hunknhot

Frodo.. conflicted, determined, simple yet complicated

A friend of mine put me on this vid. I just had to try it. I modified it a bit .. It does hit the spot when you have a craving !

;)

enjoy!

http://www.nerdfuel.ca/2010/n00b-zone/tutorial-cake-in-a-cup

Anyone have any other good ones to share?

I like priceline/hotwire & copycraigs but I also enjoy getting points and 'status' since they will automatically upgrade you.

I have been able to get fantastic rates with certain memberships. The most obvious one is CAA which I use at leat 75% of the time. The membership is .$40/year. I usually get that back on my first discount night. I do about 120+ nights a year in various chains. They all offer CAA discounts. If you go to marriott.com and put CAA in the corp code you can see the rates at all the Ottawa hotels. It varies from week to week but the Marriott near Kent as an example get me rate from $108 to $149. You'll need a cc to book (hold the room) but you can pay cash when you arrive. All the Holiday Inn (Priority Club/Crowne Plaza Brands) offer CAA rates as does Sheraton (Westin). On their wesbites they also offer packages from a total cost perspective are phenomenal. Free SPA packages, gas cards, pay for two get three nights etc.

I have platinum status with Marriott and Priority Club. They email me special platinum rates on a regular basis which are fantastic! Not to mention arrival gifts, free internet and long distance and lounge access.

There are a few other 'secret' codes which I would prefer not to post publically but they are not hard to find. pm if you want more info.

Hotels also operate in a very similar fashion to Airlines. The further in advance you book the easier access you have to get to the cheaper room blocks. Most, if not all the chains have 'same day of arrival cancellation' if you book via their website. I usually book a whole bunch of rooms weeks if not months out on days I might be arriving. If my plans change it's one click to cancel with no penalty.

I have used the entertainment books as well but I can't be bothered with the coupons. There are much easier ways to find the same rates.

Had a similar event at a well known Toronto club. Should have been $100 but she demanded $200. At the end of the day $100 bucks was not going to change my life but... well.. the principle.. I asked her to come with me and chat with the manager as I heard about stuff like this before. Management takes it quite seriously, bad word of mouth can kill or seriously hurt a club. Especially when there are lots of clubs around. She started negotiating with me and asked for $140 instead.. I figured what the hell, I would have tipped anyway. Was a definate mood killer. I went and sat down had another drink. The waitress who had served me on prior visits stopped and asked me what happened, she could tell from my face I was very distracted. I told her and she asked me if I paid the $200. I said no but that I paid the $100 plus the 'tip'. A few minutes later she came back with one of my favorite drinks (McAllan 18 :). On the house :) I didn't get anymore dances that night, I was a bit put off but I have since returned when I am in town. Not surprisingly, that dancer did not last long there.

95% of the dancers I typically meet are honest and well meaning, thats about 50% better than my professional life.

No reply, no follow-up .... my gut tells me you have your answer crystal clear.

There are many other awesome women here :)

Good Luck!

Here you go Meg/Emma who is going to have the last word?

Now that this is going to bump right up to the top I know you just can't resist!!!

lol ... temptation ... muah!

I did say duo but re-reading this thread.. a group might be a good idea as well ;)

Sorry I missed your reply Riley.. pm next time.. I might be able to help you access better rates ;) as long you share secret of hotels when you run into some. $400 is nuts!

Happy Birthday ! XO

No worries...

I have had good luck with them but prefer not to use them since you don't know the hotel name until you win the bidding.

I have used priceline once before and got totally screwed and tattooed by them. When I arrived at the hotel their rate was so much better then priceline and I was told by priceline that they had the better rate and I would be given $100 if I could prove them wrong. I did and I had that sad story blah blah blah.

Never trust priceline for any thing' date=' I learned my lesson.

Sorry I'm using your thread for rant[/quote']

Don't feel bad.. took me a while to find ways to get those rates..

but I know there are still some more tricks.. ;)

I feel so ripped off, lol. :neutral:

For those who had them... the Montreal Forum pressed hot dogs ! I know the machines sold at auction but where did they go?

Gold nugget gum

The Bell stores replace them for you $10

priceline and copycraigs..

If you use priceline, just put in 50% to 70% off what you normally pay for that particular hotel. In the case of the Marriott or Westin for example I have won with $100USD on the bids... the only catch is that you don't what hotel you are bidding for.

The nice thing about Ottawa is there are not many 4 Star hotels so if you choose that as an option then you are almost guaranteed the Westin, Marriott or Fairmont.. if you win of course..

There a couple things I do but can't post these ... sorry!

WOW!!!

 

You pay really good rates !

 

I'm a little annoyed right now..

 

I have paid up to $269 + tax at the Marriott on Kent.

$219 + tax at the Crowne Plaza

 

Oh and the Westen.. Lets not even go there..

 

WHATS YOUR SECRET??!

:shock::shock:

I tried everything when I got it as well.. Safe Mode System Restore only worked for me.. hopefully you have a backup from a coupe of days ago

Good Luck!

we need proof.. :)

OK, you've all won....I am officially walking around naked now LOL

Here is a proposal.

I offer two plane tickets to the Bahamas and hug if you can help the Habs score a goal!

ugh ... ;)

I thought for sure I could get some leads on this ;)

Anyone have any leads on high usage plans ?

900+ mins months

unlimited BB

unlimited LD in North America

VM etc..

Should we change this topic to fantasies about Meg? :)

What a nice twist to hear about this relatively secret gathering ...

It's getting my creative vibes flowing :)

I suspect the rest of the members here are still stuck in a brain loop visualizing the party!

As am I!

Mmmm.. Annessa is so yummy.. all her lips :) ah.. so many women ...so little time.

It's one of the 7 deadly sins.. but then again.. 7 is a lucky number!:bddog:

That looks pretty good as well. I'll check that out. My MJ is working great by the way. I am still pretty impressed by it, it's delivering as promised.

Hi All,

I have been commuting to Ottawa for over a year and half. Although I have a fantastic corporate rate at the Marriott on Kent depending on what gov't events are on it is frequently sold out. I often find myself staying at the Westin, Courtyard, Fairmont, Crowne and Sheraton at significantly higher rates. I have stayed at the Minto and Les Suites but I prefer points programs

Are there any local secrets/tips people want to share ? I have used priceline and copycraigs to get discount rates in the past but would prefer not use them for points purposes.

As I travel quite a bit I can usually get fantastic rates in most cities but Ottawa has to be one of the more difficult places to get good rates. Well, at the big chains at least.

Advice, Suggestions? Thoughts?

hnh

Additional Comments:

Well just to add some more info I guess. These are the rates I have been paying:

Courtyard: $129-$155

Westin: $125-$190 (through copycraigs for the cheaper rates)

Crowne: $135-$160

Fairmont: $165

Residence Inn: $169

Holiday Inn (Gatineau): $110-$129

Actually it won't make much of a difference if you fly into one airport and leave from another.. The airlines are zone based. It's mostly about seating availability.