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Travel Tips

Keep scrolling as there are a lot of tips here….

 

Delta Flight Check-in

  • You can check-in to the flight up to 24 hours prior to departure and print out a boarding pass or have it on the Delta App on the phone.
    • Go to Delta.com and select check-in from the menu. You can try to move your seat during the check-in process if seats are available.
    • Add checked bag to you reservation
    • Those on the group ticket, your confirmation code is HNG36X,
  • Passport verification will still be required at the airport. Either at scanned at check-in kiosks, or verified by a Delta agent at luggage drop-off or the gate agent.
  • During boarding, you will need your boarding pass and Passport.

Airport & Luggage

  • Travel to PDX Airport from Salem
    • NOTE: Although NOT along the route to the airport, ODOT is doing major construction at the I-5-I-84 interchange, which may have add-on effects on the other Portland Freeways. Please leave extra time. Recommend leave Salem by 1:15 pm.
    • BEFORE LEAVING SALEM to make sure you have your Passport with you!
    • PDX official Economy Lot rates are $12/day with a 7th day free. The estimated parking costs for this trip is $144. The lot is the first exit off of Airport Way from the I-205 entrance
    • There are other 3rd party lots, but the pricing is about the same
    • We will try to pair up people for carpooling to the airport
    • Allow at least 1:15 to drive to PDX, plus another 15 minutes for the shuttle bus.
    • There is also the HUT shuttle (Salem Airport) and the Oregon Express Shuttle (Red Lion Hotel) from Salem to PDX
    • Note: Delta ticket counters are on the north side of arrivals. Delta departs from the “D” concourse.
  • Luggage
    • We are asking all travelers to please limit one checked bag and one carry-on per person. This is for the bus purposes, not the plane..
    • Delta allows one free checked bag on international flights for economy passengers.
      • Weight limit: 50 lbs
      • Size Limit: Must not exceed 62″ when you add length, width, and height together.
  • Airport Security
    • Unless you have TSA pre-check on your boarding pass, you must use the standard security lines
    • Liquids and gels are limited to 3.4 ounces per container. They must be in a 1-quart size clear bag, and only one bag per person.
    • NEW: For international flights, TSA is recommending to place any powder-like substances (like sugar, ground coffee, cosmetics, etc..) that are over 12 oz in checked luggage. Powders in your carry-on will require additional screening and have the potential for confiscation.  Click here for the advisory from Delta.
    • No weapons of any kind are allowed thru security, including pocket knives
    • Screening
      • Liquids and gels are out of carry on and in a bin
      • All personal electronics, larger than a cell phone, must be placed in a bin. This includes laptops, tablets, e-readers, and large cameras
      • Ensure all pockets are empty and wallets, phones, keys are placed in your carry-on
    • Remove shoes and place them on the belt.
    • If you are lucky and have TSA pre-check, use the TSA Pre-check line. Remove all items from pockets and place in a carry-on. Put carry-on on the belt, and walk thru…
  • Delta Flight Amenities
    • You will be on a Boeing 767-300ER. (There are several different layouts) 
    • Seating is 2-3-2 
    • The flight will include the following for free 
      • Dinner
      • Mid-flight snack
      • A Light breakfast
      • Drinks, including alcoholic drinks
      • Choice of movies on demand using the screen on the seatback in front of you
      • More video choices on your smart device using Delta Studio on wifi and GoGo Entertainment app (download before boarding)
      • Earbud headphones to keep (Although they are not that great)
      • Phone messaging using Delta WiFi with either iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp. (download apps before boarding the flight)
      • Earplugs and eye mask, and maybe slippers
      • USB charger (usually part of the TV screen)
      • Power outlets under your seat
    • GoGo Internet should be available for a fee (it is not the fastest). Connect to WiFi first, then purchase internet access.

Currency

  • England uses the Pound Stirling for currency
  • NOTE: If you currently have Pound sterling, not all Pound notes will be accepted anymore. They need to be exchanged at the Bank of England.Click here to find out which notes are no longer accepted
  • Most, if not all, ATMs in England will accept US ATM cards
  • The best exchange rate is typically at ATMs. 
  • The Bureau of exchange offices and buying £ in the US usually come at a higher set of fees.
  • Contact your bank before travel notifying them of your travel intentions, and any fees.
  • When pulling money from an ATM, be aware of your daily withdrawal limits from your bank (You may need to do a conversion in your head from USD to GBP. 
  • Most businesses accept US credit cards. Be aware many credit card companies charge foreign exchange fees, but some don’t. Example. Costco VISA card no longer charges those excessive fees.
  • All CC’s in Europe use Chip cards. Recommend that your credit card is also a chip card. If you have a PIN# to go with it, it will make some transactions easier.

Power

  • The UK uses VERY different power plugs then anywhere else in the world.
  • Voltage is 230VAC at 50hz
  • Most modern electronics power adapters will work on this voltage but will need a plug adapter
  • The plug type for the UK is called a Type G and uses three large prongs (image to the right), which are NOT like US 3-prong outlets
  • You can buy these adapters online like Amazon or are many stores like Fred Meyer, Best Buy and more…
  • Items that have motors/fans/heaters would need voltage converters otherwise they may get damaged.
  • The hotels have hairdryers, so leave them at home.
  • Curling irons need voltage converters. Be sure to check the wattage of your device and ensure the adapter can handle that wattage.

Food Budget

  • Included in the trip is breakfast every day, plus one dinner on arrival and one dinner the night before departure. All other meals are on your own.
  • Typical pub meal: £8~£12 per person
  • Typical restaurant meal: £15~£25 per person
  • Pint of beer: £3~£3.5
  • London pricing may be higher…
  • Grocery Stores
    • There are 2 in Worcester in walking distance (less than 10 mins). Asda Superstore and Mark & Spencer’s Food Hall.

Tipping

The following are recommendations

  • Tour bus driver: £1/per person/per day (Total bus trips = 10)
  • City Tour Guides: £2/per person per day (Total guides = 6~8)
  • Tour Manager: £2~4/per person/per day (Total days = 14)
  • Chambermaids: optional
  • Restaurants: If a service charge is not included, than 10~15%
  • Pubs: Generally no tipping, especially if you must order at the bar.
  • Taxi: Polite to tip 10%, but many simply round up to the nearest £1.

Cell Phones

  • Most US cell phones, particularly smartphones will work in the UK, but be very aware of your provider’s terms of service for International plans.
  • Some providers allow access to your US phone plan for a daily fee, Please contact your provider for details and/or international activation. I did some search, but I cannot guarantee the following information
    • AT&T has the International day pass for $10/day. If you use your phone, text or data it automatically charges your account that daily fee. You still use your plans minutes and date limits..
    • Verizon call is the TravelPass, it works the same as AT&T
    • With T-Mobile ONE plan international texting and data is already included
    • For Sprint, add International connect for $15/month
    • Xfinity Mobile: Talk $0.10/min; Text: $0.10; Data: $0.10MB
  • You can always turn off your data and/or your cellular connections to avoid fees, but use WiFi. 
  • Our hotels all have free WiFi.
  • Many pubs and cafes have free WiFi with a purchase. 
  • Some trains and buses have free WiFi
  • You can use WiFi calling on some phones or use apps.

Dress Code for the Singers

  • Choir robes are NOT required for England!!
  • Dress code for all services in Worcester and our concerts will be:
  • For Gentlemen
    • Long Sleeve Black Shirt
    • Traditional, discreet long tie (some color is okay, but black tie is acceptable)
    • Black Pants
    • Black socks
    • Black dress shoes
  • For Women
    • Black Pants or Skirt (below the knee) or Dress (below the knee)
    • Black top (or Dress)
    • Black hose
    • Black shoes

Laundry

  • Both hotels offer laundry and dry cleaning services. But expect them to be pricey
  • Coin-op launderette places appear to be about a 5-10 minute walk from our Worcester hotel. There are a couple in about a 5-minute walk from our London hotel.

Photography

  • Not all churches allow photography. Some churches that allow photography to collect a fee for that privilege
  • Worcester Cathedral charges  £3 for a photo permit (if on a paid tour, guided or unguided, the fee is waived)
  • Museums may or may not allow photography, or only in certain exhibits. Some charge a fee. Flash photography is usually frowned upon.