Flying West

Hola,

It's been over 10 years since I last visited the US and A which suited me fine. However, due to pressure from friends I've been talked into visiting them in Tampa. I've booked VS to MCO from LGW (yuck) at what seems like a reasonable 1388GBP. Seem an OK price?

Are the planes OK from LGW? I'm expecting everything the same as my DXB flights apart from a worse IFE system.

I have an extended British passport from 2004 which is machine readable without digital photo or microchip. Reading between the lines-online this seems acceptable for the visa waiver scheme? I'm pretty loathe to get a new one just yet, I have about another 6months space in this one.

I guess the car is still king when traveling in the US? I'll need two one ways from MCO to TPA or alternative transport.

Any other American travel wisdom I need to steal from you guys ?

You don't say when you are going and class so can't comment on the fare.

On the passport - the IPS will add up to nine months from your 'old' passport onto a new one. So maybe consider replacing sooner rather than later?

Am not sure what an extended passport is though.

Don't forget your ESTA (which will now cost you $14) - apply from the link on the US Embassy site. You will not be allowed on the plane without one.

Applying for one now will mean it will expire in 6 months (i.e. until passport expiry date) but getting one with a new passport will last two years.

[honey lamb]

My Irish passport is a 2004 machine-readable one and is totally acceptable in the US and is stamped within an inch of its life - well it does have a few blank pages but US Immigration does seem to use pages used by other other US entry points unlike South Africa which insists on a blank page and then stamps their immigration on an already stamped page.

Judging by the price I suspect you are booked into UC and therefore only 14 seats and a more personalised service. The IFE becomes secondary in my opinion.

When we visited Tampa (well actually Palm Harbor) I had booked one of us on a D class for the inbound into MCO to avail of the CDC (R class wasn't in existence then) and it really was a bonus. It was certainly better than foregoing the UC experience. Can your friends not meet you in MCO? It is only a couple of hours away? They've made you cross the Atlantic. It's the least they can do.

[buns]

IMHO, if the £1388 is UC, then that is a very good price.

Mrs Buns and I frequently visit the Gulf Coast, just south of Tampa and if we have not managed to gain CDC, then always stay at an Airport Hotel at MCO before moving on. Yes, it is only a couple of hours drive down the I4, but after a 9 hour flight (perhaps with a beverage or two :w ) coupled with the time it takes you to get through Immigration and Customs (not to mention the double bag drop) to then find the queues for Car hire, it is the better way of doing things.

Based on our outlaws experience earlier this year, you could be looking at $200 - $300 for a car one way between Orlando and Tampa

BTW, the Gatwick Fleet may not have V-Port, but if in the 14 seat UC Cabin, there is an air or exclusivity that cannot be matched

buns

Thanks for your replies.

It is indeed an UC fare. I searched for economy first by mistake at it came up at arou d 500GBP and then changed it to UC. No brainer really! 14 seats sounds good.

I won't have any issue driving after a nine hour flight, I will of had a heavy night before so will just sleep throughout the flight.

My passport doesn't expire until 2014 but with my visits to BKK have meant loads of staples and stamps, they like a full page too. I estimate another 6months before replacement. I paid extra in 2004 for one with more pages.

On the car front - check out Hertz.
Assuming you have Hertz gold (free with FC), pick up only takes a few minutes (just find it in the garage a few yards from the terminal). Using VS or other 10% CDP and 10% quidco rebate, you should get a car 1 day MCO-TPA for around £44. You will also get 1100 miles if you have FC no. registered.

I was going to say too, might as well rent a car even if you keep it parked for the length of time you will be in TPA, you will still likely be better off than with any other means of transport especially in FLA.

On the subject of UK Passports, I've just renewed mine, which had 6 months to run on it - and the new one they've just given me runs for 10 yrs & 6 months - so you don't lose out by replacing early

Just my 2 cents worth....

Peter