Business Travel Chit Chat

Air Canada Latitude travellers are permitted a complimentary snack on flights that are over 3 1/2 hours in length.  Those travelling on Latitude Plus are permitted entry into the Maple Leaf Lounges.

Air Canada GO Discounts for travellers who purchase a Tango level ticket can qualify for a discount of $10.00.  No changes are permitted and no checked baggage allowed. 

Avian Influenza A - If you are travelling to areas that are affected by the "bird flu" please see the Public Health Agency of Canada website.

Changes to Air Canada checked baggage allowance

Worldwide free baggage allowance becomes 2 bags weight up to 50lbs (23kgs) down from 70lbs (32kgs)

The maximum allowable weight of a single checked bag becomes 70lbs (32kgs) down from 100lbs (45kgs)

Bags weighing between 50lbs (23kgs) and 70lbs (32kgs) will be charged an excess fee as follows:

$35.00CAD / $30.00USD for travel within North America

$60.00CAD / $50.00USD for all international travel

Flight Passes are prepaid packages of 10 or 20 one-way flight credits.  It's a saving of up to 70% We can book your flight pass and you just call us and we will book the flights that you want.

Please see the Air Canada website for full options of flight passes within North America.

Bearskin Baggage Allowance Due to the size of their aircrafts Bearskin is enforcing their one piece carry-on with a maximum weight of 13lbs plus one personal item (coat, purse urns, canes) plus a checked baggage allowance not to exceed 40lbs.  Bearskin Airlines will allow each customer a 'free checked baggage allowance’ to be carried in the baggage compartment of the aircraft at no charge. This ‘free checked baggage’ must not exceed 40 lbs. If you exceed this limit, you will have to pay an additional amount at the airport prior to travel. Individual pieces of checked baggage weighing more than 70 lbs will not be accepted as checked baggage. Maximum aggregate weight of all bags accepted will be 100 lbs. Bags over these limits can be shipped as cargo and are subject to space availability.

Air Canada passengers have the option of pre-selecting their seats on TANGO fare levels at the time of booking for a fee of $15.00CAD each way.  Some conditions apply and are only available at time of booking. 

Not sure of your terminal in Toronto.

Contact GTAA website for more details.

Air Canada non-refundable tickets - If you are travelling on a nonrefundable ticket you can pay a change fee at the airport to confirm space on another flight that same day.  It is all subject to availability but will save money when your meetings end early.  This cost is lower than upgrading your ticket and paying change penalties. This is only available at the airport the day you are travelling and not through our agency or Air Canada reservations.  If you are travelling on a TANGO fare level the cost is $150.00+ GST and the TANGO PLUS fare level is $50.00 + GST. 

NEW CHECK-IN CUTOFF TIMES

Gone are the days of the last minute dasher. Cut-off times for check in are 40 minutes transborder and 60 minutes for International. Always admired the fine flare of racing out to the tarmac, suitcase in hand, asking the stewardess to "hold the door". Todays world requires you to be ahead of time; ready to have yourself and stuff searched, with no impatient exclamations.

TAKE A BREAK
Whether its business or pleasure we all have stress, and all the more reason to getaway for a few days R&R. Tour companies offer a wide variety of mini-breaks to Las Vegas, the Bahamas, etc. But you can order up your own choices making use of Aeroplan and Airmiles programs to reduce the cost.

You don’t have to be locked in to one or two week charter packages. You need a flexi-break. This means you can schedule flights as you need them, for only two or three days, with a hotel that offers great family amenities.

H0T TIPS would be LAS VEGAS, DISNEYWORLD, TORONTO, JAMAICA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Places with activities for all age levels. Call us to give you a price, and remember that you can use Aeroplan points for some air fares.

TRAVEL WALLPAPER
By the way, if you are looking for computer desktop “travel wallpaper” or a screen saver, check out www.webshots.com - they are quite special and you will enjoy them.

KEEPING THE COSTS DOWN
You will be familiar with the term “CONSOLIDATOR” This is a travel entity that negotiates specially discounted fares over certain routes, that are far less than the regular airline fares. This is a service we offer to our clients, but first we have to ask “How definite are your plans?”  This is a world of instant money, nonrefundable, non changeable tickets.   Fast and easy.  So what looks like a bargain, can be a real disaster if your travel plans change.

GOOD NEWS FOR TRAVELLERS
Air Canada has the new executive lie-flat seats on non-stop flights. Seats recline 180 degrees and have 9 inch video screens. Save four and a half hours when you fly non-stop to Hong Kong.