WHITE LOTUS FILMING SPURS SEARCHES FOR THAILAND HOTELS
- Blackwoods Hotel Pattaya, Pattaya, Chon Buri, Thailand, $85
- Panwaburi Beachfront Resort – Sha Extra Plus, Phuket City, Phuket, Thailand, $91
- Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand, $109
- Stay Wellbeing & Lifestyle Resort (Sha Plus+), Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand, $123
- Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada, Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand, $123
- Make sure you’re getting the best flight deal with KAYAK PriceCheck, the company’s patent-pending price comparison tool now available on the KAYAK app. The tool allows travellers to check they’ve got the best deal by uploading a screenshot of any flight option, from any site, and KAYAK will check the price against hundreds of sites to help book with confidence.
- KAYAK’s 5-Star Steals tool is ready to help you find the perfect luxury resort on a budget. The tool highlights destinations around the world that have five-star hotels at affordable prices, info on the best times to book and best months to travel to get your price even lower.
WESTJET ENCORE PILOTS VOTE FOR POTENTIAL STRIKE
WestJet Encore pilots could go on strike as soon as April 17 after they approved a strike mandate today, increasing the prospect of headwinds after a bumpy year for the airline’s owner.
Canadian Press and the Toronto Star report that pilots at WestJet’s regional carrier voted 97 per cent in favour of strike authorization after contract talks around pay, schedules and career progression came to a “near standstill,” the Air Line Pilots Association said. Nearly 90 per cent of pilots cast a ballot.
“What that signals to me is that our pilots are frustrated,” said Carin Kenny, who heads the union’s WestJet Encore contingent.
NEXUS TRAVEL PASS PRICE POISED TO SKYROCKET
The price of crossing the border more easily is about to jump.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says the NEXUS program it operates in conjunction with U.S. Customs and Border Protection could soon cost more than double today’s price. The CBSA says work is underway to increase the NEXUS application fee from $50 USD to $120 USD effective October 1, 2024, subject to approval of regulatory amendments in the United States and Canada.
The current fee, set more than 20 years ago, no longer covers the cost of the program, officials said.
The new fee would reflect more accurately the cost of administrating the program and the investment required for future program improvements, including technology and infrastructure enhancements. This would work out to US$24 per year for the 5-year membership.
Not to make a popular program even more crowded, but if you travel more than a couple times a year and don’t have a NEXUS card you’re being most unwise. It’s a big time saver, with much shorter lines at U.S. Customs and usually shorter, easier to navigate lines at security. With some security machines, you don’t have to take your laptop out of your bag or remove your shoes, belt or jacket if you have a NEXUS card.
Officials said the proposed increase would help keep up with the high demand for the program and continue to improve NEXUS.
“Since April 2023, we have received over 510,000 applications and completed almost 10,000 interviews every two weeks,” they said.
Applicants are encouraged to book their interview as soon as possible. Appointments are always available on the Trusted Traveller Programs System. Many enrolment centres offer next-day availability for scheduling interviews, allowing applicants to book their appointments quickly.
In anticipation of an increase in demand between now and October, the CBSA and U.S. CBP remain ready to process applications and will continue to make interviews available.
Over the past year, the CBSA and U.S. CBP have:
- Reduced the inventory of NEXUS interviews by 25% since July 2022.
- Expanded hours of service at enrolment centres in both Canada and the U.S. to increase the availability of interview appointments.
- Introduced split interviews at land enrolment centres, offering additional interview options for applicants.
- Reopened Canadian airport enrolment centres for two-step interviews.
- Provided flexibility for applicants to complete the interview process, while encouraging them to complete their interviews as soon as possible.
Quick facts
Applicants who have submitted their application and paid the US$50 fee, but have not completed their enrolment interviews by October 1, 2024, will not have to pay the proposed US$120 fee.
The proposed fee aligns with the fee harmonization across other Trusted Traveller Programs administered by U.S. CBP.
The NEXUS program currently has over 1.8 million members, with the majority of members being Canadian.
NEXUS cards allow members to:
- use self-serve NEXUS kiosks or eGates when entering Canada at nine major international airports
- use dedicated vehicle lanes at 20 designated land border crossings
- use U.S. Global Entry kiosks for entry into the U.S.- receive expedited clearance through CATSA security screening lines at major and select mid-sized airports in Canada
- receive expedited clearance through the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Pre-Check lines at over 200 participating U.S. airports-
- clear the border by boat using the Telephone Reporting Centre and pre-register your arrival at 426 designated sites.
Associated links
NEXUS: Trusted traveller program for travel by air, land and boat
NEXUS | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)
FAIRMONT MOUNTAIN HOTELS AND RIMROCK BANFF DEALS
The patio at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta. JIM BYERS PHOTO
As the temperatures rise and nature awakens, The Rimrock Banff and Fairmont Hotels in Canada’s Western Mountain Collection invite guests to celebrate the changing seasons with special Spring into Summer rates of up to 25% off.
From the majestic mountains of Jasper, Banff, and Whistler to the serene glacial waters of Lake Louise, these iconic destinations offer the perfect escape for travellers seeking memorable experiences this summer. Guests of these five storied mountain resorts can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature with a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, Forest Bathing, biking, canoeing, wildlife viewing, and hitting the links for award-winning golf.
For those looking to relax and rejuvenate, a promise of tranquility awaits, from the serenity of alpine meadows to luxurious spas providing the perfect sanctuary of revitalizing treatments and services. In addition to the stunning natural surroundings, guests can enjoy a multitude of upscale dining experiences featuring locally sourced ingredients and innovative menus to tempt every palate. After a day of adventure, find time to ‘wine down’ for a sip & savour of wild crafted cocktails on terraces boasting million dollar views.
The mountains are calling. Experience their magic by booking Spring into Summer rates in April 2024 for stays through to fall and winter 2024.
Booking timeframes and terms & conditions vary at each destination. Click here for more details and to book.
The Fairmont Hotels in the Western Mountain Collection are the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta, and also the Fairmont Chateau Whistler in B.C.
CANADA JETLINES ADDING TORONTO-MIAMI FLIGHTS
Canada Jetlines will soon launch a new route connecting Toronto to Miami.
Beginning June 30, 2024, travellers can experience the convenience of flying between the two cities with weekly flights on Jetlines.
Here’s a story I posted after a recent Miami visit, looking at great art in the Wynwood district, Little Havana, the posh Fontainebleau Hotel (see photo above), lovely nature, and more.
“We are thrilled to introduce direct flights from Toronto to Miami, offering our customers greater options when planning their travels,” said Eddy Doyle, CEO of Canada Jetlines.
