[Jay-K]

hey, guys i know that its not related, but since we are all bimmers i believe you guys will give me a little help on this one,

i'm from indonesia and this summer, me and 3 other friends (all age 17) are planning to visit the states for vacation, though there are still some confusion and uncertain things that i have in mind:

-will the US immigration let us enter the country (age 17) most likely through LAX airport.
-are we able to check in the hotel at this age?
-what are the requirements to legally drive there? (planning on a fun road trip)

thanks, will be very helpful if anyone can help
sorry for my bad english, i'm from indonesia in case some of you dont know where it is, BALI is in my country.

[Sam335ix]

You have to get a visa first, you can also get information on it on the web.

[KingOfJericho]

Renting a car is pretty much out of the question at 17. Most agencies require you to be 25. Many hotels require you to be 18 but as long as you have a major credit card, that will be less of an issue compared to the car situation. Check with the embassy regarding the visa.

[Jay-K]

the visa and ticketing will all be taken care of, the worries are just that the US immigration might not get us passed because of (underage?

[KingOfJericho]

Hundreds of children fly overseas every day. Unless you're on a watch list, that's not going to be an issue.

[infinitekidM2C]

are you muslims?

[Maestro]

As pointed out your biggest issue will be renting a car, No rental car company in the US will rent to anyone under 25, and this includes business travelers. The Hotels may be hit an miss, since in the US no one under 18 is legally bound to any sign contract, therefore, a Hotel may not want to risk having someone under 18. Some hotel do check ID beyond the credit card.

You should not have a problem getting into the US through customs, unless you flagged in their systems.

[r0nd3L]

Originally Posted by Maestro

As pointed out your biggest issue will be renting a car, No rental car company in the US will rent to anyone under 25, and this includes business travelers. The Hotels may be hit an miss, since in the US no one under 18 is legally bound to any sign contract, therefore, a Hotel may not want to risk having someone under 18. Some hotel do check ID beyond the credit card.

You should not have a problem getting into the US through customs, unless you flagged in their systems.

What are you talking about? I rented a car plenty of times when I was under 25. It's just a bit more expensive, is all. Under 18 is a different story, though. I would say call different rental companies and ask.

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Renting a car is pretty much out of the question at 17. Most agencies require you to be 25. Many hotels require you to be 18 but as long as you have a major credit card, that will be less of an issue compared to the car situation. Check with the embassy regarding the visa.

Actually, most major car rental companies rent to adults over 18. If you are 18-24 you need to pay a small fee per day.

[fireline43]

yea this trip isn't smart for a group of 17 year olds honestly. Right away theres going to be problems at the airport being as your a group of under 18 children traveling without adults and your not going to visit family. When you get your visa's from the us consulate in your country, it would be best to discuss all this with them and see what they say.
-i dont see how you could rent a car at 17.
-hotels are def going to be tuff, do 17 year olds have credit cards these days? Especially meaning you will have to have a credit card in your name, not your parents. Well actually you could find plenty of not so nice hotels that will let you pay cash.

I'd honestly say wait till everyones 18 and save up more money for the trip in the meantime, or have an adult travel with you.

[Wakka]

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

are you muslims?

[infinitekidM2C]

3 foreign teens without transportation and shelter in Los Angeles..what could go wrong?!

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

3 foreign teens without transportation and shelter in Los Angeles..what could go wrong?!

[Maestro]

Okay, stand corrected on the rental thing, I just know then I rented and was traveling with family the rental car companies made it clear no one under 24 was allow to drive the car, they never said you could pay extra to allow this.

http://www.autorentalguide.com/car-r...under-25.shtml

I do know if your insurance company is paying for a rental due to an accident, the rental car company must rent to an 18yr but no one young. My son's car was hit and insurance payed for a rental and he was 18 and the rental car company could not refuse.

[Jay-K]

OKAY, NO i'm were not muslims
well renting a car was just one of the idea,

hotel.. well i had a credit card, and apparently its my dad's (have exactly the same name) ..

[kevinbahnz]

do we have hostels in the united states, if not you can stay at one of those indian owned MOtels

[turo]

One way to do it would be to stay at a youth hostel and rely on public transportation. But honestly, I agree with the post above that says wait until the group is 18+ yrs old. Honestly, you'll have a lot more fun then.