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| | The TRAVEL LOVERS! Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | | My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | Views: 3717 | | Apr 25, 2007 5:02 pm | | My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | # | 
Rahul Bhimjiani | | She is studying law at NLS Bangalore and has been invited to the USA to attend a seminar in June.
The objective is to minimise travel costs without increasing travel time, risk or discomfort too much.
I have a number of questions about which information would be helpful, and could either ask them privately to those who volunteer to answer them, or could even post on the forum if the moderator permits.
Do leave an entry here, or in my GB or PM me if I can ask you
Rahul Bhimjiani
Mob. + 91-93120 07005
IM: rbhimjiani (skype / yahoo / msn)
Private Reply to Rahul Bhimjiani | | Apr 25, 2007 5:14 pm | | re: My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | # | 
rajat kothary | | Hi Rahulji
What will help is first if you can let us know which part of US is she going to and what are you exactly looking for ? Low Airfare or Accomodation?
Can suggest further based on these answers
RajatPrivate Reply to rajat kothary | | Apr 25, 2007 6:59 pm | | re: re: My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | # | 
Yvette Mullins | | Good afternoon. I am a travel agent located in the US. I would be more than happy to advise you of anything regarding your daughters travel. You can PM privately if you wish to obtain my expertise.
Thank you,
Yvette Mullins
JAS Travel
www.jastravel.net Private Reply to Yvette Mullins | | Apr 26, 2007 1:50 am | | re: My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | # | 
Jennie Dal Bello | | Hello Rahul,
You should try these two links for airfares:
http://www.kqzyfj.com/d7108iqzwqyDGHNKIJHDFEHNJIKG
http://www.jdoqocy.com/el117shqnhp478EB9A84659A7575
Where in the US is your daughter going? Will she be doing any sightseeing requiring entry tickets? If so, take a look at these:
http://www.dpbolvw.net/fe103lnwtnvADEKHFGEACBFCGKFK
http://www.tkqlhce.com/ac110ox52x4KNOURPQOKMLPNSOPU
If you have a problem with any of these links, please let me know.
Regards,
Jennie Dal Bello
http://traveltalkplus.com
Travel Talk Plus ezine - subscribe and place free ads Private Reply to Jennie Dal Bello | | Apr 26, 2007 4:57 am | | re: My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | # | 
Dev Basu | | Email me with the Q's should you still need insights and I will be more than happy to advise. Otherwise, its a nice, friendly country and so your daughter shouldnt have any problem.
All the Best,Private Reply to Dev Basu | | Apr 27, 2007 3:48 pm | | re: re: My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | # |
Rahul Bhimjiani | | thanks friends for the warm offers of help.
since the moderator has not yet said no, let me share the questions on this forum itself, so that dialogue deepens the answers.
many of these questions are probably dumb, due to my ignorance about international travel. Here goes anyway:
Each of the following questions can be answered separately for both
international travel and local travel in the USA
a.. Is it easier to find travel deals on the internet or through agents or direct airlines?
b.. On the internet, should one be looking at aggregator sites (searching multi-airline) or individual airline sites?
c.. Is it better to deal with large, medium or small travel agents?
d.. Is it better to deal with an agent in the city one is based in/connected with (Delhi, Bangalore, Nagpur) - which of these may be better?
e.. Does it make a significant difference if tickets are booked a) in India b) in USA c) in Gulf?
f.. Does membership of any student/youth forum make a significant difference to the ticket price?
g.. Does the price of fares always go up as the date comes closer, or can there be fluctuations back and forth?
h.. What deadline should be imposed for buying tickets?
i.. Are there likely to be significant cost benefits in asking the international airline to patch through domestic travel at India and/or USA end?
j.. Can close links within travel agents, airlines, airport managers etc. lead to significantly better deals in terms of employee discounts?
These questions are for international travel only:
a.. Is a round the world ticket cheaper than a 2-way ticket in the same direction?
b.. Even if not, since Montana is in the far West, would returning via SE Asia be cheaper/faster (miles are less!)?
c.. If one is in the international lounge for a few hours layover is a transit visa needed in any 3rd country?
d.. Are there likely to be major cost differences in using any of the global transhipment hubs in Gulf, CIS, West Europe or S.E. Asia?
e.. If so, are there major qualitative reasons for not using any of them, especially the CIS ones?
f.. If the cost from various embarkation points in India is roughly similar, what should be the preferred airport?
These questions are for travel in the USA only:
a.. How much cost difference in the global fares will make it worth it to use Washington's other 2 international airports rather than Baltimore?
b.. If either of them are to be used, are there any safe, fast and reasonably priced airport shuttles, trains etc. to come closer to Baltimore?
c.. In general, is it better to try for a patch-through from the global carrier, or to buy and use VUSA coupons?
d.. In this case, since all routes from Washington to Bozeman have at least 1 stopover and sometimes two, does this change the answer?
e.. There is a 4 hour Greyhound bus ride from Missoula, Montana to Bozeman. What total economic saving would make it better to use flight to Missoula and then bus, rather than fly straight into Bozeman? Some smaller airports are there too within 1-1.5 hours drive.
f.. By writing to the seminar organisers in the USA, what possibilities of group travel can be checked out to reduce travel costs?
If it is easier to respond on mail, have enabled contacts for the purpose.
Rahul
Mob. + 91-93120 07005
IM: rbhimjiani (skype / yahoo / msn / googletalk)
rbhimjiani@hotmail.com
Private Reply to Rahul Bhimjiani | | Apr 28, 2007 10:00 am | | re: re: re: My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | # |
Asha Gummadi | | Each of the following questions can be answered separately for both
international travel and local travel in the USA
a.. Is it easier to find travel deals on the internet or through agents or direct airlines?
- USA - Via the Internet
- International - Through Consolidator agents.
b.. On the internet, should one be looking at aggregator sites (searching multi-airline) or individual airline sites?
- Aggregator is the best. Orbitz, yahoo etc
c.. Is it better to deal with large, medium or small travel agents?
- Large is better since they have experience in many issues.
d.. Is it better to deal with an agent in the city one is based in/connected with (Delhi, Bangalore, Nagpur) - which of these may be better?
- Nope. Based in which ever city is better. I deal with one in Hyderabad for all my travel ticket needs out of the country. Have been dealing with him for the past 11 years.
e.. Does it make a significant difference if tickets are booked a) in India b) in USA c) in Gulf?
- For India to US, it is from India.
- For tickets with in the US, the three week advance prices for locations is quite good. and if the travel dates are flexible, it is definetly better to get them in the US.
f.. Does membership of any student/youth forum make a significant difference to the ticket price?
- Not that I am aware of
g.. Does the price of fares always go up as the date comes closer, or can there be fluctuations back and forth?
- 3 week advance is always good if you know exactly that you are goin to go. There are always last minute deals also.
h.. What deadline should be imposed for buying tickets?
- No dead lines. One hour before flight in US from the Airport.
i.. Are there likely to be significant cost benefits in asking the international airline to patch through domestic travel at India and/or USA end?
- Nope
j.. Can close links within travel agents, airlines, airport managers etc. lead to significantly better deals in terms of employee discounts?
- Absolutely. If you know employees of airlines, they will have tickets for cheap etc
These questions are for international travel only:
a.. Is a round the world ticket cheaper than a 2-way ticket in the same direction?
- Depends on the time of the year and the airline. You have to check with the travel agent.
b.. Even if not, since Montana is in the far West, would returning via SE Asia be cheaper/faster (miles are less!)?
- Not particularly. The connections in SE Asia are often long. This weekend I was coming from China to India via Bangkok and the wait in BK was 9 hours.
c.. If one is in the international lounge for a few hours layover is a transit visa needed in any 3rd country?
- If u are to go into the country then you need Visa. US citizens have Visa exsumptions to many countries. Indians need it for sure.
d.. Are there likely to be major cost differences in using any of the global transhipment hubs in Gulf, CIS, West Europe or S.E. Asia?
- Do not know.
e.. If so, are there major qualitative reasons for not using any of them, especially the CIS ones?
f.. If the cost from various embarkation points in India is roughly similar, what should be the preferred airport?
- Closest to you is the best. Otherwise you have to deal with the internal connections on domestic airline.
These questions are for travel in the USA only:
a.. How much cost difference in the global fares will make it worth it to use Washington's other 2 international airports rather than Baltimore?
- Depends on which airline and going to the cheapest fare airline is the best. No big difference otherwise.
b.. If either of them are to be used, are there any safe, fast and reasonably priced airport shuttles, trains etc. to come closer to Baltimore?
- Sorry no idea.
c.. In general, is it better to try for a patch-through from the global carrier, or to buy and use VUSA coupons?
- VUSA coupons are supposed to be good.
d.. In this case, since all routes from Washington to Bozeman have at least 1 stopover and sometimes two, does this change the answer?
- Yes. then you use two travel vouchers. Plan the trip and then see the costs.
e.. There is a 4 hour Greyhound bus ride from Missoula, Montana to Bozeman. What total economic saving would make it better to use flight to Missoula and then bus, rather than fly straight into Bozeman? Some smaller airports are there too within 1-1.5 hours drive.
- No idea. Sporry
f.. By writing to the seminar organisers in the USA, what possibilities of group travel can be checked out to reduce travel costs?
- They probably have some. It is worth writing to them
If it is easier to respond on mail, have enabled contacts for the purpose.
Private Reply to Asha Gummadi | | May 02, 2007 1:54 am | | re: re: re: re: My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | # |
Yvette Mullins | | I must say that I tend to disagree with some of the answers given here.
Booking online versus travel agent
1. Most consolidators will not book with a consumer, only with travel agents, so you would still have to use a travel agent.
2. Unless you have lots of spare time to spend on the internet, and you travel to these destinations on a regular basis, you would be better off going to a travel agent. A travel agent deals with flights all of the time and would know when and where to find the best deals. Being a travel agent, I receive tons of promotions from tour companies and airlines regarding the specials and air fare pricing daily. So i must say that you are definately better off working with a travel agent.
3. When you use places on the internet to get your deals, and something goes wrong you have limited options of what you can do and who to talk to. Using a travel agent, most are available at all hours and will help you if you have a problem when your on your trip.
4. Booking online is not going to recommend places to visit, must sees, best hotels and restaurants in the area, or advise you what documents you will need to carry.
Large travel agency vs Small agency
I am a home based agent and I have been doing this for a total of 14 years. I choose to work from home versus a store front becuase i have children at home and I like being at home with them. I can however handle any problem or situation that may arise.
Just wanted to give my opinion on these answers.
Thank you,
Yvette Mullins
JAS Travel
www.jastravel.netPrivate Reply to Yvette Mullins | | May 02, 2007 3:04 am | | re: re: re: re: re: My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | # | 
Gerald McDowell | | Yvette is accurate - it is almost 100% better to deal with a live travel agent than an internet based site - it is true probably a high percentage of the time that online travel sites provide the same service as a live travel agent; however, there are so unique travel requirements that are almost always handled better by a live travel agent - with the things you are requesting - a live travel agent can help a lot better than the online travel sites...for this particular trip, you probably will be serviced better by a live travel agent and in the future, if it's a generic trip that involves typical flights, typical hotel stay, etc. etc. - the internet travel sites can provide the same service and if it's very unique, consider a live travel agent...
Gerald
Gerald (678-521-2020....gerald_mcdowell@yahoo.com)
BOOK TRAVEL: www.McDowellTravel.com
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY: www.ytb.com/gmcdowell
TRAVEL AFFINITY PROGRAM: www.ytbassociations.comPrivate Reply to Gerald McDowell | | May 02, 2007 4:27 am | | re: re: re: My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | # |
Shobha(usha) gowri | | Dear Rahulji
I was amazed at the questions you asked-if only more people asked these questions more often,there would be less problems to solve.
As an international traveller myself let me see how much I know!!
a.. Is it easier to find travel deals on the internet or through agents or direct airlines?
***go to a good travel agent-if she is in Bangalore I can give you a reference to my travel agent from whom I buy tickets
but the itinerary is mine-only then can the travel agent get you great deals
b.. On the internet, should one be looking at aggregator sites (searching multi-airline) or individual airline sites?
***I would use the internet to see what I want to do at the place of visit,how much land travel can cost,cost of museums etc
c.. Is it better to deal with large, medium or small travel agents?
***well...all are good and all are a .....depends-if it is a large one small business dont mean a thing-you will get less time and attention
good to ask for referrals
d.. Is it better to deal with an agent in the city one is based in/connected with (Delhi, Bangalore, Nagpur) - which of these may be better?
*** where you are situated so as to make multiple visits
e.. Does it make a significant difference if tickets are booked a) in India b) in USA c) in Gulf?
***yes it does-India is cheaper any day
f.. Does membership of any student/youth forum make a significant difference to the ticket price?
not unless they are in a group-but rare
g.. Does the price of fares always go up as the date comes closer, or can there be fluctuations back and forth?
***hugely-esp in the home carriers at the travel destination-
ask for blocking your ticket-so you are not paying hugely hicked up fares
h.. What deadline should be imposed for buying tickets?
***depends on your travel agent
i.. Are there likely to be significant cost benefits in asking the international airline to patch through domestic travel at India and/or USA end?
***Indian end-if you are working this on your own then look at the small airlines-no frills-but well the cost diff are enormous and they are safe
When we went ot China people told us that Dragon airlines was not good-believe me I havent seen a service of that kind in recent years
And did I get to eat the bestest vegetarian meal ever!!!
j.. Can close links within travel agents, airlines, airport managers etc. lead to significantly better deals in terms of employee discounts?
***yes
These questions are for international travel only:
a.. Is a round the world ticket cheaper than a 2-way ticket in the same direction?
***anyday and always
return tickets from the US cost a fortune and non availability is a real prob
b.. Even if not, since Montana is in the far West, would returning via SE Asia be cheaper/faster (miles are less!)?
*** depends on your carrier
and it is bec you have some great low cost airlines and great connections
See the hub of the airline -decide
c.. If one is in the international lounge for a few hours layover is a transit visa needed in any 3rd country?
no-unless you are planning to break journey and leave the airport
also depends on the country
Hong Kong is visa as you arrive so last minute change of mind and plan possible
others you have to decide ahead
.. Are there likely to be major cost differences in using any of the global transhipment hubs in Gulf, CIS, West Europe or S.E. Asia?
yes
e.. If so, are there major qualitative reasons for not using any of them, especially the CIS ones?
in the mind-yes
miss the TV,food etc
f.. If the cost from various embarkation points in India is roughly similar, what should be the preferred airport?
your travel t this point
So if I pick a flight out of Bombay then Ihave to pay extra for that flight
These questions are for travel in the USA only:
a.. How much cost difference in the global fares will make it worth it to use Washington's other 2 international airports rather than Baltimore?
***always arrive at a known airport-facilities,connections are always better except in some rare cases of internal travel
b.. If either of them are to be used, are there any safe, fast and reasonably priced airport shuttles, trains etc. to come closer to Baltimore?
***decide that here with your travel agent
abroad and if this her first time travel then I suggest she has every bit of it mapped well
I remember arriving Chicago the first time and standing flabbergasted-the sheer size was overwhelming and the gates and shuttles made me sit down and calm myself
though the availability of information,the detailing of everything you need to know is so remarkable that even if you have to do something you havent planned for ,all it will take is to use your head
c.. In general, is it better to try for a patch-through from the global carrier, or to buy and use VUSA coupons?
d.. In this case, since all routes from Washington to Bozeman have at least 1 stopover and sometimes two, does this change the answer?
***no-ask her to check student passes-there are huge discounts everywhere and check if an Indian student ID can be used-ask your travel agent to check this out
e.. There is a 4 hour Greyhound bus ride from Missoula, Montana to Bozeman. What total economic saving would make it better to use flight to Missoula and then bus, rather than fly straight into Bozeman? Some smaller airports are there too within 1-1.5 hours drive.
***not much and how much time does she have at her disposa
Can this land travel be booked from here?is it available all times at short ntoice?
f.. By writing to the seminar organisers in the USA, what possibilities of group travel can be checked out to reduce travel costs?
***meaning?from India?ask for addresses and once you know who is travelling, you can make plans and ask the tavel agent to treat it like one
But haivng said that for the little diff in money, I for one would like to know who is coming but work my own plans.
plans have been wrecked and people squabble-so I wd like to make my own mistakes and suffer the consequences
It was truly a pleasure answering these questions
Private Reply to Shobha(usha) gowri | | May 03, 2007 10:35 am | | re: re: re: re: My elder daughter is travelling to the USA in June - inputs needed | # |
Rahul Bhimjiani | | friends:
thanks a ton for your inputs and leads.
usha - one more question
;)
why were my earlier questions so surprising?!Private Reply to Rahul Bhimjiani | | |
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