Forum USA Trip 2018

[NZstorm]

I think it is easier if we all start on the same day, shall we make the start date May 15th ?

Ok by me.

[RODALCO]

Whatever works. I like trains and I have done the trip from L.A. to Oklahoma three times. ( takes about 2½ days ) but great travel, and you see lot's of the country and meet interesting people.
But also if there is a good return deal I go with the flow. 15 May 2018 looks good. The earlier I can prebook annual leave from work, the better, Got about 8 weeks A.L. sitting to be used.

[tgsnoopy]

I'm fairly flexible once school term 2 starts (30th April), so sounds good, although I must confess I find myself wanting to look into that train ride. Recall reading a couple of years back that passenger rail might be opening up between Wichita and Oklahoma City, might also be an option now. Currently expect to have around 6 weeks leave available about the time of this trip, but don't wish to use all of it.

[spwill]

We meet in Dallas on May 15th.

[RODALCO]

I'm fairly flexible once school term 2 starts (30th April), so sounds good, although I must confess I find myself wanting to look into that train ride. Recall reading a couple of years back that passenger rail might be opening up between Wichita and Oklahoma City, might also be an option now. Currently expect to have around 6 weeks leave available about the time of this trip, but don't wish to use all of it.

The trains run from L.A. to St Louis and stop at Dallas. Normally I transfer at Fort Worth to go on the Oklahoma service.

[03Stormchaser]

15th May, and an end date?

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[spwill]

15th May, and an end date?

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Arrival day is 15th May at Dallas. 10 full days chasing, departing on 26th May from Dallas. Some will want to stay on and chase longer.

[tgsnoopy]

I was hoping for 2 weeks chasing, but am flexible. Earlier on it sounded like we may have a group for a shorter visit and a group for a longer visit. Maybe we will only do 10 days chasing & I may do something else before and/or after chasing while over there. Hence the train trip enticing my attention.

[03Stormchaser]

Sweet, locked in those days on Google flights for alerts of sales

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[jamie]

What's this google alerts? Will have to have a look!

[03Stormchaser]

https://support.google.com/flights/answ ... ktop&hl=en

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[jamie]

Sounds good to me.

Looking forward to it.

[mikestormchaser]

Who's all planning on going in 2018? What us the cost involved with everything? It is a dream of mine to go.. but unfortunately for unforseen circumstances I probably won't make it next year.

[tgsnoopy]

I budget high and usually come back under budget, just in case. Airfares bought on special can save a lot. November sales last year were better than the January ones, scored airfares from Tauranga to Detroit and Dayton to Tauranga with the trips travel insurance for NZ$2062 flying American Airlines (via House of Travel). I generally budget NZ$250 a day for the time there. The November sales this year will likely be when I decide how long my trip will be and what if anything I'll do before/after chasing. The AKL - LAX flights on American Airlines were only NZ$888.00 return. The last 2 years I've chased with a Canadian lady (MaryAnn Williams) who runs her own vehicles, so we had no rental car costs. She's not chasing next year, cost may be a little higher as a result.

[spwill]

Who's all planning on going in 2018? What us the cost involved with everything? It is a dream of mine to go.. but unfortunately for unforseen circumstances I probably won't make it next year.

Costs are highly variable but I reckon $4,000 - $4,500 for 10 days chasing, includes airfares/insurance/hotel twin share/sharing vehicle costs and food.

[jamie]

My take on it.... These are all estimates so I could be wildly out. But I think $3500 is a good budget for the 10 day chase.

Flights - looking like this year will be about $1500 return?

Accomodation - 11 nights stay. Avg twin share 150NZ/night? Avg about $75NZ/night for each person. Less if sharing with more pple. More if sharing with less pple. $825

Vehicle costs - tank a day $50NZ divide by 4 = $12. Rental $800NZ? for period divide by 4 = $200

Food - $50/day 12 days = 600

Insurance I can get with my credit card.

All up about $3125. + 10% for what ever reason. $3500.

[mikestormchaser]

Hmm yes all sound pretty reasonable. Steve did tell me he reakoned 4-5k tops. I'd always go higher. Might Have to have a budget to see whether it's actually realistic for me next year

[03Stormchaser]

I had kept all my spending figures for the last two trips, 2015 & 2016 untill a hard drive became corrupted. I was spending $149 a day plus flights, this based on 17 day trip

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[tgsnoopy]

The current Air NZ special on flights does not cover the period of our trip, but it is a good indicator in the term of the price we may get:

Houston 1092.jpg

The special we need will likely be in November and then again in January.

[tgsnoopy]

The current Air NZ special on flights does not cover the period of our trip, but it is a good indicator in the term of the price we may get:

Houston 1092.jpg

The special we need will likely be in November and then again in January.

LOL, went up $1 overnight. Same dates though. I'll keep letting people know as the specials come up. Am now considering a week in Darwin late Nov/Early Dec window and just a short trip to the US next year

[jamie]

House of travel has a decent deal on right now with Air NZ over our window that we need.

$1289 return to Houston or $1099 return to LA.

Cant imagine a flight to Dallas will be much from Houston?

[tgsnoopy]

I'm kinda sitting on the fence right now... Sydney to Houston with United starts Jan 18, may trigger some great specials!

http://newsroom.united.com/2017-09-07-U ... and-Sydney

Weirdly though, those specials had not arrived this morning when I checked my e-mail around 6am, yet the time my PC says they arrived is 12.05am, 4.10am and 12.00pm in the case of the House of Travel version. I wonder where they got lost in GMails ether

[jamie]

Yea i feel as though we will see cheaper than this.

[NZstorm]

The airlines will make a big push to sell seats in January.

[jamie]

Air nz have a lolly scramble sale at 9. Should be worth looking at at 9am.