US help.

[coconut1]

Tried Kayak and Hotwire:

Kayak (S$1765 lowest rate)
Hotwire (S$1545)

Thanks for the assurance that Zuji is still okay.

 

[Shiny Things]

Hi, I recently compared the rates quoted for online hotel booking at Bellagio (deluxe fountain view) for the same 5 nights and the rates were:

Zuji - S$1373
Expedia - S$1499
Bellagio - S$1555 (USD$1169 x 1.33)

Can I get some advice if Zuji is still reliable these days or should I go with Expedia or directly with the hotel?

Try calling the Bellagio direct - +1 702-693-7111 is the number, and ask them to put you through to the reservations desk.

They'll usually do a few things:
1) They'll match the Zuji price if you tell them where you found it;
2) They'll give you a reservation without charging you - so your card doesn't get charged until you check out, but you still get all the credit card points;
3) You'll usually get a nicer room - reservations through aggregators like Zuji and Expedia always get given the worst rooms.

One other thing: $1500 at the Bellagio is a fair chunk of change. If you book directly with the hotel, and sign up to the MGM loyalty card (it's called MLife), $1500 will be enough to get you directly to Pearl status (and pretty close to Gold if you start charging meals to your room and things like that). If you book through an aggregator you won't get the MLife credits.

And you get 5-10% off at some shops in the MGM resorts just for signing up to MLife, so it's worth doing it just for that.

 

[coconut1]

Minimum connection times at Los Angeles

Understand the minimum connection time at LA for International to Domestic flight is 2 hours for through tickets and baggage is checked through to the final destination.

I was wondering if it would be too rushed or risky if I cater just 2hrs 40 mins if the connecting flights are separately ticketed by myself and I need to pick up my baggage at LA?

The next available flight has a MTC of 4 hrs and 30 mins.

 

[coconut1]

Try calling the Bellagio direct - +1 702-693-7111 is the number, and ask them to put you through to the reservations desk.

They'll usually do a few things:
1) They'll match the Zuji price if you tell them where you found it;
2) They'll give you a reservation without charging you - so your card doesn't get charged until you check out, but you still get all the credit card points;
3) You'll usually get a nicer room - reservations through aggregators like Zuji and Expedia always get given the worst rooms.

One other thing: $1500 at the Bellagio is a fair chunk of change. If you book directly with the hotel, and sign up to the MGM loyalty card (it's called MLife), $1500 will be enough to get you directly to Pearl status (and pretty close to Gold if you start charging meals to your room and things like that). If you book through an aggregator you won't get the MLife credits.

And you get 5-10% off at some shops in the MGM resorts just for signing up to MLife, so it's worth doing it just for that.

Yes, thanks for highlighting all the benefits of booking directly. The only downside is that I would not be able to get the 4 miles per dollar spent for online transactions. Is that correct?

 

[LimSS123]

Zuji is ok. I had to cancel one of my trips recently and they refunded me promptly.

They just launch a promotion with Amex. Good rebates on flights.

AMEX Chinese New Year: 5% rebate for flights and packages and 12% off hotels worldwide - ZUJI Singapore

 

[Shiny Things]

Yes, thanks for highlighting all the benefits of booking directly. The only downside is that I would not be able to get the 4 miles per dollar spent for online transactions. Is that correct?

Probably, but you never know - the transaction might still end up getting coded as online.

 

[Shiny Things]

Understand the minimum connection time at LA for International to Domestic flight is 2 hours for through tickets and baggage is checked through to the final destination.

I was wondering if it would be too rushed or risky if I cater just 2hrs 40 mins if the connecting flights are separately ticketed by myself and I need to pick up my baggage at LA?

2:40 is very very tight. I wouldn't recommend it.

You've gotta clear immigration (which is always a nightmare at LAX), change terminals to get to your local flight; check your bags again; then clear security again and get to your gate. Your odds of making the flight wouldn't be much better than 50/50.

 

[patryn33]

Understand the minimum connection time at LA for International to Domestic flight is 2 hours for through tickets and baggage is checked through to the final destination.

I was wondering if it would be too rushed or risky if I cater just 2hrs 40 mins if the connecting flights are separately ticketed by myself and I need to pick up my baggage at LA?

The next available flight has a MTC of 4 hrs and 30 mins.

It's been awhile I fly thru lax, last time after customs u can dump your bag in no need to go to right terminals and recheck in if your connecting flight is on the same ticket. The 1st airport u land in usa u must take your bags and go thru customs

2 hr 40 mins is enough I wouldn't worry if on the same

Then again if u book separately it's real painful.. U have to carry the bag and recheck in. May have to go thru security again that can be risky.

 

[fone]

Understand the minimum connection time at LA for International to Domestic flight is 2 hours for through tickets and baggage is checked through to the final destination.

I was wondering if it would be too rushed or risky if I cater just 2hrs 40 mins if the connecting flights are separately ticketed by myself and I need to pick up my baggage at LA?

The next available flight has a MTC of 4 hrs and 30 mins.

It would be easier if you can give us your international and domestic airlines, different airlines are supposed to let you alight at different terminals and each might have a different terminal for immigration and customs. Even on separate tickets, airlines might have interline agreement, to have your luggage tagged all the way.

2hrs and 40 mins quite risky IMO. I've went through within 15 minutes (United terminal CBP, US resident line, no check in luggage). I've also had luggage delayed (ie additional inspection) with long long line at customs (more than 1 hr to clear all). Sometimes you reach the immigration with very short queue, other times, you reach there with a very long queue already waiting. In addition to those, you should also cater for minor delays (up to 30 minutes) from your international flight. After clearing immigration and customs, you will then have to re-clear security to get into the terminal for domestic flight, which can have long lines for the general line.

That said, 2hrs and 40mins would be ridding on your luck. If other flights happen to be delayed / earlier such that they are just slightly in front of you, then immigration and customs would be packs, so might the delivery of luggages. Similarly, sometimes the airline's own terminal may be full or down and they direct you to another terminal / international terminal to clear immigration and customs.

 

[coconut1]

Thanks all for the analyses.
Will choose the next flight with MTC of 4hrs 30 mins.
Should be safe and leisurely then.

 

[califonia]

We took EVA air and I find its service better than SQ. Not only was it cheaper but during our comparison, EVA flight offer 3x3x3 seatings per row while SQ was 3x4x3 (which I presume is narrower).

But if your SQ is running on A380, i will suggest go with them. The flight is the only killer throughout the whole trip, go with something more comfy.

Hi all, thanks for the replies regarding my west coast US trip some time ago. I will reply one by one soon.

I'm still finalizing my itinerary. I'm either taking EVA air or SQ, price difference is about $300 (SQ is more expensive at ~$1800 vs EVA air at ~$1500), both airlines are having promotions right now. Which airlines should I take? I have taken SQ before and I'm quite happy with the service. I'm not sure whether to switch to EVA air for the cheaper fares, I have not taken EVA air before, any reviews?

I will be taking the following route: SIN-SFO/LAX-SIN. For SIN-SFO, both SQ and EVA air are operating the B777-300ER. SQ is operating A380 for LAX-SIN leg, while EVA air is operating B777-300ER instead.

 

[fone]

Thanks all for the analyses.
Will choose the next flight with MTC of 4hrs 30 mins.
Should be safe and leisurely then.

FYI, please also check how early you can check in for your domestic flight. Some airlines do not let you check in too early. If that is the case, stay at the Tom Bradly International Terminal until the time you can check in, where there will be food/shops at land-side. The other terminals will normally only have food/shops at air-side, at least this is true for the United terminals.

We took EVA air and I find its service better than SQ. Not only was it cheaper but during our comparison, EVA flight offer 3x3x3 seatings per row while SQ was 3x4x3 (which I presume is narrower).

But if your SQ is running on A380, i will suggest go with them. The flight is the only killer throughout the whole trip, go with something more comfy.

Haha, I'm planning a trip too. However, SQ seems to be just slightly more expensive than EVA, as the cheapest flights on EVA involves an overnight in TPE on the way back, up-faring for other flights makes them just under SQ's pricing. So probably going with SQ. You also cannot really compare seatings this way without matching the aircraft type, some planes are wider than others. For a better comparison, get the aircraft type, then check on seatguru for the seat width (as well as seat pitch etc).

 

[critical888]

Must be a lot of people go USA for Chinese New Year holiday ?

 

[skies86]

Booked cathay in and out of NYC in June (Will reach 7am and depart 9pm). will b going with another guy friend. any expert can help me see if the following rough itinerary is ok?

1st day reach NYC will take flight to toronto...
- 4 days toronto including 1 day to niagara fall (is day trip sufficient or need to stay overnight)
- 2 days montreal
- 2 days quebec city
- 6 days new york

not really into museum and history hence not visiting dc/boston.

 

[Telur17]

Booked cathay in and out of NYC in June (Will reach 7am and depart 9pm). will b going with another guy friend. any expert can help me see if the following rough itinerary is ok?

1st day reach NYC will take flight to toronto...
- 4 days toronto including 1 day to niagara fall (is day trip sufficient or need to stay overnight)
- 2 days montreal
- 2 days quebec city
- 6 days new york

not really into museum and history hence not visiting dc/boston.

I think it is nice to stay overnight in Niagara. Are you visiting friends or something in Toronto? IMHO, its not very interesting. I would rather spend more time in Montreal or other parts of the US.

 

[skies86]

I think it is nice to stay overnight in Niagara. Are you visiting friends or something in Toronto? IMHO, its not very interesting. I would rather spend more time in Montreal or other parts of the US.

nope. not visiting anyone in toronto. thought of staying there while visiting niagara fall then proceed to montreal.

instead of flying from NYC to toronto, will it be better to fly from NYC to buffalo then take bus to stay overnight at niagara directly, then proceed to toronto for 1-2 days before going to montreal? or should i just skip toronto and go from niagara to montreal?

sorry if my question looks confusing

 

[patryn33]

I think it is nice to stay overnight in Niagara. Are you visiting friends or something in Toronto? IMHO, its not very interesting. I would rather spend more time in Montreal or other parts of the US.

A nite in niagara is way to go.
The wineries and their Ice wine not to be missed.
If one is in whiskey, 40 creeks not to be missed. Can find limited edition bottles

 

[Telur17]

nope. not visiting anyone in toronto. thought of staying there while visiting niagara fall then proceed to montreal.

instead of flying from NYC to toronto, will it be better to fly from NYC to buffalo then take bus to stay overnight at niagara directly, then proceed to toronto for 1-2 days before going to montreal? or should i just skip toronto and go from niagara to montreal?

sorry if my question looks confusing

I think better to fly to buffalo. If me, I will skip Toronto and visit spots in New England instead. But if there are sights you are interested in there, then go lor.

 

[patryn33]

nope. not visiting anyone in toronto. thought of staying there while visiting niagara fall then proceed to montreal.

instead of flying from NYC to toronto, will it be better to fly from NYC to buffalo then take bus to stay overnight at niagara directly, then proceed to toronto for 1-2 days before going to montreal? or should i just skip toronto and go from niagara to montreal?

sorry if my question looks confusing

U driving or flying to Montreal from niagara?
its a good 6.5hr drive to Montreal. I would skipped Toronto.but u can use that to break down the drive.

or u into this?
http://www.cntower.ca/en-ca/plan-your-visit/attractions/edgewalk/edgewalk-overview.html

 

[coconut1]

Orlando - drive or not?

Hi I am planning to stay in Orlando disney pop century resort for 5 nights with 2 days each at disney parks and universal studio parks.

Was wondering if it is advisable to rent and drive from airport and between the theme parks or just take complimentary disney buses from airport to disney resorts and then take cab to universal studios.

I read there are many tolls from airport and parking at universal studios cost USD$17/day x 2.

However, I also found out that cab fare 1 way from disney to universal studios cost $50-80 fare calculator sites.

Any advice? Tks