Do You Need a License to Drive a Boat in Canada? | How to Get A Boating License (PCOC)

What is Required to Operate a Boat in Canada | Who Can Drive A Boat?

What Is A Boating License (PCOC)?

In Canada, the term boating license, boat operator card, or card refer to PCOC, which stands for Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

PCOC looks like a driver's license or a credit card and has the same thickness and made of the same material as a credit card, except it doesn't have an expiration date.

Who Is Required to Carry a PCOC?

Any person operating a powered watercraft on any Canadian waters is required to carry a PCOC. The term “powered watercraft” means any watercraft that has any kind of motor, so as long as your watercraft has an electric motor or any type of motor you have to carry a PCOC. This is the law in all Canadian provinces.

How to Get My PCOC

There are two aspects of it. You have to finish an online course provided by Transport Canada-accredited course providers and once you finish this course, you have to take the PCOC exam provided by Transport Canada.

You will get a link to the PCOC exam from your course provider and usually it's under one package, both the course and the actual exam.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a PCOC?

If you search online by PCOC, you will come up with many results. There are many course providers who can give you the PCOC and they're all accredited by Transport Canada. The prices range from $20 to $50 and some of them give you just one attempt on the exam and some of them give you as many attempts as you need.

So when you're purchasing the course, just make sure that it meets your needs and you are getting the best value because at the end it's the same PCOC.

PCOC Pro Tips

You can get a PCOC just by studying online and taking the exam, even without putting a foot on a boat. But what I recommend is that to finish the intro to boating or intro to power boarding course, because this course teaches you how to operate a boat and the basics of the boat, which you definitely require.

Taking the PCOC doesn't really mean anything because it doesn't teach you how to drive a boat; it only teaches you the rules and regulations you need to follow on the water and the basic elements of a boat.

My recommendation before renting any boat is that you take the intro to powerboating or intro to boating course where they offer this type of course and it's not too expensive. This course will teach you how to operate a boat, how to turn, how to stop, how to park your boat, how to reverse a boat and all the basics you need to know before you actually rent or buy a boat and start exploring.

How to Credit Avios Points On Qatar Airways Flights

How Can I Use British Airways Avios On Qatar Airlines

I was looking to credit my British Airways Avios account for my upcoming Qatar Airways flight. I called Qatar Airlines, as I couldn’t see any option to credit Avios on my flight details page. Qatar Airways had no idea and transferred my call to their rewards department. I hung up on the call after holding for a while.

Then I found out searching online that recently Qatar Airways joined the Avios Loyalty Program, which opens up endless possibilities for Avios collectors. Qatar Airways is one of the best airlines in the world and this new partnership will make it even more attractive to fly.

To credit Avios, you need to have a Qatar Airways Privilege Club account. Once you are in your account, there should be prompt to link your Qatar Airways Privilege Club account. If you don’t see this prompt, you can link your Qatar Airways Privilege Club account and British Airways Avios following the link below:

Link Qatar Airways and Avios

Transferring and combining my Qatar Privilege Club account and British Airways Avios was a breeze. Within minutes, it showed me my combined points and Qatar Privilege Club account.

This new partnership opens up endless possibilities for Avios collects, as they can now have access to all the other partners Qatar Airways offers, which are non-oneworld partners. You can visit the link below to know about Qatar Airways partners.

oneworld and Qatar Airways Partners

You can book Qatar Airways with Avios points from other oneworld partners and of course, from Qatar Airways’ own portal. I have a video on this, which can be accessed here:

How to Claim Avios Points On Qatar Airways

How to Buy Qatar Airways Super Wi-Fi | Does Qatar Airways Offer Free Wi-Fi?

What Is Qatar Airways Super Wi-Fi?

For my upcoming flight to Asia on Qatar Airways, I was searching for its Wi-Fi information and this is what I gathered. Qatar Airways is one of the best airlines in the world and they provide Wi-Fi that is unparalleled by any other airlines.

Qatar Airways recently announced a new type of Wi-Fi, called Super Wi-Fi which is expected to be 10 times faster than standard Wi-Fi. Super Wi-Fi uses GX satellites to provide in-flight, high-speed Internet.

All Qatar Airways Boeing B777 and Airbus A350 fleets currently have Super Wi-Fi available. You can check the link below to find if your flight or what other flights have Super Wi-Fi available.

Qatar Airways Super Wi-Fi

What’s striking is that the cost at which Qatar Airways is providing Super Wi-Fi. I was expecting Qatar Airways to charge a lot for this better version of in-flight Wi-Fi. However, as of this writing, Super Wi-Fi is only $10 US for the entire flight and it is unlimited. There is even a 20% discount and you can pay only $8 US when pre-purchasing during check-in online through the Manage My Booking portal.

I find the Super Wi-Fi unreal and it provides a lot of value. I will definitely try Super Wi-Fi and will share my Qatar Airways Super Wi-Fi experience when I fly in August 2022.

I have posted a video about Qatar Airways providing Super Wi-Fi and will keep you updated and post more videos on this playlist.

Qatar Airways 101 - Tips, Tricks, & the Basics

For the most updated info, search Qatar Airways Wi-Fi and visit the Qatar Airways website link I provided above.

How to Access the Airport Lounge for Free | Best Canadian Credit Cards to Access the Airport Lounge

Which Canadian Travel Credit Cards Offer Free Lounge Access

You don’t have to fly business class or pay a premium membership plan to enjoy airport lounges. Today, I will talk about a few Canadian travel credit cards that offer free lounge access programs and passes to enter.

There are other more expensive annual fee credit cards that offer lounge access, but I will only discuss those have an annual fee of $150 or less.

BMO World Elite MasterCard

- Lounge Access Program Membership: LoungeKey
- Free Lounge Visits Per Year: 4
- Annual Fee: $150

CIBC Aventura Gold Visa

- Lounge Access Program Membership: Priority Pass
- Free Lounge Visits Per Year: 4
- Annual Fee: $139

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite

- Lounge Access Program Membership: Priority Pass
- Free Lounge Visits Per Year: 4
- Annual Fee: $139

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

- Lounge Access Program Membership: Priority Pass
- Free Lounge Visits Per Year: 6
- Annual Fee: $139

Also, some travel credit cards only provide a lounge access program membership such as Priority Pass or LoungeKey, but do not provide any free lounge visits; you will have to pay for those on your own. I skipped discussing those cards above.

All these travel cards have many other perks and features, including travel insurance. Before choosing any card, do your research and determine what other features are most important to you.

I do have a mini series featuring tips and tricks on Canadian travel credit cards, which can be viewed here: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards Canada Shorts by Ahmed Dawn

Everything You Need to Know About Tim Hortons Rewards Program

Tim Rewards Program – What You Need to Know

Tim Hortons is a popular Canadian coffee retailer that has revamped its rewards program. Today, we will look at what you need to know about Tim’s Rewards.

Tim Rewards Program – The Basics

-          10 points per transaction - $0.50 minimum, no maximum

-          30 minutes interval – buying again within 30 minutes won’t generate points

-          Points expire after 12 months

-          20K maximum points limit

-          Free Birthday gift

-          Weekly deals on app (always check before heading to the Tim Hortons)

Tim Rewards Program – How to Collect

-          Install app from your phone’s play/app store

-          Scan app whenever you buy

-          If you have a physical card, it has to be linked

-          You can’t redeem physical card if it’s not linked

-          I recommend not using a physical card

Tim Rewards Program – How to Redeem

-          4 categories & 13 levels to choose from

-          Auto redemption applies if you don’t change it on app

-          70 points for a beverage – default auto redemption level

-          Stop auto redemption or change to other level on app

Tim Rewards Program – How to Get the Best Value Out of Tim’s Rewards

-          Default 70 points for a beverage provides great value

-          Better Values - These items provide better values and try to redeem for these: Hash Brown, Specialty Donuts, Baked Goods, Tea, Coffee

-          Not So Great Values - These items provide so-so values and try not to redeem for these: Specialty Drinks, Soup, Sandwiches, Donuts, Timbits

-          By far, Hash Brown provides the best value

Visit the link below to watch my Tim Hortons Rewards Video:

Tims Rewards Program - What You Need to Know