First time traveler - probably stupid questions.

whatwouludo

I know some of the questions I'm about to ask will seem completely daft to some, but I've never travelled abroad before so am genuinely baffled by some stuff. So I'd appreciate some help.

1) My flight ticket has been sent by email, I assume I just print it out and take with?

2) I'm travelling to the USA si I know I need a visa, which I'll sort this week. I also need insurance, problem being I have a few pre existing conditions and every time I look for a quote it's over £100, I have high blood pressure and sciatica. Does anyone know of a decent insurer for pre existing conditions that wont charge the earth? I'm not expecting it to be as cheap as normal but I think £100+ is a bit steep.

3) I assume I'll need some sort of identification on my suitcase? Or is that sorted at the airport?

4) Prescription tablets. I need a copy of my prescription and a letter from my doc? Am I best putting them in my checked in case, or my carry on baggage?

5) Are there any normal every day items that can't be taken, either checked in or carry on? I vaguely remember reading you can't take fluids on, does this include things like eye drops?

6) I'll be using online check in, does anyone know how long before travel I'll have to be at the airport? I'm travelling from Manchester to the USA.

I'll probably book a hotel by the airport for the night before travel, anyone stayed in the travel lodge by Manchester airport? Is it nice and close or a bit of a walk?

Think that's it, I realise the above questions are probably stupid to some, but please humour me since I've genuinely no idea. I've spent three days googling and got nothing but conflicting answers.

Thanks.

fifeken

All reasonable questions for a first-time traveller. I'l try and answer some:

1) Yes. It should have a PNR on it which is typically 6 character alphanumeric string so at least have a note of that.
2) Are you sure you need a visa? Most UK citizens don't but you don't mention your nationality. Depending on your answer you might need to look up ESTA.
3) Up to you. I personally don't put an ID label on checked bags. If you do, don't enter your home address before the outbound trip as it could let someone know you're away and the house is empty.
4) Carry on luggage as checked bags can and do go missing and you don't want to be without your medication. Not sure about prescription or letter.
5) There are restrictions on fluids/liquids and eye drops would be included in these - more inforamtion here: http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/SecurityProcedure
6) Look at your airlines website for their rules. Make sure you allow time to clear security etc. Maybe someone with recent experience of MAN will be able to give more specific information.

Ask away if you need more information.

Katiehound

You would be well advised to have travel insurance for America- that's also why the premiums are high as medical things are just so dear there. (Lots of companies do 'rest of world-excluding USA') You don't say your age but I know that 'Mature Times' newspaper free from libraries & Age UK shops always have a half page of adverts for travel insurance which often say 'existing medical conditions covered.' and their premiums quoted are reasonable (well the From £x is!).
If you think you will go abroad within the next year check out an annual insurance, it may only be a smidgen dearer.

Always have your medication in your hand luggage. If the eye drops are for medical reasons put with medication.

Don't whatever you do put your favourite Swiss Army knife kit or Wilkinson manicure set in your hand luggage- they will be thrown away! Fine in the case. They used to display all the items that had been confiscated at Manchester airport- people just forgot they were in a pocket!

If you luggage is very standard colour such as black put something on it to make it eye catching ie bright luggage strap, coloured tassels on the handle, whatever. Nothing worse after a long flight than having to study every black case to see if it is yours!! If the travel bug bites you I can recommend a luggage strap which has your name woven through in it. No arguments over whose case is whose! (I have even gone through the luggage area at Harare to search for my case this way.) here's one of them:
http://www.able-labels.co.uk/products/Luggage_Straps.asp

have a wonderful trip!
:cool:

whatwouludo

fifeken wrote: »

All reasonable questions for a first-time traveller. I'l try and answer some:

1) Yes. It should have a PNR on it which is typically 6 character alphanumeric string so at least have a note of that.
2) Are you sure you need a visa? Most UK citizens don't but you don't mention your nationality. Depending on your answer you might need to look up ESTA.
3) Up to you. I personally don't put an ID label on checked bags. If you do, don't enter your home address before the outbound trip as it could let someone know you're away and the house is empty.
4) Carry on luggage as checked bags can and do go missing and you don't want to be without your medication. Not sure about prescription or letter.
5) There are restrictions on fluids/liquids and eye drops would be included in these - more inforamtion here:
6) Look at your airlines website for their rules. Make sure you allow time to clear security etc. Maybe someone with recent experience of MAN will be able to give more specific information.

Ask away if you need more information.

Thanks. I was told when buying my ticket UK residents need an ESTA visa to travel to the USA.

I'll have to call Manchester and check how early I have to get there. Last thing I want to do is mess that up lol.

Katiehound wrote: »

You would be well advised to have travel insurance for America- that's also why the premiums are high as medical things are just so dear there. (Lots of companies do 'rest of world-excluding USA') You don't say your age but I know that 'Mature Times' newspaper free from libraries & Age UK shops always have a half page of adverts for travel insurance which often say 'existing medical conditions covered.' and their premiums quoted are reasonable (well the From £x is!).
If you think you will go abroad within the next year check out an annual insurance, it may only be a smidgen dearer.

Always have your medication in your hand luggage. If the eye drops are for medical reasons put with medication.

Don't whatever you do put your favourite Swiss Army knife kit or Wilkinson manicure set in your hand luggage- they will be thrown away! Fine in the case. They used to display all the items that had been confiscated at Manchester airport- people just forgot they were in a pocket!

If you luggage is very standard colour such as black put something on it to make it eye catching ie bright luggage strap, coloured tassels on the handle, whatever. Nothing worse after a long flight than having to study every black case to see if it is yours!! If the travel bug bites you I can recommend a luggage strap which has your name woven through in it. No arguments over whose case is whose! (I have even gone through the luggage area at Harare to search for my case this way.) here's one of them:


have a wonderful trip!
:cool:

Thanks. I'm only 30, so a little young for age discounts lol.

I'm really struggling with this insurance thing. I'm basically having a holiday on the cheap, staying with friends there, and have a family member who works for the airline so saved a lot on the flight. And it might not sound a lot given I'm taking a USA holiday, but I'm really struggling to fine the extra £100+ for insurance. I can opt out of them covering the sciatica, and just have the high blood pressure covered, Or is that just a stupid idea?

Thanks for the replies. It's appreciated.

Has anyone recently been to Manchester? Trying to find out how close the travel lodge is.

Also, am I best getting my cash changed into dollars? travellers cheques or one of the pre paid credit cards?

alanrowell

whatwouludo wrote: »

Thanks. I was told when buying my ticket UK residents need an ESTA visa to travel to the USA.

I'll have to call Manchester and check how early I have to get there. Last thing I want to do is mess that up lol.

Em, an ESTA is applied for on-line. You do not have to visit an US embassy. If you are visiting a US embassy they will tell YOU when you have to be there. You would have had to fill in an application form, hand over a large sum of money, obtained documents like a Criminal Records Check and received an appointment time from the US embassy.

The ESTA on the other hand - http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/

May I suggest that you buy a guidebook and read it as you are clearly in need of some serious help.

ZsaZsa

We've stayed in the travelodge, its was fine for a night, clean but basic,as you'd expect. It was just a few minutes in a taxi, but I'm sure they run a shuttle bus too. We'll stay there again if we have an early flight :-)

ferf1223

alanrowell wrote: »

Em, an ESTA is applied for on-line. You do not have to visit an US embassy. If you are visiting a US embassy they will tell YOU when you have to be there. You would have had to fill in an application form, hand over a large sum of money, obtained documents like a Criminal Records Check and received an appointment time from the US embassy.

The ESTA on the other hand - http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/

May I suggest that you buy a guidebook and read it as you are clearly in need of some serious help.

I don't think the OP's first and second comments were related - I don't think the timing comment related to the ESTA comment...I don't think the timing comment related to visiting a US embassy, but to what time to get to the airport.

whatwouludo

alanrowell wrote: »

Em, an ESTA is applied for on-line. You do not have to visit an US embassy. If you are visiting a US embassy they will tell YOU when you have to be there. You would have had to fill in an application form, hand over a large sum of money, obtained documents like a Criminal Records Check and received an appointment time from the US embassy.

The ESTA on the other hand - http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/

May I suggest that you buy a guidebook and read it as you are clearly in need of some serious help.

Sorry, I don't recall saying anything about visiting the embassy. I know I need an ESTA and that that is applied for online. I thought I'd made that pretty clear.

Sorry, I don't think having a few first time flyer questions is 'needing serious help'.

whatwouludo

ferf1223 wrote: »

I don't think the OP's first and second comments were related - I don't think the timing comment related to the ESTA comment...I don't think the timing comment related to visiting a US embassy, but to what time to get to the airport.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

ferf1223

Not sure what airline you are flying - but some will allow you to pre-select your seat without charge. Worth looking into. https://www.seatguru.com can give some guidance as to what seats are better than others and why.

Some people get confused about ESTA as it's not actually a visa...but it's a terminology thing in most cases.

Not sure which US airport you are flying into , but you can get an idea of wait times on the other end here:

http://apps.cbp.gov/awt/

Can be handy to have some idea what to expect - at least if you know you are arriving at a very busy time you will be prepared for the wait.

Gillingham

Do not attempt to travel untill you have completed an ESTA on line. This stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorisation and you wil not be allowed to board your flight without having completed this. It costs $14 and is valid for two years. You will also need to complete Advanced Passenger information for your airline (API). Make sure you print out a copy of your ESTA incase you require it at any time. You will also need your reference number if you need to make any amendments to it. You usually get an ESTA authorisation almost immediately but it can take up to 72 hours. Have your passport, your flight details, your address for first night in the US and your credit card all to hand before you start to complete your ESTA as the application can time out. I presume that you do not have any convictions or have never been arrested? If you have then you are not entitled to apply for an ESTA and you will have to go to the US embassy to get a visa which can take several weeks to sort out, and is a much more complicated matter than just obtaining an ESTA.

Please note that all your prescription medication needs to be carried in your hand luggage. It must all be in it's original packaging or containers with the chemist lables on it. This is really important. It is advisable to keep a copy of prescription alongside it.

We use cable ties for our luggage and keep a few spare ones in the case pocket along with a pair of nail clippers for removing the ties when we get to our destination. Don't carry them in your cabin baggage or they will be confiscated. If you are not using cable ties or split rings then make sure that you use TSA locks. If your cases are selected to be checked when you arrive in the USA then they will just cut the cable ties or they have a key to open TSA locks. Any other locks will just be 'removed'! We always label our bags with our destination address but just put our postcode and house number on our return labels.

Sorry I can't help with the insurance issue. We are covered via our LLoydstsb gold service bank account. They cover several pre-existing conditions as standard. One thing can cannot be said often enough is 'DON'T TRAVEL WITHOUT INSURANCE AND DECLARE YOUR PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS'.

It sounds like you didn't do much reseach before you booked, but hopefully this forum will point you in the right direction!

Regards,

Gillingham