3/21/08 Day 1, Part 3: Air Canada Jazz to Vancouver International Airport, Debit issues with Canada Budget

Friday, 21 March 2008 – Day 1, Part 3 – Vancouver, British Columbia
It’s been an interesting angle the last leg of my journey to Vancouver. I boarded the Air Canada Jass city hopper jet flight … which was only a 1/2 hour long. The plane was too small to dock with the terminal, so you had to walk down the steps out into the cold, meander your way around to the plane out on the runway. The typical roller/duffel bag carry-on wouldn’t fit in the overhead since the plane was too small. But there was a onflight-check cart before you climbed the metal stairs up to the aircraft. Cramped, yet comfortable (somehow), very friendly staff, and great service – it was a 1/2 hour flight, and even included beverages. Before long I was at the Vancouver International Airport which was high-tech in parts and Euro-style in others. Customs wasn’t bad going through, but had the all-too-familiar European style setup and processing into Canada. Staff was friendly and courtious as was the border agents. Luggage was extremely quick and efficient to receive. However, biggest issue I had with the Vancouver terminal, was finding car rentals. Seemed like I walked through quite a maze dragging my luggage up and around when it could have been a cross-the-hall kind of connection. Then my affordably booked reservation with Canada Budget Rent-a-car was blocked as they required Credit Cards. “Real” credit cards as they explained. They would not take American “debit cards with Visa or Mastercard logos” because they weren’t “real” credit cards. The only car rental agency according to them that would, was Alamo. Travellers I suggest you remember that with British Columbia. Apparently they claim, even though an American company, are a franchise and they utilize a different debit system. So I was unable to rent a car. Public transportation was easy however to get on the city bus, $3.75 from Airport to downtown. Quick and efficient. Friendly. In fact, I didn’t have exact Canadian change, and the bus driver gave me a free ride, saying “Merry Xmas”.

Air Canada Jazz Seattle, Washington to Vancouver, British Columbia
Operated by Air Canada, partnered with United Airlines. This plane is a small city-hopper jet and when I emphasize small, I mean small. Too small to dock with the terminal, so as the Air Canada flight arrived, I walked down the catwalk stairs, out onto the runway around the baggage carts and up the stairs to the Air Canada Jet, very small, my carry-on didn’t fit in the overhead, but was able to half-scrunch under the seat. It was tight, friendly, and like an airline out of the past. I haven’t been on one of these city-hoppers for ages. Even though it was only a 1/2 hour flight, they still served beverages. Crazy. Very pleasant staff anyhow. They were on top-of-it with the customs forms and gave them as you boarded the flight. Luggage arrived quickly and efficiently, fastest luggage delivery I’ve experienced in my travels, that was impressive. Even though it was cramped, I enjoyed the flight. Rating 3.75 stars out of 5 (for city-hopper jet experience) .. flown 3/21/08.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) * http://www.yvr.ca/ * Richmond / Vancouver, British Columbia
YVR is Canada’s second busiest airport, with some 16.9 million passengers (including same plane transit), approximately 222,900 tonnes of cargo and 270,000 take-offs and landings in 2006. It’s also currently being billed as Canada’s portal to the 2010 Olympics. One of the most state-of-the-art airports I’ve been to, its one of my favorites. I don’t care much for the location and handlings of the rental car agencies, and the fact that wifi isn’t free, but its comfortable, speedy, high-tech, and great service. International Customs is a breezeway – especially from Canada into the US. Very professional and making the whole process a smooth transition. Rating 5 stars out of 5. Visited 3/21/08; 3/31/08.

YVR – Vancouver International Airport