chickencam Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 DS is hoping to go to Minneapolis in February, we have no experience of buying air tickets, OH has never been abroad and the rest of us only on school trips. We were wondering whether we will get value tickets by buying them direct from the airline or through a tour company or comparison site? Any help would be appreciated also if anyone has any US specific advice, he will not quite be 18 when he goes. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 We always buy direct from the airline. The only time I used an intermediary ( Flight Centre to go to Australia) they quoted us a much higher price than the advertised price on the airline's website. However, when I pointed this out, they offered us the same seats with a £10 supplement. That seemed reasonable so we went for it. So whatever you do, it helps to know the current prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 I think you need to look into what protection you get by buying direct from an Airline. If you buy through an ATOL registered travel company I believe you have protection if something happens to the airline. Not an expert by any means but I think that is what people like Simon Calder on TV always recommend. You may get similar protection by buying direct from the airline but using your credit card??? There have been instances where airlines have suddenly gone bust and you lose all your money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 My advice would be go to travel agent and get quote,then price it on line.Def use credit card for protection.We travel a fair bit and OH always books flight only through airlines web page.Unrelated to flight cost do make sure he has medical insurance cover for States,we had scare when ins company wouldn't pay $25,0000 bill for 2 days hosp and tests stay( did in end )Also when travelling to States he may have to change somewhere rather than go direct and depending where you change and length of wait can hugely affect price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 Thanks, he is taking the easier option of a direct flight, which is about £100 more, but he didn't fancy going via Amsterdam. We thought that perhaps his money would be better protected via tour company rather than direct. I will pay with my credit card. How necessary is it to arrive 3 hours before departure for check in, is there much flexibility in this. His flight is at 12.25pm from Heathrow, which is going to mean him getting a coach from here at 6am which will get him to Heathrow at 8.40am which seems very early. The next one would get him there at 10.40am. He is going to be have been awake for about 24 hours by time he gets there anyway. I have given him the job today of researching travel insurance and baggage allowances. Would it be practical to just travel with hand luggage. He is only going to be there for 4 nights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 I go every year at least once to the US - It is so so easy to go via Amsterdam - no hassle at all and cheaper too - its a wonderful airport and agree with everyone - buy direct from airline and reserve your seat from the start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 I also travel a lot, although not much to the US, and I always look at flight price comparison sites as well as airlines own sites and I've used a specialist booking agency when looking for a deal to Australia - it worked out cheaper than the best deal I found myself. I have found all these methods to be effective in the past. Once I even got a mega cheap deal by surfing a 'Hot Deals' site, after scrolling through pages of BOGOFF on groceries!! I usually pay with credit card, but sometimes with my debit card if I feel too tight to pay an extra c/card fee as I'm willing to take the risk - I'm normally on a main carrier. There may be a free baggage allowance or there may not, depending on which airline you choose. If you have to pay, then personally I travel light to save money and time so I often go with hand luggage only - top tip, wear your bulkiest clothing in layers on the plane. However, if your son thinks he may be doing some shopping in the US (clothes are cheap) it can be worth taking a half empty case and coming home with a full one. Last time I went my case came back with 5 pairs of shoes and assorted jeans I would turn up at least 2 hours ahead of take-off - security and check-in are often a nightmare. Given your son's choices, I would arrive at 8.40, I don't think the 10.40 gives him enough time to be comfortable. I have been left behind by a plane before now Just remembered - you need a visa for the US, its easy to arrange one yourself online Also, double check all the entry requirements for entering US, you are not allowed to carry certain things in - particularly food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 I would turn up at least 2 hours ahead of take-off - security and check-in are often a nightmare. Given your son's choices, I would arrive at 8.40, I don't think the 10.40 gives him enough time to be comfortable. I agree - the last thing you want is extra stress - especially if you're not familiar with this sort of travel Just remembered - you need a visa for the US, its easy to arrange one yourself online Are you sure ? I thought the UK was part of the Visa Waiver Program?? Best check ASAP Also, double check all the entry requirements for entering US, you are not allowed to carry certain things in - particularly food. I second this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Best double check yourself on the Visa thing - I was last there 2 years ago and had to fill in online forms to do something called an ESTA or ETSA or some other combination of these 4 letters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Yes you definitely need a visa but is free online and I think lasts for two years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 8, 2014 Share Posted January 8, 2014 Yes you definitely need a visa but is free online and I think lasts for two years. [pedantic.alert] It's a visa waiver rather than a traditional visa and you do have to pay for it, it's around $30 and yes, it lasts 2 years [/pedantic.alert] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 8, 2014 Author Share Posted January 8, 2014 Thanks, yes it is an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) he needs which is $14 apparently there are loads of sites that try to con you into paying more, so need to ensure that we buy it from the homeland security site direct. Thanks for other tips, I will see if he can travel light. Any suggestions as to good travel insurance providers would be good too, if you don't mind. He has looked at a few today and some don't cover under 18s travelling alone. It is very frustrating because he turns 18 two months after his trip. Also should he take out the insurance for a longer period than his trip just in case there are delays to the flights home? I am wondering because the weather could be bad, Minnesota has been one of the worst hit areas over the past few days. Thanks again for helping us travel numpties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 I usually take out an annual policy because its not much more than a single trip. I use a comparison site like moneysupermarket or similar, but have no strong recommendations or horror stories I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 I think the Post Office might do travel insurance for under 18's travelling alone. You will have to call them as you can't do it on the website Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 Thanks, I will look into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 We have now booked the tickets. I booked them direct through Delta Airlines on the phone, mainly because I wanted confirmation that I could buy them using my credit card and that he wouldn't then have to produce the credit card when checking in. We have also done his ESTA application and had that approved, and his coach tickets to the airport. I just have his travel insurance to sort out. It looks like the Post Office are our best bet for that, just need to decide whether to buy single trip or annual for him, depends whether he wants to go back over in the summer. I suspect a lot will have to do with how well he gets on with his girlfriend's mother, he has met her dad and since then her mum has been a lot more accepting of their friendship and now allows her to skype him from her house whereas before she was only allowed to do this at her dad's house. I have been in touch with her mum by email and she seems friendly. They live in a smallish apartment so DS will have to sleep on their sofa for the 4 nights that he is there, which with jet lag should be interesting. I am sure that he will behave he is very mature and responsible for his age, but can be grumpy when he is tired and gets peopled out quite easily. My colleague who's son also met his girlfriend from the US on the internet too, announced today that they have just got engaged, so here's to a happy ending here too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 14, 2014 Author Share Posted February 14, 2014 Well tomorrow is the day Rather worried that quite a few flights have been cancelled and diverted from Heathrow this evening, he is flying at lunchtime tomorrow, hopefully be ok. Also worried about the flooding and him being able to actually get to Heathrow. Heavy snow on the east coast of the US too. Please cross everything for him, it would break his heart if his plans were scuppered at this stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Good luck to your son in his travel today - He will have a wonderful time - Hope you got the travel Insurance sorted out - the annual one is cheaper if you plan to go more than once and I always take that option. I hope the weather is ok for airport travel - again something I do if bad weather is book at the airport for the night before my flight albeit mine uusually fly at 6am! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 He'll have a great time and any hiccups will be a great learning experience! Bon Voyage to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 15, 2014 Author Share Posted February 15, 2014 He took off pretty much on schedule and is currently just north of Glasgow, we are tracking his flight online wondering if this is an ultimate form of helicopter parenting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 He took off pretty much on schedule and is currently just north of Glasgow, we are tracking his flight online wondering if this is an ultimate form of helicopter parenting. This made me laugh. My eldest son could only spend 1 week in Canada with us and sending him home alone was nerve wracking! I tracked his flight with Plane Spotter and Flight Tracker. Didn't sleep until I saw his flight had landed at 5.30am Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 So glad that I am not the only one. We tracked his return flight too, which involved waking up at 3.30am and I paid for my first app £1.99 for the flightteacker24 pro app. You can zoom in and watch take off and landing, I found it fascinating seeing all of the places that he passed over, my geography is greatly improved. I think that he may now have the travel bug, he will be back to Minneaoplis in the summer, hopefully bringing Sydney back with him to stay with us before she starts at St Andrews. I would love to go to Canada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
