I'd just transfer a few hundred dollars to my savings account.

I visit Manhattan every year for a few weeks and only shop when I have special need.

The purpose of my visit is always to be a part of this wonderful city. Shopping can be a distraction.

It depends on what's being offered at different stores--some have deals that only last from 5am to 7am or whatever, and others have special promotions for the first 100 people, etc. I would wait to see what's on before deciding. Here are two sites that post ads for Black Friday; you'll have to wait until close to your trip to see this year's:

http://bfads.net/

http://www.blackfriday.info/

kf - sounds like you're entering this most sacred of days on a negative note - "getting Macy;'s over with" it doesn't seem likes that's going to be a fun time.

This day is an absolute madhouse and you have to have a good attitude entering into the foray.

It is unbelievably crowded.

A good day to sleep in and head out around noon when all the craziness is a bit less intense.

Poppa

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound negative (I've been waiting to come to NY for about 15 years, so am so glad it's finally happening that I don't think I could actually be more positive).

It's just that we'll have such a short amount on time in the city, and I want to see Macy's, but wasn't sure whether to go there first thing, or wait until later in the day, and I know it's a massive store, so I'm not even sure how much time to allocate for it.

If you are from out of state, as you obviously are...country...your concierge will give you an extra 11% off coupon for Bloomingdales. Open up charge accounts before going to Bloomingdales and Macy's. You will receive coupons for additional discounts. Get the papers to see who is having what on special, assess your needs/wants in order by store. Saks, at least here in Beverly Hills, has "take an extra 40% off sale" from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. I purchased a chloe bag for my daughters for about $400 each (as opposed to 1500 each). This is a mad house. Not for the faint hearted.

...Can you tell that I have a black belt in shopping?

Saks has that 40% off until Midday here, too (at least, they do on December 26, I am pretty sure it's on Black Friday too).

You won't be able to open a charge card without a social security number, however, Lord and Taylor, Bloomingdales and Macy's all offer a travellers' discount, so make sure you get those from the visitor desks first.

>>You won't be able to open a charge card without a social security number...<<

Actually, you can do this at Saks. I'm not sure if you can do this before you arrive, but I did while in NY last year.

I asked if they had discount cards similar to the Macy*s/Bloomies ones and was told no. I could, however, get a 10% discount that day if I applied for an account. I applied (not really caring about the account) and got my discount voucher for the day.

After I had been home for a month or so, a package arrived with my Saks charge card. I can use it for online or instore shopping.

PS. If you apply in store you will need to show your passport.

excuse my ignorance but what and when is Black Friday? Is this a historical thing to do with the Wall Street Crash or something completely different. It sounds as if it is a shoppers delight.....can someone explain this?????

http://www.blackfriday.info/ this is a website that apparently will have all the ads closer to the actual date.

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, this year..Novemeber 28 --a BIG shopping day...beginning of the Christmas shopping season

My wife had some fantastic bargain's at Bloomingdales last year on black friday,

this year we fly back home on black friday itself but not until 7.30pm from newark so we shall be up and about at 5am but like poppa said earlier it get's pretty crowded