Thread: Paris in July - I need help...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nonrev1 @ Jun 11 2008, 03:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Please don&#39;t hide the details from us in a Private Message. Others and future searchers may find them useful. [/b]

OK -- Here it is:

I don&#39;t mind at all talking about our trip.

Basically, we flew NWA over from Boise to MSP then on the CDG. It was cheaper than ZEDs to buy a ow NWA pass for the outbound since we [AS] have the deal with NW. It was about $80 per person. Had no problems getting over. Did not get upgraded either way (more later). The MSP agents said if we had had a F class pass (which you can buy for another $60 + taxes) they would have upgraded us. I had so much sunk into backups I just didn&#39;t want to buy one more set of tickets. Now I wish I had!

We were going to Fountainebleu for the first night so we bought a one way ticket to there at CDG. I would just buy the ticket into Paris for 8 euros to start. Had a little trouble finding the right ticket counter. When you get to the train ticket area, use the left hand "RER" windows not the SNCF - those are long haul. Returning to Paris from Fountainebleu the ticket counter was really busy so they just shooed us all on the train before I even bought a ticket and no conductor came around so we got back to Paris free! After we were in Paris we would use the carnets for transportation. You can buy these at just about any metro station. They almost all have ticket windows. Unless you are going to making 5-7 metro trips a day I don&#39;t think you save any money by getting the pass. We just focused on one area a day and so generally only took 2-3 metro trips a day.

My best piece of advice in navigating Paris ------ take a compass!!!! No kidding, I have really good sense of direction but we were constantly going 2-3 blocks the wrong direction before we figured out where we were all the time.

We came back with Delta because of the SLC connection. It was slick! When we listed the res agent actually listed us in business but when we got to the airport AirFrance does all the check in and they put us back to economy. I saw the Delta non-revs got upgraded but not us. My opinion - NW has better equipment with individual on-demand video at each seat but lousy food. Delta had better food but lousy entertainment. They showed us two kids movies and you had no choice!

Another piece of advice about Paris. You hear about the rudeness of Parisians. I&#39;ve always found that if I make even half an effort to speak to them in French, they will be very helpful and kind. So, be sure you know the basics of asking for help, meals, bathrooms, directions, etc. in French.

Let me know if there&#39;s anything else I can tell you. Have fun!!!