Questions for anyone who's done a London game or used Fans of Buffalo

[Shaw66]

Well, I guess I'm a spur-of-the-moment kind of guy.   Never heard of Fans of Buffalo an hour ago, and I just now paid my deposit for the London trip. 

 

We're not sure we're going to go (you have three weeks to cancel with Fans of Buffalo after they announce the actual package, and the entire deposit is refunded).  Depends on several things, but mostly the date of the game and if we want to be in the UK at the time of year.  

 

We started talking about going a few weeks ago.  We don't have a lot of interest in seeing London - been there, and never found it to be our cup of tea.  If we go, we'll fly into London for the game, then travel to Scotland and Ireland for a couple of weeks.  Fans of Buffalo looks like a really simple way for us to plan the front end of the trip - just let them do it.  

 

At away games, we've never stayed at a hotel where a lot of Bills fans are staying, so FOB's trip offers us four nights of that.  Coverage charge at multiple Bills Backers events is a nice plus.  And transfer to the game.    That's all stuff that makes their package attractive.  

 

Although we've never gone with FOB before, we have taken one trip - an eclipse viewing trip - organized by people who are eclipse nerds and organize trips for every eclipse.  FOB seems the same.   They're not a big institution, but they have a history of having done this kind of thing successfully.  (Think about it: if they had planned a Bills trip that turned out to be the trip from Hell, we all would have read about it right here.)   They're professional enough to have a quality website and payment page - all of that worked flawlessly for me.  

 

Anyway, I'm one step closer to actually going to the game. 

 

As for the notion that it's a waste of time to go to London for a Bills game instead of spending that money just on travel, because the Bills experience on this continent is good enough.  Well, I don't see it that way.   I'm finding that one thing that I like about having had a lifetime as a Bills fan is having a collection of games I've gone to.  It's sort of like having a collection of coins or figurines or autographed baseball cards, but this collection is just in my head.  It's a collection of memories.  I don't have a "complete" collection, in the sense that I've gone to every "collectible" game (like, I was there for wide right but for none of the next three Super Bowls), but it's my collection and I like it.   I view this as an opportunity to add a unique game to my collection.  It may or may not be a memorable game, but it's likely to be a memorable experience.  

[BillStime]

Do your own thing. In 2015, we bought our tickets on Ticketmaster. We stayed at the InterContinental Park Lane and met a ton of NFL executives and Buffalo Bills families - no, the team did not stay there.

 

Ton of fun - Bills fans EVERYWHERE from the second we landed at Heathrow - highly recommend it.

 

Will be going to the game in Tottenham this fall - can't wait.

 

 

[Augie]

A Bills game was always going to be my excuse to get to London. Unfortunately (that sounds wrong!), it’s a travel packed year for us with two trips (Hilton Head Island and Sarasota, FL) already in the books and two weeks planned for Paris and southern Italy in May. Add a week in New England in July, plus a trip to Blowing Rock, NC in August and I thought I was pretty much done for the year.

 

THEN, a buddy sends me the Bills outline of a schedule and points out the obvious - that I really should be there. I point out that we had enough into our travel budget already to have bought a nice new car, so I’ll probably pass. He is recently retired from a job of frequent corporate travel for the last 24 years and he has gazillions of miles on Delta and he’ll get me the plane ticket for a mere 125,000 sky miles he doesn’t need. He’s already sent me a screen shot for a comfort + seat. Hmmmm. I’d hate to disappoint him! 

 

I’ll wait and see what the date is, but it’s hard to say no to an offer like that. A bit awkward, but I need to seriously consider this. 

[Doc]

20 hours ago, Virgil said:

The family is looking to head to the Bills game this upcoming fall, but have never done anything like this.  I see a site called "Fans of Buffalo" that is promoting a full package with a $250.

 

My questions are:

 

1 - Has anyone used the Fans of Buffalo to book an away game?  I'm nervous to give out money to a site that I've never heard of

2 - Did the Buffalo Bills offer any kind of fan package for the last game?

3 - For anyone who went last time, any lessons learned you can share?

 

Thank you and hopefully will see some of you in England

 

$250 includes airfare, lodging and tickets?

[Saxum]

However you book it use American Express. Multiple times I have had issues and they were good at helping me get it resolved.

[Augie]

5 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

Well, I guess I'm a spur-of-the-moment kind of guy.   Never heard of Fans of Buffalo an hour ago, and I just now paid my deposit for the London trip. 

 

We're not sure we're going to go (you have three weeks to cancel with Fans of Buffalo after they announce the actual package, and the entire deposit is refunded).  Depends on several things, but mostly the date of the game and if we want to be in the UK at the time of year.  

 

We started talking about going a few weeks ago.  We don't have a lot of interest in seeing London - been there, and never found it to be our cup of tea.  If we go, we'll fly into London for the game, then travel to Scotland and Ireland for a couple of weeks.  Fans of Buffalo looks like a really simple way for us to plan the front end of the trip - just let them do it.  

 

At away games, we've never stayed at a hotel where a lot of Bills fans are staying, so FOB's trip offers us four nights of that.  Coverage charge at multiple Bills Backers events is a nice plus.  And transfer to the game.    That's all stuff that makes their package attractive.  

 

Although we've never gone with FOB before, we have taken one trip - an eclipse viewing trip - organized by people who are eclipse nerds and organize trips for every eclipse.  FOB seems the same.   They're not a big institution, but they have a history of having done this kind of thing successfully.  (Think about it: if they had planned a Bills trip that turned out to be the trip from Hell, we all would have read about it right here.)   They're professional enough to have a quality website and payment page - all of that worked flawlessly for me.  

 

Anyway, I'm one step closer to actually going to the game. 

 

As for the notion that it's a waste of time to go to London for a Bills game instead of spending that money just on travel, because the Bills experience on this continent is good enough.  Well, I don't see it that way.   I'm finding that one thing that I like about having had a lifetime as a Bills fan is having a collection of games I've gone to.  It's sort of like having a collection of coins or figurines or autographed baseball cards, but this collection is just in my head.  It's a collection of memories.  I don't have a "complete" collection, in the sense that I've gone to every "collectible" game (like, I was there for wide right but for none of the next three Super Bowls), but it's my collection and I like it.   I view this as an opportunity to add a unique game to my collection.  It may or may not be a memorable game, but it's likely to be a memorable experience.  

 

Experiences and memories > things. 

 

Wise choice, I hope to see you there. 

[Virgil]

1 hour ago, Doc said:

 

$250 includes airfare, lodging and tickets?

Just your deposit per person 

[Augie]

18 hours ago, sullim4 said:

Book on your own directly with the airline and hotel.  You can get exactly what you want, and you will not have to go through a third party to make any changes to your reservation.

 

I was sort of hoping to be able to double dip if the schedule aligns and there is a home game the week before the London game.  Fly from Seattle to Buffalo, see the game on Sunday, and then fly from Toronto to somewhere in Europe... then on to London for the game on Sunday, and back home.

 

London is great if you've never been, but we've already been there and want to explore something else.  Maybe Spain or Portugal.

 

I learned the bolded lesson the hard way right before Covid. It was a work trip to Denver followed by a side trip to Vail. Book with a 3rd party and you deal with people “elsewhere” with limited english skills or training. Call the hotel and they can’t help you about any change policies, whoever bought those nights at the hotel make the rules regarding any changes. Virtually impossible to manage. I ALWAYS try to go directly thru the hotel now. 

 

Last trip before Covid was a Windstar cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon. I loved Barcelona! I’m with you, I want to see NEW places more than become infinitely familiar with any one place. Hit the highlights, then decide what you want to see more of later. 

 

Hope you make it, and sleep thru a LONG flight back home. 

[beerme1]

I had friends use Fans Of Buffalo for Detroit last year and they were so impressed and had such a great time they are using them for London.

They have a tailgate on gameday, they provide transportation to and from the airport AND to and from the game! They also have events in the days leading up to the game. Pretty damn sweet I say.

Edited March 6, 2023 by beerme1
Accuracy

[fathersnowman]

as of today the train service in London at weekends is very poor, some maintenance work is carried on most lines , when you get to the stadium, get ready for the wow factor.. best stadium in the Uk . the new bills stadium is based on Tottenham stadium.

i live in Uk and approx 1 hr train journey from ground....

enjoy your visit, i am awaiting fixture date  as already on waiting list for ticket with Ticketmaster.

[dbringer]

I put down a deposit for four tix to the Seattle game in October, and they said I could get a full refund if I cancel by July 1st.  I don't want to cancel - I just want more information so I can decide which parts of the package I want to include.  But they have gone radio silent.  I got an email from them in late May saying I'd hear something in a few weeks, and now they don't answer the phone and don't respond to emails.  I'm worried I just flushed this deposit down the toilet.  Lesson learned.

[CNYfan]

12 minutes ago, dbringer said:

I put down a deposit for four tix to the Seattle game in October, and they said I could get a full refund if I cancel by July 1st.  I don't want to cancel - I just want more information so I can decide which parts of the package I want to include.  But they have gone radio silent.  I got an email from them in late May saying I'd hear something in a few weeks, and now they don't answer the phone and don't respond to emails.  I'm worried I just flushed this deposit down the toilet.  Lesson learned.

With who?  

[BillsPride12]

3 hours ago, dbringer said:

I put down a deposit for four tix to the Seattle game in October, and they said I could get a full refund if I cancel by July 1st.  I don't want to cancel - I just want more information so I can decide which parts of the package I want to include.  But they have gone radio silent.  I got an email from them in late May saying I'd hear something in a few weeks, and now they don't answer the phone and don't respond to emails.  I'm worried I just flushed this deposit down the toilet.  Lesson learned.

I've never done a full travel package with Fans of Buffalo but I have bought tailgate party tickets through them and they have always been reliable.  I think they are legit, I would not panic yet.  They are probably still working on putting everything together.  

[uticaclub]

Sure, You can get a better deal if you buy everything separately, but if you are not used to traveling & want an easy, fun experience where everything taken care for you, Fans of Buffalo is the way to go.

Edited July 2 by uticaclub

[eball]

On 3/4/2023 at 11:32 PM, Herc11 said:

 

They've gained a pretty big following. I almost went to their tailgate at the Rams game this last year, but timing of my arrival did line up. I did have some friends go and they had a great time.

 

We went to their tailgate at the Rams opener a couple of seasons ago as well.  It would have been very fun but it was oppressively hot.

 

I don’t think I’d ever book one of their travel “packages” but the tailgate parties seem ok.

 

[Shaw66]

16 hours ago, dbringer said:

I put down a deposit for four tix to the Seattle game in October, and they said I could get a full refund if I cancel by July 1st.  I don't want to cancel - I just want more information so I can decide which parts of the package I want to include.  But they have gone radio silent.  I got an email from them in late May saying I'd hear something in a few weeks, and now they don't answer the phone and don't respond to emails.  I'm worried I just flushed this deposit down the toilet.  Lesson learned.

I hope they resurface for you. 

 

I reserved a trip with them, and as my plans evolved they weren't the best choice, so I requested a refund.  They were easy to work with and I got my money back.  That is, they did what they promised. 

[Just Jack]

14 hours ago, uticaclub said:

Sure, You can get a better deal if you buy everything separately, but if you are not used to traveling & want an easy, fun experience where everything taken care for you, Fans of Buffalo is the way to go.

 

I am a fan of the package tours, especially if it's an area I've never been before.  Let me just step on a bus, take me to the sites.  No need to deal with traffic, and finding parking.  

[HOUSE]

Flying over that much water is a big mistake

 

 

[US Egg]

30 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

Flying over that much water is a big mistake

Maybe they’ve been working out.

[Herc11]

15 hours ago, eball said:

 

We went to their tailgate at the Rams opener a couple of seasons ago as well.  It would have been very fun but it was oppressively hot.

 

I don’t think I’d ever book one of their travel “packages” but the tailgate parties seem ok.

 

That's the one I was talking about. It was the season opener in '22 if I remember right. That stadium is super nice, but the ventilation is terrible. I was near the field and we were sweating bad. Can't imagine how hot it was in the higher sections.