Topic Wiki

Trip Reports

Dan, AJK here and here , Chapshnell, UshDadude, sam28, YudiG, Tzfas, mochada, jagstangz, Neil, dpk4588, BKYW, tzifanya54, stever, mordechain, nafnaf12, SLMYRCB, Friars500


Flight Options (as of 04/18)

Cathay Pacific flies directly to/from JFK (777-300ER).         

Final date for this route, 02/23/20

Economy:
12.5K BA OW
17.5K AS OW
20K CX OW (30K RT)

Premium Economy:
25K BA OW
20K AS OW
24K CX OW (36K RT)

Business Class:
37.5K BA OW
25K AS OW
25K CX OW (50K RT)

First Class:
50K BA OW
35K AS OW
40K CX OW (70K RT)
Air Canada flies directly to/from EWR (787-800).
Economy:
12.5K SQ, UA, AC OW

Premium Economy:
20K AC OW

Business Class:
20K SQ OW
25K UA, AC OW

There is also a Delta flight direct to/from JFK in the summer months (prices vary as expected from Delta).   

DP01 (07/13): CX availability becomes better closer to the flight. (MEIR613)
DP02 (04/18): CX availability disappears 3-5 days out on BA and AS. (SLMYRCB)
DP03 (08/18): CX availability can only show up on BA or AS if there is more than 1 seat remaining, if it's only 1 seat, it will only be available on CX.com Use CX.com to see actual # of seats available. (@Yehuda)


Food - BC Kosher List

Cafe Forty One (dairy - cholov yisrael) formerly Shuk Eat/Play
5750 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
V6M 2V9, Canada
Tel: 604-563-4141
Delivery Service via Skip The Dishes (Fairmont Pacific Rim is not within the deliverable area)
"Really great, everything tasty good value, best Caesar Salad ever, and order pizza in advance for good "camp" like homemade yummyness." (shiframeir)
"Nice selection of pastries in addition to their dairy menu. The pizzas and sandwiches are very good." (SLMYRCB)

Nava Creative Cusine (dairy/pareve - non cholov yisrael)
950 West 41st Avenue
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 676-7579
Located at the JCC - right around corner from Cafe Forty One

Omnitsky's Kosher (meat)
5775 Oak Street,
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 321-1818
Just across the street from Cafe Forty One

Sabra Bakery (meat)
3844 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 733-4912
Two miles down Oak Street near the Sharei Tzedek Shul

Maple Grill (meat)
1967 W Broadway
Vancouver, BC
V6J 1Z3, Canada
Tel: (604) 568-4885

Mount Royal Bagels - North Vancouver
701 Queensbury Ave
North Vancouver, BC
V7L 3V9, Canada
Tel: (604) 904-1116

Real Canadian Superstore
Marine Drive
Has kosher products

Kosher Food Warehouse
612 Kingsway (rear)
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 709-9889


Shabbos

Chabad Downtown - walkable from many hotels, no Eruv, Shacharis on Shabbos followed by Kiddush, Friday night Minyan last weekend each month.
TheKollel - in the community, yes Eruv, Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre only points hotel in the Eruv, Airbnb options, all Minyanim, free Shabbos meals. Some hotels downtown (outside the Eruv) are about an hour walk.
Eruv - https://goo.gl/maps/D2oLBC39GT72


Activities

Stanley park - trolley, rent bikes at Bayshore Bike/Spokes/lots of other places (Westin Bayshore provides 2 hours of free bikes), playground/water are, 9 o'clock gun
Aquarium in Stanley Park
Capilano suspension bridge - also tree walk and cliff walk
Capilano Salmon Hatchery
Lynn Canyon suspension bridge and hikes (Twin Falls, 30 Foot Pool) - free
Grouse Mountain - gondola up, can take chairlift even higher, then an elevator to top of windmill, view of Vancouver, ziplining, parasailing, lumberjack show, see grizzly bears, Grouse Grind - way to hike up the mountain instead
Granville island - market, street performers, kayaking, stand up paddleboat, false creek ferries, brewery tour, kids play area, rent a boat, can bike to here
Seaplane around Vancouver harbor or to Whistler -  http://www.harbour-air.com/index.php 
Whale watching
Victoria Island - ferry to the island/back, Butchart Gardens (expensive, underwhelming), Miniature World, Fisherman's Wharf, oldest Synagogue in Canada. Victoria seems to be very expensive, ferry $30, to bring a car $100, gardens $30.
Bowen Island
Seabus - cheap ferry across harbor and back
Deep Cove kayaking
UBC Garden - Greenheart TreeWalk (look for Groupon)
Zoo
Harbor boat tours - boatrent.ca, Harbor Cruises was terrible - dpk4588
Sea wall
Watch sea planes
Cypress Mountain
Seymour Mountain
Art Museum
Science center imax
Pacific Center Mall
See Olympic torch
"Tour Guys" free walking tour
Rivers to see salmon spawn (swim upstream)
Robson street
Denman street
Vancouver Convention Center - Olympics memorabilia
Kitsilano Beach
Kids Bowl Free
Takaya golf centre
Poets cove
Elizabeth gardens
Van dusen gardens - better than Elizabeth gardens
Canada Place - fly over canada ride experience
Brittania Mine Museum
Vancouver Lookout
Gastown - steam clock
Chinatown
Yaletown
http://scenicrush.com/ - exotic car drive up the Sea to sky highway
Dr SunYatSen Chinese Garden (Dan and a DDFer said not worth it)
Free Chinese Garden
Lighthouse park
Safari Eco Boat Tour and Seaplane flight  Sewellsmarina.com

On the way to Whistler: (see Whistler Master Thread)
Sea to sky highway
Sea to sky gondola in Squamish, can hike up and take gondola down
River rafting in Squamish
Shannon Falls
Brandywine Falls
Panorama Ridge Hike in Lake Garibaldi in between Squamish and Whistler

« Last edited by pointer on February 16, 2020, 11:32:24 PM »

Author Topic: Vancouver Master Thread  (Read 275966 times)

Offline rileywiles23

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 5776
  • Total likes: 108
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #620 on: July 01, 2015, 08:37:37 PM »

You mean YVR? 32.5k
That's what I meant. Thank you. 
CX via asia miles charges 30k IIRC, if you want the best option...
  What's Asia miles ?
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline D93

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2014
  • Posts: 8791
  • Total likes: 21
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 14
    • View Profile
  • Location: PHL - TLV
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #621 on: July 02, 2015, 01:02:59 AM »
What's Asia miles ?
CX's milage program. Transfer partner from Amex.

Offline rileywiles23

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 5776
  • Total likes: 108
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #622 on: July 02, 2015, 09:49:12 AM »

CX's milage program. Transfer partner from Amex.
It seems CX charges 25% of the revenue, plus taxes and fees, for a lap child. I'll pass.
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline Matovu

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 1215
  • Total likes: 21
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond,
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #623 on: July 02, 2015, 10:02:25 AM »
tell us more about the Aisa CX program.

I think it cost to sign up

Offline rileywiles23

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 5776
  • Total likes: 108
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #624 on: July 02, 2015, 10:47:48 AM »

tell us more about the Aisa CX program.

I think it cost to sign up
GIYF
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline D93

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2014
  • Posts: 8791
  • Total likes: 21
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 14
    • View Profile
  • Location: PHL - TLV
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #625 on: July 02, 2015, 01:18:15 PM »
tell us more about the Aisa CX program.

I think it cost to sign up
Incorrecct

Offline tzifanya54

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 5629
  • Total likes: 233
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #626 on: July 02, 2015, 02:37:11 PM »

Offline Matovu

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 1215
  • Total likes: 21
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond,
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #627 on: July 02, 2015, 03:00:56 PM »
care to elaborate?

Cathay Pacific Marco Polo program cost money

but Asia Miles Program is free

Offline Matovu

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 1215
  • Total likes: 21
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond,
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #628 on: July 02, 2015, 03:01:28 PM »
CX via asia miles charges 30k IIRC, if you want the best option...

When I searched Asia Miles I see they want 40K miles not 30K ?

Offline tzifanya54

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 5629
  • Total likes: 233
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #629 on: July 02, 2015, 03:04:17 PM »
Cathay Pacific Marco Polo program cost money

but Asia Miles Program is free
oh I see, thanks

Offline Matovu

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 1215
  • Total likes: 21
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond,
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #630 on: July 02, 2015, 03:15:06 PM »
And I am having fun trying

see that they "Waitlist" ? just like SQ

So now a barrage of questions.. when, what and if is likely to clear ? anyone with experience ?

Anyone do this before ?
« Last Edit: July 02, 2015, 05:52:22 PM by Matovu »

Offline Matovu

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 1215
  • Total likes: 21
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond,
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #631 on: July 02, 2015, 03:23:12 PM »
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/2245
 more about the programs explained;
this was written years ago in 2007 B.C. :)

Offline dpk4588

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Nov 2012
  • Posts: 1159
  • Total likes: 66
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 23
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #632 on: July 02, 2015, 05:17:00 PM »
When I searched Asia Miles I see they want 40K miles not 30K ?
+1
CX via asia miles charges 30k IIRC, if you want the best option...
If you have the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator (formerly US Air Dividend Miles Card), its only 29,250 (after 10% rebate) on AA, so that would be the best option.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
-Albert Einstein

Offline rileywiles23

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 5776
  • Total likes: 108
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #633 on: July 02, 2015, 07:06:26 PM »
If you have the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator (formerly US Air Dividend Miles Card), its only 29,250 (after 10% rebate) on AA, so that would be the best option.
I'll prob. be flying with my kid. The way I'm looking at it is, booking AA = 58.5k ( I have the aviator card ) plus 10% of revenue fare = about $375. Booking BA = 110k miles. Isn't 50K BA miles worth more then $375 ? Please CMIIW on the calculation.
ETA: I just realized that I can also book one ticket through BA, and one through AA. Then add the infant to the BA ticket. Total being 29,250 AA,  55k BA plus additional taxes, and YQ.
« Last Edit: July 02, 2015, 07:16:31 PM by rileywiles23 »
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline rileywiles23

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 5776
  • Total likes: 108
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #634 on: July 05, 2015, 11:48:56 PM »
Been searching NYC-YVR for the end of July, and the whole August on BA website, and can't find anything. Is there a better way to search for Cathay availability, or is this just standard for the summer, and I should just keep checking BA ?
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline tzifanya54

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 5629
  • Total likes: 233
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #635 on: July 05, 2015, 11:50:50 PM »
Been searching NYC-YVR for the end of July, and the whole August on BA website, and can't find anything. Is there a better way to search for Cathay availability, or is this just standard for the summer, and I should just keep checking BA ?
That.

Offline Chapshnell

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 4818
  • Total likes: 275
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: BP
  • Programs: Delta Skypesos, AA Shilling, AS Pounds.
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #636 on: July 06, 2015, 12:48:36 AM »
Been searching NYC-YVR for the end of July, and the whole August on BA website, and can't find anything. Is there a better way to search for Cathay availability, or is this just standard for the summer, and I should just keep checking BA ?

Asiamiles.com

Offline Matovu

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 1215
  • Total likes: 21
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond,
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #637 on: July 06, 2015, 12:57:10 AM »
Asiamiles.com

Im assuming when u went you booked thru asiamiles, did you have to waitlist ?

Offline rileywiles23

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 5776
  • Total likes: 108
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #638 on: July 06, 2015, 01:33:34 AM »

Asiamiles.com
Thank you. Worked like a charm.
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline Wheelerdealer

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 131
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Vancouver Master Thread
« Reply #639 on: July 07, 2015, 12:24:07 AM »
Looking to travel from YVR or SFO to HNG on the 747 CX FIRST (heard its a great experience)
What would be my cheapest booking options?
Miles and fuel surcharges
Ive looked everywhere I cant find the answer to this

Thanks