internal us flights

hi, I am thinking of throwing the wife a surprise visit to memphis(graceland) Its been a lifelong ambition of hers as long as ive known her but situation has never allowed it,without her knowing while we are in florida, now I know its only about a 2 hour flight but is it likely that I would be able to just phone the airport and book a ticket a couple of days in advance or am I pushing it. It will only be for like 1 night away, go saturday morning come back sunday evening if possible, ('Cant push the friendship with my sister in law too far shes minding the kids for me for the night). Or is it possible to prebook internal us flights from other countries?. thanks for any help Mike

Sounds like a great idea and a good way to earn Brownie points! ;)

Have you already booked your Florida flights as it's possible you might be able to book it as a stopover within the same ticket?

Failing that, yes you should be able to book it online but beware that many US booking sites may not accept a UK based credit card.

Just checked on British Airways website (the .com one) who do flights from Orlando (MCO) to Memphis (MEM) and it says this:

At the present time, ba.com can only accept credit cards and debit cards which are issued and billed from the country of your departure.
Please note that we are currently working towards expanding this capability.

If you would like to make a booking that departs from a city outside the country in which you currently live, and/or where your credit card has been issued, you will need to telephone your local British Airways office to find out if your booking can be made over the phone or in person at a British Airways Travel Shop or Airport ticket desk.

Effective 10 March 2004 customers who book via the UK ba.com site will be able to pay with UK issued Switch/Maestro cards, UK issued Solo Debit Cards and UK issued Visa Delta/debit cards.

If you want to ring them: 0870 850 9 850 Opening hours Monday-Sunday, 06:00-21:45

Oh thats brill! Mr CDV and I have been there but we did a tour of all the Southern States flying into Atlanta and driving the traingle as its known. GRACELAND is Magical if you are a fan. We got married in Vegas by the King....he is not dead!!!!

I want to be like you when I grow up Blott :D:D:D

Mike

We are going to Florida in November, and have just booked internal flights for a 4 night stay in Las Vegas (we have a spot of gambling to do!![8D][}:)];)) whilst we are there, through Expedia.co.uk - give them a try...:D:D

Good luck

What a romantic[msntongue]What a lovely thing to do..arrrr!
I thought you could book on the day of flying to be honest, though risky[?]
Not too sure how much flight travel has changed in the US since 9/11, I would send enquiries to AA,Delta,BA etc see what response/advice you get.
Best wishes:)

We tried going direct to the airlines, but Expedia still worked out cheaper - for the same flights!![msnsmile]

Sometimes you'll get better rates booking when you are there but that would add time and effort. Which may ruin the suprise.

We booked internal US flights with Air Tran, Orlando to Dallas Ft Worth which we used on our last trip to Florida. I can't remember but I think it required a US credit or debit card to do which luckily we have as villa owners. I seem to remember if you actually call the airline reservations center rather than do it on their website they were more flexible and could accept UK cards.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jolliffee
Sometimes you'll get better rates booking when you are there but that would add time and effort. Which may ruin the suprise.
[/quote]

Depending on the sector and the airline, the difference between booking 'here' and 'there' can be very significant. I recall that the short flight from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon cost an absolute bomb when we tried to pre-book it from the UK a few years ago; but when we went to LV, the cost was about a third of on-line quote in the UK. But having said that, several US companies do accept UK based cards these days and the difference may have come down.

hi, thanks for all the great replies going off what I have read here now and elsewhere, I think I can do it I cant really do it when arriving because there would be 3 kids as well and i wont be able to do much organising while over there because wifey doesnt drive and i need to be there for the kids Must keep them happy[msnscared].I found a website which i wont mention here but it let me choose the flight time and date out the flight time and date back and a hotel for the one night, even had the option to stay at heartbreak hotel ( though it didnt get that good a review) but hey its across the road from elvis,s place! Awesome add on a couple of hundred dollars for us to eat and drink while there should cost around £650.00 + $5000.00 for wifeys souveniers :D[msncry]worth every penny to see the smile on her face[msnsmile2] and a great trip should be had by all[msnsmile2]. thanks again for the suggestions Mike

Mike maybe we could have a couple of pics showing the moment....

Wish my husband would think of organising something like that for me. do you think you could put the idea into his head Mike.

[msncool]

hi, This is turning into more of a nightmare than i thought[msnoo], trying to juggle 3 kids and the wife around to get 2 days free without letting the surprise out I am finding impossible, just talking with the wife and kids about what they want to do and when , visiting certain parks , places etc . It looks like i am just going to hope i can just book a flight when there and then tell her. I just couldnt bear to tell her in advance we were going to graceland and then not manage to get there because of some problem turning up, that would crush her[msncry]. so wish me luck guys , I,ll post some pics on our return if we make it there.

p:s traceya89 will send pms to all male members of ovforums to remind them to surprise better halfs now and again[msnwink][msnsmile2]

I've booked internal flights on Airtran whilst out there. Can't remember how many days in advance but I'm pretty sure I used my business card (which is a a UK based one)

Good luck;)

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by m1ke
hi, This is turning into more of a nightmare than i thought[msnoo], trying to juggle 3 kids and the wife around to get 2 days free without letting the surprise out I am finding impossible, just talking with the wife and kids about what they want to do and when , visiting certain parks , places etc . It looks like i am just going to hope i can just book a flight when there and then tell her. I just couldnt bear to tell her in advance we were going to gracelands and then not manage to get there because of some problem turning up, that would crush her[msncry]. so wish me luck guys , I,ll post some pics on our return if we make it there.

p:s traceya89 will send pms to all male members of ovforums to remind them to surprise better halfs now and again[msnwink][msnsmile2]
[/quote]

Let us know how you get on, all the best...

m1ke,

I saw this article and thought it might appeal to you

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/DESTI....ap/index.html

we have booked internal US flights from here on the web (AA - you have to register with them first - Las Vegas - LA $40)

[8D]

hi all, something that has come to my attention Is the quality of the hotels and surrounding areas, some customer reviews of hotels in the the graceland area to be very seedy and one even said the police reckon the graceland area to be one of the most dangerous areas in memphis[:0]. So from Some of the replies it looks like some people have actually been to memphis any suggestions? would i be better off staying in a hotel in the centre of memphis and then getting a taxi to graceland? (rather spend $50 on a cab and feel safe walking around while going for a meal and a drink), could be me getting paranoid and looking for things to go wrong but hey dont want to dissapoint the missus[msnsmile]. Cheers Mike

Hi all, Just an update , Got fed up of [bad language filtered out]footing around with this trip And went ahead and booked the flights and hotel. one saturday morning till sunday night raddisson hotel just off beale street so should find some entertainment and food easily , If the kids don,t like mum and dad having one night alone "tough" it,s done now:). will post pics when we get back. cheers Mike

26 days and counting:D:D[msnsmile2]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:[i] [bad language filtered out]
[/quote]


What bad language? I only said nice term for "cat" and "footing".:D

Mike,
It is Graceland don't let the wife hear you calling it Gracelands. The area around Graceland attracts all sort. We stayed in the Wyndham and that is nice but expensive. Also there are all the normal hotels in Memphis itself. Beale Street is the main party street...brilliant. So many things to do it is an awesome place. You will have a brill time. Nearly considered there this week but we have decided to "brave" the Gulf Coast and Orlando as planned.

all posts edited at the request of my worse nightmare " A Elvis fan with a badge"[msnsmile2][msnsmile2][msnwink]

Well done M1ke - hope you have fun!

I am a sort of Elvis fan - whilst my hubbie is an out and out Elvis fan.... we got married on the anniversary of his death 16th August!!!
what a great idea ..I'll keep that up my sleeve for when Im feeling a bit richer!!
Have fun!

Well how dumb am I?[msnembarrased],
The secret is out:(. I dont believe I paid for the Graceland tour Tickets with our joint c/card instead of my own by mistake, Wifey goes to check the monthly accounts and such on the internet and what is staring her in the face but a charge on the card account payable to "GRACELAND-RESERVATIONS" So I am now the best thing since sliced bread to the Missus again [msnwink] but would still have prefered to really surprise her while in Florida, but at least now I have no anxieties trying to keep things secret and runnning smoothly. Will post pics from Gracelands when we get back[msnsmile2]. cheers Mike

Hi,
18 months ago we decided to fulfill our ambition and visit Gracelands and Nashville. We booked our flights through United flew into Orlando and then an internal flight to Nashville, picked up a car then drove Nashville, Memphis and back down to Orlando. The drive was great we could spend as much time as we wanted in each place not rushed by having to catch a flight back, even drove down to Tupalo (Elvis's birthplace) and went round his museum there, spend time in Nashville, went to the Grand Ole Opre, would recommend it all to anyone. We only booked the first night in Nashville and booked into Fairfield Inns on our travels, no problems at all, the Fairfileds will even onward book for you if required.
Enjoy Nashville if you are a fan it's fantastic
Val

Food for thought.....
JetBlue are going to expand their Orlando operation by 100's of percent in 2005. They are buying tonns of 90 seat regional jets.
Watch this space or go to their website.