Experience with GoGo In-Flight Internet on Air Canada

By Darren MakThu, 04/15/2010 - 13:55

1 comment

GoGo Internet on Air CanadaToday was my first flight on a GoGo Wifi equipped flight on Air Canada, or any other airline for that matter! I have been looking forward to this ever since I heard of the service a few years ago, that allows you to connect to the Internet from any wifi equipped device while on a commercial airplane.

I have always looked forward to flying as a little bit of an escape from the outside world, but there are times when connectivity will help you with that project deadline, or just take your mind off the things you left on the ground.

Currently the service is only available on select Air Canada aircraft flying between Toronto, Montreal and Los Angeles. Part of this fact is because the service relies on terrestrial access points which are only currently licensed in the US. Air Canada is in the trial phase of this service, and I can say that because it has been used on various airlines in the US for the past couple of years, the login process, and the service itself is very polished.

Cost is currently $7.99 which for this five hour flight is pretty reasonable, but I have to say I am not sure if I would use the service on a 2.5 hour flight. Not because it is cumbersome to use, but because of the cost.

Continue Reading

iPad Road Trip from Winnipeg to Minneapolis

By Darren MakSat, 04/03/2010 - 11:43

Leave a comment

_DSC3753It may sound like a crazy idea to some, but on Friday myself and a couple of other tech-loving guys from Winnipeg headed south from Winnipeg to Minneapolis, in search of Apple's latest product, the iPad!

Not only was it a chance for Kevin Hnatiuk, Ian McCausland, Lloyd Hannesson to get our hands on the tablet 3 to 4 weeks before others in Canada, but it was a great opportunity to socialize, talk about our Industry and celebrate a long-standing tradition... the Road Trip!

Kevin edited this short video from our trip on his new iPhone app he is developing in about 15 minutes, on the car ride home...

I will have more details in the near future about what I think of the iPad, but in the meantime though I would share a few photos from our visit to the Apple Store!

_DSC3753_DSC3754

ANdAZ San Diego

By Darren MakSun, 03/14/2010 - 17:21

Leave a comment
ANdAZ San Diego
Source: Flickr

The last couple of times I had been in San Diego, I had stayed at the W Hotel, and have been really impressed with the service and upgrades I have received there. So why would I choose to stay at a new hotel, which is a part of a new brand, and is a part of a loyalty program I don't have status with our have points saved up with yet?

Simple, the ANdAZ San Diego had a great promotion they were running, the ANdAZ brand is new and in direct competition with W Hotels, and the Loyalty program, Hyatt Gold Passport, currently has a fast-track to Platinum promotion that I couldn't pass up!

After arriving in San Diego, I made a stop inthe Red Carpet Club, hooked up the the airport's free wi-fi and I signed up for a Hyatt Gold Passport account, using the signup form which is a part of the promotion page for the fast-track to diamond status and seconds later, I had a new Hyatt Gold Passport account number and was already a Platinum Member, and would have some added benefits with my very first stay, which I was about to book!

I booked a one night stay at the ANdAZ San Diego, using the promo code ANDAZ5, which in addition to 5000 bonus Hyatt Gold Passport points (enough for a free night at a category 1 hotel) also gave me a $50 credit to spend at the hotel!

Continue Reading

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Austin

By Darren MakFri, 02/26/2010 - 13:03

Leave a comment
IMG_6879
Source: Flickr

It has been years since I have stayed in a Hampton Inn, as they just stopped being in cities to which I travelled to frequently. But a recent promotion between Hilton Hhonors and Aeroplan offering me free Gold Status, and 50,000 points if I stayed four times by May 15th drew me to this Downtown Austin Property.

Although a few blocks off the beaten path, it is really close to the Convention Center and would make a great hotel to stay at for an event such as SXSW.

My plane landed in Austin at 1:30 in the afternoon, so I decided to use public transit to get downtown, as the Airport Flyer 100 bus stops a few blocks away from the hotel on 6th street. Bus fare is $1.00 and 40 minutes after stepping on the bus, I was in my room. Although not all too convenient if you had a large amount of luggage, with my roll-aboard and the beautiful weather, I did not mind the four block walk at all.

The greeting at the check-in desk was friendly, and the attendant very efficient. She recognized my Hhonors Gold Status, asked for a credit card and ID, and told me that breakfast was served from 6:00 -10:00 am on the second floor, and that Monday to Thursday there was free beer, wine and appetizers from 5:00 - 6:30 pm also on the second floor.

Like at all other Hampton Inns, Internet access is free, and there is an access code printed on your room key folder.

Continue Reading