YVR Winter Olympics 2010 Qns..

[Saab34]

Is anyone else heading off to the Winter Olympics and booked their flights? I am just in the early planning stages, but I was hoping to mabye get to YVR for perhaps no more than $1600 by going via LAX on VA. Im not really a fan of the AC product, and I highly doubt they will slash prices for the games..plus I prefer to fly ex-MEL. Thinking then mabye a LCC up to Seattle or YVR..What are my chances, is late Feb low season in USA/Canada for Air Travel?

And for those who have been to Vancouver, whats the average price I might be paying per night for something like the Ibis Hotels we have in Oz during the games????. Not looking for cheapo Motels on the side of motorways, but something nice. I do have a budget, I will be heading off by myself, but a little unaware of the total price that this trip is going to costs...Thanks

 

[Maca44]

Is anyone else heading off to the Winter Olympics and booked their flights? I am just in the early planning stages, but I was hoping to mabye get to YVR for perhaps no more than $1600 by going via LAX on VA. Im not really a fan of the AC product, and I highly doubt they will slash prices for the games..plus I prefer to fly ex-MEL. Thinking then mabye a LCC up to Seattle or YVR..What are my chances, is late Feb low season in USA/Canada for Air Travel?

And for those who have been to Vancouver, whats the average price I might be paying per night for something like the Ibis Hotels we have in Oz during the games????. Not looking for cheapo Motels on the side of motorways, but something nice. I do have a budget, I will be heading off by myself, but a little unaware of the total price that this trip is going to costs...Thanks

Have a look at this site Search Results | British Columbia | Tourism BC - Official Site Its for accommodation in Whistler and the reason I looked there is that if you are staying in Vancouver, and need to travel to Whistler each day or even some days, Hwy99 is going to be very busy even thought they have carried out extensive work on the road system. I think they installed over 30 new bridges and around Black Tusk moved the highway 3 klms west of the old hwy. If you intend staying in Vancouver, do not stay near East Hastings or near Chinatown, not a good area if you know what I mean (full of prostitutes, pimps and drugs). If you spend a little more for a room at Whistler, you will save on travel, fuel etc, but it all depends on your budget and I would assume you would need to book very soon. On the other hand, everything in Whistler might be booked out already.

 

[Maca44]

I just checked the Winter Olympic website, and notice that a lot of events are being held in and around Vancouver so, depending on what you want to see, you might very well stay in Vanvouver. Cypress Ski Resort is only a short drive from downtown, but naturally the downhill, luge and other skiing events are held at Whistler.

 

[aybee]

Im not really a fan of the AC product, and I highly doubt they will slash prices for the games..plus I prefer to fly ex-MEL.

Oh ye of little faith - you doubt wrongly! Don't be quite so quick to dismiss AC - they have sale fares on for $1399 plus tax return for 17JAN-06FEB and 14FEB-31MAR ex-Australia dates right now. Purchase by 16JUN this year. MEL is the same price as SYD so effectively getting your QF MEL-SYD-MEL connections for nada.
Not sure what about the AC product (apart from the "senior" crew) worries you. USB & power port connections in Economy, full on-demand AVOD, 3 meals plus all flight snacks, decent leg room, nice 77L equipment. The "new" AC is a way sight better than the old one was, although it's no SQ/CX/TG I grant you.

Everyone always thinks Olympics mean big $ for flights & accom, so everyone plans to stay away, but closer to games time, everything starts dropping once the suppliers realise there 'aint no pot of gold at the end of the Olympics rainbow. Bottom line - start noting current prices and when you see something better, go for it.

 

[Saab34]

Thanks all so far for the help!

Oh ye of little faith - you doubt wrongly! Don't be quite so quick to dismiss AC - they have sale fares on for $1399 plus tax return for 17JAN-06FEB and 14FEB-31MAR ex-Australia dates right now. Purchase by 16JUN this year. MEL is the same price as SYD so effectively getting your QF MEL-SYD-MEL connections for nada.
Not sure what about the AC product (apart from the "senior" crew) worries you. USB & power port connections in Economy, full on-demand AVOD, 3 meals plus all flight snacks, decent leg room, nice 77L equipment. The "new" AC is a way sight better than the old one was, although it's no SQ/CX/TG I grant you.

I would like to experience flying VA and a US Domestic Airline, but I will look into AC's product a bit further and take those comments on board. Thanks.