26 essential knowledgev2 24/10/08 10:38 Page 29
Essential Knowledge
Essential USA
Important facts to
help clients have
O
FFICIAL
a safe and happy
D
OCUMENTS
trip stateside
NEW ENTRY PROCEDURES
For the last 20 years, tourists have
filled in a green I-94 immigration
form so they can enter the US under
To train online, register at
the Visa Waiver Scheme. This is
www.ttglive/knowledge
being phased out; from January 12,
2009, all tourists will have to fill in
their details online as part of the
new ESTA (Electronic System for
Travel Authorisation) programme.
Visitors will have to supply the same
information as they do currently,
and should do it at least 72 hours
before their flight to the US.
Tipping &
sales taxes
Tipping is a way of life in the US
and tourists are expected to tip
restaurant staff, hotel porters,
parking valets, bartenders and
taxi drivers.
The general rule to follow is the
Health cover & insurance
tip should be about 15% of the
The US
is famous f
or its lar
ge medical bills. There is no reciprocal
or medical or hospital care,
bill or $1 per bag for porters. Not
agreement betw
een the US and the UK f
e adeq
uate
tipping or going below 15% is
ys mak
e sure clients ha
v
and the costs are high. Alwa
ve
taken as a sign that the customer
cover
, with the minimum being £1 million. If they already ha
heck that their policy
is not happy with the service.
worldwide annual insurance, ask them to c
Sales taxes are added to the
includes the US – as some worldwide policies do not.
tag price at the checkout. Sales
tax differs between states – and
sometimes between cities within
the same state. Generally sales
tax averages 5-6%. With very few
exceptions, it is not possible for
Weather
visitors to claim back taxes paid
in the US.
Weather in the US varies hugely depending on the
geographic region and the time of year – it ranges from
tropical to downright freezing. Hurricanes can affect
the south-eastern states such as Florida, Louisiana
and Texas in the late summer and autumn.
For more information, go to the
Elsewhere, northern cities such as New York often
have harsh winters and blisteringly hot summers. It’s
Visit USA Association website at
worth using websites such as www.weather.com to
www.visitusa.org.uk check regional temperatures and weather patterns
so you can advise clients to pack suitable clothes.
29
TTG Knowledge USA October 2008
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