Bargains in the USA
By Sean Poulter, Daily Mail
Last updated at 11:06 28 November 2006
New York: Shopping heaven for Brits
The pound's climb towards the magic two-dollar mark for the first time in 25 years is fuelling an exodus of Christmas shoppers to the U.S.
Travel companies are reporting a significant increase in bookings for three-day shopping trips to New York.
Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are both adding an extra flight a day to meet demand. The buying power of the pound is up 25 per cent since last year and 43 per cent compared to five years ago. Yesterday the exchange rate was hovering just under 1.94 to the pound.
It means shoppers buying Christmas presents for families and friends can save hundreds of pounds by filling their suitcases with goods such as video games consoles, fashion and shoes, jewellery, CDs and DVDs.
Astute buyers can save enough to cover the cost of flights and accommodation.
Paul Charles of Virgin, which is increasing its flights to JFK Airport from five to six a day, said: 'Brits will always look for a bargain and if the bargain is in New York then they will take it.'
BA, which will be running eight flights a day to JFK and three to Newark, said: 'An increasing number of people have been taking short leisure trips to North America. These extra flights will be permanent.'
Virgin is offering return flights for as little as £198.80, while BA's best deal is £268.
Lastminute.com, which is also seeing brisk business, offers flights and three nights in a fourstar hotel for as little as £379.90.
New York has been the top overseas destination for Christmas shoppers for some years, largely because U.S. prices are traditionally lower. The price gap has been magnified this year because of the weakness of the dollar.
There is a Scrooge on the horizon, however - the UK taxman. Travellers are allowed to bring back only £145 of goods, including gifts, without paying tax.
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