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After putting the trip off serveal times. Me and my wife are going to Paris sometime December 8-10, 2008 and want to come back between December 15-18, 2008 on Delta using Buddy passes. How hard will this time of year be? Any advice would be helpfully. This would be my first time using buddy passes.
Guess it depends on the seniority first.
Which gateway--ATL, JFK or CVG? If you want ATL, try for the first one then rollover to the next--sometimes you get lucky that somebody else didn't make it to their connection!
You're pushing it a bit near Christmas, but since it's Mon-Thu (maybe get out before the 18th?) you may be fine.
The good news is it's grey and cold that time of year, so not the biggest tourist season!! There are all the EU Christmas markets tho--I'd check Paris websites for anything special going on that week.
Keep your options open to find out about taking the Thalys train to another city like AMS or BRU for that all-important Plan B to get home. You will not want to wait it out in CDG that weekend. I don't think the ORY (Orly Airport--the other side of Paris) flight is going to be on the schedule. If it is, consider that an option
Don't forget that CVG flight (IF it's still operating--should be--even with the merge!!)
I'd make some flexible plans and see what happens later.
I have been doing that for years, never had any problems. But of course in this changing industry it might change....
I should have mention we are based in ATL
my first trip to Paris was a few years ago with my husband-while he was working. It was Christmas Eve and I was amazed to see how busy the Eiffel Tower area was. For blocks, streets were filled,-but never jammed--with locals and tourists. It was just gorgeous!! We had 24 hours to see it all, which, of course, we didn't. It mattered not!! We were newlyweds (ahhhhhh)
When it comes time to check flights, I'll be happy to give you the scoop (IF I'm not laptopless).
Maybe you'll get that famous DL BE treatment and get wined and dined all the way.
PS--don't forget the CVG option. It doesn't take much effort or $ difference to make the connection thru here.
Now Mrs767, you forgot to mention Delta's new SLC/Paris route....trying to keep that one quiet are we? http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif
It just started, but I can think of nothing worse than going backwards and trying to get from ATL to SLC and return on a buddy pass!!
This is a big week for lots of inaugural flights--Cairo, more Stockholm, JFK/DKR/CPT (I'm taking that one the next week!), more TLV, Guyana, and a few more! I'm getting that transoceanic twitch!!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mrs767er @ Jun 3 2008, 07:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>Not backwards for everyone. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif So am I to understand there are no embargoes on the new routes?Quote:
It just started, but I can think of nothing worse than going backwards and trying to get from ATL to SLC and return on a buddy pass!![/b]
*Seat belt sign on- dramatic course change!*
Mrs 767, wondering do you have access to Comair loads? We're hoping to go to Bangor, Maine this summer. We're hoping to connect through BOS, unfortunately Jetnet just gives us the flight number.
*switching seat belt sign off*
http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif
Thanks for all the advice. This standby things scares me a little. We will probably want to leave on that Monday or Tuesday and come back that Monday or Tuesday. We want to stay a week.
Migflanker--yep, Comair is in my system. If I'm not avail to check it, ColoAvs can.
robby-doc--worry not until it gets close. just prepare to flex one day on each end and you should be able to make the trip without too much difficulty. Plan on cutting it short to 5 as needed or out to 7+.
I am serious about making reservations you can cancel within 24 hours-sometimes they can shift a room one day without any penalty--guess it depends on where you're staying. Are you doing an apartment or hotel? In the long run, where else can you fly overseas for $500 RT? You can always switch gears and take her to Prague (oh my--it's gorgeous and romantic--I have always wanted to go there when it snows!!)
We'd personally take PRG over Paris any day, but that's our tastes. if you do, let me know-Ive got some apartment connections in a 400 yr old Unesco bldg near the castle...owner speaks English and has a restaurant! Nonstop from ATL...dumplings, pilsner, wine, roast pork and duck...tempted?? Garnets, pastries, art nouveau, music...There's a hot springs town nearby with spas galore (Karlovy Vary) for a split trip 4 days city, 2-3 days country?
(ps--I used to be in sales--can you tell??)
mrs767er
I was actually looking at the hotel on the link below. It gets great reviews on Tripadvisor. It's on the outskirts of Paris, resonable rates, and you can cancel up to 6pm on the day of arrival. Out of curiosity is the PRG a heavily travled route from ATL. I am not nailed down to anything. My wife has Dec 6 - 21 off work and we just want to take a nice vacation.
http://www.hotelwilson.com/EN.hotel-wilson.rates.html
I am parisian and if I may give you an advice I would not stay in the outskirt of Paris, you can find some hotels intra muros for the same price or even cheaper. The districts 1, 2 , 3, 4, 5, 6 are the best.
here is a link which might help.
http://www.eurocheapo.com/paris/
z--thanks for the tips--we'll be asking for more later, I'm sure! Merci!
robby-doc--I don't think PRG is high demand that time of year--take a look at some fo the prague contributions from members by searching the forum. I'll pass the info I have if you'd like
If you are looking for Paris ( or any ) hotels then check out www.accorhotels.com who offer up to 75% discount to the travel trade.
You you will need to get hold of the Corp ID and Contract number for your particular airline and then you can see prices and and book yourself online.
Contacy your staff travel dept to get the appropriate codes or go to the Travel Agent area at www.accorhotels.com and enter your airlines IATA number, follow 'STAR rates' and then 'Reqest access code' .. fill out the form and Accor will email you the codes.
I have looked at the www.accorhotels.com they let you cancel the day of arrival by 6:00pm also which would be great considering I be bumped. Most other hotels in Paris have at least a 24 hour cancelation policy. I also have looked at the Hotel Cervantes and Hotel Magenta which also let you cancel the day of arrival by 6:00pm