You can now redeem 25,000 Aeroplan Miles for a 6 month Maple Leaf Club primary membership or 7,000 miles for a Maple Leaf Lounge Pass that’s valid for one visit to a Maple Leaf Lounge in North America. Air Canada’s award-winning lounges are located at all major airports across Canada.

Beginning September 8th, the Department of Homeland Security will begin to collect US $14 from travellers from Visa Waiver countries, Canada being one of them. The money is to be used to fund the Corporation for Travel Promotion to encourage international visitors to vacation in America, and to   spur economic growth and create more jobs. The American travel and tourism industry totals $120 billion and support more than one million American jobs. Some of those international visitors, who spend an average $4,000 per person per trip, are not happy about having to pay for the US to promote the US to themselves.

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport marks its 10th anniversary by offering $149 guest room rates for meetings hosted Fridays to Tuesday until September 30th, 2010. They offer complimentary wireless and high speed connectivity in the primary meeting room when full meeting room rental is purchased. The offer is available for new group bookings with a minimum of 10 contracted guestrooms on the peak night. The hotels have several meeting rooms ranging from 600 to 1,500 square feet and some with expansive views through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Mexicana, Mexico’s largest air carrier, filed for bankruptcy protection in Mexico and the United States on August 2nd. Since then the airline has reached a deal with the cabin crew to suspend pay for two months in exchange for a stake in the company, and it now appears that a deal has been reached with the pilots as well. The search is now on for an immediate investment of between $100 million and $150 million in order for the company to continue.

Penalizing airlines for keeping passengers stranded on airplanes on the tarmac for 3 hours or more has obviously worked very well. In June 2009, 268 airline flights were delayed in this manner, versus only 3 this year.

Is It the Heat Or What!

A WestJet passenger, on a flight from Calgary to Halifax, decided she had had enough, and tried open the door at 35,000 feet to the shock of the other passengers, who were bitten and kicked when they tried to restrain her. The passenger is now in jail, and has been banned from ever flying WestJet again, so watch out Air Canada.

For future reference, it is apparently impossible to open the door at that altitude.

You have no doubt all read about the JetBlue flight attendant who lost it with a passenger, swore over the intercom, grabbed a beer and used the emergency chute to exit the plane. He has now become the poster boy for disgruntled employees everywhere and a media darling with support flooding facebook pages and internet message boards. Once he has settled the ensuing legal problems, he might like to apply for some of the jobs advertised by the South Australian Government to provide the “ultimate work-life balance”. For example, how about becoming a shark personality profiler, a koala catcher or a “roo poo harvester” and yes, it is what you think it is.

Don't No-Show Your Flight

If you are holding confirmed reservations you don't plan to use, notify Forbes Travel or the airline. If you do, and give sufficient notice (varies by carrier), you will likely retain credit towards future travel.  If you don't, you run the risk of forfeiting all monies paid, or else the airline may cancel all onward or return reservations on your trip.

Fee For Non-Emergency Calls to Our 24hr Helpdesk

Forbes Travel is happy to offer all our corporate clients access to Traveller Emergency Hotline.  TEH is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you, from anywhere in the world. Experienced senior travel consultants who are specifically trained to handle emergencies, have access to your personal travel preferences and all your active travel files.  Please remember, that this service is intended for emergency use only, otherwise supplementary fees will apply.

Get That Person’s Name

In the course of your travels should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of encountering a service provider’s agent unable or unwilling to assist, please make sure to ask for that person’s full name.  By doing this, we may be able to help you get the matter rectified more easily.  The more details we have, the better we will be able to help.

Legal Connections

All of our agents offer only legal connections to our travellers.  In the case where a particular connection may seem a bit “tight”, we always endeavour to point this out and allow the traveller or the travel arranger to make the judgement call.  Not everyone has the same comfort level when it comes to navigating plane changes.

Travel Agent Lingo

We sometimes find there is a language gap in our conversations with our clients, particularly when it comes to the use of the word “book”.  We use the term “book” to mean that an airline seat has been “reserved” for you, but no payment transaction has occurred.  Only when we use the term “ticket” or “issue” that’s the time when we fork out money on your behalf.

Virtually There

All clients booked through Forbes Travel can access their itinerary online through www.virtuallythere.com.  Most travellers are sent a VT link at time of ticketing, but even if you do not prefer this delivery option we still suggest you check it out to see a live, up-to-date version your itinerary (as well as tickets and invoices).   

Vacations Suggestions

Last Trip Before School Starts!

Has the summer holidays just flown without doing anything in particular? Well there is still time.

Puerto Vallarta August 28th to September 4th $2,486.84. Direct flight from Vancouver, transfers, 1 week’s stay at a 4 star all inclusive hotel for 2 adults and 2 children, all taxes and fees included.

Or A Trip For Just The Two Of You To Celebrate The Start Of School?

5 days in wonderful downtown San Francisco, direct flight from Vancouver, $1,883.12 for 2 adults. The price includes the flights and 5 night’s hotel plus all taxes and fees.

We Know the World

Name: Lisbet

Date: November 2009

Trip Location: Lake Como, Italy

Overall Impression: This is such a beautiful part of the world. It is no wonder that it has been the playground for the rich and famous since Roman times, and it is consistently voted one of the top romantic spots in the world. So, if you are looking for a romantic place with beautiful scenery, history and great food, I would definitely recommend Lake Como. The Mountains rise straight out of the deep glacial lakes and are dotted by beautiful grand villas and small towns clinging to the side of the mountains. It is quite breathtaking.

Click here to read more about Lisbet's trip to Lake Como...

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