USA Travel June/July

[Thom]

Hi, I have a USA trip planned for late June, something like Perth - Syd - LAX -Washington DC - New York - LAX -Syd - Perth.

Is there any benefit in booking the whole trip through one airline? or book the USA domestic flights individually?

And what is the usual or most practical airport to fly into for Wash DC and New York?

Cheers

 

[BAM1748]

Use one if you can, you'll be looked after if a connection is missed.

Matt

 

[drewbles]

exactly what BAM1748 said.

If you start splitting flights up onto different tickets or itineraries, and you have tight connections, you may be in danger. This is where travel agents come in handy. You can then take who you want, but it'll all be on the same PNR and you should be protected in the event of a misconnect.

Of course if you have 6 or more hours between flights, you're usually safe, providing they're on routes with high frequency.

 

[Blackadder]

Definitely look at a single airline, airlines are much more likely to help those that show loylaty to airline.
As for what airport to use, not really a issue as one way or another as all will have transfer options to hotels etc.

 

[ShaneN]

If connecting, definitely look at a single airline and their code share partners. For your trip this means Qantas - American or Virgin Australia - Delta / Virgin America. For stand alone domestics flights this is less important. Domestic economy fares can be quite cheap, and can vary a lot on the same route. Instant upgrade fares can be good value and can give a good haul of status credits.

Assuming you are staying in Manhattan, all three New York airports (JFK, La Guardia, Newark) are relatively similar in accessibility. Which one you use will depend on your airline and origin / destination. Long distance flights to Washington DC mostly use Dulles. Some shorter flights use Reagan National Airport (DCA) which is much more convenient, only a few kilometres from the centre of Washington and directly connected by Metro rail.

Between New York and Washington DC you might consider the high speed rail, the Acela Express. It runs directly from Union Station in the centre of Washington to Penn Station right in the centre of New York, and takes less than 3 hours.

 

[thommo9]

If you were to fly into NYC, you could fly on QF107 from LAX into JFK all on Qantas. Quality service on Qantas compared to poor US domestic flight service (ie no meals, IFE etc)

From JFK, it's a simple AirTrain ride to the Jamaica subway station which lots of lines service. AirTrain to the streets of Manhattan is a 30 minute ride

 

[Thom]

Thanks for the replies,

Between New York and Washington DC you might consider the high speed rail, the Acela Express. It runs directly from Union Station in the centre of Washington to Penn Station right in the centre of New York, and takes less than 3 hours.

Excellent suggestion, I'm locking that one in.

Although I have missed value flights, traditionally what happens with airfare prices over the next couple of months if I'm indecisive?

How long do I need to spend in New York to do it justice?

I'm still working on the detail, Syd - LAX Stop over 6days, LAX - Washington DC Stop over for 6 days, Wasington DC - New York 9 days, New York - LAX-Syd.

 

[cymbolz]

I did a similar trip last year, with a few more stops (and 7 weeks total). I'd say one week minimum in NYC. I'm happy to share my itinerary with you as you need to divide and conquer as Manhattan is a big place to visit.

I booked VA MEL-LAX PE then most flights internally in the US were on SouthWest. Two advantages – they allow two checked bags for no additional cost, and it’s simple/quick/basic/easy (only had one minor delay).

Flew into Washington via Baltimore airport (as that’s the closest SouthWest service). It was not too bad getting to Washington DC Union Station – a free bus to the local Amtrak station and a short train ride in.

Agree with suggestion of taking rail from Washington to New York. Avoid peak times (morning and evening peak) when commuters and business travellers are on…I took an 11am service. The Acela Express was excellent and only cost a little more (not much of an issue with the great exchange rate at the moment).

Flying back to LAX from NYC I booked on Virgin America through VA (same ticket) so still had the 2 bags and was PE (they call it Main Cabin Select). A bit extra but well worth it, and miles ahead of any other domestic carrier over there. Plus unlimited food/drink which you order on the IFE. Brilliant.

Also did the AirTrain from Jamaica to JFK and it was damn easy and simple (subway from Manhattan to Jamaica, then AirTrain from there).


One more suggestion…don’t fuss about LA for too many days, there really isn’t much to do there (my first visit was 1 night and that was almost too much). But do make the effort to hire a car and drive up the Pacific Coast Highway if you want to spend a few days (actually, better to drive from San Francisco down to LA). If that’s not your thing, then I also recommend a hire car and drive up to Valencia – to visit Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park…if you like roller coasters then you’ll love this place.

Enjoy the trip, Matt

 

[ShaneN]

I'm still working on the detail, Syd - LAX Stop over 6days, LAX - Washington DC Stop over for 6 days, Wasington DC - New York 9 days, New York - LAX-Syd.

An advantage of booking domestic travel separately is that you can lock in the flights to and from Australia now and then have weeks of fun planning what to do once you get there. Why not book SYD-LAX and JFK-LAX-SYD, then keep working on the detail. Thant is what I do.

I visited NY and DC in 2009. 8 nights in NY was not long enough. This is good, I will be back soon with lots left to see. 6 or 7 nights in DC may have been a bit long.

 

[Thom]

I did a similar trip last year, with a few more stops (and 7 weeks total). I'd say one week minimum in NYC. I'm happy to share my itinerary with you as you need to divide and conquer as Manhattan is a big place to visit.

Thanks, I would be really interested.

An advantage of booking domestic travel separately is that you can lock in the flights to and from Australia now and then have weeks of fun planning what to do once you get there. Why not book SYD-LAX and JFK-LAX-SYD, then keep working on the detail. Thant is what I do.

True and makes more sense as I don't have a firm itinerary.

 

[TimB]

Hi,

How long do I need to spend in New York to do it justice?

I'm still working on the detail, Syd - LAX Stop over 6days, LAX - Washington DC Stop over for 6 days, Washington DC - New York 9 days, New York - LAX-Syd.

Is this your first trip to the US? If it is, then I'd suggest trying to see more than just three cities.

I'm not a big fan of LA; visit Disneyland if that interests you, and see a few local sights, but don't plan on spending 6 days there. Some other things to do instead are:

• The coast road and S.F. - a much more interesting city than LA, in my opinion.
• Yosemite Valley - I've been there 7 times and still want to go back.
• Death Valley, Las Vegas and Grand Canyon - a bit hot in July, but amazing places.

Washington D.C. is a fascinating place, and I could easily spend more time there than I have already. But I don't think it's worth 6 days. In between the west coast and the east is the vast majority of the U.S., and unlike Australia, it's full of people, and not just something to fly over.

New York is amazing, and you could spend years there and not see everything. But there are other places to consider as well, such as Boston or Philadelphia. That's the trouble with the U.S. - there's too much to see.

As for the flights, I've flown quite a few US airlines domestically, but these days I choose based on maximising SCs for QF or VA, and finding the cheapest discount first class fares available. For the most part (excepting Virgin America and JetBlue), flying economy in the US is the pits, and to be avoided if possible and finances permit.

If I've prompted more questions in your mind than provided answers, then I've done my job.

 

[Thom]

Hi,



Is this your first trip to the US? If it is, then I'd suggest trying to see more than just three cities.



If I've prompted more questions in your mind than provided answers, then I've done my job.

Thanks,I did a 46 state road trip of the USA in the 90's and drove across Manhattan island but didn't have a look around New York city. The purpose of the trip is for my daughter and besides a convention in Anaheim she is fascinated by New York.

I find myself agonising over all the places I would like to see again, but time will regulate what we do see. My first choice was another road trip, but I have to keep reminding myself it's not about me. I agree with you about seeing more than 3 cities but I also want to minimise time lost in transit. Maybe Syd - Sanfran, drive to LA, Drive to Las Vegas, Fly to DC, etc.

Yeah I have lots of questions.

 

[Thom]

Is $2500 about the norm for Syd-LAX, NewYork -Syd June-July?

 

[deejo77]

Our family is flying to the USA in August.....we are going Qantas and found it cheaper to fly from BNE - SYD - DFW own arrangements DFW - BNE - the ticket for each person was $1300 - but that was on a sale.

We are flying internally - Virgin from DFW to SFO for $95 each, Westjet SFO to YVR - $177, West Jet YYC to LAS $225 and AA PHX to DFW $130.

The cheap DFW tickets came first and the rest I have just done when I have seen sales.

 

[Thom]

Thanks deejo, how far back did you purchase them? great price!

 

[ozdunker]

Best New York area airport is EWR - Newark. Grab bags and walk outside. Nice and easy.

If you stay there, hotels are much cheaper than Manhattan. Hotels with shuttles to airport, shuttles to Amtrak station (Boston, DC), PATH train to NYC. Easy to rent a car and not have to worry about trying to navigate across NYC. The best outlet clothes shopping is right next to Newark airport.

The thing to watch on internal US flights are additional baggage fees. Airlines like Jetblue dont charge anything extra and have some good sales on from time to time. Many of the airlines also often have discount coupons/codes that pop up from time to time.

July 4 weekend will be very expensive so need to plan out where you will be and book as required.

 

[ozdunker]

Is $2500 about the norm for Syd-LAX, NewYork -Syd June-July?

Qantas fares do jump up but I wouldnt pay that much, virgin have $1500 to LAX. If you like flying other options are to head up to Asia and then take a flight across to States.

 

[Thom]

Qantas fares do jump up but I wouldnt pay that much, virgin have $1500 to LAX. If you like flying other options are to head up to Asia and then take a flight across to States.

I have been watching Qantas, the fares appear to change daily up and down. I haven't seen any virgins flights for $1500 return to LAX as yet for that time of year(specifically 23 June on).

 

[ozdunker]

I have been watching Qantas, the fares appear to change daily up and down. I haven't seen any virgins flights for $1500 return to LAX as yet for that time of year(specifically 23 June on).

See my point in regards to 4th July. So you are trying to depart in the peak of the summer period.

Syd-SFO - Air China or china airlines - $1530, -lax Air Pacific a little bit more.
Via Singapore - $2000+ (there maybe some really cheap singapore fares popping up.


Cheapest earliest departure - 15th June for $1255 united ex syd
16th June - Delta.

Qantas will stay $2500 or higher.

 

[deejo77]

The booking I made was October 2011. It will be summer so I expect the fares to be fairly high now.