Multi-city travel (including

ferf1223

Tunster2 wrote: »

Have you flown British Airways? Some of their flights state AA (run by British Airways). I'm not having to take too much with me. They'll probably be more snacks in my case than clothes!

Not flown BA in years...they are not our preference (we avoid the BA operated AA flights)...we have a few reasons (all of which others would counter I'm sure)...but one of our main reasons for chosing AA is the seat configuration...in our experience in economy far more chance at a pair of seats and since we travel as a couple we prefer a pair...far less of a chance of one of us getting stuck in the middle of a row of 3...AA's 777s are 2-5-2...BA's are 3-3-3...at least they have been when we have looked at our options and checked seating configurations. We pretty much always book very early and have always managed to get a pair.

Since we haven't flown with BA I can't compare between the two.

Tunster2

ferf1223 wrote: »

Not flown BA in years...they are not our preference (we avoid the BA operated AA flights)...we have a few reasons (all of which others would counter I'm sure)...but one of our main reasons for chosing AA is the seat configuration...in our experience in economy far more chance at a pair of seats and since we travel as a couple we prefer a pair...far less of a chance of one of us getting stuck in the middle of a row of 3...AA's 777s are 2-5-2...BA's are 3-3-3...at least they have been when we have looked at our options and checked seating configurations. We pretty much always book very early and have always managed to get a pair.

Since we haven't flown with BA I can't compare between the two.

Thanks for the advice ferf! I can't book immediately as I've got assess the passport situation. Mine comes up for renewal in July next year and obviously won't go down well with the Americans. Hoping to get a renewed passport with the bio stuff to make things easier.

Mands

Tunster2 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice ferf! I can't book immediately as I've got assess the passport situation. Mine comes up for renewal in July next year and obviously won't go down well with the Americans. Hoping to get a renewed passport with the bio stuff to make things easier.

Remember you can renew at any time and any time left, up to 9 months, is added on to the new one.

FWIW I'd take BA transatlantic over AA any day.

Mands

ferf1223

Tunster2 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice ferf! I can't book immediately as I've got assess the passport situation. Mine comes up for renewal in July next year and obviously won't go down well with the Americans. Hoping to get a renewed passport with the bio stuff to make things easier.

Your passport expires july next year but you're running this October? There shouldn't be any issue with you using your existing passport, unless I am misunderstanding?

blindman

Hope you've got the accomodation booked.

I stayed at the Travelodge Downtown when I did this marathon a few years back. Accomodation was pricey (no surprise)

Basic rooms but walkable to the start\finish.

Any place that's close to the "T" though should be fine.

I wouldn't drive such a long (boring) distance after the marathon as your legs will probably seize up by being sat down in one position for so long.

I find I need to walk about a bit for the few days after a run.

Plus as others have said there'll be a one way drop off fee and you do NOT want to drive into NYC to drop the car off.

Train or plane would be best IMHO.

Good luck with the run. The year I did it it was unusually cold (5 deg C:cool:) so be prepared!

Route was populated ALL the way around so there's plenty to cheer you on in those later miles. And IIRC it's flat

Tunster2

ferf1223 wrote: »

Your passport expires july next year but you're running this October? There shouldn't be any issue with you using your existing passport, unless I am misunderstanding?

As Mand said, it's only 9 months before the end that it's worth renewing. I don't actually have my passport on me (it's at home with my parents and forgot to bring it along with me when I moved into London last year). Will book it all up at the beginning of March. I think I've decided to take a plane between Chicago and New York now .

blindman wrote: »

Hope you've got the accomodation booked.

I stayed at the Travelodge Downtown when I did this marathon a few years back. Accomodation was pricey (no surprise)

Basic rooms but walkable to the start\finish.

Any place that's close to the "T" though should be fine.

I wouldn't drive such a long (boring) distance after the marathon as your legs will probably seize up by being sat down in one position for so long.

I find I need to walk about a bit for the few days after a run.

Plus as others have said there'll be a one way drop off fee and you do NOT want to drive into NYC to drop the car off.

Train or plane would be best IMHO.

Good luck with the run. The year I did it it was unusually cold (5 deg C:cool:) so be prepared!

Route was populated ALL the way around so there's plenty to cheer you on in those later miles. And IIRC it's flat

As above, I know how I felt like the day after the marathon when doing London last year. I think a plane will be in order and should be relatively cheap (I'll try get included in my transatlantic flights).

I've seen a few nicer hotels quite near the start. Happy to pay a bit more to get inclusive and then won't have to worry about food/drink costs. I'll be doing hostels when I get into New York. I work for a hostel company, so been recommended a few already.

5C!? I hope it's a tad warmer than that after doing 6 months spring/summer training. Rather it cold than warm. Oh yes, I picked Chicago on purpose with it being relatively flat .

ferf1223

Tunster2 wrote: »

As Mand said, it's only 9 months before the end that it's worth renewing. I don't actually have my passport on me (it's at home with my parents and forgot to bring it along with me when I moved into London last year). Will book it all up at the beginning of March. I think I've decided to take a plane between Chicago and New York now ..

OK - still not clear on why you would need to renew your passport before your trip anyway - if it does not expire until next July...but glad you have decided not to drive - I think you will be very glad that you made that decision!