I have shopped in the US for electronics (Bose Headphones from www.bose.com, laptops and peripherals from the excellent www.datavis.com and I send presents to friends using Amazon).

I always use my UK based card. Have had abslutely no probs using these cards with amazon, although the other two would only accept Amex for international purchases, and even then i had to spcifically call Amex, tell them to expect a purchase for x amount from Datavision, and also giving them the address to which the items would be shipped. This was a required security measure for every purchase (but as these are major purchases it wasn't such a hassle).

My family have a home in the US so everything is usually delivered there, but I have ordered stuff directly to a hotel in the past when timeframes were tight, and my experience has been good.

Depends of course what sort of hotel you are staying at, but that's a judgement call you will be able to make yourself.

Call the hotel in advance, get the name of the front desk manager and the mail person, explain you have a parcel arriving (best not to mention it's valuable!), make sure your arrival dates are beside your name eg "apudme - Arr 1/13/05") remembering the US reverse the position of the date and month.

Most shippers now have very sophisticated order tracking software, such that you will know within a half day or so exactly where your parcel is - and could even call the hotel on the day of the arrival to confirm it has not "gone astray".

Bose have a deal on their QC2s direct from their website which would be a good buy right now, and also check out the "Mall" at www.united.com for Mileage Plus Miles while you shop (though I know you are mainly a bmi man). http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,50775,00.html

I have purchased three laptops from www.datavis.com (Datavision), all on UK credit card delivered to US addresses. They are highly efficient and have excellent telephones sales - I cannot recommend them enough.

I will not give a list of sites here as a google and other personal recommendations by FTers will be just as good, but do check the shopping comparison sites like www.kelkoo.co.uk (obviously this is UK based) for comparative values, but be aware many products ordered from any website/store located in the state you are having them delivered to require sales tax to be paid on top of the list price. So best to order out of state.

Not an expert on this but I know I pay no tax on stuff ordered from Datavision in NYC to Florida, but if I bought it in NYC it would cost more.

Do be aware you are responsible for paying VAT on imported high value items. Customs can get you at Heathrow for this, if they search your bags, and I know friends (respectable types, honest!, who have been stopped with shopping bags etc and questioned).

I would imagine that while the country goes to the dogs, crime is rife on our streets and the drug epidemic is out of hand, their main concern will be to deprive you of 17.5% of your hard earned cash, so beware.

You might ensure all goods are "used" and packaging, receipts and other manuals etc are sent home seperately by mail. A spanking new laptop case is a dead giveaway! Though of course you should ensure you pay tax on goods as required by law.

Get your travel money through www.batravelmoney.com as you are now collecting BA Miles. Not the best exchange rate, esp for large transactions, but commission free so worth it.

Do ensure all these new purchases are either covered on your travel policy, or on you purchase protection insurance.

Finally, whichever CC you are using, ensure their fees and exchange rate on foreign transactions are competitive. $1.93 is suddenly less attractive when it becomes $1.83, especially if you are splurging as it appears you might!

Happy shopping!!