Two questions:

1) Do you need a passport?

2) What's your favorite destination? Personally I'd be looking for something sunny, warm, quiet & relaxing... I'm not terribly interested in nightlife & shopping.

Ok, 3 questions...

3) Which destination (or days of week) is best for upgrading? :-)

1) Passport- varies by location- None needed for US Virgin Islands.
Jamacia and Bahamas (Maybe others)requires US visitors staying for eight months or less need a return ticket plus a passport (passports expired up to five years may also be used), or a certified birth certificate with an official photo identification.
Not sure about Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands

2) Favorite Location- tough call-- right now any where warm wiould be nice. Stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Jamacia this time last year- warm, quite and peaceful. Went to Puerto Rico 2 months ago and never stopped partying!!! The only place I did not like was Aruba (but I was only there less than 24 hours and did not get to enjoy the island.

3) I have never had problems upgrading in the 3 day window (for Gold)- Right now US flys 767 from CLT to Puerto Rico so there are a lot of seats. I am trying the Grand Bahamas in a couple of weeks.


[This message has been edited by RMINIONE (edited 01-15-2002).]

I like Cancun. It is warm, the water is unbelievable, the people are nice and the hotels are spectacular. It is still cheap to eat and drink. You do not need a passport but you need a copy of your birth certificate with a raised seal or maybe a voter registration card to prove citizenship.
I have never upgraded so I can't help you with the last question.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TomBascom:
Which destination (or days of week) is best for upgrading?</font>


I have always wondered about upgrading to and from the Carribean.... not much of a business destination, lots of leisure (non elite?) passengers....

I've been to Cancun, Freeport, Nassua, Grand Caymen, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Bermuda. I do not believe that you need a passport for any of them. Cancun is "party central" for spring breakers, Freeport and Nassau have nice areas but the locals try to sell you something every ten minutes. Grand Caymen is nice and the people are very friendly. However, it can be quite expensive. Bermuda is nice but doesn't really get warm until late March. Jamaica is dirty and crime-ridden (just my opinion), so you have to be careful where you stay. And St. Lucia is tranquil with not a lot of night life - and, it is absolutely beautiful -- my favorite! Oh, as far as upgrading, I've never really had a problem (I'm Gold)unless you have an entire family upfront on their yearly vacation. So, if you book within two months of your trip and ITN shows seats, they'll more than likely still be there 7 days out. Hope this helps and please let me know if a fellow Granite-stater needs more info!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1004:

I have always wondered about upgrading to and from the Carribean.... not much of a business destination, lots of leisure (non elite?) passengers....

</font>

SJU might be the exception (especially from PHL)... a considerable number of pharma execs and support personnel fly that route (and others like me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Last year as a Gold, I wasn't able to upgrade on 2 of the 6 flights I took down there or back. However, with an A330, a 767, a 757 and an A320 going down there now, chances of an upgrade are probably very good (not to mention that I'm CP now... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

As far as known for any legal Carribean destination (no Cuba), no passport required. Photo ID and birth certificate OK.

St. Lucia, BVI and USVI are some of my favorites.

I was under the impression all international flights (inc. Canada and Mexico) now required a passport. Also, if you can make it down to Aruba (not sure if you consider that the Carribean), go for it. The Marriott there is is fantanstic, and if you get the all inclusive option, you can eat in their gourmet restaurant (Tuscany)every night, so its well worth it.

My favourites are SXM and AUA. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by baccarat0809:
I was under the impression all international flights (inc. Canada and Mexico) now required a passport.</font>

Not sure about Mexico, but for Canada, a passport is only "strongly recommended." Also, the USVI and Puerto Rico are not international period (they are under the US flag).

Anybody try the new service from Philly to St. Lucia?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by silverpie:
Not sure about Mexico, but for Canada, a passport is only "strongly recommended." Also, the USVI and Puerto Rico are not international period (they are under the US flag).</font>

You still have to clear customs in either STT to prove citzenship.

[This message has been edited by dknn (edited 01-18-2002).]

A passport is not a requirement to enter St. Maarten or Aruba, but it is recommended. Especially in a post-9/11 environment!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dknn:
You still have to clear customs in either STT or SJU to prove citzenship.</font>

You don't have to clear customs for any flight that originates or ends in SJU. No passport is needed either.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Arrzee:
You don't have to clear customs for any flight that originates or ends in SJU. No passport is needed either.</font>

When I flew out of STT post 9/11, and when my friends flew out a year before, you had to clear customs.

Plus it is highly recommended that you have a passport to avoid all the hassles.

This past summer I took a flight from Seattle to St. Thomas (STT). In Seattle US Airways wouldn't board me unless I showed them a passport. Knowing that I probably would need it, I had it.

In reality, I doubt you absolutely need it, but US Airways required it.

You do have to pass through Customs when you board at STT.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dknn:
When I flew out of STT post 9/11, and when my friends flew out a year before, you had to clear customs.

Plus it is highly recommended that you have a passport to avoid all the hassles.</font>


STT are SJU are completely different airports... especially when it comes to customs. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif USVI's territory status makes it a "port of entry" into the U.S. -they are outside of the U.S. Customs "zone". Puerto Rico's commonwealth status shares customs and immigrations with the Federal government.

A passport is not required to enter STT, but you have to provide proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, etc,) upon re-entry into the U.S. -something which is typically done right on the island.