US help.

[liemsc]

Yelp not specific enough?
Zagat?
https://www.zomato.com

Yelp is the specific-for-food option. Everyone uses Yelp over here.
As a guide: Yelp is better for restaurants, bars, and clubs; Tripadvisor is better for hotels and touristy things.

Sorry, you guys are right... I didn't realize that Yelp is indeed what I'm looking for. Frankly I haven't started exploring the food places for our US trip yet, and so far, I saw the Yelp reviews for car rental and hotels (aside from Tripadvisor).
Now I've got the Yelp app installed!

 

[patryn33]

Sorry, you guys are right... I didn't realize that Yelp is indeed what I'm looking for. Frankly I haven't started exploring the food places for our US trip yet, and so far, I saw the Yelp reviews for car rental and hotels (aside from Tripadvisor).
Now I've got the Yelp app installed!

If u want to check out places features on foodnetwork install http://www.tvfoodmaps.com and cross check with Yelp

 

[patryn33]

A word of caution with domestic travel, if you check bags be at the airport 90mins b4 boarding. Different airline has different rules some air port more crazy than others. If you have gold status or better will have easier time to check in bags. Otherwise not much different from flying international.

 

[Trazora]

If u want to check out places features on foodnetwork install http://www.tvfoodmaps.com and cross check with Yelp

Cool will try that when i go US

 

[prayhard83]

Any recommendation of accomodations ard $200sgd in SF?

 

[ceecookie]

I'm intending to rent a car in Philadelphia and Buffalo NY and I'm quite concerned about the pricing tactics they use for locals and non US residents.

Apparently for some car rental coys like Avis, the daily rate is dirt cheap for non US residents but is significantly way more if you're not.. the optionals like loss damage waiver is auto-added into the rate but it still does not justify the price difference.
Example: Travelocity quoted US$113 for 3 days while zuji singapore quoted S$490 for the same car class and dates.

My concern is should you rent by third party websites like expedia or travelocity? If the rate is only for US resident, will the car rental coy refuse to hand over the car if they find out im a tourist? TIA

 

[Hisashiburi]

Is there even a clause that says u must be a US resident to rent the car?

I dont think it matters as insurance will cover whatever it is.
Just make sure your credit card or local insurance covers rental car insurance or sign up for the insurance coverage.

I'm intending to rent a car in Philadelphia and Buffalo NY and I'm quite concerned about the pricing tactics they use for locals and non US residents.

Apparently for some car rental coys like Avis, the daily rate is dirt cheap for non US residents but is significantly way more if you're not.. the optionals like loss damage waiver is auto-added into the rate but it still does not justify the price difference.
Example: Travelocity quoted US$113 for 3 days while zuji singapore quoted S$490 for the same car class and dates.

My concern is should you rent by third party websites like expedia or travelocity? If the rate is only for US resident, will the car rental coy refuse to hand over the car if they find out im a tourist? TIA

 

[ceecookie]

Is there even a clause that says u must be a US resident to rent the car?

I dont think it matters as insurance will cover whatever it is.
Just make sure your credit card or local insurance covers rental car insurance or sign up for the insurance coverage.

No clauses. You can rent as foreigners, but the rate is higher. Basically those third party websites dun offer selection of residency but if you go to Avis website there is. Now if u try booking Avis with US residency and Singapore residency, the pricing is quite different and more ex for the latter. When I asked the avis support rep abt this, they said if i try to book as US resident/pricing they can refuse to hand the car over at the counter.

 

[Hisashiburi]

Just book on those 3rd party sites like Expedia or Orbitz etc
They are usually cheaper than the direct sites too.

As long as u have a valid drivers license and insurance, u are ok.

No clauses. You can rent as foreigners, but the rate is higher. Basically those third party websites dun offer selection of residency but if you go to Avis website there is. Now if u try booking Avis with US residency and Singapore residency, the pricing is quite different and more ex for the latter. When I asked the avis support rep abt this, they said if i try to book as US resident/pricing they can refuse to hand the car over at the counter.

 

[Shiny Things]

Any recommendation of accomodations ard $200sgd in SF?

What dates?

Generally the answer is "no" - $200 SGD ($140 USD) will usually only get you a cardboard box under the I-280 freeway - but maybe check out the Mosser; it's a good hotel in a good location and it's usually fairly cheap. If you can't get the Mosser on your dates at that price, you're going to have to look further afield.

 

[prayhard83]

What dates?

Generally the answer is "no" - $200 SGD ($140 USD) will usually only get you a cardboard box under the I-280 freeway - but maybe check out the Mosser; it's a good hotel in a good location and it's usually fairly cheap. If you can't get the Mosser on your dates at that price, you're going to have to look further afield.

Im going in Mid April.
I am looking at this place "Capri Motel" and "Cow Hollow Motor Inn". Any comments on these 2 accomodations?

 

[mroneder]

Any recommendation of accomodations ard $200sgd in SF?

I stayed at King George Hotel : http://www.kinggeorge.com It's at Mason Street, just one block away from Union Square

 

[Shiny Things]

Im going in Mid April.
I am looking at this place "Capri Motel" and "Cow Hollow Motor Inn". Any comments on these 2 accomodations?

They're fine but they're also waaaaay out of the way - they're on Lombard Street, which is a couple of miles from Fisherman's Wharf, a couple of miles bike ride from the GG Bridge, and four or five miles (basically $15 in an Uber) from Union Square.

And always check Tripadvisor before you book a hotel. The Cow Hollow gets four dots, which is fine; the Capri Motel gets 3.5, which by Tripadvisor standards is VERY low.

 

[Arcanell]

I'm intending to rent a car in Philadelphia and Buffalo NY and I'm quite concerned about the pricing tactics they use for locals and non US residents.

Apparently for some car rental coys like Avis, the daily rate is dirt cheap for non US residents but is significantly way more if you're not.. the optionals like loss damage waiver is auto-added into the rate but it still does not justify the price difference.
Example: Travelocity quoted US$113 for 3 days while zuji singapore quoted S$490 for the same car class and dates.

My concern is should you rent by third party websites like expedia or travelocity? If the rate is only for US resident, will the car rental coy refuse to hand over the car if they find out im a tourist? TIA

I stayed at The Windsor Suites at Philly, and its the best stay for my whole US trip. Got upgraded to studio suite double when my room is not ready and the service staffs are always very friendly. There is hertz next to the hotel and I walk in and book for a day. It cost around $30/day and I drove to KOP mall. There are lots of promo code for avis/hertz.. etc and I always booked direct.

As Shiny Things has pointed out, would need to know your budget for hotels. Hotels in NYC, especially in Manhattan,can be expensive depending on the season. It also depends on how you want to travel from JFK to Manhattan. You can save some money by taking the LIRR from JFK to Penn Station instead of taking the cab, but you would need to stay somewhere near Penn Station so that you need not lug your baggages to your hotel. The above suggestion is assuming you want to stay in Manhattan where most of the attractions are located. You may wish to stay in Brooklyn or New Jersey depending on your budget.

I also had bad experience flying from NYC to DC by Delta. Was late by 3 hours on both legs! Anyone has experience taking Amtrak from NYC to DC and can advise whether it is a better option than flying?

Skyline Hotel - more decent and affordable hotel at Manhattan/Hell's kitchen. Parking overnight is $10 (cheapest in Manhattan) for first time only, if you rent a car to Woodbury.

Take Amtrak la, more convenient, arrive at DC city center. If you have a lot of luggage, you can opt for red cap service at the station. Only disadvantage is Penn station is incredibly confusing for first timer. The lift to the station is hidden somewhere at street level.

 

[WantedRaptor]

Any recommendation for places to stay in SF? , i am going with my parents on may for around 4 days. i would like to keep it budget friendly too, for flights which economy class is value for money? hope you bros can help me out, thanks

 

[Hisashiburi]

For flights, where are u flying from?
Sg?
Try skyscanner, hipmunk, kayak
The chinese airlines like China Eastern and China Southern are quite cheap.

Hotels wise, what is your budget?
SF hotels are not cheap though.

I used to stay at Grant plaza in Chinatown when i went to SF years ago as a student.
It was cheap n close to lots of cheap asian food.
The location is not too bad as well although i probably wouldn't want to stay there nowadays.

Any recommendation for places to stay in SF? , i am going with my parents on may for around 4 days. i would like to keep it budget friendly too, for flights which economy class is value for money? hope you bros can help me out, thanks

 

[Shiny Things]

Any recommendation for places to stay in SF? , i am going with my parents on may for around 4 days. i would like to keep it budget friendly too, for flights which economy class is value for money? hope you bros can help me out, thanks

You've already had some pretty good suggestions - check ITA Matrix as well as Skyscanner and Hipmunk for flights; and for hotels, use Tripadvisor to get a bead on what you want.

I've suggested the Mosser Hotel on a couple of threads here for people who are looking for budget hotels in SF, and that recommendation stands. If there's no conferences in town, you might also get lucky with a good rate at the Park Central hotel - it's an unbranded Westin hotel that relies almost entirely on business travellers, so if there's not much business demand you might get lucky.

 

[WantedRaptor]

For flights, where are u flying from?
Sg?
Try skyscanner, hipmunk, kayak
The chinese airlines like China Eastern and China Southern are quite cheap.

Hotels wise, what is your budget?
SF hotels are not cheap though.

I used to stay at Grant plaza in Chinatown when i went to SF years ago as a student.
It was cheap n close to lots of cheap asian food.
The location is not too bad as well although i probably wouldn't want to stay there nowadays.

You've already had some pretty good suggestions - check ITA Matrix as well as Skyscanner and Hipmunk for flights; and for hotels, use Tripadvisor to get a bead on what you want.

I've suggested the Mosser Hotel on a couple of threads here for people who are looking for budget hotels in SF, and that recommendation stands. If there's no conferences in town, you might also get lucky with a good rate at the Park Central hotel - it's an unbranded Westin hotel that relies almost entirely on business travellers, so if there's not much business demand you might get lucky.

Thank you both so much for the help rendered. And yes Skyscanner is really very useful in helping me secure the best value for money flight. I am estimating about 500 per night for hotels, I saw many hotels around that price range, however I would like to know about your reviews of the hotel. Planning to let my parents have a comfortable and fuss free time at Sf.

Sent from tiongapore using GAGT

 

[Hisashiburi]

500 sgd per night for hotel can get u some really nice rooms!

If u want to save n still stay at a high end hotel, try priceline n bid.
U can get 5* hotels for cheap but u dont know which one u are getting.

 

[Shiny Things]

Thank you both so much for the help rendered. And yes Skyscanner is really very useful in helping me secure the best value for money flight. I am estimating about 500 per night for hotels, I saw many hotels around that price range, however I would like to know about your reviews of the hotel. Planning to let my parents have a comfortable and fuss free time at Sf.

Wow, $500 a night? Unless you're clashing with a conference you should be able to do a lot better than that, even if you're planning on getting two rooms (because you don't want your parents stepping on your game, am I right?). What are your exact dates?