Things to do before travelling to the US?

Hi Folks,

I haven't travelled to the US since December 2009, so am slightly out of tune with the things I need to do before I travel.

Thus far, I've done:
- ESTA update with new accom/flight details
- API information on the Virgin Website
- 'secure flight' information for internal US flights

Forgive me if it's a bit of a dumb question, but is there anything else I need to do?!

Wear clean underwear!

Seriously though, I think you're done, don't forget online check-in and SEQ1 though!

in the words of Edina Monsoon

TICKETS !
MONEY !
PASSPORT !

But no, you have done all the legal US requirements with those 3

Cheers folks, just had a bit of an 'oh my god I've forgotten to do something' moment! It's difficult to keep track of all the changes in requirements when you've not been there for over a year!

Roll on 9th April.

Sure you have, but just double check expiry dates on ESTA and passports - got a feeling that the passport must be valid for 6 months after the commencement of your trip etc.

The other important thing for USA (and I'm sure you've got it in hand, but as you ask!) is make sure you have good travel insurance. Medical costs are a big issue in the states, so, on the principle of "I've got it, so I won't need it", just check you've got good coverage.

Driving license?
Let your credit card company(s) know you'll be there so you don't get any issues etc.

Hope this helps!

And have a great trip.

Sure you have, but just double check expiry dates on ESTA and passports - got a feeling that the passport must be valid for 6 months after the commencement of your trip etc.

Nope - as long as it expires after you have departed the US (and arrived back in Blighty - not sure what UKBA would do if it expired over the Atlantic!) then they are not unduly concerned.

[quote="clarkeysntfc"]Hi Folks,

I haven't travelled to the US since December 2009, so am slightly out of tune with the things I need to do before I travel.

Thus far, I've done:
- ESTA update with new accom/flight details
- API information on the Virgin Website
- 'secure flight' information for internal US flights

Is that something you add after you've booked internal flights? I have internal ones booked for later this year, don't remember seeing anything about that...

Hi Folks,
I haven't travelled to the US since December 2009, so am slightly out of tune with the things I need to do before I travel.

Thus far, I've done:
- ESTA update with new accom/flight details
- API information on the Virgin Website
- 'secure flight' information for internal US flights

Forgive me if it's a bit of a dumb question, but is there anything else I need to do?!

Turn off data roaming on your iPhone

- 'secure flight' information for internal US flights

Is that something you add after you've booked internal flights? I have internal ones booked for later this year, don't remember seeing anything about that...

I believe for flights booked more recently, the information is usually taken at booking, older bookings needed the information post-booking. Have you given all the info needed already? Like Name, DoB, gender and redress number if applicable?

Booked car hire?

If you have a credit card sized driving licence then take accompanying paperwork if hiring a car?

Changed money/Got pre-paid $ card?

Sent yourself emails of all your documents so if you loose any you can easily get copies?

Checked what films are showing on board? ii)

Made a list of what you NEED to buy whilst there? :w

Made a list of what you WANT to buy whilst there?

Made a list of what everyone else wnats you to buy whilst you're there? :0

Looked up itineries to see if any other V-Flyers are on your flight?

Change of clothes in hand luggage? :w

R-P

Packed trousers with a waist two inches bigger than yours to accommodate those big american meal portions?

- 'secure flight' information for internal US flights

Is that something you add after you've booked internal flights? I have internal ones booked for later this year, don't remember seeing anything about that...

I believe for flights booked more recently, the information is usually taken at booking, older bookings needed the information post-booking. Have you given all the info needed already? Like Name, DoB, gender and redress number if applicable?

I'm fairly sure so - definitely provided all the info requested (apart form the redress number, no idea what that is so presume not applicable). No doubt I'll go back and check though, not unusual it seems for new rules to come along, just when you think you have it sorted

Booked car hire?

If you have a credit card sized driving licence then take accompanying paperwork if hiring a car?

Changed money/Got pre-paid $ card?

Sent yourself emails of all your documents so if you loose any you can easily get copies?

Checked what films are showing on board? ii)

Made a list of what you NEED to buy whilst there? :w

Made a list of what you WANT to buy whilst there?

Made a list of what everyone else wnats you to buy whilst you're there? :0

Looked up itineries to see if any other V-Flyers are on your flight?

Change of clothes in hand luggage? :w

R-P

Am laughing as I read your post - much more extensive checklist and very similar to mine! I have a generic checklist that gets tweaked....would have to add to the above:

measurements for bedding

check for sales in Sears/Penneys/Macy's/outlet malls



At the moment though, I'm stuck on paying rental balance on home. Made the payment by bank transfer (have done this a few times) and payment did not reach them. After a lot of investigation, it turns out the management company gave me the acount number, but one of the numbers was wrong! Have had to have it re-sent, but it still hasn't yet credited their account. Irritating, and costing me a lot of time chasing it.

Turn off data roaming on your iPhone[/quote]


Absolutely. My next trip is the first time I'll have had a phone that can even do that - have already set it to disable data when roaming, hope it works!

Thanks for the much more exhaustive lists! Made me laugh

We've got our accom, and car hire booked. Money will be done once March pay lands in my bank account!

Sadly there are no V-Flyers on either of my trans-atlantic flights.

Thanks for the much more exhaustive lists! Made me laugh

We've got our accom, and car hire booked. Money will be done once March pay lands in my bank account!

Sadly there are no V-Flyers on either of my trans-atlantic flights.

Hello

Check this out for your currency:

http://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/

Have a great time, planning is the best bit!

Luke

If you're hiring a Car, check expiry date on Driving License Photo Card. I think they are only valid for 10 years, and you'd be surprised at how many people are unaware of this.

Advising your Bank/Credit Card Companies is a good one. I do this every time, and they always thank me for taking the trouble to call them, but it's so worth it to not have your card declined/blocked as soon as US transaction flags up.

Made the payment by bank transfer (have done this a few times) and payment did not reach them. After a lot of investigation, it turns out the management company gave me the acount number, but one of the numbers was wrong! Have had to have it re-sent, but it still hasn't yet credited their account. Irritating, and costing me a lot of time chasing it.

Wow I hope that works out well for you and soon. You say you've done bank transfers before so you must be more confident than we are, having been stitched up by a US Rental Company back in 2005. So annoying when things like this happen because basically it is out of your control. Wishing you a speedy and satifactory conclusion.

Made the payment by bank transfer (have done this a few times) and payment did not reach them. After a lot of investigation, it turns out the management company gave me the acount number, but one of the numbers was wrong! Have had to have it re-sent, but it still hasn't yet credited their account. Irritating, and costing me a lot of time chasing it.

Wow I hope that works out well for you and soon. You say you've done bank transfers before so you must be more confident than we are, having been stitched up by a US Rental Company back in 2005. So annoying when things like this happen because basically it is out of your control. Wishing you a speedy and satifactory conclusion.

Thankfully, it has credited now and I've had an apology from the management company. They also emailed me directions to the house/entry codes in the interim, so clearly they had confidence in me.

I'm very glad this wasn't the first time we'd done a bank transfer or it could have scarred me for life ):

Thanks for the much more exhaustive lists! Made me laugh

We've got our accom, and car hire booked. Money will be done once March pay lands in my bank account!

Sadly there are no V-Flyers on either of my trans-atlantic flights.

Doesn't necessarily follow - where are you flying to and when? I don't have my dates on here and am guessing I'm not the only one....

We're flying:

9th April Heathrow - JFK on VS45
21st April JFK - Heathrow on VS4

Both legs are in PE.

I'm no help then - we fly out on 21st... sorry!

In my book Century 21 rules for the 'handbag cave' (as we call it)

Have a great trip

R-P