Budget airline offers cheaper routes to exotic locations

FRIDAY, JAN. 11: Air Canada is launching a low fare airline, which will begin operation on July 1.

The new airline, Air Canada rouge, announced the initial cities it would begin flying to in the Caribbean but it sadly does not include Bermuda.

However, it could mean discounts in getting to other destinations by flying to Toronto and then down south.

There could be lots of good deals, especially if you would like to go to Cuba, the Dominican Republic or Costa Rica.

Cities included: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Liberia, Costa Rica; San Jose, Costa Rica; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Varadero, Cuba; Kingston, Jamaica; Santa Clara, Cuba; Cayo Coco, Cuba; Holguin, Cuba; and Samana, Dominican Republic.

Playing around with the dates in July, I was able to get a flight from Toronto to Liberia for $504.

The airline said fares can be as low as $389 on the Costa Rican routes.

For the three Cuban cities, the Domincan Republic and Jamaica, it is advertising fares as low as $538 roundtrip.

From Toronto, it is also offering three cities in Europe: Athens, Venice and Edinburgh.

Rouge says fares will be as low as $949 on these routes. You’ll pay for the extras like food and streaming media (it won’t be installing seat TVs).

Rouge plans on adding four planes to its fleet in October and will expand service then.

The flights will not operate every day and you can book at www.aircanada.com.

Air France

The airline announced a no frills economy rate of 49 euros for some short haul and medium flights starting February 6.

You won’t earn any air miles and you won’t be allowed to have any checked luggage.

Alamo

The care rental company has revamped its website (www.Alamo.com) and has promised to get its customers the lowest rates through its new ‘Deal Retriever’ – which is just a fancy way of marketing its booking engine. One way to help cut costs is by joining its free Alamo Insiders club, in which the rental car agency promises a minimum of 10 per cent off kits advertised rates plus gives access to special deals to members.

American Airlines

According the Houston Star-Telegram, AA will make a decision on its proposed merger with US Airways “within a matter of weeks.”

A telling sign as to whether or not American may accept the merger or reject it is in AA CEO’s letter to its employees in which Tom Horton says: “In just over a year, we have moved faster and performed better through our restructuring than any airline in history. Our collective efforts have created a strong foundation for the future of the new American, which is on course to become a premier global airline, equipped to compete against the best in the world.

Staying laser-focused on serving our customers and running a great airline must remain our highest priority.”