US help.

[dilphinus]

Hi all, wanted to see if anyone have any idea regarding redemption air ticket. Currently did a partner redemption using AS miles on JAL. SFO-HND-NRT-SIN. Stopover in Japan for 2 days. Ticket came all nice with both side providing their own confirmation code. Logged in to JAL manage booking using the confirmation code and it shows the flight being ticketed, was able to choose seats too. However, when calling in to JAL reservation hotline, they mentioned it not being ticketed. They can only see the NRT-SIN flight being ticketed but not the SFO-HND. However, i called multiple times to AS since they are the one who issue the tickets, and every time they say it has been ticketed correctly. They even provided me the e-ticket number. I told that to the JAL rep, providing them the e-ticket number and they still say cannot see it being ticketed. Have anybody encounter such situation before? Thanks

you should be able to see the e-ticket nbr when you log in. they would have emailed you a copy of it too.

 

[Hungry kid]

you should be able to see the e-ticket nbr when you log in. they would have emailed you a copy of it too.

Thanks for the info. May i ask where to look for the e-ticket number when log in? I tried looking under "My Trips" on the AS website but cannot find the e-ticket number. Also, on the e-mail, mine looks same as yours except also the e-ticket number is not there. However, I just called in to AS reservation and they were able to tell me the e-ticket number over the phone.

 

[nanotard]

Hello, anyone have any recommendation for reliable private tour guide/driver in US Pacific Coast area?

Looking to travel with older folks around SF, LA, LV and Grand Canyon. Don't intend to drive.

TYIA.

 

[Rxgn]

Hi. Anyone know where to get Verizon or Att SIM card from singapore? Those that come with USA number.
not looking at esim as need 1 with US Number for another phone.
my own phone will be roaming with T-Mobile. So prefer the other phone is using another network. Thanks.

you try this esim, it comes with usa phone number.

once you landed usa, network will auto add the esim into your phone

https://shopee.sg/United-States-(-U...Mobile-Official-Store-i.964144392.23869283587

 

[Shiny Things]

Hello, anyone have any recommendation for reliable private tour guide/driver in US Pacific Coast area?

Looking to travel with older folks around SF, LA, LV and Grand Canyon. Don't intend to drive.

TYIA.

That’s a WHOOOOLE lotta driving. SF to LA is six hours nonstop; LA to Vegas is four hours; and Vegas to the Grand Canyon is another 4-5 hours (though you can do it in a guided day-tour from Vegas). You should fly instead.

 

[coey]

Flying to us next week, ESTA done.
Anything to take note? How is the tipping culture over there ? Easy and affordable to uber around?

 

[Hisashiburi]

Flying to us next week, ESTA done.
Anything to take note? How is the tipping culture over there ? Easy and affordable to uber around?

Where are u headed to?

Note that immigration lines at airport on arrival can be really long at times.

Tipping is usually for services provided, like at restaurants, food delivery, drivers n such.
Usually 15 to 20%

Not sure about uber.
There is also lyft, same as uber.

 

[coey]

Where are u headed to?

Note that immigration lines at airport on arrival can be really long at times.

Tipping is usually for services provided, like at restaurants, food delivery, drivers n such.
Usually 15 to 20%

Not sure about uber.
There is also lyft, same as uber.

I am heading to Minneapolis(MXP).
Would the person hint for a TIP or ?

 

[Hisashiburi]

I am heading to Minneapolis(MXP).
Would the person hint for a TIP or ?

Some do n some dont

Some restaurants auto include tips in the bill, so u dont have to extra tip.

 

[Shiny Things]

Flying to us next week, ESTA done.
Anything to take note? How is the tipping culture over there ? Easy and affordable to uber around?

Minneapolis is pretty chill, I've only been there to visit but it seems really nice. Couple of midwest-specific things:
* The weather's nice this time of year, but it could get pretty cold pretty quickly. You may want to invest in a nice padded jacket just in case.
* Uber and Lyft both exist, they're easy to use but I wouldn't say they're affordable. The days of cheap rides subsidized by venture capital are over.
* Tipping is a nightmare to wrap your head around, don't worry about getting it wrong occasionally. A good rule of thumb is "15% in restaurants, maybe 20% if you got really good service". If you're ever unsure, it's totally OK to quietly ask "what's the etiquette about tipping here": Americans have learned that tourists always get confused by tipping culture, and they're happy to explain it.

Are you headed anywhere other than MSP?

 

[coey]

Minneapolis is pretty chill, I've only been there to visit but it seems really nice. Couple of midwest-specific things:
* The weather's nice this time of year, but it could get pretty cold pretty quickly. You may want to invest in a nice padded jacket just in case.
* Uber and Lyft both exist, they're easy to use but I wouldn't say they're affordable. The days of cheap rides subsidized by venture capital are over.
* Tipping is a nightmare to wrap your head around, don't worry about getting it wrong occasionally. A good rule of thumb is "15% in restaurants, maybe 20% if you got really good service". If you're ever unsure, it's totally OK to quietly ask "what's the etiquette about tipping here": Americans have learned that tourists always get confused by tipping culture, and they're happy to explain it.

Are you headed anywhere other than MSP?

Hi,
I will be probably be at Mayo Clinic and Downtown Rochester area most of the time.
Considering whethering to go SFO for a day.

Does driving in the US require IDP?

 

[Hisashiburi]

Hi,
I will be probably be at Mayo Clinic and Downtown Rochester area most of the time.
Considering whethering to go SFO for a day.

Does driving in the US require IDP?

Driving requires IDP

Not worth going to SFO for just a day if u are flying from Minnesota.
It is at least a 3 hr(?) flight each way

 

[Shiny Things]

Hi,
I will be probably be at Mayo Clinic and Downtown Rochester area most of the time.
Considering whethering to go SFO for a day.

OK, so, just a headsup, Rochester in Minnesota (which is not the same as the Rochester in New York state) is a long way from anywhere. It's an hour-and-a-half drive from Minneapolis, or about the same distance as driving from Changi to Tuas, all the way back to Changi, and then back to the CBD!

Everywhere else is even further. Milwaukee is four hours' drive, Chicago is five hours - you could do either of those in a long weekend, but not as a day trip unless you really really like driving. And SFO is definitely not a day trip - it'd be a long weekend at the least, you'd have to drive to Minneapolis and fly from there.

That said, if you're willing to drive to Minneapolis to get on a flight, you should be able to get just about anywhere in the country: MSP is a huge hub for Delta Airlines, and they fly nonstop from there to SF, LA, NYC, DC, Miami, Seattle, basically anywhere you might want to go.

Does driving in the US require IDP?

It doesn't. IDPs are just a translation of a driver's license - they don't actually do anything themselves. I drove pretty much everywhere from California to Colorado on an Australian drivers licence back in the day, even got pulled over by the cops a couple of times, and nobody ever gave me any hassle.

The USA federal government says "check with the DMV of your state to see if they require an IDP"; I checked Minnesota and California, and they both say "no, you don't need an IDP, just use your home country's license". I even checked Arizona and Texas, both of which can be a little ~weird~ about foreign visitors, and they both say "no you don't need an IDP" as well.

Personally, I think IDPs are useless.

 

[patryn33]

Hi,
I will be probably be at Mayo Clinic and Downtown Rochester area most of the time.
Considering whethering to go SFO for a day.

Does driving in the US require IDP?

if you like peanuts check out st paul
https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/.../parks-recreation-programs/public-art/peanuts
Hmong population big in Minneapolis, you get pretty good Vietnamese food.

If you into red wing boots factory it’s near by. Harley-Davidson Museum is in WI not far from chicago. WI state American ginseng producer. MSP to SFO like 4hr, like SG to Hk.

 

[universitystudent]

Hi all, as a first-time traveler to the States, could I seek your assistance in providing suggestions/advice for my upcoming holiday from 12 Dec - 20 Dec to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, please?

Notes:
Traveling in a group of 7 pax of young adults.
Car Rental: Ford Transit, SGD$ 2500 booked till 20 Dec via Turo.
Excalibur Hotel: SGD$2,400 from 15 Dec - 18 Dec.

I have listed my itinerary below, as follows:

12 Dec 2023:
1930: Touch down at LAX Airport at approximately 1930
2100 onwards: Dinner and grocery shopping, near our residence at N Mariposa Avenue Airbnb.

13 Dec 2023:
0900: Griffin Observatory
1200 - 1700: Lunch at The Grove LA, LA Farmers Market, and Hollywood Walk of Fame & Streets
1900: BBQ dinner at Korean Town

14 Dec 2023:
0900 - 1700: Downtown Santa Monica - 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica Pier/Beach/Place
1700 - 2100: Dinner at Chinatown

15 Dec 2023:
0900: Drive to Las Vegas Nevada - Route 66, 6 hour drive
1500: Check-in at Excalibur Hotel & Casino
1600 - 2100: Gambling/sightseeing through Las Vegas Fremont Street & Downtown.

16 Dec 2023:
0500 - 1800: Grand Canyon South Rim & Horseshoe Bend tour, booked via Klook
1900: Dinner at Gorilla Sushi.

17 Dec 2023:
0900 - 1700: Las Vegas North/South Premium Outlets.

18 Dec 2023:
1000: Drive back to Los Angeles - Huntington Beach Airbnb. Will stop by Citadel Outlet shopping mall.

19 Dec 2023:
0800: LA Whale watching tour at Long Beach & lunch
1400 - 1800: The Pike Outlets and Downtown Waterfront Long Beach

20 Dec 2023:
0900: Grand Central Market
2300: Flight back to Singapore.


Questions:
12 Dec 2023 queries: Is Mariposa Avenue's neighborhood safe to travel after dark? Should I get my SIM card from Airalo or AT&T stores?

13 Dec 2023: Any suggestions on our itinerary? Is there anything we could skip out on or improve on? What could we do after dinner from 8 pm onwards?

14 Dec 2023: Any suggestions on our itinerary? Is there anything we could skip out on? What could we do after dinner from 9 pm onwards?

15 Dec 2023: Any suggestions for 3 nights of buffet dinner/things to do in Las Vegas? Is Excalibur hotel decent?

16 Dec 2023: Could we squeeze in any other attractions such as Hoover Dam? Which is better, South Rim or North Rim?

17 Dec 2023: Should we skip the Premium Outlets in Las Vegas and LA entirely? Any suggestions on activities we could do on 17 Dec?

18 Dec 2023: Any suggestions for activities and food? Should we skip out on Citadel Outlet?

19 Dec 2023: Could we skip the LA Whale watching as we understand that it's rare to see the whale? Any suggestions for activities and food?

20 Dec 2023: What could we do after Grand Central Market?

Adhoc Questions:
What souvenirs should we buy?
Which shopping brands are cheaper in the USA than in Singapore?
Where could we eat nice Seafood/Steaks in LA/LV?

Many thanks and appreciate all of your suggestions.

 

[Hisashiburi]

For sightseeing near Huntington Beach, can check out Newport beach and Laguna Beach.

Maybe Big Bear mountain and resort on the way to/from Las Vegas.
Might have snow there if u r interested.
Have to drive carefully though.

Cheaper brands are electronics like high end laptops.
Much cheaper in usa with sales in places like Bestbuy.

Can compare fresh seafood prices too and can ship back w u on the plane to sg.
Usually they can pack in icebox for 24hrs
King crab, scallops etc

Trader Joes supermarket is nice.
Their cookies, frozen entrees are good.
Very cheap Valhrona chocolate bars.

I dont really go out at night in the usa because it gets a lot more dangerous.
Most crimes occur at night.

Food wise
Try the American style Mexican food which is hard to get in sg.
Also try southern style bbq ribs.
Maybe can skip sushi as usa sushi isnt something that great.
Italian food is decent as well in usa.
Try their steakhouses.

 

[nez]

I am heading back to USA again.
So happens that I renewed my passport.
Can I use back the previous ESTA (approved in May 2023) or do I need to apply again base on the new passport number?

 

[Hisashiburi]

I am heading back to USA again.
So happens that I renewed my passport.
Can I use back the previous ESTA (approved in May 2023) or do I need to apply again base on the new passport number?

Seems u have to get new esta if u have new passport

 

[nez]

Seems u have to get new esta if u have new passport

Ok. Thanks

 

[universitystudent]

For sightseeing near Huntington Beach, can check out Newport beach and Laguna Beach.

Maybe Big Bear mountain and resort on the way to/from Las Vegas.
Might have snow there if u r interested.
Have to drive carefully though.

Cheaper brands are electronics like high end laptops.
Much cheaper in usa with sales in places like Bestbuy.

Can compare fresh seafood prices too and can ship back w u on the plane to sg.
Usually they can pack in icebox for 24hrs
King crab, scallops etc

Trader Joes supermarket is nice.
Their cookies, frozen entrees are good.
Very cheap Valhrona chocolate bars.

I dont really go out at night in the usa because it gets a lot more dangerous.
Most crimes occur at night.

Food wise
Try the American style Mexican food which is hard to get in sg.
Also try southern style bbq ribs.
Maybe can skip sushi as usa sushi isnt something that great.
Italian food is decent as well in usa.
Try their steakhouses.

Many thanks for your reply. Looking forward to your suggestions.