Going to NYC from England have I forgotten anything?

[StressHeadShazza]

Going next month...

Passport - new one received a couple of months ago, signed where requested
ESTA - approved (will print copy)
Monzo account - opened just waiting on card
Travel insurance - done (will print copy)
Booking from travel agency and payment confirmation - will print copy
Extra ID for when there - will take drivers license and old passport, which was returned to me
Cash - will take a little but mainly card
US plug adapter - will buy this weekend

I'm hearing something about API (Advanced Passenger Information)

What fresh hell is this?!

Any help would be very welcome. I'm getting nervous

Data plan - make sure you can connect when you land.

Not sure an expired passport would be accepted as ID, probably not worth bringing.

The api is just the details the airline will require before you can check in - your personal and passport details. You should be able to do that in the airline app before you check in.

Check the dimensions of your hand luggage for your specific airline.

Old passport will not be any use — when I lived in Massachusetts in the 90s, a lot of bars wouldn’t accept even valid passports as ID because lots of Americans don’t have them, making them a bit unfamiliar. (Plus they thought it was weird I didn’t have a driver’s licence.)

API is adding your info before travel on the airline’s website. You do it for all international flights but the US one is a bit more in depth like they want to know where you’re staying.

I never take paper anything. If your ESTA isn’t valid you won’t be able to check in for your flight, and an easily forged scrap of paper won’t convince them of anything! If the travel agency has fucked up then again you’re not checking in. By all means print it if it makes you feel better, but it’s not necessary.

You also don’t need loads of forms of ID, passport obviously and driving license if you’re renting a car and/or driving to the airport in the UK but what on earth is the expired passport for? I’ve never found NYC to be problematic, more used to foreign tourists maybe, but be warned that some bars may want to see a valid US issued ID or a passport and may not accept foreign driving licenses. IDK about NY state law specifically but some states it’s illegal to accept an expired ID. So if you’re going drinking and don’t want to be turned away make sure you always have your current passport!

Beware that some appliances don’t work well on their voltage. GHDs are mostly dual voltages, hair dryers never work properly so best to use the hotel one if you can.

Other than that remember to have fun?!! Hope you have a good time!

If you have one, use your credit card. They're used so much more than debit over there and will protect your spending.

Expired passport is useless and could seem suspicious - don't bring it.

I'll pop in to the travel agency on Friday will they do it for me? I don't want to touch anything!

I'll also be going to the phone shop to sort a data bolt on.

I'll print off 456,788,566 copies of the ESTA just to be on the safe side.

I only noticed the extra passenger details thing because it has a red exclamation mark and I realised the agency only put my name in there and not my passport details. Does that mean if I'd not looked I'd not have been able to fly?! Shouldn't they have told me I need to enter this? It has to be done 72 hours before flying apparently but I can't check in until 24 hours before so I'd have missed it.

I'm getting so stressed.

You’ll need to check in and get your boarding pass.
Is your accommodation all booked?
Are your transfers (here and in NY) booked or planned?
Do you have Uber app?
What luggage are you taking, do you have the right size booked onto your flight?
A clear plastic bag for your toiletries.

You will be fine, if anything isn’t quite right, you will be able to sort it out!

A travel SIM for affordable mobile data depending on your phone contract

Put in your own passport details? It’s really simple, you don’t need a travel agent to do it for you and you’ll have to check in by yourself anyway including for the return flight so best to familiarise yourself with the airline’s website now.

Take a photo of your passport and main insurance document as well.

Don't print "copies of the Esta". There isn't a copy you can print as it's electronic, connected to your passport and no one will be interested, just a waste of paper. The airline won't let you on the plane without it showing on the records. Be prepared for the third degree in immigration. Charmingly segued after you've been shown a slick "Welcome to America" video.

Oh for fuck sake this API thing is worrying me, until I just googled it I didn't even bloody know about it!! Is it okay as long as I enter my passport number this week? I only received my new passport recently, the travel agency told me nothing about this I thought the only thing I had left to do was check in 24 hours before!!! Is it too late? I fly in early February (if allowed!)

As well as signing your passport have you also filled in emergency contacts?

Have you got a battery pack you can use to charge your phone when out?

Plan ahead and allow plenty of time for transferring to the airport coming home. If you don’t then you may end up realising that it is rush hour, there are no taxis and your only option is the New York underground meaning you have to lug huge, souvenir laden suitcases to a station, on an unfamiliar system and cross fingers that you will make it in time. Not that that happened to me 🫣🤣

API is just your passport details and, sometimes, where you are staying. Nothing to get stressed about!

You enter the api before you can check in. Basic details like passport number.

Download both Lyft and Uber apps.

Don't forget your phone charger and a mobile charger too.

Pack a beanie and warm gloves, plus warm, waterproof boots, wool socks, and a chunky scarf.

Stop stressing! If you have 2 minutes, because that’s really all it takes, go onto the airline’s website and enter the extremely basic information required- your name, date of birth, home address, passport details and address of where you are staying (pretty sure that’s it!). You don’t need to do it ages in advance but may as well tick it off the list since it’s clearly worrying you??

API - you fill in on airline website at least 48 hours before departure, you can do that now. Then you need to check in for your flight, how far ahead depends on your airline.

Went last year. No print out of anything required. Sounds like you have it covered. Phone data for Google maps when out and about was most useful thing . Are you sightseeing? If so prebook some things like Ground Zero for a shorter queue.

Have you downloaded the airline app? You can fill the api out on that and check in at the appropriate time, you can download your boarding pass to your phone too. Do you have any dietary restrictions? If the airline provides food then let them know now

The easiest way to get to Manhattan from JFK is by train I find

Okay, it says via the travel agency I can do my API at the point of checking in or at the desk at the airport but bollocks to that I'll do it tomorrow.

It says be at the airport three hours early so obviously I'll be there eighteen hours early.

I do have dietary requirements, I need a fuck load of wine after all this.

Is this your first time going on a plane? Just put your passport details in and chill out, man.

My top tip is to photo graph any key documents (such as passport) and then email them to yourself. Then even if the very worst happens (everything gets stolen) you will have your passport number and travel insurance details.
Also have at least the basics in your hand luggage (change of underwear and t shirt) incase anything happens to your luggage or you similar. Airlines can get your luggage to you surprisingly quickly but still can be the next day.
Also at this time of year make sure you have lots of layers