First trip to US any advice?
Discussion
Timja said:
I am considering a similar trip in March, possibly Vegas to New Orleans.
Does anyone know the cost of petrol out there and what basic accomodation costs would be (think Travelodge type hotel or motels) - on a bit of a budget so need to know what the minimum I could expect to pay for a basic but clean room would be. Also, any websites for booking cheap rooms in USA would be good.
Thanks.
Gas is about $3 a gallon at the moment +- 20 cents depending on location and state. the likes of holiday inn express and Hampton inns are running about $100 - $120 per night, motel 6 and super 8 no doubt cheaper but we don't need to put up with them anymore. Does anyone know the cost of petrol out there and what basic accomodation costs would be (think Travelodge type hotel or motels) - on a bit of a budget so need to know what the minimum I could expect to pay for a basic but clean room would be. Also, any websites for booking cheap rooms in USA would be good.
Thanks.
Gas prices are on the rise again here right now. I live in FL where regular is around $3.35 - up 25c in last 2 weeks. I'm in Indiana today - here, it's 3.15 (ish). Earlier in the week out in Cali, it was $3.60.
It is well known that if you are stopped by Highway Patrol, as a British tourist it can be a lot of fun to see if you can wrestle the cops side-arm out of his holster. They usually think this is a hilarious prank and will usually send you on your way with ruffled hair, having called you a "Cheeky Monkey", or similar.
It is well known that if you are stopped by Highway Patrol, as a British tourist it can be a lot of fun to see if you can wrestle the cops side-arm out of his holster. They usually think this is a hilarious prank and will usually send you on your way with ruffled hair, having called you a "Cheeky Monkey", or similar.
RDMcG said:
If you have a programmable nav system such as a Garmin , then download the US maps before you leave and bring it with you. Alternatively buy one at Walmart when you arrive. Its cheaper than the ridiculous amount the rental companies charge for nav.
When we hired a car, if you hired the nav, they gave you child seats free so it actually cancelled out. If you don't have kids, this doesn't work.LooneyTunes said:
...so ask when you pick the car up how big the tank is and/or make a note of how much you're putting in each time and the impact that has on the gauge (especially if you don't want to return it too full).
Also worth noting that you might not be able to "pre-authorise" the payment at the pump (some of them ask for US "zip code" for the card, which obviously you won't have), in which case it's in to the shop to do it.
You hand the card to the cashier, tell them how much you want to put in, if its less then the extra amount is automatically refunded back to the card, mine was returned the following day. Also worth noting that you might not be able to "pre-authorise" the payment at the pump (some of them ask for US "zip code" for the card, which obviously you won't have), in which case it's in to the shop to do it.
Here is something that works with zip codes and credit cards. The important postal code is your billing address. I will use a Canadian example.
At a gas station, they pump will often require a zip code for you to use the card directly. This is the 5 digit zip code from the US.
However, the way it verifies is to check the numeric characters in billing address imprinted on the card.
Thus my postal code for billing purposes on my credit card is M5X 6H8
Take the numbers in the postal code 5 6 8 and add 00 . This gives you 56800 in this example. Use this at the pump, and you will be able to use your credit cars directly. I am assuming that UK postal codes only have three letters and three numbers. Try it and see if it works. I use this all the time.
At a gas station, they pump will often require a zip code for you to use the card directly. This is the 5 digit zip code from the US.
However, the way it verifies is to check the numeric characters in billing address imprinted on the card.
Thus my postal code for billing purposes on my credit card is M5X 6H8
Take the numbers in the postal code 5 6 8 and add 00 . This gives you 56800 in this example. Use this at the pump, and you will be able to use your credit cars directly. I am assuming that UK postal codes only have three letters and three numbers. Try it and see if it works. I use this all the time.
Nickyboy said:
LooneyTunes said:
...so ask when you pick the car up how big the tank is and/or make a note of how much you're putting in each time and the impact that has on the gauge (especially if you don't want to return it too full).
Also worth noting that you might not be able to "pre-authorise" the payment at the pump (some of them ask for US "zip code" for the card, which obviously you won't have), in which case it's in to the shop to do it.
You hand the card to the cashier, tell them how much you want to put in, if its less then the extra amount is automatically refunded back to the card, mine was returned the following day. Also worth noting that you might not be able to "pre-authorise" the payment at the pump (some of them ask for US "zip code" for the card, which obviously you won't have), in which case it's in to the shop to do it.
RDMcG said:
Here is something that works with zip codes and credit cards. The important postal code is your billing address. I will use a Canadian example.
At a gas station, they pump will often require a zip code for you to use the card directly. This is the 5 digit zip code from the US.
However, the way it verifies is to check the numeric characters in billing address imprinted on the card.
Thus my postal code for billing purposes on my credit card is M5X 6H8
Take the numbers in the postal code 5 6 8 and add 00 . This gives you 56800 in this example. Use this at the pump, and you will be able to use your credit cars directly. I am assuming that UK postal codes only have three letters and three numbers. Try it and see if it works. I use this all the time.
Some only have two eg CF4 5BG but as towns and cities expand, they are becoming 3 such as CF14 2PG.At a gas station, they pump will often require a zip code for you to use the card directly. This is the 5 digit zip code from the US.
However, the way it verifies is to check the numeric characters in billing address imprinted on the card.
Thus my postal code for billing purposes on my credit card is M5X 6H8
Take the numbers in the postal code 5 6 8 and add 00 . This gives you 56800 in this example. Use this at the pump, and you will be able to use your credit cars directly. I am assuming that UK postal codes only have three letters and three numbers. Try it and see if it works. I use this all the time.
It's a bit of a risk if the pump doesn't return your card though...
LuS1fer said:
Some only have two eg CF4 5BG but as towns and cities expand, they are becoming 3 such as CF14 2PG.
It's a bit of a risk if the pump doesn't return your card though...
The vast majority of pumps and even ATM's in the states seem to use the type of card reader where you insert and remove your card. I can't even recall using an ATM that sucks your card in.It's a bit of a risk if the pump doesn't return your card though...
thehawk said:
he vast majority of pumps and even ATM's in the states seem to use the type of card reader where you insert and remove your card. I can't even recall using an ATM that sucks your card in.
Bank ATM's (the traditional hole-in-the-wall and drive-ups) suck your card in, free-standing machines in airports and grocery stores don't - and neither do gas pumps. Some systems definitely do work with a ficticious zip, others don't, as they match the zip to the billing address, as stated above.One word of warning re using a credit/debit card in a gas station - there is a widespread card-skimming problem at gas stations in this country. The pumps that are most frequently tampered with are those furthest away from the store/kiosk, so have a good look at the card reader, before using it. Tell-tale is any 'looseness' in any pieces of the plastic housing around the card reader - but safer, if practical, to use a pump that is close to the cash register and well lit. Many gas stations im my locality (Orlando FL) have security tape attached to the pump card reader. If the tape is broken or appears tampered with, that should be cause for concern.
Matt Harper said:
It is well known that if you are stopped by Highway Patrol, as a British tourist it can be a lot of fun to see if you can wrestle the cops side-arm out of his holster. They usually think this is a hilarious prank and will usually send you on your way with ruffled hair, having called you a "Cheeky Monkey", or similar.
This bits important. A lot of people from the UK don't do things like this and wonder why Americans are so uptight. It's the little things that count.
we are going to use AirBnB to get places to stay in new orleans and austin so the beginning and end of our trip are sorted, the rest we are going to decided as we are there.
i shall be sure to remember to wrestle to officer for his gun seems a common highlight of anyone travelling to US
i shall be sure to remember to wrestle to officer for his gun seems a common highlight of anyone travelling to US
DomVrs said:
we are going to use AirBnB to get places to stay in new orleans and austin so the beginning and end of our trip are sorted, the rest we are going to decided as we are there.
i shall be sure to remember to wrestle to officer for his gun seems a common highlight of anyone travelling to US
Hmm. Austin and NOLA have a little bit of a rep as being somewhat sketchy, New Orleans moreso. I'd be inclined to book into a hotel at least for the first night just to get your bearings.i shall be sure to remember to wrestle to officer for his gun seems a common highlight of anyone travelling to US
Forgive me for weighing in on New Orleans. I work there quite regularly and it is one of only two US cities where I take a concealed firearm with me.
Any of the wards (neighborhoods) that adjoin downtown/Bourbon St/French Quarter are downright dangerous places to be - even in daylight. You need to be very careful not to stray away from the safe parts of town.
Even in brash, boisterous and horribly filthy Bourbon Street, lots of friendly fun-loving tourists get robbed, mugged and beaten by predatory local thugs.
Personally, I f
king hate the place.
Any of the wards (neighborhoods) that adjoin downtown/Bourbon St/French Quarter are downright dangerous places to be - even in daylight. You need to be very careful not to stray away from the safe parts of town.
Even in brash, boisterous and horribly filthy Bourbon Street, lots of friendly fun-loving tourists get robbed, mugged and beaten by predatory local thugs.
Personally, I f
king hate the place.DomVrs said:
Dave can you expand on what is sketchy in Austin & NO?
What Matt said, basically. Without local knowledge it's going to be difficult to tell whether you'll be fine on a particular street, especially if you look touristy.Austin is much better but if you aren't in one of the studenty areas it might be a little iffy.
Edited by davepoth on Saturday 19th January 22:39
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