A Question For You Globetrotters.

[leefer]

Hi people,me and my good wife are off to Florida to see our daughter and grandson in October of this year,it is an exiting time for us and if the truth be known one of the reasons i cannot support the town as much as i would like at present...any how my main questions are these.

For holidays is there a maximum amount of spending cash you can take and what are the facilities like over there regarding credit cards etc....in other words is it best to take more cash rather than rely on cards

Booking the flights i am a little worried about doing it online....not sure why because i have done it lots before but would it be better to do flights only with a travel agent...or just kick on and get it online

Another thing is we are planning to fly from Florida to New York for a few days so will it be best booking them over there at short notice or doing it now more advisable.

Thanks chaps...and be kind

[sonicyouth]

There is absolutely no reason not to book flights online directly with the airline. I'd advise booking early.

Where in Florida are you visiting?

[slinky]

Hi Leefer

No limit on the amount of cash you can take but you need to declare anything over $10,000.  Think you do this on the customs form you fill out on the plane.  Using cards over there is just like here although rather than chip and PIN you usually get asked for a photo ID.  Be aware though that you can pay a commission on certain debit and credit cards and fees at ATM machines so it is wise to do a little research in to what cards are best.  Money saving expert website has good info regarding this.  I usually take a few hundred dollars and then use my Post Office credit card for most of my spending (you get a slightly better exchange rate using a card).  You can also get a pre-paid visa card that you load up with cash and use just like a normal card.

Flights I always book online.  Kayak and Skyscanner are good at comparing lots of different airlines, nothing wrong with comparing the cost in a travel agent you might be able to get a deal?  With flights its always best to book as far in advance as you can as prices usually go up as seats are sold.

Hope this helps?  You will have a great time out there!

[Batch]

There is a maximum amount of cash you can take, I think its less than 10K USD you don't need to declare, anything more you do. If you are taking ten grand - happy holidays.

Card facilities are generally excellent. Obviously you need to check on fees and so forth your bank may charge you (purchases), and just like here you may get charged by the US bank for using their machines. That said, it is safer than walking around with a big bulge in your pockets (oo eerr)

edit: damn you slinky..

[suttonred]

Don't bother taking too much cash, take your cards (just remember to tell your bank etc you are going) I know from personal experience what a pain it is being robbed, and having a fair amount of cash in the stuff stolen.

[leefer]

Brilliant,thanks to you all,we are going to Orange City,not far of Orlando and Daytona....my daughter emigrated there last year with her son.

Again thanks, most of what you said i suspected but it is nice to have you people confirm it.

[4D]

If you can book me a seat and guarantee me accommodation then I'll quite happily be your tour guide/bag carrier 

[RobertT]

Just off the I-4 north of Orlando, so about 45 mins from Disney and the like.

Sanford would be the best airport to fly into but tends to be charter only, so check out Thomas Cook and Thomson.  Orlando International for scheduled flights but this is South of Orlando City area.

Credit cards are easy to use, nearly always needing a good old fashioned signature (sometimes taken on a digital screen).  Like cash in the US and you tend to get decent exchange rates more than cancelling out the per transaction fees you'll be charged for any debit/credit card transactions.

Book the New York flight as early as you can.  Think Southwest Airlines (who are usually cheapest) might fly into NY, if not someone like United will do and probably looking at a couple of hundred dollars return per person.

[Nomoreheroes]

So that you are not taking lots of cash with you, ask your daughter to give you cash. If she still has a UK account you could transfer pounds into that, or if she hasn't you could settle up with her with one credit card payment/paypal payment/bank transfer.

[reeves4england]

Lots of good advice above. Remember to complete an ESTA online before travelling (this is what you fill in instead of getting a visa.)

It's fine to use cards, but do check what your bank will charge you. Also, credit card details seem to get 'misused' a lot more in the US than over here. At least in my experience. BEWARE!!!

[Batch]

Lots of good advice above. Remember to complete an ESTA online before travelling (this is what you fill in instead of getting a visa.)

And do the ESTA direct rather than through some third party that some companies (Expedia I think) offer. Its cheaper and its the same thing!

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/‎

[fatbasher]

Worth shopping around. I'm off to Florida in Aug and although i have a package with these bods they have broken down the quote for me so i can see what's what. suffice to say that V the high st they came out £1400 cheaper! for the whole package mind. This lot are Virgin and Disney specialists and flights only will be right up their street.

www.chartertravel.co.uk They are based in Newbury and have agents working from home as well as staff in the shop. I am booked with a bloke called Graeme who works from home. Really nice and very, very helpful. let me know if you want his number.

[Amir]

Get yourself a pre-loaded dollar currency card, Leefer.  Either with someone like www.fairfx.com , or the post office do one where you can stick 800 quid on in a year and you don't have to jump through any hoops to get it.  Best rate of exchange you'll get, as far as I know.

[fuzzy]

Is your Duaghter picking you yup from the airport or are you hiring a car?

Some folk are a bit wary of driving on the wrong side of the road but, Florida being a major tourist destination has worked hard at making it less fraught for forign drivers. We have been a couple of times and done the fly drive thing.

Flights- I would recommend booking all flights as far in advance as you can- saves a fortune. Online booking is safe as well. We use expedia and nver have problems.

[RobertT]

Worth shopping around. I'm off to Florida in Aug and although i have a package with these bods they have broken down the quote for me so i can see what's what. suffice to say that V the high st they came out £1400 cheaper! for the whole package mind. This lot are Virgin and Disney specialists and flights only will be right up their street.

www.chartertravel.co.uk They are based in Newbury and have agents working from home as well as staff in the shop. I am booked with a bloke called Graeme who works from home. Really nice and very, very helpful. let me know if you want his number.

I can vouch for this, he arranged our holiday last year to Florida.  Think I might have name dropped them to you in a previous thread.