The Happyfingers Family are on Holiday

Happy fingers

I hope this holiday is everything you wished for and more I hope you have a wonderful time and by the sounds of things you deserve to spolit yourself.

I am planning our next holiday for next year and I am going all out we were lucky that my husband does so moonlighting work and so able to get some extra money. We have some of our spending money in the safe I have now started to save up for flights and accommodation and the little extras.

I hope the tax time is kind to you and everyone else who is on this board and saving for your holiday.:banana:
 
As a self employed person, tax time is no longer the "light at the end of the tunnel" time that it used to be when I was an employee:lmao::lmao:
 
Just in case there is a very observant ticker fanatic

We moved the date of our holiday forward just a little
So the ticker is slightly off
I don't think you can change them once they are started
And if you can I can't figure out how

I'm not going to make a new one as Donald would have to go back to the start
Can't have that :rotfl2:

We ended up booking the 5 night nickelodeon option due to the discount
We were gonna stay for the week, but we can just go back to la early I suppose

Maybe take a tour of Hollywood
 
oasis or lagoon do you think ?
We went for Oasis (i think) don't think it really matters the kids are just so excited to be staying there

Just in case there is a very observant ticker fanatic

We moved the date of our holiday forward just a little
So the ticker is slightly off
I don't think you can change them once they are started
And if you can I can't figure out how

I'm not going to make a new one as Donald would have to go back to the start
Can't have that :rotfl2:

We ended up booking the 5 night nickelodeon option due to the discount
We were gonna stay for the week, but we can just go back to la early I suppose

Maybe take a tour of Hollywood
:yay: Maybe they will have a discount on the other 2 nights closer to your dates though they seem to be dearer on weekends it cost us $50 more for the Friday than the Thursday.
 

Just in case there is a very observant ticker fanatic

We moved the date of our holiday forward just a little
So the ticker is slightly off
I don't think you can change them once they are started
And if you can I can't figure out how

I'm not going to make a new one as Donald would have to go back to the start
Can't have that :rotfl2:
Thought you changed the dates - I was thinking how could you be at 100 days when I'm at 120 - I'm sure we were closer than that! :lmao:

I've had to reset my ticker once for an earlier trip. I wasn't happy that all my history had disappeared.
 
We sacrifice for our Disney saving too, but it's a priority for us. Some people prefer shiny new cars every couple of years, some people prefer all the fancy new gadgets, some people prefer eating out a lot... we prefer Disney :D

I'm sure your trip will be wonderful, and worth every cent you've saved for it :)
 
Marking. I will need to come back and read all this. I just booked my flight. Its my 1st trip to the US and first overseas trip with kids. Kinda a bit freaked atm.

I will keep checking in.

Thanks for the insurance info in my thread :thumbsup2
 
Tara

It gets a bit scary at the start we had our first overseas trip last year it was great.

We are going again next year once you are on that plane that scariest so away slightly and then the excitement comes
 
ok need some advice from you seasoned travelers :confused3

on the last 4 nights of our holiday we are staying in los angeles
probably just to look around hollywood and do some final shopping

any ideas on a good place to stay ?
$200 a night maximum (prefer $150 :rotfl:)

not knowing exactly what to do in La or what the layout is
we would be very grateful to get some advice from those who have been there before :worship:

Cheers
Fingers :woohoo:
 
How exciting your trip is getting close so quickly!! It is definately worth all the saving and stress!

As for LA accommodation it really depends on what you want to do there. We are in Anaheim at the moment but it is because we are doing 3 days at Disneyland. It is not really close to Hollywood and you would need a car or organise transfers. Work out what you want to do and then go from there. :thumbsup2
 
was thinking about maybe bidding for 4 star accom in la central on priceline

they rekon 180 is the usual bid price so might try 130 and see what happens :surfweb:

anyone done this before ?
 
'just got burned a little :headache:

booked our orlando to la tickets for $159us x 4 with american airlines using priceline

there was a 8am delta flight and a 9.20am american airlines flight and that was all there was for that day until several hours later, well for the non stop flights anyway

so we took the american airlines one
not knowing that they are one of only a few airlines that charge you $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second
every other airline (just abouts) doesnt charge for the first checked luggage

so thats another $100 minimum for our flight back across which i think is a nice little scam
no mention of this on the payment page of course, you have to read the fine print pirate:

oh well not to worry :banana:
i will win a thousand times that much at Vegas :woohoo: :laughing: :yay:

we are flying over with jetblue and they do not charge for the first checked bag :surfweb:
 
I know what its little to get burned when we flew with delta to Orlando we weren't told by flight center that they charge $25 for each bag it wasn't he money it was just we weren't told about it
 
Happy Fingers - It used to be that AA would not charge if you were an international passenger i.e., you could show your international ticket/boarding pass for entry and exit through the US and the charges would be waived.
Given your post, I wasn't sure if this policy had changed or not; so I was curious enough to visit their website and check out their baggage charge exceptions.

In all windows irrespective of when you purchased your ticket, the first item for the Exceptions Apply on the first baggage is:

For tickets purchased on or after September 14, 2009, customers traveling to, from, or through an international destination that does not include Europe or India

I didn't check the second baggage item. But I have NEVER paid for baggage when travelling on a US local airline....neither on AA nor United. Even when the Disney Check-in wanted to check me in and charge me the baggage fees, I've always refused and checked it in at the Orlando counter to avoid paying the baggage fees. All I've had to do is hang on to my Aust-US boarding pass and show my ticket for US-Aust at the counter and the charges are waived.

I haven't travelled SWA in a while so I don't know if the international passenger clause still applies.
 
was thinking about maybe bidding for 4 star accom in la central on priceline

they rekon 180 is the usual bid price so might try 130 and see what happens :surfweb:

anyone done this before ?

Friends of mine successfully used priceline for 5 nights accommodation through Anaheim, San Francisco and Vancouver. They roughly knew the going rate for 3.5 - 4 start accommodation in the area they wanted to stay in and bid 50% that rate. In some cases, they had to go a little higher when the bid was rejected; but they got accommodation in Anaheim and I can't remember whether it was Vancouver or San Fran at this 50% rate.
 
Princess,
Would that exception apply if you fly in on a different alliance? We are flying into Orlando on Qantas - but then flying to NYC on Delta.
We are then returning to Orlando before heading home.
I have arranged with the town car company we are using to hold some of our luggage so we can travel lightly to NYC as I know we will be stung with luggage charges.
 
the way im reading it is that exception only applies if the international travel is within 24hrs of your flight

so in our case that would be no

doesnt matter i just need to vent :cool1: im over it now
so if we dont have to pay then thats just a bonus i guess

now onto more pressing matters
you know what is making me the most anxious ?
all this bl oody tipping buisness :confused3

how much do you think we will need just in tips for a 6 week stay ? $1000 --- $2000

do you have to tip everyone ?
the taxi driver, the doorman, the porter, the waiters, etc. etc. etc.
where does it end ? :confused:

maybe there is a tipping app for the iphone (ill check)
i mean 3 meals a day so thats 3 x tips (what if we have a buffet, who do you tip then ?)
taxi rides x heaps i suppose

tips, tips, tips, tips, tips pirate:

ive never been exposed to such a mental system, why dont they just fold it into the price and stop jerking everyone around ? :sick:
 
for example

look at this i found on the net

so lets add this up
3.50 + 2.00 + 3.50 + 1.50 = 10.50 x 4 = $42 per day x 7 day cruise = $294 just in generic tips, meaning not including for tipping the barman (its enough to make a man not want to drink) whats that you want a tip Barman ? heres a tip, pour me a beer and keep them coming :rotfl2:

tipping makes me very uncomfortable :headache:

CRUISE TIPPING ETIQUETTE
When on a cruise, tip according to your comfort level and only on the last evening of your cruise. As a general rule, dining room waiters receive $3.50 per person/per day whereas the dining room assistant waiter should receive $2.00 per person/per day, the dining room maitre'd $3.50 per person/per day and the dining room manager $1.50 per person/per day.

The room steward, for all his efforts, receives $3.50 per person/per day. Other personnel, such as bar waiters, bellboys and deck stewards may be tipped as service is rendered

heres the rest of it
the more i read the more dizzy i feel

TIPPING AT AIRPORTS AND TRAIN STATIONS
Upon arriving at or leaving from the airport or train station, tip the standard porter rate of $1 per bag; more if your luggage is very heavy. Typically, a $1 tip for hailing a taxi is appropriate for doormen. However, you may want to tip more for special services, such as carrying your bags.

HOTEL TIPPING ETIQUETTE
When you arrive at your hotel after a long flight, first things first: Tip the taxi or limo driver. Ten to 15 percent of your total fare is usually expected. If you drive your own car, give the valet parking attendant $1 to $2. If you take a shuttle van or bus, tip the driver $2 per person.
The bellman, who will be more than happy to assist you with your bags and the door, should receive $1 to $2 per bag. Tip when he shows you to your room and again if he assists you upon checkout. Tip more if he provides any additional service. The concierge, who can get you anything from dinner reservations to hard-to-come-by theatre tickets, deserves $5 to $10 for such feats. You may tip at the time of service or at the end of the trip. To ensure good service throughout your stay, add a $20 tip to the bill.

Add 15 percent of the bill to a room service charge, unless a gratuity is already added, then add no additional tip or simply $1. If you requested something delivered to your room such as a hairdryer or iron, tip $1 per item received. Typically, the maid deserves a $2 tip each day, as well.


If you're taking a tour and a tip is not automatically included, tip a local guide $1 per person for a half-day tour, $2 for full-day tour. Tip a private guide more.

If you are on a multi-day tour with a tour manager - someone who travels with the group for several days and is essentially in charge - tour operators suggest anywhere from $3-8 per person per day. Don't forget the bus driver either - $2 per person per day.



RESTAURANT TIPPING ETIQUETTE
Although excellent service calls for 20 percent of the total bill, most U.S. restaurants accept 15 percent as the standard tip. In restaurants where you sit at the bar or the waiter is a small part of the meal (cafes or pubs), 10 percent is also acceptable. The bar tenders, themselves, generally receive between 15 and 20% when you sit at the bar. If the food or service is unsatisfactory, speak to the manager - don't walk out without tipping. And pay attention to lunch and dinner bills in Europe and Asia, as some restaurants tack on an additional 15 percent (usually listed on the menu or check as a "service charge") and do not expect tips.

At fancy restaurants, tip the maitre d' between $5 and $10 if he gets you a table - more when the restaurant is full and you have no reservations. Tip $1 when you check your coat, and another $.50 to $1 for restroom attendants. For personal service from the wine steward, opt for 10 percent of the wine bill.

This tipping etiquette will hopefully give you a general idea of the standard tipping rate for different stops along your journey. You are always welcome to tip more when the service is excellent, and when you do, you are sure to see the red carpet treatment all the way. Enjoy your vacation, and don't forget to tip!

:sick:
 
Princess,
Would that exception apply if you fly in on a different alliance? We are flying into Orlando on Qantas - but then flying to NYC on Delta.
We are then returning to Orlando before heading home.
I have arranged with the town car company we are using to hold some of our luggage so we can travel lightly to NYC as I know we will be stung with luggage charges.


For the retrospective TR I'm writing, I flew ANZ and Air Canada and United. United waived the baggage charges for me when we were flying out of Boston to San Francisco. We still had another 10 days before we were flying home at that stage.

In May 2010, we flew Qantas to LA; and then from LA to home. We flew AA from LAX to Miami and from MCO back to LAX. In this case, AA waived the baggage charges going to Miami (2 days into the trip, with another 15 days before we headed home) and from MCO to LAX, with another 4 days before we headed home.

In October 2010, I flew United to Orlando and was flying United from San Francisco home. We flew AA from Orlando to SFO and when I got to the AA counter at MCO, they waived the charges for me. We still had another 3 days before we were flying home.

Hope this helps.
 















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