October 5-22, 2011
Savings from using points:
Comfort Inn The Pointe, Niagara Falls, NY - 2 nights for 40,000 points = $230.52 savings
Holiday Inn Express Toronto, North York, ON - 4 nights for 20,000 points & $240; ($519.76 - $240) = $279.76 savings
Holiday Inn Express Ottawa Airport, Ottawa, ON - 4 nights for 20,000 points & $240; ($682.52 - $240) = $442.52 savings
Montreal Downtown Centre Ville Candlewood Suites, Montreal, ON - 3 nights for 15,000 points and $180; ($480.84 - $180) = $300.84 savings
Hotel Royal Williams (Choice Hotels), Quebec City, QC - 3 nights for 24,000 points = $477.57 savings
Comfort Inn Airport, Manchester, NH - 1 night for 12,000 points = $111.18 savings
National Car Rental - used points from Capital One = $1,188.55 savings
Total: $3,030.94 savings
Point Totals Used:
Choice Hotels - 76,000
Holiday Inn / Intercontinental - 55,000
Capital One - $1188.55
We were able to pay for the following items before going on the trip:
We could have bought more items, but it did not seem reasonable with the shipping costs. Total expenses paid before the trip, including the airline fees, is $1,326.62.
Note: we did get $75 in Canadian from a co-worker before going on the trip. Our plan was to use ATMs if and when we needed more cash, otherwise charge most expenses on a Capital One credit card due to no fees being imposed and the ability to get some cash back afterwards. This seemed to be the most cost efficient method of paying for the trip.
October 5 (Wednesday) - Houston, TX, Tampa, FL, Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY
Expenses for Wednesday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Tip for shuttle driver from parking lot - $2.00 cash
Breakfast at Wendy's at Hobby Airport - $11.89
Bottles of soda and water at Hobby Euro Cafe - $4.77
Two drinks at Starbucks at Tampa Airport - $7.60
Soda and candy bar at News Connection at Tampa Airport - $4.05
Toll on road from Buffalo to Niagara Falls - $1.00 cash
Supplies at Walmart in Niagara Falls - $28.91
Souvenirs at Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls NY - $31.44
Supper at Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls NY - $66.00
Total amount: $157.66 US
October 6 (Thursday) - Niagara Falls, NY
Expenses for Thursday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Tip for breakfast personnel - $1.00 cash
Discovery Pass vouchers - $0.00
Lunch at the cafe at the visitor center - $22.14
Souvenir at Maid of the Mist - $8.63
Souvenir at Visitor Center - $10.79
Souvenir at hotel gift shop - $11.43
Supper at TGI Friday - $62.23
Total amount: $116.22 US
October 7 (Friday) - Niagara Falls, NY, Niagara Falls and Toronto, ON
Expenses for Friday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Tip for breakfast personnel - $1.00 cash
Tip for housekeeping - $3.00 cash
Toll for Rainbow Bridge (US side) - $3.50 cash
Tickets for shuttle buses - $20.00 ($19.20 US)
Soda from machine at Table Rock - $2.25 US cash
Admission to Butterfly Conservatory - $27.68 ($26.58 US)
Souvenir at Butterfly Conservatory - $11.28 ($11.01 US)
Souvenirs at Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls Canada - $50.27 ($49.07 US)
Lunch at Terrace Food Court (KFC Express) - $23.26 ($22.34 US)
Parking at Table Rock Visitor Center - $18.00 cash
Supper at Perkins Family Restaurant - $46.04 ($44.21 US)
Total amount: $182.16 US + $18 Canadian cash
October 8 (Saturday) - Toronto, ON
Expenses for Saturday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Parking at Radisson Hotel - $12.00 ($11.65 US)
City Sightseeing Toronto - $39.50 ($37.93 US)
Snack at Burger King - $7.55 ($7.33 US)
Souvenirs at Hard Rock Cafe Toronto - $32.25 - $21.40 points = $10.85 ($10.42 US)
Soda at Royal Ontario Museum - $3.34 cash
Souvenir at Royal Ontario Museum - $11.29 ($11.04 US)
Supper at Nando's Chicken - $31.63 credit card ($30.37 US) + $5.00 in cash tip
Total amount: $108.74 US + $8.34 Canadian cash
October 9 (Sunday) - Toronto, ON
Expenses for Sunday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Parking at Cosa Loma- $9.00 cash
Drinks at Cosa Loma - $5.37 cash
Souvenir at Cosa Loma - $9.08 ($8.92 US)
Parking at Chinatown - $2.50 cash
Lunch at Forestview Chinses Restaurant - $35.36 cash
Parking at CN Tower - $16.00 cash
Soda at CN Tower - $3.00 cash
Souvenir at CN Tower - $9.91 ($9.52 US)
Supper at McDonalds - $15.80 ($15.34 US)
Washing clothes at hotel - $10.50 cash
Total amount: $33.78 US + $81.73 Canadian cash
October 10 (Monday) - Toronto, ON
Expenses for Monday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Tip for breakfast personnel - $1.00 cash
Parking at zoo - $10.00 cash
Zoo mobile tickets - $15.00 cash
Shark and stingray exhibit - $5.00 cash
Lunch at zoo at the Caribou Cafe - $21.32 ($20.69 US)
Water at Discovery Zone - $2.25 cash
Souvenir for Matt at zoo - $3.38 cash
Souvenir for Wands at zoo - $45.18 ($43.85 US)
Supper at Swiss Chalet - $45.96 ($44.61 US)
Total amount: $109.15 US + $36.63 Canadian cash
October 11 (Tuesday) - Toronto and Ottawa, ON
Expenses for Tuesday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Gas at Petro Canada - $52.55 ($51.63 US)
Snacks from Price Chopper - $29.85 ($28.92 US)
Lunch at The Big Apple - $22.17 ($21.48 US)
Souvenir for Matt at The Big Apple - $4.51 cash
Soda, ice cream, and map at Odessa Travel Plaza - $18.00 ($17.69 US)
Supper at Wendy's - $15.32 ($15.05 US)
Frosty at Wendy's - $2.40 cash
Total amount: $134.77 US + $6.91 Canadian cash
October 12 (Wednesday) - Ottawa, ON
Expenses for Wednesday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Tip for breakfast personnel - $1.00 cash
Souvenir for Wanda at Parliament - $22.59 ($22.19 US)
Lunch at Hard Rock Cafe Ottawa - $52.39 ($51.48 US)
Souvenir for Matt at Hard Rock Cafe Ottawa - $35.60 ($34.98 US)
Admission to National Gallery of Canada - $9.00 ($8.76 US)
Soda at National Gallery cafe - $2.39 cash
Tip for check bag at National Gallery - $2.00 cash
Parking at Art Centre - $16.00 ($15.72 US)
Supper at Perkins Family Restaurant - $47.07 ($45.84 US)
Total amount: $178.97 US + $5.39 Canadian cash
October 13 (Thursday) - Ottawa, ON
Expenses for Thursday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Souvenirs for Matt at the Mountie Shop - $10.16 ($9.89 US)
Souvenirs for Wanda at the Mountie Shop - $21.46 ($20.90 US)
Admission to Canadian Air & Space Museum - $9.00 cash
Souvenirs for Matt at the Canadian Air & Space Museum - $15.81 ($15.54 US)
Lunch at Harvey's - $8.22 ($8.00 US)
Ottawa Walking Tour - $15.00 cash
Parking at Art Centre - $16.00 ($15.72 US)
Supper at Golden Century Buffet - $46.09 ($45.29 US)
Gas at Petro-Canada - $71.15 ($69.91 US)
Total amount: $185.25 US + $24.00 Canadian cash
October 14 (Friday) - Ottawa, ON and Gatineau, QC
Expenses for Friday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Tip for breakfast personnel - $1.00 cash
Admission to the Canadian Museum of Civilization - $27.34 ($26.86 US)
Pizza slice, muffin, and sofa at the museum cafeteria - $8.70 ($8.55 US)
Parking at the Canadian Museum of Civilization - $12.00 ($11.79 US)
Admission to the Royal Canadian Mint tour - $10.00 ($9.83 US)
Souvenir for Matt at the Royal Canadian Mint - $11.24 ($11.04 US)
Parking at the National Gallery - $7.50 ($7.37 US)
Supper at A&W - $12.72 ($12.50 US)
Total amount: $87.94 US + $1.00 Canadian cash
October 15 (Saturday) - Ottawa, ON and Montreal, QC
Expenses for Saturday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Tip for breakfast personnel - $1.00 cash
Tip for housekeeping - $4.11 cash
St. Albert Cheese for cheese, fudge, mug ($4.15) - $18.26 ($17.80 US)
Supper at Hong Kong Restaurant - $37.62 ($36.97 US)
Total amount: $54.77 US + $5.11 Canadian cash
October 16 (Sunday) - Montreal, QC
Expenses for Sunday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
3-day Metro tickets (two) - $32.00 cash
2 tickets for Hop-on Hop-off bus tour - $88.86 ($87.31 US)
Tip for the tour guide - $4.00 cash
Dunn's Famous for lunch - $41.87 ($41.14 US)
Combination ticket for Biodome, Insectarium, and Botanical Gardens - $56.00 ($54.48 US)
Souvenir for Matt at Biodome - $6.82 ($6.65 US)
Supper at Allegro Resto-Bar - $51.38 ($50.07 US)
Total amount: $239.65 US + $36.00 Canadian cash
October 17 (Monday) - Montreal, QC
Expenses for Monday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Admission to Notre Dame - $10.00 cash
Souvenir for Matt at Notre Dame - $15.00 ($14.74 US)
Lunch at Le Bourlingueur - $50.95 ($50.06 US)
Souvenir for Wanda at Bastix Souvenir - $11.38 ($11.19 US)
Crackers and candy at Couche-Tard - $7.42 ($7.29 US)
Total amount: $83.28 US + $10.00 Canadian cash
October 18 (Tuesday) - Montreal and Quebec City, QC
Expenses for Tuesday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Breakfast items in Chinatown - $12.00 cash
Tip for housekeeping - $4.00 cash
Parking at hotel for 3 nights - $61.51 ($60.71 US)
Subway for lunch - $12.00 cash
Candy for Matt's work and wine at Bee Museum - Musee De L'Abeille - $23.41 ($23.10 US)
Admission to Montmorency Falls (Matt only) - $10.25 cash
Souvenir for Matt at Montmorency Falls - $9.10 ($8.87 US)
Supper at Yuzu Sushi Bar - $81.07 ($79.01 US)
Total amount: $171.69 US + $38.25 Canadian cash
October 19 (Wednesday) - Quebec City, QC
Expenses for Wednesday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Breakfast at hotel's restaurant - $15.00 cash
Tour admission to the Citadel - $20.00 ($19.74 US)
Souvenir for Matt at the Citadel - $15.26 ($15.06 US)
Parking at Old Town - $15.00 cash
Souviners for Wanda at Boutique Eclipse - tea, mug, cookies - $30.75 ($30.34 US)
Coffee, hot chocolate, roll at Starbucks - $11.22 ($10.97 US)
Sodas, water, shipping supplies at Wal-mart - $12.13 ($11.86 US)
Supper at hotel's restaurant - $100.44 ($98.24 US)
Total amount: $186.21 US + $30.00 Canadian cash
October 20 (Thursday) - Quebec City, QC
Expenses for Thursday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Admission to aquarium - $31.78 ($31.08 US)
Lunch at aquarium - $13.00 cash
Souvenir for Matt at aquarium - $7.85 ($7.79 US)
Box and marker at Bureau En Gros (Staples) - $8.10 cash
Gas at Shell - $70.01 ($68.83 US)
Parking in neue town - $2.00 cash
Candy for Matt's work and hot chocolate at Erico's - $25.09 ($24.54)
Supper at Subway - $15.27 ($14.94 US)
Total amount: $147.18 US + $23.10 Canadian cash
October 21 (Friday) - Quebec City, QC and Manchester, NH
Expenses for Friday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
Tip for housekeeping - $4.00 cash
Parking at hotel - $54.69 cash
Breakfast at McDonalds at Melbourne, ON - $11.94 ($11.74 US)
Postage for box mailed in Stowe, VT - $33.85
Ben & Jerry's tour admission - $6.00 cash
Souvenir for Matt at Ben & Jerry's - $20.60
Souvenir for Wanda at Ben & Jerry's - $36.65
Gas at Manchester - $44.85
Supper at Louisa's - $31.09 cash
Total amount: $184.78 US + $58.69 Canadian cash
October 22 (Saturday) - Manchester, NH, Baltimore, MD, and Houston, TX
Expenses for Saturday:
(note: all expenses paid by credit cards except where identified as cash)
National Car Rental actual charge - $0.00 (cost $1,188.55 but reimbursed through Capital One points after the trip)
Breakfast at Subway for Matt - $7.50 cash
Lunch at Subway for Wanda - $7.50 cash
Taxi ride from airport - $27 cash
Total amount: $42.00 US
Total cash expenses of the trip:
Totals: | Plan | Actual |
Flight | $ 582.00 | $ 466.00 |
Hotels | $ 900.00 | $ 670.50 |
Gas | $ 190.01 | $ 235.22 |
Car Rental | $ 1,028.14 | $ - |
Parking | $ 225.98 | $ 250.15 |
Food | $ 1,499.00 | $ 1,229.75 |
Attractions, Passes, Transportation | $ 896.86 | $ 693.23 |
Total | $ 5,321.99 | $ 3,544.85 |
Souvenirs: | ||
Matt | $ 393.48 | |
Wanda | $ 176.74 | |
Total Souvenirs | $ 570.22 |
Souvenirs not counted in the totals below:
Total expenses paid for the trip = $3,544.85
Total realized savings from points: $3,030.94
Total cost of trip if we had not used hotel points = $6,575.79
Note: souvenir spending is not planned and not covered by the family spending, but by individual accounts.
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This site was last updated 12/05/11