Hotel and flights to New York

[ME]

I need to go to New York in February for business.

 

Can anyone recommend a company who specialize in travel to the US .

 

 

(apart from all the usual high street agents)

[jonno 357]

book direct

[MC]

Matt,

 

I used Flights International who are in Southend somewhere the last time I went to the States, they did the whole thing flights car hire etc cheaper than you could do it yourself via various websites.

 

I'll see if I can find their phone number

 

Here you go

 

And sorry I lied, they are in Rayleigh

Edited January 12, 2010 by MC

[casts_by_fly]

I prefer to book most of my travel direct. the only exception is big trips where I can't pay for all of it up front. In all of the cases where we've checked travel agents and compared the same flights/hotel to booking direct, the price was the same.

 

If you're going to be in NY, you're looking at transport to and from the airport on this side, the flight, transport to and fromt he airport on the US side, and the hotel. If you're staying in NY and working in NY, then you're not going to want a rental car. You're also not going to find a discount airline going transatlantic. I don't know what part of the country you're in so you'll have to figure out what is convenient for you, but if near London area then my choice is always Virgin. They fly to both JFK and Newark, two flights from each per day (maybe only one to JFK). The staff are the friendliest I've seen on any of the transatlantics, the food is better than most, and the plane is as good as any for coach. If work is buying you a business class ticket or at least premium economy all the better (I put Virgin premium economy above BA or Continental/Delta/USAir business class anyday). And, Virgin's prices are very competitive (usually within £30 or so for a coach ticket to NYC)

 

Hotel? What price range and what part of the city do you need to be in? How many days in the city?

 

I used to live 30 minutes from manhattan and we fly back and forth to the US 4-6 times a year for the past 3 years.

 

Thanks,

Rick

[ME]

I prefer to book most of my travel direct. the only exception is big trips where I can't pay for all of it up front. In all of the cases where we've checked travel agents and compared the same flights/hotel to booking direct, the price was the same.

 

If you're going to be in NY, you're looking at transport to and from the airport on this side, the flight, transport to and fromt he airport on the US side, and the hotel. If you're staying in NY and working in NY, then you're not going to want a rental car. You're also not going to find a discount airline going transatlantic. I don't know what part of the country you're in so you'll have to figure out what is convenient for you, but if near London area then my choice is always Virgin. They fly to both JFK and Newark, two flights from each per day (maybe only one to JFK). The staff are the friendliest I've seen on any of the transatlantics, the food is better than most, and the plane is as good as any for coach. If work is buying you a business class ticket or at least premium economy all the better (I put Virgin premium economy above BA or Continental/Delta/USAir business class anyday). And, Virgin's prices are very competitive (usually within £30 or so for a coach ticket to NYC)

 

Hotel? What price range and what part of the city do you need to be in? How many days in the city?

 

I used to live 30 minutes from manhattan and we fly back and forth to the US 4-6 times a year for the past 3 years.

 

Thanks,

Rick

 

 

We are going for 3-4 days. 1 day business at - 230-59 International Airport Center Blvd. Jamaica, NY 11413 and the

rest being dragged around "interesting" stuff by the missus.

 

We are in Essex so LHR / LGW. We flew Virgin last year to Orlando and it was a nice plane, staff etc.

 

Looking to go Virgin premium economy or business class depending on price.

 

A hotel is a place to sleep to me but any suggestions as to some that are well located for sightseeing would be appreciated.

 

Cheers

 

Matt

[Mungler]

I assume you will be going in June?

 

Don't forget the extra luggage allowance you will need for your "costumes".

[guss109]

Give dial a flight a call weve used them a few times now and good prices and friendly staff

[John_R]

I agree with the above who say it is better to make your arrangements yourself. Unless you are going somewhere very unusual I just don't see the point of travel agents any more.

 

However, if you want a quick way to see a whole raft of options, I find Expedia.co.uk very useful, and sometimes it works out pretty cost effective through them. I get quotes from them and compare with the direct price, and see what works out best.

 

It is a long time since I was in NYC, would love to go back sometime.

[ME]

I assume you will be going in June?

 

Don't forget the extra luggage allowance you will need for your "costumes".

 

 

You CANT, be serious Mungler !

 

Thats one less person to bring stuff back for now !

[majordisorder]

I prefer to book most of my travel direct. the only exception is big trips where I can't pay for all of it up front. In all of the cases where we've checked travel agents and compared the same flights/hotel to booking direct, the price was the same.

 

If you're going to be in NY, you're looking at transport to and from the airport on this side, the flight, transport to and fromt he airport on the US side, and the hotel. If you're staying in NY and working in NY, then you're not going to want a rental car. You're also not going to find a discount airline going transatlantic. I don't know what part of the country you're in so you'll have to figure out what is convenient for you, but if near London area then my choice is always Virgin. They fly to both JFK and Newark, two flights from each per day (maybe only one to JFK). The staff are the friendliest I've seen on any of the transatlantics, the food is better than most, and the plane is as good as any for coach. If work is buying you a business class ticket or at least premium economy all the better (I put Virgin premium economy above BA or Continental/Delta/USAir business class anyday). And, Virgin's prices are very competitive (usually within £30 or so for a coach ticket to NYC)

 

Hotel? What price range and what part of the city do you need to be in? How many days in the city?

 

I used to live 30 minutes from manhattan and we fly back and forth to the US 4-6 times a year for the past 3 years.

 

Thanks,

Rick

 

I'll second the Virgin recommendation, both economy and Premium economy are good, far above BA who I wouldn't fly with if you paid me. Book as soon as possible though as the price goes up exponentially the closer to the fly date you get. Conversely if you book an economy ticket and are lucky enough to get a call from Virgin a day or two befre the flight you can usaully get a very cheap upgrade to PE / Upper Class if they've got space.

 

Also, tip for US immigration, just tell them you're there for pleasure if you don't want the third degree about what you're going to do there. I spent 10 minutes going through every business meeting I had booked!!!

 

HTH

 

Pete

[Fatcatsplat]

I'll second the Virgin recommendation, both economy and Premium economy are good, far above BA who I wouldn't fly with if you paid me. Book as soon as possible though as the price goes up exponentially the closer to the fly date you get. Conversely if you book an economy ticket and are lucky enough to get a call from Virgin a day or two befre the flight you can usaully get a very cheap upgrade to PE / Upper Class if they've got space.

 

Also, tip for US immigration, just tell them you're there for pleasure if you don't want the third degree about what you're going to do there. I spent 10 minutes going through every business meeting I had booked!!!

 

HTH

 

Pete

Also, if flying Virgin to NY, cross check Continental Airlines - They share the same planes and can be cheaper (and vice versa).

[Fatcatsplat]

.....and have you all got machine readable passports?

[ME]

What about the areas in NY ?

 

Where is the most central location for her touristy stuff ?

 

 

EDIT: no idea about passports

Edited January 12, 2010 by ME

[majordisorder]

South of Central Park is generally nice. I've stayed at the Marriot on 7th & West 45th, a stones throw from Times Square, Broadway and more shopping than any woman could possibly need.

 

Cabs are abundant and fairly cheap and your legs will take you right down to the bottom of the Island if you like a good stroll.

[John_R]

Virgin Premium Economy is not bad at all. It is an old style business class seat, often up in the bubble of a 747 so the aisles are wide and has a 2-2 layout. Storage bins by the window and above the seats are small so if you use a rollalong for carry-on it probably won't fit. You get the same menu as the economy passengers, but a bit more booze and nicer cutlery etc.

 

I have still got a fair number of VA airmiles, so I usually pay with a combination of money and miles, saves a few hundred quid usually.

 

I do like United Business Class much better though, and for that I call them and purchase an upgradeable economy seat and then use airmiles to do the upgrade.

Edited January 13, 2010 by john_r

[Nicky T]

Try www.netflights.com for flights and combined flights with hotel packages

[Nicky T]

Looks like its pretty cheap to fly to NYC in February

 

February flights to NYC with Delta