USA & Los Angeles Travel Tips

ptl93 on 07/03/2017 - 12:22

Hello all,

I will be traveling to Los Angeles in August for 2 weeks. This is going to be my first time going to the US. My plan is to stay in LA for a couple of days and then go to Las Vegas. I might visit other states (Portland OR or Seatle WA)if time allows.

I've done a couple of research. However, it would be great if you can share some travel tips and suggest which option below:

  1. CREDIT CARD: I have applied for Citybank Plus Debit card and I am now choosing between 28 Degrees Credit Card vs Bankwest Zero Platinum. Which one is a better option/gives you higher credit limit?

  2. TRAVEL INSURANCE: I know Bankwest includes travel insurance if you spend $500 prior to the trip. I have already paid for the plane ticket so this should not apply to me anymore. Which travel insurance should I go with? I heard Travel Insurance Direct is good.

  3. DRIVING A CAR: Is there any cheap and good places/website to rent car in LA/USA for under 25 yrs old ? Is the traffic rule much different in the US besides driving on the other side of the road?

  4. RENTING/HOTEL: Which area/hotel would you recommend in LA? I will spend most of my day outside so I'm thinking of using Airbnb for cheap renting. However, I would prefer renting a motel/hotel room if under $100/day.

  5. SIM CARDS and ELECTRICAL PLUG: Which Sim provider should you go with for a 2 weeks trip? Is there a place that sells Sim Card in the airport? Any deal on Electrical Plug so I can use the socket in the USA?

  6. PLACE TO VISIT: With such short period of time, which places would you recommend I should go to in LA? Also, how many days should I spend in Las Vegas (I'm not into casino though)?

  7. FOOD & RESTAURANT: Which restaurants would you recommend? What food should you try in the USA? How and how much do we have to tip?

  8. AIRPORT/CUSTOMS: I heard US security/Customs is pretty tight. I have got the Visa Waiver approved. Is there any other document that I have to provide to the Customs? Do they ask you a lot of question?

Thank you all.

Travel

Comments

  • nerdycat on 07/03/2017 - 13:32
    +1

    Id recommend any food truck / food place by Roy Choi, can find them pretty easily. We went to 3/4 (restaurants/food trucks) they were awesome. When you get the bill there will be the actual cost of the food + taxes + then you tip. Usually between 10-20% tip depending on the quality of service provided.

    • ptl93 on 07/03/2017 - 15:20

      Thank you, I will check them out.

  • coota1268 on 07/03/2017 - 14:48
    +2

    Hi. I visited LA/Vegas last year, here are my thoughts on it all.

    1. CREDIT CARD: I used my CitiBank Card + Cash exclusively. Just be aware if you are paying hotel deposits on it (for holding), it can take a while for the money to be returned to your account. I’d carry a backup AU credit card for emergencies only.

    2. TRAVEL INSURANCE: I used covermore. Was relitavly cheap, easy to get and lasted me the 2 weeks I was over there.

    3. DRIVING A CAR: I didn’t use a car. If you have the chance, consider taking a bus/contiki/tour “on the way to LA”… that way you get to experience San Diego, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam etc.
      Make sure you use Uber/Lyft all the time. Look up the “new User” bonus codes to get heaps of free rides.

    4. RENTING/HOTEL: Downtown LA and most of LA in general is dam expensive. I’m talking min $300AU per night for a 3 star hotel. I had an Air BnB about 1 block back from Hollywood blvd (close to train station), cost about $110 per night and was as good as a hotel. Hollywood (late) at night can be a bit “iffy”, but if you’re a single male or in a group, you shouldn’t have an issue.

    5. SIM CARDS and ELECTRICAL PLUG: T-Mobile Unlimited Call/Txt/Data SIM for $60 (30 Days expiry) – Get it from a T-Mobile store in LA. As for power plugs, order a BRAND NAME USA to AU Power adapter and take an AU powerboard. Alternativly if all your devices are USB, get one of the tronSmart 5-Port Hubs always on OzBargain.

    6. PLACE TO VISIT: I’m 22, so your interests may differ:
      LA: Muscle Beach, Universal Studios, Warner Bros Studios, Hollywood Walk, Downtown LA, Baseball (Doger Stadium), Basketball, Disneyworld.
      Vegas: Grand Canyon (Day Trip), EDM Club, Variosu Themed Hotels, New New York… Basically just spend 2 days exploring the hotels during the day and partying at night

    7. FOOD & RESTAURANT: Food servings are MASSIVE in the USA. My partner and I generally shared an Main meal (Called Entrée in USA… Starters in the USA are things like garlic bread etc). Places your should visit: In and Out Burger, Cheesecake Factory, Dennys, IHOP and various USA fastfoot

    8. AIRPORT/CUSTOMS: Can’t comment post Trump, but make sure you have your special USA form filled out (can’t remember the name). And remember you can only bring 2.2L of alcohol home.

    Good luck!

  • ptl93 on 07/03/2017 - 15:31

    Thank you for your response. Did you have to disclose where you were staying to the Custom by the way?

  • Kiwi131313 on 07/03/2017 - 15:47
    +1

    I am going over for the first time in June, here's what my research has turned up so far:

    1. CREDIT CARD - I just applied for the CitiBank card and will take over a Aus credit card as backup.

    2. RENTING/HOTEL - We got an AirBnB close to Hollywood and Universal Studios and it was only around $120 AUD night. Remember with an AirBnB you'll probably get things that you wouldn't get, or would have to pay extra for in a hotel, such as parking, wifi, laundry and kitchen. In pretty much every city we're staying, we'll be choosing an AirBnB, except for Vegas (because you've gotta stay in a casino) and possibly New York (heaps of laws about AirBnB in New York make many illegal).

    3. SIM CARDS and ELECTRICAL PLUG - I've had a look around and I would say that Lycamobile USA has been the best deal I've found. I would recommend the $23 plan with 1GB data, or the $35 plan with 4GB data depending on your useage. Its actually unlimited data, the speed just gets slowed down once you reach your limit. Also includes unlimited international text and unlimited calls to 50 countries, including landlines and mobiles in Australia. Find out where to pick up sim cards here.
      As mentioned, if you're traveling by yourself its just easier to buy one AU to US power adapter and an Australian powerboard. You can pick them up from Kmart, many cheapo bargain shops, or eBay. (I would recommend spending at least $5 on the eBay ones, and nothing that looks flimsy, I have bought a $1 one off there before and it was rubbish, plus remember you're playing around with electricity…).

  • coolhead on 07/03/2017 - 15:55
    -1

    been there last year:

    CREDIT CARD: Used 28 Degrees Credit Card - worked out very good

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Did not take

DRIVING A CAR: Book from priceline.com. Check mobile app as well. You can block it now also. Very good rates.

SIM CARDS and ELECTRICAL PLUG: went to target and bought a SIM for $50 USD. unlimited calls for 1 months and i think 2Gb data. was there for 2 weeks. Plus they had a promiiron where i got a $20 target gift card.. so worked out only $30

PLACE TO VISIT: LA: Hollywood boulevard, holly wood sign. Citadel for cheap branded shopping, Rodeo drive,

FOOD & RESTAURANT: you try whatever you want man as per your taste and dont tip much.. most placs i didnt tip 

AIRPORT/CUSTOMS: No questions asked. No other document, Not sure it if has changed after trump tho..

    cheers and enjoy

  • ms_caz on 07/03/2017 - 21:46

    You will have to include an address of where you are staying when you enter the States. You need to have specific details including a street address eg not good enough to just say Airport Hilton - it needs to be Airport Hilton 5711 West Century Blvd, LA.

    However, if you have more than one address planned, you don't need to submit a list of all the addresses, just give them one. My experience of Immigration is that they are busy and brusque, so please do exactly as they tell you, be polite and be organised so you can move through quickly.

    Also, do check up on Airbnb as it is not legal in parts of LA even if it is advertised there eg Santa Monica. I suggest that you go to the trip advisor forums for LA and ask people there to fill you in on the latest details, because from what I can tell TA forum folks are all over the latest in Airbnb and will let you know about it!

    https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowForum-g32655-i61-Los_Ange…

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