Reply to: New York travel….

[GhostofTarbera]

Well, it's coming together nicely.

Got BA flights from Gatwick for £275 return.

Only issue is the hotel - Manhattan ones are well over £700 for somewhere semi-decent and even the worse places are only a little less!

I've booked a flexible twin room at the Marriott Residence by the WTC in the financial district for £600 which looks like a good deal considering that many are $350 a night....

My dates are October 28th checking out October 31st.

Does anyone have any codes / advice for a better deal? There are a couple of HIEX / Wyndham etc in Queens / Brooklyn but only a couple of hundred less than the Marriott I've booked.

Needs to be a twin not a double - I would like it to be a double but not the deal I've struck sadly!!

Are you sitting outside on the wings ?

Good deal sir


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[Wilmslow]

Well, it's coming together nicely.

Got BA flights from Gatwick for £275 return.

Only issue is the hotel - Manhattan ones are well over £700 for somewhere semi-decent and even the worse places are only a little less!

I've booked a flexible twin room at the Marriott Residence by the WTC in the financial district for £600 which looks like a good deal considering that many are $350 a night....

My dates are October 28th checking out October 31st.

Does anyone have any codes / advice for a better deal? There are a couple of HIEX / Wyndham etc in Queens / Brooklyn but only a couple of hundred less than the Marriott I've booked.

Needs to be a twin not a double - I would like it to be a double but not the deal I've struck sadly!!

[Martin Bank Holiday]

I agree on Newark over JFK. Not sure about JFK being the worst - have you ever flown through Luton or Stanstead?

Landing in Riyadh behind a PIA flight can be one of the worst immigration experiences. Though, normally, a security official will see that you are western and march you to the front of the queue.

[redgiant]

JFK is getting better but the immigration experience in both the main NY airports varies depending on the time of day and terminal. Earlier flights landing early PM ET time tend to miss the bulk of the delays that the later evening flights tend to suffer from. First time ESTA's need to queue up with all the visa holders so the wait can be 1-2 hours JFK has a better departure experience generally (airline & priority pass lounges and food options) over EWR which (especially Terminal B) has only few options (just one priority pass lounge). It's generally quicker to get through EWR departure security over JFK.

As for hotel recommendations for NYC if you want to save money and it's during the week I would recommend the Hyatt Regency Jersey City. Cheaper than Manhattan, better views as it's right on the Hudson overlooking downtown Manhattan, right next to the ferry and PATH (the subway line that goes into both Mid-town 34th Street & World Trade Center) and it's easy to get to/from EWR in an ride share or Taxi.

[Mordac]

I agree on Newark over JFK. Not sure about JFK being the worst - have you ever flown through Luton or Stanstead?

Luton sadly yes. Stansted thankfully no.

[WTFH]

I'd take Newark over JFK every time, given the choice. JFK probably ranks as the worst airport I've ever been through, and I've been to some really crummy airports.

I agree on Newark over JFK. Not sure about JFK being the worst - have you ever flown through Luton or Stanstead?

[Mordac]

Yes.

Thanks for confirming. It was such a long time ago. The Empire State Building was lit up in blue for Sinatra's 80th birthday, that's how long ago it was. And I was horribly drunk on Mojitos (it wasn't a cheap night). Well worth a visit, but I wouldn't stay there. And if you don't mind slumming it, Norwegian have (or had) flights from Gatwick to Newark at fairly silly prices. I'd take Newark over JFK every time, given the choice. JFK probably ranks as the worst airport I've ever been through, and I've been to some really crummy airports.

[GhostofTarbera]

Even if you're not... I've booked my summer getaway on the dates I wanted. I think the BA sale does actually provide value for money. Mind you, I think Virgin have a sale on too.


I thought about a short haul long weekend too: using my Avios, I got 2 x business class to Europe return tix for £2. I'm still feeling smug about that, so thought I'd take the opportunity to mention it on here

Unfortunately it’s not proper business class, it’s just a middle seat missing - tan the bar

Moscow is the shortest route for proper BC I believe


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[PlanB]

Picking the brains of seasoned New York travellors…..

Flights – Is there any benefit to booking with travel companies as opposed direct with airlines? With Europe travel its usually cheaper to book direct? I have a 13% discount with virgin and 10% discount with BA (ex military) – any other options to consider EG discounts with United / AA? Flights are around £400 each direct. One-stop flights are around £280 so clearly a case of milking the UK school holidays…..

Hotels – I have stayed at the Hyatt and Grand Central station which is ideal but blinking expensive for the dates we are looking for. The Marriott in the financial district looks good but not sure about the location. Any recommendations for other hotels to look at? Anything from Premier Inn standards upwards. What districts are good to look at in terms of not being killed and subway access etc?

We normally stay downtown as we prefer basing ourselves around where we will be eating and drinking on an evening. SoHo is nice, we stayed at the Sheraton 4 points, very reasonable and close to subway.

[Platypus]

BTW, BA have a seat sale on until the end of the month - if you're flexible on your dates, now might be a good time to book.

Even if you're not... I've booked my summer getaway on the dates I wanted. I think the BA sale does actually provide value for money. Mind you, I think Virgin have a sale on too.


I thought about a short haul long weekend too: using my Avios, I got 2 x business class to Europe return tix for £2. I'm still feeling smug about that, so thought I'd take the opportunity to mention it on here

[WTFH]

BTW, BA have a seat sale on until the end of the month - if you're flexible on your dates, now might be a good time to book.

[WTFH]

Is that the one with the rotating bar at the top?

Yes.

[Mordac]

For flights, try Search Flights, Hotels & Car Hire | KAYAK and Skyscanner: Compare Cheap Flights, Hotels & Car Hire | Cheap Airline Tickets
Don't forget to sort out your ESTA, if you don't already have one.
Official ESTA Application Website, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(that's the correct web address, and not one of the businesses that charge you extra just to fill it out)

As for hotels, it depends where you're going to/what you'll be doing.
The Marriott Marquis on Times Square is OK, it's nice enough area to go out exploring. Although I find Times Square disappointing.
My preference is the Four Seasons in Midtown

Is that the one with the rotating bar at the top?

[Epiphone]

You need to tell us the dates you're travelling. If it's winter make you have have ABTA (or ATOL, can never remember) protection. We had JFK closed in 2018 and BA took care of everything.

As for hotels, how long is a piece of string. Brooklyn tends to be a bit cheaper and has good access to Manhatten. Queens and the Bronx are a bit rough. Staten Island is cheaper but far out and a bit cookie cutter. Try Hilton Garden Inn or something like that.

Financial district is OK too. Again, easy enough to get around.

It's NYC, it can be as expensive or cheap as you want to make it.

[ladymuck]

If you have no airline affiliations then you can get better deals via online travel agents. If you want to earn points and status then you need to book direct.

If your primary concern is price then, other than when there's a really good sale on, there's little to be gained by booking direct.