Forgetting those few months where you had $2.01 to the pound, I found it difficult to see any savings that would make such a big difference that you would want to go over to USA.
Like you said, you have accomodation, flights, conversion costs, food etc. I'd like to know how much people really did save.
But yes you are right - now don't even think about it. Especially with the visa requirements and the hassle to go with it.