This message has been edited by TropicalFlyer (edited 04-28-2001).]
The Airporter info is in the previous post. For those staying at the Renaissance, you go on the Route 1 Airporter.
Limojet Gold Express has flat rate limos which carry 6-8 passengers to downtown. The flat rate is $34.24 Cdn (inclusive of all taxes). Find them outside the Arrivals level at the domestic and international terminals. (604) 273-1331.
Taxis are metered and run between $21-$24 Cdn dollars.
The cheapest transportation is the public bus when they aren't on strike. It is $1.50 to $3.00 depending on where you are going. Take Route #100.
[This message has been edited by TropicalFlyer (edited 04-28-2001).]
Apr 28, 2001 | 11:53 am
#143
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Home Sweet Home
Posts: 383
Thanks for all the information... My anxiety level just dropped! 
Looks like the airporter bus it is... And as to the comment about the bus stopping at 11:00 or so - that could have been a problem in my 30's, but now that I've hit 40 I think it will be just fine...
KevinB
Looks like the airporter bus it is... And as to the comment about the bus stopping at 11:00 or so - that could have been a problem in my 30's, but now that I've hit 40 I think it will be just fine...
KevinB
Apr 28, 2001 | 9:37 pm
#144
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1P; HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,686
With a little encouragement (thanks markbach!), I gave Priceline another chance. Bidding $35+$10 bonus money for 3* matched a CAD 59 rate at the Renaissance.
As for air travel, I opted for more miles/segments with a disgustingly early SFO-SEA UA Sh*ttle flight (+SkyWest SEA-YVR), instead of the SFO-YVR nonstop.
As for air travel, I opted for more miles/segments with a disgustingly early SFO-SEA UA Sh*ttle flight (+SkyWest SEA-YVR), instead of the SFO-YVR nonstop.
Apr 29, 2001 | 5:59 am
#145
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
I bid a flat $40 for the Renaissance and got two nights!
I guess I think I am definitely coming (probably Terry too!)
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BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart 2001:
http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall01.html
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart:
http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
flyers'places - restaurant, bar & hotel recommendations:
http://www.flyersplaces.com
I guess I think I am definitely coming (probably Terry too!)
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BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart 2001:
http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall01.html
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart:
http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
flyers'places - restaurant, bar & hotel recommendations:
http://www.flyersplaces.com
Apr 29, 2001 | 10:25 pm
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
BlondeBomber .. amazing deal really, as that is what I needed to bid per night WITH the $20 Amex bonus added to secure same hotel for same nights! Talk about 'fluid inventory' at that Hotel - assuming it is the West Hastings propery of course?. (And I recall seeing that shareholder might be a very possible for that weekend - he is not on the list?)
For the benefit of anyone NOT yet booked into a YVR Hotel, Hotwire (kinda like priceline I understand?) seem to be offering a $25 coupon discount deal here at:
http://pub4.ezboard.com/fpricelinean...yopportunities
For the benefit of anyone NOT yet booked into a YVR Hotel, Hotwire (kinda like priceline I understand?) seem to be offering a $25 coupon discount deal here at:
http://pub4.ezboard.com/fpricelinean...yopportunities
Apr 29, 2001 | 11:30 pm
#148
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1P; HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,686
How much Canadian currency will I need, e.g. for things like transportation between the airport and downtown?
As a Hostelling International-American Youth Hostels member, I'm entitled to commission-free currency exchange service from Travelex.
In Vancouver, I believe the best exchange rate can be obtained at BC Liquor.
All Hostelling International members, including Hostelling International Canada members, should know about these discounts:
http://www.hihostels.bc.ca/discounts/discount3.htm
As a Hostelling International-American Youth Hostels member, I'm entitled to commission-free currency exchange service from Travelex.
In Vancouver, I believe the best exchange rate can be obtained at BC Liquor.
All Hostelling International members, including Hostelling International Canada members, should know about these discounts:
http://www.hihostels.bc.ca/discounts/discount3.htm
Apr 30, 2001 | 4:55 pm
#149
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,202
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.
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.