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

elDeeJay

Hi,
Were thinking of going to NYC next year at the end of November, but don’t really know how best to book. Are we best off booking with a travel agent or going the separates route and booking the flights, hotels, transfers etc. directly online?

The fact that we've never been to the US makes me think we should 'play it safe' and go with a travel agent, but the bargain hunter makes me think we should go the separates route

How much can we realistically expect to have to pay for flights and a well located hotel in NY?


Thanks

beedmcfc

Personally, i prefer to book my hotels, flights and transfers myself. With the £ being so strong against the $ at the moment, i'd be tempted to try and pay in full straightaway (if possible). Hotels aren't cheap in new york so beware!! As lola (my better half btw!) says a couple of posts back, airlink were extremely cheap for transfers, $72 for both of us return, about £36.

hammy_the_hammer

elDeeJay wrote: »

Hi,
Were thinking of going to NYC next year at the end of November, but don’t really know how best to book. Are we best off booking with a travel agent or going the separates route and booking the flights, hotels, transfers etc. directly online?

The fact that we've never been to the US makes me think we should 'play it safe' and go with a travel agent, but the bargain hunter makes me think we should go the separates route

How much can we realistically expect to have to pay for flights and a well located hotel in NY?

be aware that thanksiving is on the 4th thursday in november and this has advantages and disadvantages when visiting

M4RKM

lolamancity wrote:

Don't forget to tip the driver a dollar or two

NO!!!! tip the driver at least 15%... a dollar or two is an insult, and that is why brits are always called bad tippers!

M4RKM

lolamancity wrote: »

Hmm, i was the same as you

I bought a couple of heavy and bulky converters on Ebay before we left, but was scared of blowing the GHD's, so took my cheapo ones.

Anyway, got there and used the converter with my cheap irons for a few days, and it was fine. Then it stopped working. So used another for a few days, then that died too. So started using a normal adaptor plug, and it got my straighteners 'almost' as hot as they get in the UK, but not fully. Also, i couldn't get my Nokia charger to work with the adaptor 9 times out of 10... every now and then it would randomly charge for about 5 mins

things like phone chargers are perfectly fine to plug into a standard adaptor, not a converter, as they are designed for 100v - 250v.. it says on them in small print...

the only issue there is, are things like hair straighteners...

jammydodger41

I found a good deal on expedia for the Affina 50 for 4 nights in January for 465 a few days ago but today when I went to book it now it has gone upto £550!!! Is this usual thing to happen - will the price come down? i have found it on Ebookers for £510 with continenatal. The other flights were with virgin!!

Will the prices keep going up or is it best to book now??

Thanks!!!

M4RKM

hotel prices rarely drop, the closer it gets... maybe try sliding the dates around a few each way, to see what prices you get, ensuring you still have a sat night stay in

jammydodger41

Thanks for that... it seems the price of flights are going up, Should have booked mid week when I saw it instead of leaving it to the weekend. Would have prefered to fly with virgin though!! What are continental like? Trying to find codes for ebookers to see if I can bring the cost down any more. Is £500 a good price for 4 nights in NY and is 4 nights enough time?? ThankS!!

beedmcfc

Is £500 for flights and accomodation?? If so, thats a very good deal, plus the affinia 50 looks a decent hotel according to trip advisor

hammy_the_hammer

markymoo wrote: »

NO!!!! tip the driver at least 15%... a dollar or two is an insult, and that is why brits are always called bad tippers!

in eating establishments a good rule of thumb as used by many new yorkers is to look at the sales tax when you receive the bill and double it for the tip ( ...i round it up a little as well )