Several people have mentioned about your bags "magically being delivered to the airport". That is NOT normal. It is a special service that you pay extra for...if in fact it is even done for Vancouver. I know they do this for Seattle. It is called EZCheck...extra charge service. Personally (and I'm VERY cynical about things like this), I feel like it's just something that "can go wrong". I try very hard to minimize things that can go wrong! I'm sure there will be those who will chime in and say I'm being ridiculous and that they have done it many times. Great (for them). To each his own...I prefer to be in control of our bags through as much of our trip as possible.