So what routes will VA cut ?

[Ausbt]

Anyway, remind me, why we are talking about US ski holidays again in this thread?

Because its fun. Ozfflyer, do you have any stats on actual inbound skier numbers to the US, Canada & Japan? I'm pretty sure there must be about 50K Australians travelling to Japan each year, would be interested in the US/CA stats. Also while I'll grant you that 10 days at Copper might come in at an attractive rate, I'm really struggling to swallow that " it's now much much cheaper to ski in USA than it was when AUD$1 = USD$1". That AUD valuation pre-dates the Ikon/Epic/MCA passes doesn't it? It might be cheaper to ski Copper, but it's certainly not cheaper to stump-up US$169 per day pass at Aspen, drop into Cloud9 for lunch, spray a bottle of Veuve off the balcony racing-driver style and similar examples. I'd rather be paying parity for that thanks.

Regardless, Japan is cheaper whether 7 days or 14. VA of course do not have any direct NRT, HND or CTS flights so not particularly helpful for them on those already well-serviced routes anyway.

 

[ozfflyer]

Because its fun. Ozfflyer, do you have any stats on actual inbound skier numbers to the US, Canada & Japan? I'm pretty sure there must be about 50K Australians travelling to Japan each year, would be interested in the US/CA stats. Also while I'll grant you that 10 days at Copper might come in at an attractive rate, I'm really struggling to swallow that " it's now much much cheaper to ski in USA than it was when AUD$1 = USD$1". That AUD valuation pre-dates the Ikon/Epic/MCA passes doesn't it? It might be cheaper to ski Copper, but it's certainly not cheaper to stump-up US$169 per day pass at Aspen, drop into Cloud9 for lunch, spray a bottle of Veuve off the balcony racing-driver style and similar examples. I'd rather be paying parity for that thanks.

Regardless, Japan is cheaper whether 7 days or 14. VA of course do not have any direct NRT, HND or CTS flights so not particularly helpful for them on those already well-serviced routes anyway.

hardly anyone ever buys the single day tickets that Epic/Ikon passes base their supposed savings on.

Think the numbers to Japan are more than 50k & USA/Canada more than that again, but that's just from talking extensively to snow wholesalers, but there are those who think it's cheaper to book everything online & very hard to measure those.

You couldn't get US$37 lift tickets with 4 kids free, per paid lift ticket, when dollars at parity. Competition with Vail has brought these lift prices way down & same with long stay accommodations. Long as in over 6 nights.

Seriously AU$215 for a 3 star apartment near lifts, that sleeps 6. That's cheap & we're NOT talking November or April or miles from lifts, in some 1950s built backpacker hostel, with 12 beds per tiny room & shared bathrooms.

Of course if you go out to 5 star restaurants for 3 meals a day, you can spend big bucks, but that applies anywhere. Me, am too tired after full day of skiing to so much at all. athough at $37 a day, don't feel guilty if don't have a full day & don't feel I've wasted an expensive day ticket.

 

[TomVexille]

@ozfflyer 10% is for below average service. That's cheapskate stuff

 

[dajop]

I'm really struggling to swallow that " it's now much much cheaper to ski in USA than it was when AUD$1 = USD$1".

There could be some logic to this, as there tends to be a reasonable correlation between overall economic conditions and the value of the AUD. When the global economy is not going that great, the AUD weakens, but at the same time demand softens for leisure activities, such as ski holidays, so prices could head south as well.

 

[Ausbt]

so prices could head south as well.

Well yes I suppose you do have to respond to market demand. There is no doubt that for some US ski areas they certainly do target Australians as a major market. Having been a skier for 30+ years, I certainly agree there is good value for the ski traveller right not. Shame I can't afford to ski in Oz anymore basically.

As for the tipping, geeze, they might run you out of town @ 10%. I really hate tipping though, no where more than here at home. Except if the place is run by Georgie C, then you know at least his staff are getting something...

 

[ozfflyer]

@ozfflyer 10% is for below average service. That's cheapskate stuff

no it's not. Below average service is no tip & get manager over & ask him/her what they are going to do about it.

 

[ozfflyer]

Because its fun. Ozfflyer, do you have any stats on actual inbound skier numbers to the US, Canada & Japan? I'm pretty sure there must be about 50K Australians travelling to Japan each year, would be interested in the US/CA stats. Also while I'll grant you that 10 days at Copper might come in at an attractive rate, I'm really struggling to swallow that " it's now much much cheaper to ski in USA than it was when AUD$1 = USD$1". That AUD valuation pre-dates the Ikon/Epic/MCA passes doesn't it? It might be cheaper to ski Copper, but it's certainly not cheaper to stump-up US$169 per day pass at Aspen, drop into Cloud9 for lunch, spray a bottle of Veuve off the balcony racing-driver style and similar examples. I'd rather be paying parity for that thanks.

Regardless, Japan is cheaper whether 7 days or 14. VA of course do not have any direct NRT, HND or CTS flights so not particularly helpful for them on those already well-serviced routes anyway.

I don’t think you can make a blanket statement & say Japan is cheaper.

Lift tickets are cheaper in USA by a long way & kids are free, when talking about major resorts & accommodations are cheaper in USA when you actually compare apples with apples.

Many airlines fly from west coast usa to colorado, plus very easy to get frequent flyer tickets, using virgin (or qantas) points.

Getting to Japan might be a little bit cheaper airfare wise, but still have to get from airport to ski resort.

In Colorado you can get a car for about $100(aussie) that can fit up to 5 people to get to resort.

From Bris, it takes longer to get to chitose than LAX.

Ok but you could fly to Tokyo in 9.5 hours, but when LAX return is under $800, you might get to Narita return for $600 on another full service airline.

So in Japan you might save a little on airfares, but lose a lot on lift tickets & accommodations.

 

[TomVexille]

no it's not. Below average service is no tip & get manager over & ask him/her what they are going to do about it.

Wow. You're a delight. I assure you that 10% is severe cheapskate territory.

I bet you don't get good service much with an attitude like that.

 

[ozfflyer]

Wow. You're a delight. I assure you that 10% is severe cheapskate territory.

I bet you don't get good service much with an attitude like that.

Why would you think you need to tip above 10% , pre tax?

Why not pay 30, 50 or 100% then ?

Once had a waiter in NYC who was high. He made a mess of everything & we didn't tip or pay anything. Nothing for food/drinks. Hopefully the guy got the bullet.

 

[TomVexille]

Why would you think you need to tip above 10% , pre tax?

Why not pay 30, 50 or 100% then ?

Once had a waiter in NYC who was high. He made a mess of everything & we didn't tip or pay anything. Nothing for food/drinks. Hopefully the guy got the bullet.

We're well off topic now...

Because 15-20 is the expectation for good service. If you think otherwise you're wrong. I know this because I've lived there. Have you?

Your NY experience is an anomaly, and you rightly didn't pay. But when you do get good service. Pay up. Anything less is just taking from the hardworking servers and busboys.

 

[ozfflyer]

We're well off topic now...

Because 15-20 is the expectation for good service. If you think otherwise you're wrong. I know this because I've lived there. Have you?

Your NY experience is an anomaly, and you rightly didn't pay. But when you do get good service. Pay up. Anything less is just taking from the hardworking servers and busboys.

expectation ? What does that mean ? & yes have lived there.

Tip distribution also depends on how you pay it, by cash or card. Suggest that tipping by cash goes straight to waiter, who pockets all or most of it. By card is completely different.

Anyway, getting back on topic ......

If LAX is doing well for VA why are they doing $499 return + taxes for travel industry staff ?

Breakaway Travelclub

The definition of travel industry staff seems very wide.

See below.

Of course VA makes money on LAX route in school holidays & business types pay big $$$, even for Y, but leisure travel is dropping off, so you need a lot of business types paying $3k for Y, to allow you to sell some $800 return fares.

>>>

for $499 + taxes retunr to LAX

• Valid for (A) Travel Agent, (B) Airline Staff, (C) Intl. Air Freight Forwarder, (D) Cruise Company Employee, (E) International Hotel Chain, (F) International Hire Car Company, (G) CRS Company, (H) Intl./Natnl. State Tourist Offices, (I) Intl. Sea Freight Forwarders, (J) Retired Airline Employee, (K) TCA Card Holder, (L) Airlines Catering Company, (M) ASTW / Travel Media, (N) Tour Guide, (O) National Hotel Employee, (P) Airport Security Card Holders, (Q) AUSATTS Members, (R) Resort Staff, (S) Airport Corporation Employee, (T) Duty Free Store, (U) CASA Employee, (V) Professional Conference Organisers, (X) AMEX Card and Foreign Exchange Employees, (Y) IATA Employees
• Any 1 companion may travel with member. Any companion MUST travel with the industry employee on all segments
• Sales to 30JUN20, subject to availability. Blackout Period: Travel not permitted 12DEC19 THROUGH 07JAN20.
• Travel Industry employee must show proof of employment upon check-in
• No minimum stay. Maximum stay 12 Months.
• Economy & Premium Economy Class: Accompanied child between 2-11 yrs inclusive pay 75% of the adult fare. Infant under 2 years (without seat) pay 10% of the adult fare.
• Business Class: No Child/infant discount.

 

[dajop]

Wow. You're a delight. I assure you that 10% is severe cheapskate territory.

Yes, severe cheapskate. A few people I know are cheapskates, including myself often, but we all know that that 15-20% range is the minimum tip you should pay in the US. In most places, double the tax and maybe roundup is the easy way to work it out. Like most in the Australian culture, don't we hate it, but it is what it is. When in Rome and all that ...

 

[ozfflyer]

Yes, severe cheapskate. A few people I know are cheapskates, including myself often, but we all know that that 15-20% range is the minimum tip you should pay in the US. In most places, double the tax and maybe roundup is the easy way to work it out. Like most in the Australian culture, don't we hate it, but it is what it is. When in Rome and all that ...

except many yanks no longer tip. Think tipping is on it's way out. Some NYC restaurants state clearly no tipping is ever required.

 

[Ausbt]

for $499 + taxes retunr to LAX

• (M) ASTW / Travel Media

...hmmm, would travel blogger / influencer be enough though? ☺

Oz, I'm all for minimising every possible cost and skiing on the cheap but its a stretch to paint the US as cheaper than Japan. Shinkansen tickets can add to the cost, I'll accept that. Maybe in your family example with your kids-ski-free deal you can get the economies of scale working in your favour, sure. But keeping it simple, as primarily a solo traveller no way. Not on a cost-per-skiing-day for one adult, or even two adults. Anyway, my credit card statement will bear the facts on this one come next Feb, as after Myoko I'm aiming to be doing CO as cheap as I possible can (solo). So I'll get back to you then.

Some NYC restaurants state clearly no tipping is ever required.

Can we get a list? I'll promise you I'll be lining up at the door

 

[ozfflyer]

...hmmm, would travel blogger / influencer be enough though? ☺

Oz, I'm all for minimising every possible cost and skiing on the cheap but its a stretch to paint the US as cheaper than Japan. Shinkansen tickets can add to the cost, I'll accept that. Maybe in your family example with your kids-ski-free deal you can get the economies of scale working in your favour, sure. But keeping it simple, as primarily a solo traveller no way. Not on a cost-per-skiing-day for one adult, or even two adults. Anyway, my credit card statement will bear the facts on this one come next Feb, as after Myoko I'm aiming to be doing CO as cheap as I possible can (solo). So I'll get back to you then.

why would you say it's a stretch to paint the US as cheaper than Japan(skiing), with numbers above. Even if take kids out of equation & base costs on only 2 adults sharing an apartment, no kids, then lift tickets US$37 a day each (au$54)& probably don't need an apartment that sleeps 6.

No idea how much a smaller apartment is, but would surely be cheaper than the au$215 night, but if 2 people did share an apartment that sleeps 6, so there would presumably be lots of room, costs each would be aud$161.50 each for a nights accommodations & day lift ticket & if any extra people, they would only have to pay for lift tickets at au$54/day as accommodation costs covered by 1st two people.

 

[pauly7]

Can we please stop talking about tipping and skiing or take those thrilling conversations to the playground....?

 

[33kft]

except many yanks no longer tip. Think tipping is on it's way out. Some NYC restaurants state clearly no tipping is ever required.

So despite tipping being an institutional requirement in the US where a living wage does not exist for these workers, a few NYC restaurants hiking their prices and paying their staff means you don't need to tip anymore?

Not many people like it, but this sort of approach will get you nothing more than banned at most establishments. Perhaps next time you're in a restaurant in Australia, you can throw them a $5 note and inform them that some restaurants in Australia now institute a pay what you want model, and see how that goes down?

 

[ozfflyer]

so the media keeps talking down the aussie dollar, but it's back at 69 cents U.s., which is 1 cent lower than average for last 8-10 months or 1.5%.

The media talk must have an impact on australians thinking of going anywhere o/s, but why would anyone stop buying anything if the price went up a measly 1.5% ?

VA tickets to EU are on Etihad & think EY have now stopped giving snacks/drinks between meals(free), unless you want to pay, so they can lower their airfares slightly.

Wonder if VA(EY) have any fares to EU for next year under $1k, or close to it. Seem to many full service airlines doing it & seeing EU from Bris, Syd, Melb is roughly twice the distance to LAX or SFO, it makes $1k fares to EU sound very cheap.

 

[ozfflyer]

So despite tipping being an institutional requirement in the US where a living wage does not exist for these workers, a few NYC restaurants hiking their prices and paying their staff means you don't need to tip anymore?

Not many people like it, but this sort of approach will get you nothing more than banned at most establishments. Perhaps next time you're in a restaurant in Australia, you can throw them a $5 note and inform them that some restaurants in Australia now institute a pay what you want model, and see how that goes down?

who tips at restaurants or for anything in Australia ? Seriously ?

100s of restaurants in Australia are closing right now, as wages are far too high, even upmarket burger joints are closing.

 

[pauly7]

who tips for anything in Australia ? Seriously ?

Are you talking about tipping what routes will be cut?