Everything & Anything New York City

M4RKM

cubegame wrote: »

Re: tickets from JFK. The Port Authority and MTA seem to have devised the most complex and ridiculous system possible (although this is a good introduction into the subway!).

If you have CASH, go to the news agent at the Airtrain station and ask for a metrocard with a $29 7-day unlimited ride card and a $10 airtrain return. There is then no fee for the card.

If you don't have cash (we didn't). You have to buy an Airtrain card in the airtrain station and pay an additional $1 fee. You only need one for as many people as are travelling and you just put the correct amount of $5 fares on it.

If you have the Airtrain metrocard, Apparently you can load an unlimited ride card on these at a metro station ticket booth but this requires cash (I was told this by an agent). Otherwise you will need to buy another metrocard (and incur another $1 card fee) at Jamaica station.

Hmm.. I do disagree with some of this, it isn't complex and is quite easy. The reason you pay at the end of your journey when leaving the airport, is that the airtrain is free to go around the airport. So, barriers and payments have to be at the end.

MetroCards for 1 week are now $30 and there is a $1 fee for the card. You can load a single card with value for the Airtrain. You can only use a pay per ride metrocard for 4 people (so if there are 5 of you, you need 2).

If you put on more than $10, then you get a bonus, so you can calculate that in as well, so if you are 2 people and are doing trip to and from the airport that would be 4 rides. You would only add $19.05 to the card, and the 5% bonus means you'd have $20 on it.

When you get down to the subway, you can then add 7 day unlimited ride to the airtrain metrocard using cash or card at the automated machines, this is simple.

Most stations have turnstiles that are low (where there are manned booths), so you can put luggage underneath these and then walk through, I've rarely had to use the service exits...

M

cubegame

M4RKM wrote: »

When you get down to the subway, you can then add 7 day unlimited ride to the airtrain metrocard using cash or card at the automated machines, this is simple.

Most stations have turnstiles that are low (where there are manned booths), so you can put luggage underneath these and then walk through, I've rarely had to use the service exits...

You can't use a ticket machine to add an unlimited ride card to an Airtrain card. Only an agent can do it with cash. Tried it. Didn't work.

Good luck to anyone trying to get a wheeled case under a turnstile as well.

mellymeepmeep

A word of warning with the metrocards, be careful with them in your pocket! One of ours got bent so the strip demagnetised and stopped swiping, the people working in the booths were very unhelpful and after walking to three different manned stations trying to find someone who knew what to do we were told the only option was to buy another one because the only way to get a refund is to post it back?? Not very visitor friendly service! So we ended up spending 80 dollars on the subway altogether which kinda sucked. I don't know why they couldn't of just transferred it onto a new card because it was being recognised by their swipe machine just not the gates.

M4RKM

cubegame wrote: »

You can't use a ticket machine to add an unlimited ride card to an Airtrain card. Only an agent can do it with cash. Tried it. Didn't work.

Good luck to anyone trying to get a wheeled case under a turnstile as well.

Well that's very interesting, because an airtrain card is just a pay per ride card, and I've got a card I've just come back from NYC which had both pay per ride, and unlimited on there. Put the card in the machine, add TIME, and it should work.

As for a wheeled case under a turnstile, I say that because I've done it myself. numerous times.

We'll agree to disagree on this one shall we.

cubegame

M4RKM wrote: »

Well that's very interesting, because an airtrain card is just a pay per ride card, and I've got a card I've just come back from NYC which had both pay per ride, and unlimited on there. Put the card in the machine, add TIME, and it should work.

As for a wheeled case under a turnstile, I say that because I've done it myself. numerous times.

We'll agree to disagree on this one shall we.

It's not really a matter of disagreeing. Anyone is welcome to try your way first (as I did).

When it doesn't work they can use the correct way (as I did).

herman2811

Can anyone please advise about tipping?

Came across this link - is it accurate, and how bad would it be if, for the sake of argument, we tipped less?! (or didn't tip!)

http://gonyc.about.com/od/newyorkcitybasics/tp/New-York-City-Tipping-Etiquette.htm

To summarise it:

Hotel Doorman - hailing cab, bringing car from valet - $1-2
Porters and Bellhops - $1-2 per bag
Housekeeping - $2-5 per day, depending on services
Concierge - $5-20, depending on request. More for particularly difficult requests
Room Service Waiter - 15-20%, though this is often included in your bill

Waitstaff - 15-20% of the total bill
Bartender - $1-2/drink for drinks served at the bar; 15-20% of the total bill otherwise
Maitre d' - $20-50, depending on circumstances and restaurant
Coat check - $1/item
Bathroom attendant - $1

johannalf88

As it says in the article, waiters/ waitresses don't get paid a minimum wage- this means that tips feed their children/ pay the bills etc. if you don't want to tip, just don't use the services- I have heard at takeaways (Starbucks etc) tipping is not essential.

I do think they should just get a proper wage, and tips should be extra, but that's not how it works- when in Rome and all that!

The % appear to be correct- but 15% is the lower end, I think 18-20% more normal.

Basically it is pretty essential to tip. my hubby has a different exchange rate for restaurants (in his head) to work tips into how much something actually costs! :rotfl:

cubegame

herman2811 wrote: »

Can anyone please advise about tipping?

Came across this link - is it accurate, and how bad would it be if, for the sake of argument, we tipped less?! (or didn't tip!)

http://gonyc.about.com/od/newyorkcitybasics/tp/New-York-City-Tipping-Etiquette.htm

To summarise it:

Hotel Doorman - hailing cab, bringing car from valet - $1-2
Porters and Bellhops - $1-2 per bag
Housekeeping - $2-5 per day, depending on services
Concierge - $5-20, depending on request. More for particularly difficult requests
Room Service Waiter - 15-20%, though this is often included in your bill

Waitstaff - 15-20% of the total bill
Bartender - $1-2/drink for drinks served at the bar; 15-20% of the total bill otherwise
Maitre d' - $20-50, depending on circumstances and restaurant
Coat check - $1/item
Bathroom attendant - $1

Based on extensive experience of the USA, you still shouldn't tip if you don't get good service. Too many people think it is obligatory. Service in New York was greatly below what we have experienced in other areas of the USA, so we tipped much less than usual.

But as a guide. 15% is base level, 20% tops. Tip on the pre-tax amount.

gregg1

cubegame wrote: »

It's not really a matter of disagreeing. Anyone is welcome to try your way first (as I did).

When it doesn't work they can use the correct way (as I did).

Had the same problem and have to say, it only worked for me the way you suggest.

greenface

wouldnt tip a cloakroom or bathroom attendant personally as they dont need to be there . If im in a restaurant i give my coat to the first person or drinks waiter etc I hate toilet attendants in Night clubs etc they get in the way and i honestly dont want to spray their fake shaftershave over me nor need anyone to pass me the soap or towel. Maitre d' HOW MUCH :>)OO never nor concierge that much. £$ 5 max and very max for really good information or service . 20% of food price max normally 10% & 2 £$ or euro to the nice friendly porter who brings the bags . & I will get the barman a drink if im staying for a few