Hi all,

Well, me & Lin's, long anticipated visit to the US of A is just
around the corner (Sep 10th), celebrating our 25th Wedding
Anniversary. There are a couple of questions I'd really like advice
on:-

Finance.

I have a Visa Debit (not credit) card, I assume (like over here) it
will be accepted anywhere that says "All major credit cards
accepted", Is this true?

I am not a seasoned traveller!! What denomination of American Express
Travellers Cheques will be most useful, mainly for paying hotel/B&B
bills?

Tipping

Always a difficult area if your disabled. The number of people I've
offended by either tipping/not tipping someone who's offered to help
carry my things!! It's Ok in big hotels, stations, etc. where there
are people whose job it is to carry travellers cases, and their low
wages are considerably bolstered by tipping. How much would you give
in that situation? (Here, my boy, here's a dime!!).

The problem occurs in smaller Hotels/B&Bs where you may be dealing
with the owner, or one of his family, in reception. Since they do not
employ a porter, but see you struggling with the cases with a
disability, and they offer to help, are you still expected to tip?

The other area I will need to tip, is Bars & Restaurants. Over here
in restaurants you run a bill for the whole evening, settle at the
end and leave a 10% tip on the table if happy with the meal/service
(unless the bill said "Service included", or "Servis Compris"). In
Pubs its different. You pay for a "round" of drinks. If it was a
particularly large round and you've had a nice bit of banter with the
barmaid (and you are a regular) you can offer to buy her a drink.
Then you repeat for each round. Is this the same?

Fast Food restaurants you never tip, unless there's a waitress
service. Same?

Anyway, I'd be very grateful for your thoughts.


Cheers


Deri