So as another update, I have contacted United who have agreed to comp me Mileage Plus Premier (Star Alliance Silver) status to cover this trip, so I may look at moving some domestic flights to UA to enjoy the status benefits if the prices are very similar (though definitely keeping the VX flight even with baggage fees and lack of lounge access - I'm very keen to check out their new-age fleet)! ... though I do remember United being almost twice the price as some of the other airlines on certain routes (on the dates that I checked anyway), so I'll have to go through and re-price (taking into account the 2x free checked bags per person) once we have the cities finalised!
To anyone with UA status, what has your experience been like with the 'Unlimited Domestic Upgrades' benefit? I realise that Premier is their lowest level of elite status, so I of course don't expect a free upgrade to First on every flight, but do I have any hope of securing even 1 out of 9 (or so) flights? ... or is it a bit like the QF points upgrade lottery? Having said that, I'm sure I could live with the free Economy Plus upgrade if First was full, though First would certainly be welcome (which I could combine with 'free' lounge access from Priority Pass where in the RCC where available)!
--------------
Blackadder - Having not been to NYC before, one of the main selling points of the Hilton @ Times Sq. was that it is right near a number of the theatres... is this part of NYC generally 'safe' late at night? ... I would have assumed that it would be just like any other major city, where one should be alert but not particularly worried etc, but first-hand experience is always better than a presumption!
BrisVegas Traveller - Is this the correct Pastis? If so, it looks delightful!
Pastis :: Home
parsonstrish - Thank-you again! I'll definitely look into Amtrak - I hadn't actually heard of that before, so it's definitely something worth me looking into!
Meggsy - ahhhhhhhhhhhh OK - makes sense! What I knew about hotel prices was quite limited compared to the same of airline prices, so after seeing just a few hotels charge more for the weekend, I just assumed that it was standard practice! Thanks for the clarification, and I'll see what rates I can find by changing days around etc!
RB - wow, sounds like you had a great time!! I also like the tip about bringing something from AUS - the guide may appreciate it more than just cash!
tuapekastar - thank-you very much for that! I usually always print all confirmations, and have a back-up saved in an email account and also in the TripDeck app on my iPhone (only the confirmation numbers, but better than nothing)! Perhaps I shouldn't chance it and should bring two copies of the shuttle booking just in case!
rrian - regarding the TSA screening, you mentioned that you had toiletries etc confiscated. If these included liquids, did you present any liquids seperately in a clear bag as is required, or were there non-liquid items missing? Also regarding the vitamins/meds - were they liquid-like at all? ... I have a friend who works in international airport security, and he has shown me some of the advanced features on the x-rays once when it was absolutely dead and I was passing through - there is an option on some of them to show anything with mineral content in a green tone... he demonstrated this by putting his drink bottle filled with normal water through the x-ray, then a bottle of mineral water that he had - the mineral water was very different on the x-ray due to the content of the liquid... Not defending the TSA at all, but perhaps they thought something was suss about your pills/meds? (of course, even if that was the case, there's no reason why they shouldn't have questioned you as opposed to just stealing your stuff!) Re: Vegas, I'll definitely keep the bistro suggestion in mind - it could save us quite a bit depening on what is available!
harriaj - It's funny you ask - I am actually considering Montreal instead of Toronto, based on a number of pictures that I've seen... I just need time to go through the Torronto and Montreal Lonely Planet iPhone apps that I bought the other day before making a final decision, as I probably won't have time for both as well as Vancouver!
Bad Seed - I hadn't even thought of the Grand Canyon (whoops haha!)... being so close to CA and NV I might find a way of slotting it in - a helicopter ride sounds like a fantastic idea!!! I won't be visiting San Diego or Hawaii, but this won't be my only trip to the US (particularly if the exchange rate continues), so I'll save those comments for my next trip where I'll most likely only want to see NYC again (via LAX), and then all new cities inc. Hawaii when the weather is better! I particularly like your idea of the Staten Island ferry - and seeming as it's free, there's no reason not to!!! Also re: airport security - I have memorised every rule/procedure that could apply to me (I pass through airport security a minimum of 3-6 times per week in AUS, so the different USA rules only took about an hour to memorise)... I did this in the hope of using the faster Black Diamond lanes in airports where I wouldn't have access to a priority security queue through either status or class of travel
Juliesmac - Now that you've said that, I'm going to be hanging out for them to say "NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!"
... I am tempted to visit Ground Zero - has there actually been much progress with re-building, or is there just a 9/11 monument at this stage? I love all of your other tips, particularly the Central Park one... the only hard thing will be convincing my other half *not* to do the Empire State - it will probably be easier to just buy an express pass and prevent any possible whinging haha! ... though if she comes around, the Rockefeller Center does sound like a plan!
farawaymum - Thank-you very much for all of your tips, and for including the names of the tour operators and companies - it will make my life soooooooooooooooooo much easier - thanks again!
brickmark - thanks for the Alaska Airlines tip - I've just checked, and they offer Qantas Frequent Flyer points on their flights, so that could come in handy if they operate any of the routes I'll be flying at a reasonable price!
Mardi - I couldn't help but notice that your first post here on AFF was your comment in this thread - thank-you for such a detailed message, and WELCOME TO AFF!!! Regarding the AT&T SIM, you mentioned that it was on a plan - which makes me think of a lock-in contract... do they have open-timed plans over there, or were you just there for a particularly long time? And of course, if I can be of any assistance to you re: flights, hotels or what to do in Brisbane, please don't hesitate to contact me! (this of course goes for all of you who have so kindly replied to this thread, though I doubt how helpful I could actually be compared to all of you!)
timster - I hadn't actually considered Santa Monica, though I will definitely look into it!
brickmark - Unfortunately, I won't qualify for a international drivers licence until a few months after I return home (wasn't in a rush to get my licence when I was younger as the public transport was too good and I had no need for a car), although I did eventually bother to sit the test (had the required number of hours for a long time, and then passed manual the first time
)... my partner has an open licence though, however I would have to look into the rental insurance waiver on my Plat Amex to see if it would cover her while in the US (as the additional cardholder and driver, as opposed the primary cardholder). Re: on-board wi-fi, I seem to have lucked out, in that only one of the flights (SFO-LAS) has wi-fi (of course, I'll probably play around with flights - particularly to add the Canadian destinations), but with free hotel wi-fi everywhere except for Vegas, I'm sure I can survive if I can't get wi-fi on a flight! Have you used the flight wi-fi at all on any carrier over there? If so, what was the speed like in comparisson to the plane's passenger load? ... I've heard that planes with satellite-powered wi-fi can be dreadful, but if their jets use ground-based technology, then I would happily pay!
Tassie - you seem to be an expert on the NYC subway! Do they have any kind of electronic ticketing at all (eg comparable to the Oyster Card in London etc etc), or is everything still all paper-based (thus the recommendation for a ten trip ticket)? I've found a great iPhone app for the Subway (the mxData one - they have one for London which was AMAZING!!! - doesn't require any internet for routing and line suggestions - only for service updates if you choose to download them), so in that sense, I'm hoping to get a lot of use out of the Subway (and I hear that the automated ticket machines take Amex, so even better!) Thank-you also for the weather tip - I'm hoping to see snow!!! (... just not enough to disrupt flights etc, as the airports should have learned a thing or two from that happened in Europe not too long ago)! I have found in the past that Expedia have the same price for Hilton Hotels as booking direct, although now that you mention it, I might check it before booking anything (just have to check the rules with HHonours Gold Elite perks and how the reservation is made - don't want to miss out on the free b/fast and wi-fi)!
Also considering that about 1/3 of our time will be spent in NYC, I'll compare the Hiltons to the Salisbury in terms of room size - as that could make things a bit more comfortable! We'll most likely do the Empire State Building, but with an express pass ticket (I *HATE* lines with a passion - which is why United's offer of complimentary elite status for this trip (thus priority check-in, security and boarding) will probably net them the majority of my US/Canada travel)!
