hiteshkkk1 327 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 I pinged the q on VA twitter handle n got this link in reply.. http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/travel-information/getting-into-the-country/health-and-visa.html After completing questions, what I got was : 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nellorian 23 Report post Posted March 2, 2014 Any good site for booking us tickets Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
admirer2000 100 Report post Posted March 2, 2014 (edited) Any good site for booking us ticketsStep 1First start with various online sites like makemytri... or yatr... or cleartri... Step 2 Check the flight timings, price, direct or having stop overs & connecting time in airports. Be careful that the tickets are refundable or non-refund.. Step 3 Then, to your choice, shortlist flight(s) Step 4 Follow step 1 to compare the price (for the shortlisted flight) offered by various online sites. Step 5 Finally check with your local travel agent to verify your selection to clear all your doubts. Mostly they won't match the price, so go the shortlisted ticket online & buy. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2 Edited March 2, 2014 by admirer2000 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hiteshkkk1 327 Report post Posted March 2, 2014 I booked thru goibibo They were running discount of flat 5k I called their call centre n asked for more.. They gave me additional 5k I compared all sites n most of them were costly than official virgin site. This one i got 7k less than official virgin site. Call them n get good deal... Don't book online Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hiteshkkk1 327 Report post Posted March 16, 2014 Since my departure date is nearing, want suggestions on currency in below points.. 1. I'm planning to get forex card from kotak / axis /HDFC. Even then, how much cash $ is recommended to be kept with both of us? Also any source to get good rates for $ in Mumbai /pune? 2. Any suggestions on which bank forex card to go for considering best rates..? Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sujit_k 141 Report post Posted March 16, 2014 Check this forex card http://www.online.citibank.co.in/portal/newgen/cards/tab/worldmoneycard.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
admirer2000 100 Report post Posted March 16, 2014 In USA airports for trolleys, you have to pay 5 dollars like. So fOr that you need to have 5 dollar changes. Try to get a prepaid SIM in USA for your trip OR see whether any of your local friends can spare. Also in USA, instead of using vending machines, pick up your needs from SuPer markets. TAKE ALL CARE TO CARRY YOUR PASSPORTS SAFELY alltime. Upload a copy of your passports and other important docs to your Gmail account. Some more dos and don'ts me others will add. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hiteshkkk1 327 Report post Posted March 16, 2014 Thanks.. I would like to add... I would be holidaying with my friend there so sim card n all other stuff would be taken care by him... In fact he's gonna pay for all the expenses there... I'll pay him in India to his family at mutually agreed conversion.. I just need cash for emergencies n during layover.. In fact, i may skip getting forex card as i can use my existing credit / debit cards in emergencies.. My friend has already got one addon card on his usa credit card for my use Anyone having $ around 1k in pune or Mumbai and willing to give at fair conversion? We may deal... Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arun 795 Report post Posted April 22, 2014 I got my B1 visa approved in Chennai last week. I do agree that a decision will be taken based on the DS-160 application and the visa officer just takes a final decision during the interview. So filling up your profile details properly in the DS-160 is key. The waiting time at the consulate was horrible though as I needed to wait for 3+ hours. I got the ticket on Virgin Atlantic as well. Are you able to manage the booking through virgin-atlantic.com using your name & PNR? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hiteshkkk1 327 Report post Posted April 22, 2014 Yes... I am able to manage the booking.. In my case, i had to put my 1st name as HITESH DINESH & last name as KAKKAD It won't take without father's name... I also did my seat selection... Tickets booked after 31st march have to pay for advance seat selection... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arun 795 Report post Posted April 22, 2014 Ok, just checking if booking through a 3rd party agent (goibibo) was the reason or not. Virgin Atlantic customer care told me that online management is not available for my booking since I have more than 4 flights in the booking (mine starts from Trivandrum). For seat selection they said I can call over phone and select. I booked it before March 31. What are the other options available in the booking management page? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hiteshkkk1 327 Report post Posted April 22, 2014 Only 2 major uses are seat booking n meal preference.. You can also update your ff number n accumulate miles.. I dont have any ff... Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
admirer2000 100 Report post Posted April 22, 2014 (edited) FF - Better to start now, even if you don't have one yet.Later you can use it in the same airlines or their partners. Who knows who will partner with whom Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk Edited April 23, 2014 by admirer2000 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yogeshpote 20 Report post Posted April 29, 2014 Since my departure date is nearing, want suggestions on currency in below points.. 1. I'm planning to get forex card from kotak / axis /HDFC. Even then, how much cash $ is recommended to be kept with both of us? Also any source to get good rates for $ in Mumbai /pune? 2. Any suggestions on which bank forex card to go for considering best rates..? Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk I have been using axis bank travel card. They are most reliable as far I am using past few years. Now about SIM card, do not buy SIM cards at airport they are damm expensive, suggest go to bestbuy store or staples and pick up tmobile pay as you go phone would come for $10 and it does have some balance. If u pick up regular sim you would get that for $50 with voice and data. It's your choice if to go for only voice then $10 bucks phone makes sense or else pick up regular SIM card. Let me know if u need any further details. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arun 795 Report post Posted April 29, 2014 I use Thomas Cook Borderless Multicurrency Prepaid Card. The personalized service is the advantage. If I need to add funds, I would transfer using Net Banking to their bank account and would ask the representative by email to load the card with the credit. Conversion rate is better than banks (at least HDFC Bank) as the RM in HDFC Bank said agents like Thomas Cook can give better rates since they deal with lot more currency exchange than banks do. BTW Verizon has the best network in US. It is CDMA, so you might want to arrange a clean ESN handset and get it activated. Prepaid plan is available for $45 with unlimited talk and text, $20 for 3 GB 4G LTE data. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shashank 8 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 ^^Sorry. AT&T has the best network. Though networks are subjective depending on the area, AT&T has the best network (including LTE) overall and more importantly its GSM! Aio is the prepaid arm of AT&T I would suggest anyone who is visiting US to pickup either Aio or Straight Talk. If you want something cheaper, stick to T Mobile. Network is decent enough. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vishalsheth 19 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 If you're traveling to USA via London on British airways and if you're not entering London then you don't need UK visa. You should have USA visa. ^^ Gr8 so i think so it clears it .. after going thru site i also come to know UK has two types of transit visa transit airside and transit landside; type depends on if you go thru UK immigration or not just talked with my friend .. her husband is regular international traveler so he was not having issue. They were 8 family member traveling for vacation to USA And mexico she booked on British Airways and was going to USA LA. booked thru makemytrip but at mumbai airport BA staff did not allowed them to board a flight as they did not had UK transit visa .. after blasting makemytrip for not informing them abt this transit visa... (i am not sure if they requires landside visa for BA) later on next flight to usa her husband's company arranged tickets on emirates they went thru emirates (via dubai) just for our information let us know when you confirm with ur friend. (my US friends and family member mostly used via Frankfurt option) thanks EDIT : for info purpose - adding PDF visitor visa info http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/out-of-country/visitors.pdf Can I get the link for this plan? I use Thomas Cook Borderless Multicurrency Prepaid Card. The personalized service is the advantage. If I need to add funds, I would transfer using Net Banking to their bank account and would ask the representative by email to load the card with the credit. Conversion rate is better than banks (at least HDFC Bank) as the RM in HDFC Bank said agents like Thomas Cook can give better rates since they deal with lot more currency exchange than banks do. BTW Verizon has the best network in US. It is CDMA, so you might want to arrange a clean ESN handset and get it activated. Prepaid plan is available for $45 with unlimited talk and text, $20 for 3 GB 4G LTE data. You can put my ff of jet airways 100233092. Just put the number in your reservation. Don't tell them it's not yours. Only 2 major uses are seat booking n meal preference.. You can also update your ff number n accumulate miles.. I dont have any ff... Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk Have a great trip. For currency, I've already got 1k usd from Thomas cook. I'm not carrying any prepaid card since my friend has already ordered a us based credit card in my name which I'll use there n we will settle in cash. As far as sim is considered, I've already got tmo sim for 1$ n have activated it with 50$ unlimited talk n text n 1gb 3g data + I've added 15$ for unlimited international calling. So, I'm paying 70$ for phone including taxes. Tmo sells sim for 10$ but many times they come up with sale n offer for 1$. I picked then. The number is already active with my friend. Most of the time I'm with my friend who uses vzw n all the accommodation locations are free wifi.. So there won't be any issue i guess.. Thanks for inputs friends.. Now waiting for Saturday... Super excited Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hiteshkkk1 327 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 For currency, I've already got 1k usd from Thomas cook. I'm not carrying any prepaid card since my friend has already ordered a us based credit card in my name which I'll use there n we will settle in cash. As far as sim is considered, I've already got tmo sim for 1$ n have activated it with 50$ unlimited talk n text n 1gb 3g data + I've added 15$ for unlimited international calling. So, I'm paying 70$ for phone including taxes. Tmo sells sim for 10$ but many times they come up with sale n offer for 1$. I picked then. The number is already active with my friend. Most of the time I'm with my friend who uses vzw n all the accommodation locations are free wifi.. So there won't be any issue i guess.. Thanks for inputs friends.. Now waiting for Saturday... Super excited Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vabs 81 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 Hitesh bhai we are also super excited waiting for travelogue and lots of phones 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
admirer2000 100 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 For currency, I've already got 1k usd from Thomas cook. I'm not carrying any prepaid card since my friend has already ordered a us based credit card in my name which I'll use there n we will settle in cash. As far as sim is considered, I've already got tmo sim for 1$ n have activated it with 50$ unlimited talk n text n 1gb 3g data + I've added 15$ for unlimited international calling. So, I'm paying 70$ for phone including taxes. Tmo sells sim for 10$ but many times they come up with sale n offer for 1$. I picked then. The number is already active with my friend. Most of the time I'm with my friend who uses vzw n all the accommodation locations are free wifi.. So there won't be any issue i guess.. Thanks for inputs friends.. Now waiting for Saturday... Super excited Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk Some more Tips:- Take with you small gifts (less costlier) like a keychain with Taj Mahal. . . and instead of tipping you can give them. Where ever you visit, venture into the ride or Cable Car or Cruise trip or specialty of that place & buy memento / souvenirs. Don't reserve it for NEXT trip. (I have missed some such and now feel that I should have taken at that time itself.) Also, keep posting your photos on a daily basis to your Picasa account - so as to record your moment & it will be a memorable one for later reference also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
digitalnirvana 646 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 Tipping in USA is a must as they earn less than minimum wage Recommended is 14 percent Have a safe and very happy journey, all the best Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mufaddal 678 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 Thanks arun for pointing me to this thread.. 1) Well you have a lot of cheaper prepaid plans over here so buzz me if you need info. Do not buy any plan till you yourself see the coverage in the area you will be living in. The coverage maps are different than ground reality. T-Mobile is spotty network and so is att. Verizon is the best and has most extensive coverage. There are Verizon mvnos too. 2) USA is a land of deals. If one is smart enough to look around one can get anything for a fraction of a cost or for pennies. This is all I could say as far as phones are concerned. :-) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
admirer2000 100 Report post Posted May 1, 2014 Tipping in USA is a must as they earn less than minimum wage Recommended is 14 percent Have a safe and very happy journey, all the best I didn't mean tipping in the restaurant - other places. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vishalsheth 19 Report post Posted May 2, 2014 Please give me more info. I've checked on the site and visa is not needed. https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/india/transit/no Check if you need a UK visa Start again 1What passport do you have? India Change this answer 2What are you coming to the UK to do? Transit (on your way to somewhere else) Change this answer 3Will you pass through UK Border Control? No Change this answer You’ll need a visa to pass through the UK in transit (unless you’re exempt) You should apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa if you arrive in the UK on a flight and leave again without passing through immigration control. Exemptions You won’t need a visa if you: are travelling to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA and have a valid visa for that country are travelling from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA and it’s less than 6 months since you last entered that country with a valid entry visa have a valid US permanent residence card issued on or after 21 April 1998 (or an I-797 extension letter issued by the Bureau of Citizenship if it’s expired) have a valid Canadian permanent resident card issued on or after 28 June 2002 have a valid uniform format category D visa for entry to a state in the European Economic Area (EEA) have a valid uniform format residence permit issued by an EEA state Please see these details. Also check the link. I'm asking as I'm travelling BA and going to USA. Hitesh bhai, pls check confirm following info : one of my friend faced issue while traveling thru uk going to usa they booked thru makemytrip ... they could not board their flight at mumbai as they were NOT having UK TRANSIT VISA pls get this info checked ... if some one has recently traveled thru uk (indian passport holder with valid us visa) will get more info on this by afternoon ... Vaibhav Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arun 795 Report post Posted May 2, 2014 I didn't mean tipping in the restaurant - other places. Other places like? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
