Going to the States. The basics

[NotJanine]

I'm going on a work trip and I'm clueless

I've got my esta sorted. Will get some dollars in cash. Most expenditure will be on company Amex card, but if I have personal spending is cash or card better? Will they accept my debit/credit card (visa/Mastercard)

Any tips on what to pack in hand luggage vs hold luggage? Anything to avoid hold ups at immigration?Can I use euro plug adapter or is it different?

Sorry lots of questions!!

What do you mean pre clear immigration in Dublin chippy?

You just go through immigration in Ireland instead of the US. It means that your flight will stop there end route

Really so you then don't do the ESTA checks in the US?

Yes, that's right.

Can someone tell me more about API checks. I booked my flights and don't remember having to do anything more than ESTAs

Many countries require Advance Passenger Information to collect some passport and travel information about who is flying into their country. The US is one such country amongst many who require APIs to be completed in advance of travel. You can find the API form you need to complete via the airline's website.

The following is needed to complete the API for travel to the US:-

Full name, as shown on your passport or travel document
Gender
Date of birth
Travel document type e.g. passport (P).
If you’re travelling on a group passport, details for each passenger listed on the passport should be entered under the same travel document type and passport number.
Travel document number
Travel document country of issue
Travel document expiry date
Nationality

Additional information for all US destinations
Country of residence
First night address you're staying at in the USA

This info is sent securely to the necessary government authorities.

Thank you

Didn't realise the tipping amount was so high! Coming from Australia I almost never tip (except for sometimes 'keep the change' ) so it's always a culture shock for me.

I stayed in a hotel at Austria a few weeks ago and at checkout was asked 'do you want to add any extra money to give to the staff'. It's just something I find really awkward.

DH and I flew into US last night. The queues at immigration were horrific. They had self service machines but if you were rejected by them you had to go in queue of doom. I was accepted but DH for no particular reason was rejected. Got through easily once we got to the front of the queue. Also he had his case locked with just a random padlock and it was fine.

API doesn't have to be filled in by you before you travel, if you check in at the airport they will do it for you. With some of the airlines, you don't have the option of doing API online anyway.

Currently, API data needs to be provided for customers travelling to or in transit to the following countries: USA, Canada, Mexico, China (except HKG), Japan, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, South Africa, Spain, Pakistan, Jamaica, Kenya, Algeria, Iran, Syria, Morocco.

What do people tend to do about mobile phones when out there? I know most places in Disney will have wifi and we all have iphones, so can use imessage to communicate, but will we need roaming data type packages?

EE seem to offer one that's £5 a day (!) but is only activated when you use it-might be useful as an emergency?

I am flying with Air New Zealand. Have scoured their website for an API form to download and cannot find one, even though they say API is needed. All I could find is a form to give address we are staying at on the first night.
My parents have just got back from the states and say they didn't fill one in but is ir possible the airport just did it on their bahalf and they didn't notice?

Immigration can be done in Rejkyavik, Shannon & Dublin. Best way to go if you have the option.

I've always taken plenty of small notes for tipping - you can order e.g. $100 in $1s in advance. Your company should let you order these as the tipping is part of the cost.

The 'double the tax' thing makes it easier to work out how much to pay - the tax is normally listed separately on the bottom of the check so you know what you're doing.

Agree with filling in forms on line in advance, although they ask a lot more questions these days.

For mobiles/laptops we buy a data sim - this can work out cheaper than a daily roaming charge.

aderyn

Try this:-

www.airnewzealand.co.uk/enter-passport-details

Leave a cash tip for your hotel maid. Just leave it in your room, usually under the key card since most have echeckout. Don't take to front desk I or the maid won't get it. 5-10 a night is fine.

Uber you don't tip. Cabs round up to next five. 20% is my go to in a restaurant. Again, cash is preferred but I add to my credit card payment. If cash, leave on the table. Don't worry it will not get stolen.

Relax and enjoy and ask if you don't know. Folks are generally lovely with tourists.

Aderyn - the API can be collected by the travel agent (if you use one) or by the airline staff when you check in at the airport. It's probably what happened with your parents. It doesn't always have to be done by you in advance.

Thanks Attila and Benjamin

To tip the maids: leave a couple of dollars on the bed, by the pillow. If you've checked out they'll take money from elsewhere, but if you're coming back later they will only touch money left on the bed.

You should do it each day that you get your room cleaned.

you don't have to get your luggage carried up to your room - I always manage myself.

For meals, about 15 - 20 % is normal, particularly if work is paying.

People always say "hi, how are you?" and you answer back"good/well, how are you?". It can be done as you pass in the office without even breaking stride, but is rude not to say hi to anyone you've met before as you go about the office.

"Have a good day" really is said, usually as you leave a place. Or "have a good evening" as you leave work. You can say "thanks" "have a good day" or "thanks, and you" or any combination of those replies.

It took me a couple of years to do the constant salutations as I walk about at work, but I'm just about there with them now.

You should do it each day that you get your room cleaned

Do they wee in your shower if you dont.

Seriously though-We don't stay in hotels usually-we self cater for holidays and if we do stay in hotels, it's a travel lodge for one night and I have never tipped.

Is it usual/expected to tip every morning of a holiday in a hotel? Is that just in the US or everywhere? UK too?

Its different cleaning staff each time so you leave a couple of dollars each day. You can add something at the end as you check out but that may nit get shared out very equally. I lived in a hotel in the US for 6 weeks btw.