First time traveler - probably stupid questions.

Gillingham

I should also add that check in for flights to the USA is three hours before flight. Make sure you are there in plenty of time or you may be denied boarding.

Gillingham

Katiehound

Just taken this info off their web page:

"A shuttle bus service runs to and from the airport and railway station. The shuttle bus at this hotel operates between the hours of 4am until 12pm daily, every twenty minutes and this is booked at reception upon check in. There is also an evening shuttle bus from 3pm until Midnight from the Airport terminals or the train station, where there will be a freephone telephone located to call the hotel directly. The evening serivce does not have set times it picks up as and when guest arrive.
For one way travel the cost is:- 1 person £5.00, 2-3 people £7.00, 4 people £8.00, 5 people £10.00, 6 People £12.00 and 8 people £14.00.
Please note that this hotel does not offer wake up calls."

Okay, now I see your age is not mature- sorry! but I still think it might be worth looking at those adds in 'Mature Times' simply because senior citizens nearly all have some medical condition that needs covering. if you are not covered for existing medical condition you could end up with a big bill if you need medical help in the US.

Have a great time

whatwouludo

ferf1223 wrote: »

Not sure what airline you are flying - but some will allow you to pre-select your seat without charge. Worth looking into. 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.

Thanks, I don't even know why I put visa on there, I know it's a visa waiver program lol.

I know time differences and everything, but thanks. Also, I'm visiting friends who live there so they have everything covered that end.

ferf1223

whatwouludo wrote: »

I know time differences and everything, but thanks. Also, I'm visiting friends who live there so they have everything covered that end.

OK, - that wasn't time differences...it is average wait times to clear immigration, etc. at each US airport...you can search your airport, day of the week, time of day - and see what the average wait times is.

I like to use it as if it happens we're arriving at a time with a really, really long average wait, we are prepared for it when we get off the plane.

whatwouludo

Gillingham wrote: »

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

Thanks, as I said, the ESTA will be sorted this week(end), and I won't travel without insurance. Nor will I not declare my conditions. Would be pretty pointless to do that as I know I'd not be able to claim.

I'm not sure what research I should have done, I was aware of the esta and the need for insurance. Just the airport stuff is new to me. I have two months before I travel. So I'm asking for advice now, to be sure I have everything in order before I go.

whatwouludo

ferf1223 wrote: »

OK, - that wasn't time differences...it is average wait times to clear immigration, etc. at each US airport...you can search your airport, day of the week, time of day - and see what the average wait times is.

I like to use it as if it happens we're arriving at a time with a really, really long average wait, we are prepared for it when we get off the plane.

Sorry, my mistake. I'll check it out now.

Katiehound

No need to keep saying "sorry"- we are only trying to help

I 've just looked at your original questions, and you asked about how to take money. I have only been to USA once and it was long time ago but at that time travellers cheques were used liked money in many places BUT they had to be dollar travellers cheques. Is there any where on this website- perhaps the main site that will answer your question? I'd certainly have a wodge of dollars with me, some kept in a money belt. If you have credit card &/or debit card check what additional charges are for using abroad, It may be a good idea to have one or the other just in case.
Another tip: photocopy your passport- the relevant pages with your photo etc and keep that separately. Also take copies of any other relevant paper work (insurance doc, ESTA etc.)

Incidentally you wouldn't want to be walking around outside at Manchester airport- lots of traffic , slightly confusing roads and several terminal buildings.

tanith

I always copy my meds prescription and put one in my suitcase and one with my passport.. I agree a copy of your passport relevant pages just in case you lose it then its much quicker to replace..

ferf1223

whatwouludo wrote: »

I won't travel without insurance. Nor will I not declare my conditions. Would be pretty pointless to do that as I know I'd not be able to claim.

I think you have that the wrong way around - if you declare your conditions, you would be covered if anything happened which related to those conditions. If you do not declare them, and anything happens that relates to those conditions - you will not be covered.

I just renewed our travel insurance for my husband and I - it was £63 for an annual policy for the 2 of us for worldwide cover last year. My husband is now seeing a GP for high blood pressure and I declared this for the renewal. This year's policy went up to £96 (I asked and it would have been £65 without the condition declared)...£30 is well worth it to know that in the unlikely event something happened while we were in the US that could be in any way tied to high blood pressure, he would still be covered.

As for money I hate travellers cheques...depending on where you are going will determine how easy they will be to use. Depending on your bank account - some are much worse than others in terms of fees, etc - it may be easiest just to withdraw what cash you need while there, though we would always arrive with some USD to get us started. It depends on how long you are going and how much you expect to need in USD as to what option makes the most sense. The more USD you will need, the more looking into the better options makes sense.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

Gillingham

I wasn't trying to be patronising in any way! I did not see anything when I posted that said you knew ESTA had to be done on line, and as you had an'e' ticket I wasn't sure whether you had used a travel agent. I go to Florida regularly and it is amazing the amount of people who don't know that they need an ESTA. I have heard tales of many people's holidays being cancelled because they don't qualify under the ESTA rules and they don't have time to get a visa from the US embassy. I simply thought you may n ot be aware of the situation as you pointed out you were a first time traveller.

I also hopefully gave you answers regarding locking your cases and how to travel with prescription medication.

I hope you enjoy your holiday!

Regards,

Gillingham