US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - It's my 1st trip to Europe, please help!

I am soooo excited, I just received my 1st passport and confirmed a $360 fare DCA-FCO on Feb 14th. Yes, it's so bad in DC that I have resorted to leaving the country to find my valentine. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
I could use a few pointers to avoid looking like an absolute idiot upon arrival. I know that they move at their own pace, so don't expect anyone to rush to do anything... but other then that I'm clueless. I don't speak Italian and I hear that the everything in the train system is in Italian and no one wants to help the lost tourists.
1st - I was told I could not use my SWU for the fare I paid. Do I have a chance of using it at the gate if their is availablity?
2nd - Any tips on going through customs, things I should know?
3rd - I leave Rome on Tuesday morning, that gives me only 4 full days to wander around. What are the highlights that I should not miss? Daytime activities? Bars/clubs to visit on a Friday/Saturday night?

Thank you in advance!

My advice would try to not look too clueless ... that goes for travel to any strange city (even here in the US).

As for now SWU's, unless it's an ESaver, it should be upgradeable ... but maybe it is an Esaver?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
My advice would try to not look too clueless ... that goes for travel to any strange city (even here in the US).

As for now SWU's, unless it's an ESaver, it should be upgradeable ... but maybe it is an Esaver?

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Call them back..YOu have to ask to be on the waitlist, she probably meant you can't upgrade at the time of booking with it. I am travelling to London and those fares are upgradable usually, but they "upgrade-in-advance" seats are probably taken. Let us know what they say.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by catwood:
Call them back..YOu have to ask to be on the waitlist, she probably meant you can't upgrade at the time of booking with it. I am travelling to London and those fares are upgradable usually, but they "upgrade-in-advance" seats are probably taken. Let us know what they say.</font>

Thanks for the tip. I called back and they put me on the wait list. Now I just have to figure out what to do when I get there.

The Vatican is really a must see. Fab art and incredible artifacts - the restored Sistine Chapel is breathtaking.
Just DO NOT take Bus 64 to the Vactican. It is NOTORIOUS for pickpockets. This is one time that taking a cab is worth it. Always check that the meter is on when you start the trip - cabbies will try anything with tourists.

Also, the city has a lot of pickpockets in the tourist areas (i.e. near the Spanish Steps) be aware and do not let yourself get swarmed by Gypsy kids. If you are a woman do not carry a purse and if you are a guy, keep your wallet in an inside ZIPPPED jacket pocket.

If it weren't criminal and have the potential to ruin a holiday, I'd have to grudingly admire the skill of the pickpockets.

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I Love New York

It's a small detail and a simple thing, but sometimes it can make a pretty big difference. I've found that if I don't speak the native language of the country and need to ask someone something in English, there's a huge difference between:

1) Do you speak English?
2) May I speak English with you please?

My experience is that the second version draws much less of a negative reaction from people who might otherwise be offended, and it's more polite, too. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Hey always delayed,
enjoy europe it is not a bad place.
In case you are wondering chances to get upgraded at the gate are normally pretty descent on the flights to europe. Especially if it is an Airbus 330 with a whole lot of seats to be filled. Besides one exception I have always been able to upgrade for FRA or MUC if I had systemwides. A good waz of checking is to make a reservation in envoy for your flight and check out the seating chart. If there are 6 to 10 seats open close to zour travel date you can already start celebrate because you should have a 80 to 90 % chance of making it. The tons of full fare business class passengers at last minute which all airlines of the world are magiclly waiting for are most always do not materialize because most international business travel is not usually booked 24 hours before the trip. Of course there are exceptions.
Have fun in Italy hope you find your valentines.

I second ThisFlight... The important thing to keep in mind is to be curteous. Europeans are very formal and curteous, especially when dealing with strangers. American informality doesn't go over well. I have never experienced the notorious nastiness of the French or others, probably because I've always followed this rule.

Just keep your wallet protected and you'll have a great time.

Wear a money belt.(the one that goes under the trousers is best IMHO). Eagle Creek is a nice money belt. American Tourister or Samsonite is an OK second choice.

As for doing stuff in Rome, I went for two days a month ago and in 1998. The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Pauls Catherdal, Forum, Collesium, etc. are must sees IMHO. Don't know about clubs, etc. I always buy the Rick Steves books, the Rome one is decent & has lots of info for its small size. Go to a bookstore & look at guide books. A good one on Rome is good. You could do a day trip to Pompei to see the ruins. If you get upgraded on the outbound to Rome, make sure to ask for the arrivals lounge pass--my FA's did not have any on the plane but I went to the US checkin counter & they set me up with a day use pass at the Rome Hilton. Nice place to take shower & nap. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

always delayed,

I travel by myself a lot internationally for work, while it can be intimidating when you don’t speak the language and you are not quite sure which train to take never let it show (or else you will be prime meat for pick pockets). I have always had very good luck with asking very politely for help.

I am actually doing a girls weekend in Rome 2/22 so that my best buddy can find charming Italian belated valentine. If you go to the starwood board and do a search for St. Regis Rome you will find a lot of info. about the sites and attractions. I have been to rome several times so feel free to email if you have any questions.

Have a great time! Rome is one of the greatest cities in the world

My husband has an uncle who has lived in many countries. Years ago he advised my husband, who was traveling to visit a client in a French-speaking region, to learn a phrase that basically said "I do not speak your beautiful language - do you happen to speak English"? He has never failed to get enthusiastic assistance when he begins with that phrase.. it's the only french he speaks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

OK, here is my take on visiting Rome & upgrading with SWU’s to/from the USA:

I spent 4 days there just two weeks ago flying in and out on US. Great trip.

As far as upgrading (assuming you’re not on an e-fare) the flight over, call now and get on the waitlist. Call the day before your flight and see if it’s cleared. If not, call the morning of your flight. If not then, check-in early and ask if it’s cleared. On the return flight, I have found the procedure at European stations is to check-in early, they will not upgrade anyone at the ticket counters, they will put you on a list and ask that you not board the plane. Then they will call names before departure if your upgrade clears. Important: When you check-in at the ticket counter and at the gate after security, make sure the agents know you are trying to upgrade using a certificate and that you are not just waiting for a gratis upgrade because you are Preferred and coach is oversold! This almost cost me an upgrade on my return flight when the gate agent told me Envoy was “full” and I should take my seat... I then queried if it was really full or if a certificate would open up a seat... bingo... upgrade cleared.

1. As has been recommended, get a good guidebook. For its simplicity, I like the “Let’s Go” guides. There is one for Rome. Read the sections on getting around Rome and to and from the airport.

2. Get a good pocket map before you go. Hit Borders or Barnes & Noble and get a street map before you go. Make sure it shows all the street names. Rome is a great walking city but it is confusing. The cheapo maps given out at hotels, etc. will not have all the streets listed and this can be confusing.

3. Getting to and from the airport is easy. There is a train that runs directly from FCO to the main train station Termini. The ticket booth in the airport will sell you a pair of one-way tickets for about $7 a piece. Once at Termini, ride the bus to your destination. The bus system is easy to use. Again, read the description in the guidebook about how to use the busses. We rode them several times a day with ease.

4. You mention the “club scene”... well, Rome is not really a club city as much as it is a cafe society. The few clubs are not really geared for tourists the way some other European club scenes are. Take this with a grain of salt as the club thing is not really my thing so you may find it otherwise.

5. Don’t worry about not speaking Italian... English is widely used. Learn a few Italian phrases and, is wisely recommended above, be polite and friendly and you’ll have no worries.... Rome is covered with tourists and Romans are used to it.

6. As for the ever-popular pickpocket warning, well, I always say if you look vulnerable then you’ll be vulnerable. Don’t carry a lot of stuff around with you. Keep your cash and credit cards in your front pocket and you will be fine.

7. Welcome to the EURO, the new currency of Europe. All the ATM will be dispensing Euro and not lira. Vendors, restaurants, shops and stores are now accepting Euro and are supposed to give change in Euro. And don’t worry about travelers checks... the ATMs in Rome will take your credit or debit card with ease... just remember your 4 digit pin. It’s as easy as here in the USA.

8. Must sees: Pantheon, Coliseum, Campo di Fori, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Villa Borghese, Spanish Steps. Best of all, just walk around with your map and pick out sights as you go....

Enjoy...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1004:
1. As has been recommended, get a good guidebook. For its simplicity, I like the “Let’s Go” guides.</font>I'm a Lonely Planet fan.

I would also recommend phoning reservations in Europe the morning of your departure as early as they open if your upgrade hasn't cleared yet ... this worked for me in England the one trip my upgrade hadn't cleared yet. Make sure to ask if there are any upgrade seats available at that time (not just if you're on the list). When I called she said "You're on the list.", and I then asked "Are there seats available now?" and she replied, "Yes there are." and so I said "Upgrade me please." ... and she did! No waiting ...

One more thing - write down the 'local USAirways number' from the website into your passport before going over.

I've found that most of the toll-free numbers listed on the 'boarding pass holder' they give you at the airport are long dead.

The web page with these numbers is here:

http://www.usairways.com/customers/phonedirectory.htm#International Numbers

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by eurousair:
The tons of full fare business class passengers at last minute which all airlines of the world are magiclly waiting for are most always do not materialize because most international business travel is not usually booked 24 hours before the trip.</font>


I believe they hold some seats not expecting that they will bought at the last minute, but to have the inventory so paying BC customers can change their reservations. I also believe that the 6-10 they hold is WAY too many.

My two memories of Rome are:

1. Rounding the street corners, and always finding some amazing architectural wonder just set out in front of me.

2. Rounding a street corner, seeing one such architectural wonder, and reaching for my camera bag. As soon as I pulled it out to open some guy on a moped sped up on the sidewalk, grabbed the camera bag, shoved me, and sped off with the bag. I was stubborn, and he almost got two of my fingers with the deal. I ended up just spraining them.

So, in summary: lots of cool things to see, but keep on your toes.

P.S. My friend has had TWO identical cameras stolen in Rome, the two times she was there. On the bright side of thing, there at least used to be a LOT of pawn shops selling used cameras of all qualities.

Let's Go guides are good, but they tend to completely ignore anything on the high end. While I tend to be a budget traveler I do like to have at least one guide that covers the nice hotels and restaurants as well.

Do carry a money belt. It's really the safest and puts your mind at the most ease.

[This message has been edited by mch710 (edited 01-09-2002).]

Beware of the scam where a guy in a car asks for directions. They usually look for a person or two with an English language guidebook or maps. The guy will try to sell you a overpriced (designer???) coat. Only the bag is from a designer store. The guy will say he needs gas money. The guy who tried to scam me had French ID & was looking for the French Consulate. Yeah, right! I had only $5 on me (rest was hidden in a money belt). He had me hang on to the jacket. He decided that my $5 wasn't enough so he wanted his jacket back. When he gave my $5 back, I gave back his coat. He sped off in his car to scam someone else. So, beware!

Boy, you folks are really making me want to go to Rome http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif