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

ronaldo1903

veggie4life wrote: »

Thanks so much for your reply. Unfortunatly NAtionwide don't allow under 18's to use a debit card (unlike most other banks!!) so i'm going to have to research travellers cheques further.

Not sure if this is strictly 'legal' but whats to stop you setting up an account in your name and just giving your son the card and PIN no, he can't be stopped taking money out of an ATM.

it'smeinit

Hi I'm going to New York tomorrow. Yippii.(sorry) and would like to see Cirque di soleil can anyone give me a good place to buy last minute tickets

Thanks in advance.

peediedj

it'smeinit wrote: »

Hi I'm going to New York tomorrow. Yippii.(sorry) and would like to see Cirque di soleil can anyone give me a good place to buy last minute tickets

Thanks in advance.

ticket booths in times square,but you have to be there about 9am

wept

it'smeinit wrote: »

Hi I'm going to New York tomorrow. Yippii.(sorry) and would like to see Cirque di soleil can anyone give me a good place to buy last minute tickets

Thanks in advance.

They had a few in the TKTS booth at South St Seaport last Fri/Sat for shows that night.
The booth opens at 11am but you need to be there at 10 - get Subway to Fulton Street 1/2 train and its a 5 minute walk.

Savvy_Sue

ronaldo1903 wrote: »

Not sure if this is strictly 'legal' but whats to stop you setting up an account in your name and just giving your son the card and PIN no, he can't be stopped taking money out of an ATM.

It's all fine until the card is lost / stolen / misused and veggie phones up to report it. "Where and how was it lost?" "My son had it in NY."

Or it's all fine until Nationwide phone to say "We've noticed some activity on your account in New York, is that right?" and veggie is clearly NOT in NY but here in the UK answering the phone. (I have a feeling they like to be told before you go abroad actually, so there is a way round that, say you'll be going to NY and then that phone call won't happen.)

If there IS another way of doing it (eg traveller's cheques) then that would certainly be my preferred option. I'm sure veggie's son is an entirely responsible 17 yo, otherwise he wouldn't be going to NY on his own, BUT I've known several cases where giving someone else a debit card and PIN ended in tears ...

How long is he going for? There is always the old fashioned answer of a slimline money belt between underpants and trousers, which never comes out except in the privacy of his own room to re-stock his wallet at the end of the day.

AutumnDaze_2

We got back on Saturday after 6 days - boy did we cover some miles!!
The Radio City Christmas show is a must if you love Christmas (book before hand from here). BB Kings all you can eat brunch on Sunday, with the gospel choir is amazing, (hang on to your plate and go up for more food when the choir is singing, or you'll feel hard done by!) again, book it from here before you go.
We did the Staten Island ferry trip - great and so easy and Top of the Rock had great views.
We stayed at The New Yorker hotel, which was really fine - 5 mins from Macys and just around the corner from Madison Square Garden. Go to Andrews diner for breakfast if you stay there for lovely food (turn right from hotel, over road and right down the other side just past cinema) not the Tick Tock one next door - rushed service and food a bit dismal!
Went to Serendipity 3 - amazing puds, but crowded - so pretty at this time of year. Make sure you go to the front of the queue to put your name on the list. We went to Bloomingdales for a quick look while we waited for 35 mins.
Salmon River restuarant did an excellent Thanksgiving dinner. we went to the Macys Thanksgiving parade - glad we did but wouldn't bother again. Loads of places to eat at Grand Central Station except we picked the busiest travel day to go, so didn't eat there!
Went to the Native American museum near the business area - lovely building.
If you want to walk over Brooklyn Bridge get a tube to Brooklyn, have a little wander and a hot chocolate and pastry to keep you going and walk back to Manhatten from there. We had a lovely sunny day to do it in.
We were in bed at about 8 pm every night, and got up at about 7am - so much to see and so much walking - but everywhere looked so nice.
New York really does Christmas so well, so many lights and beautiful decorations - we absolutely loved it. Would go back at this time again if we did return.
We felt right at home there, felt like we belonged and felt safer than London.
We flew with Virgin who were wonderful and the cabin crews both ways were superb.
This forum was a goldmine before we went and thanks again for all the help.

AutumnDaze_2

A couple of little negatives just to be aware of. When you walk near and around Times Square and 5th Avenue, there were a few black guys waiting by crossings to tell you about their CD - push it into your hands and if you stop they then ask for a donation. They did it to our 18 year old son most - he fell for it the first time but after that we just did heads down and walked past which was fine.
On the subways there were people who'd come on with begging bowls (bit like they do in London) although one guy told the story of how he'd been laid off, this is his wife and child, they were living in a shelter and they only wanted money for nappies, milk etc for the child. He said he was a good worker and could anyone give him a job....people seemed to give him money. You do wonder why local authorities don't give them handouts/basics like they do here?
As I said only little things and nothing to really worry about. there is a high police presence, which is reassuring.

veggie4life

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

It's all fine until the card is lost / stolen / misused and veggie phones up to report it. "Where and how was it lost?" "My son had it in NY."

Or it's all fine until Nationwide phone to say "We've noticed some activity on your account in New York, is that right?" and veggie is clearly NOT in NY but here in the UK answering the phone. (I have a feeling they like to be told before you go abroad actually, so there is a way round that, say you'll be going to NY and then that phone call won't happen.)

If there IS another way of doing it (eg traveller's cheques) then that would certainly be my preferred option. I'm sure veggie's son is an entirely responsible 17 yo, otherwise he wouldn't be going to NY on his own, BUT I've known several cases where giving someone else a debit card and PIN ended in tears ...

How long is he going for? There is always the old fashioned answer of a slimline money belt between underpants and trousers, which never comes out except in the privacy of his own room to re-stock his wallet at the end of the day.

Oh gosh there is no way on this earth I would let him go on his own!! He's going with his college so shoud be under a watchful eye (not that he's not good - he's an angel !). I suggested the money belt to him but I know he's really not comfortable with the idea of having so much cash on him. Only there for five days.

thanks so much for all your help everyone

Savvy_Sue

veggie4life wrote: »

Oh gosh there is no way on this earth I would let him go on his own!! He's going with his college so shoud be under a watchful eye (not that he's not good - he's an angel !). I suggested the money belt to him but I know he's really not comfortable with the idea of having so much cash on him. Only there for five days.

thanks so much for all your help everyone

Right, I would ask the college if they have any sensible suggestions. Possibly if U18s can't have traveller's cheques the staff would set up a bank? Like they used to on school journeys: you give in your pocket money, they write down how much you had, and you can have 50p a day for sweeties. :rotfl:

Next question really is how much does he actually need for 5 days? I know however much it is it will seem like an awful lot of money to him, but in the grand scheme of things ...

lyndytes

Going to New york on Sunday,
*what is the best option/network for calling/ texting home( 2 or 3 times at the most) and texting each other when we are there.
*Is the city of the office clerk on the grayline hop on/off route.
*Is it safe for a camcorder & camera to go through the xray machine at the airports.
cheers