[THREAD CLOSED - SEE PART 2] Anything & Everything New York

Savvy_Sue

markymoo wrote: »

misscomickat...99.9% of laptop power supplies that i've seen will say something like 100v-250v... check on the label, and you should be fine! (all apple mac's work, all sony's, Hp's, Compaq's etc etc

FWIW, the laptop power supply we had worked fine, the older Nokia phone chargers did not! so that's one to check, if you're taking a mobile.

markymoo wrote: »

nationwide/abbey zero/post office card. these don't charge for foriegn currency purchases

nationwide current account. get one of these, stash your money in it, use ATM's to get money out.. again, no charges whatsoever for doing so!

As markymoo already said in response to this, it's unlikely you'd get any of these through in 10 days, and by the sound of it you're not likely to get one of those credit cards, but it could be worth going into a Nationwide branch and asking if you could open a Flex account within that timescale. You'll need to pay £100 in, and you'll need ID / proof of address (other than a mobile phone bill!)

If it's borderline whether it can be opened in that time, do you have an address for the whole of your stay in NY? If you do, can you get the card forwarded to you? the post may take a while, but I think there is a 'signed for' option to send things abroad which for peace of mind I would recommend.

BTW, I have found using the branch FAR more efficient than applying over the internet, and using their phone service is HELL. In a branch, I've asked to speak to someone at a desk rather than over the counter, and that way you can get them to confirm that they've seen all the ID they need, that everything is filled in correctly, and they've only got to wait for a decision.

Despite them 'losing' a credit card application for me, I've just applied to open a Flex account, because we'll then be able to withdraw cash without there being a loading for foreign use. If you're likely to go abroad ever again, I'd say this was worth considering, even if it's not possible to open one before you go!

Another thought on the credit card thing is whether you've got someone who would add you as a cardholder to an existing account, which might be faster. I offer this suggestion cautiously, because it's someone else's credit record at stake, but before our trip DH got a Nationwide card in his and DS1's name, and I tried to get one for me and DS2. The theory is that we don't use the cards (we have PO credit cards for our jaunts abroad), and when the bills come we just pass them to the boys. First time they're not paid, we cancel the cards. We do have sensible boys, however.

In the absence of a credit card or inexpensive way of withdrawing cash, I'd look at travellers cheques, on the grounds that taking 5 months worth of $ bills could be risky. It's easier if you get some lower denominations: the post office, for example, would not let us use a $50 cheque to buy a few stamps, because they're not allowed to give change if the purchase is less than a certain % of the cheque. But they did know where there was a bank which would cash it.

BTW, do read Martin's article about foreign spending on the main site!

Swirlywurly

I'm currently away in Jamaica and am going to NY on my way back to the UK. I've got a flexaccount with a cashcard, despite having it for nearly two years they won't let me have a visa debit card but i've had no problems using the cashcard and the rate has been really good for jamaican dollars.

I've got my accomodation sorted and am hoping my stay goes smoothly. My boyfriend is flying in from Mexico and i'm flying in from Jamaica. We planned it so we'd both be there at the same time so here's hoping!

greenface

Swirlywurly wrote: »

I'm currently away in Jamaica and am going to NY on my way back to the UK. I've got a flexaccount with a cashcard, despite having it for nearly two years they won't let me have a visa debit card but i've had no problems using the cashcard and the rate has been really good for jamaican dollars.

I've got my accomodation sorted and am hoping my stay goes smoothly. My boyfriend is flying in from Mexico and i'm flying in from Jamaica. We planned it so we'd both be there at the same time so here's hoping!

well thanks for sharing that with us feel much better now

Swirlywurly

greenface wrote: »

well thanks for sharing that with us feel much better now

Sorry! I didn't mean to make it seem like I was boasting. If its any consolation Jamaica is recovering from hurricane Gustav and its not a very fun place to be right now. I'm also not on holiday out here, i'm working!

deb

hi can anyone give me any advice please? i am off to NY in nov and although i am really excited - it is the first time i will have left my 2 little ones can u please advise me about the best way to keep in touch with them - are public payphones readily available or is there a better/cheaper way?

thanks xx

zomig

Hi
My partner and I are looking to go to New York over the Xmas & new Year, departing on the 23rd Dec and then coming back on either the 1st or 2nd Jan 2009. We are looking to get the hotel included, been looking around and the deals seem to be going pretty quick. been looking on expedia and prices are ranging from around £800 per person for something which appears to be half decent.

Anybody got any others places they usually go to get flights + hotels ?

Any pointers would be great.

thanks

greenface

deb wrote: »

hi can anyone give me any advice please? i am off to NY in nov and although i am really excited - it is the first time i will have left my 2 little ones can u please advise me about the best way to keep in touch with them - are public payphones readily available or is there a better/cheaper way?

thanks xx

Short call on your mobile isnt that dear i found and you can do it in your own comfort when we were away we made arrangements for friends and family to meet up at a arranged time at the times square web cam where we pulled out a birthday cake for our son and stood in times square surrounded by about 100 people singing happy birthday to back home 50+ people watching on line a thing we and they looked forward to it
heres the link hope its ok if not slap me

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/index.php?cam=fridays

web cam number four but i love to sit and watch and wish and wonder

kaspani

Similar to zomig above - myself and my other half are planning a trip to NYC in early/mid december and are looking for help/advice on cheap flights and reasonably priced hotels.

We are flexible on dates (anywhere between 4 and 15th Dec) and looking at 4/5 nights (or what budgets will allow).

I have looked at the BA and AA sale and can find a flight for approx £308 - no luck with Australian Expedia so far. Having read marky's guide (and with the general aim of this site) I am obviously looking to beat the price I have currently found and would love more advice on decently priced hotels.

Thanks in advance

K

M4RKM

i must redo my guide, as the prices in there are severley out of date.. look at my signature for good prices for flights to NYC nowadays, (based from manchester or london)

£308 is a 4* price...

zomig

markymoo
i must redo my guide, as the prices in there are severley out of date.. look at my signature for good prices for flights to NYC nowadays, (based from manchester or london)

£308 is a 4* price...

can you guide me to where you are getting these prices from as i am getting no where near that price....links etc ?

THanks