This is the first in a series of posts highlighting the fabulous features that await you at SMELLS LIKE FIFTEEN SPIRIT (May 28-31, 2009). Here's a note from our savvy Entertainment chair, Cecily Kovatch:
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You might be wondering what to expect at our 15th reunion. Well, as Entertainment Chair, I can tell you to expect a rockin' time with a little something for everyone!
Thursday night starts with a wide variety of your favorite hits. Feel free to write in with any requests.
On Friday, we have Right On!, an authentic ten-piece show band with a full horn section. They have performed all over the world including in New York for New Year's Eve, at the inauguration ball at the White House, and at the 15th reunion last year for the Class of 1993! They were such a hit at the 15th last year that many '94s requested we have them for our reunion. We moved fast and secured their spot under our tent. As you can see, while our theme is Grunge, there will be a variety of music throughout the weekend to keep you on your toes, and on the dance floor. Right On! will play Motown, Disco, '70s Funk, as well as some '80s Retro.
Saturday night will bring the '80s tribute band Breakfast Club. For those of you who were at our 10th reunion, Breakfast Club played then, and people were literally dancing on the tables. They rock! Expect a little Journey, The Cure, the Police, Billy Idol, Rick Springfield,Van Halen, etc.
At our Friday Class Dinner, expect an a cappella singing group. I won't tell you which one yet, so you'll have to come to find out!
And Entertainment continues with something novel: we're working with some of the other major reunions for the FIRST-EVER SINGLES MINGLE at Princeton Reunions. For those who are looking to meet that special tiger or tigress, come out on Friday night of reunions from 8:30 to 10:30 PM to mingle with the singles of the Classes of '89, '84, and '79. To help us plan food and beverage for the event, it would be great if those interested could RSVP at http://Princeton79.org/index.php?Page=MingleRSVP.php?Event=Mingle. Feel free to invite other Princeton singles even if they are in a satellite class.
It should be a great weekend with something for everyone. See you there!
Cecily (cecilyk2000 -at- mac.dot.com).
REGISTER TODAY FOR SMELLS LIKE FIFTEEN SPIRIT at www.princeton94.org. Early registration has been extended to 3/31/09. Don't delay!
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Budget Travel Blog 3: Airline Fees
Thinking about booking your flights to Reunions soon? Good plan! How very proactive, Princetonian and patriotic of you. A friend recently told me that spending money is everyone's national civic duty, so here's your chance to party with old classmates and stimulate the economy in the process. However, let's not forget this is a budget blog. We certainly don't want you over-spending on that trip. After all, these times call for fiscal responsibility. So before you buy your tickets, make sure you follow these important steps.
Step 1: Communicate With Your Constituents
Translation ... change your Facebook status to "(your name) is booking a flight to Princeton Reunions." God knows we can't do anything these days without micro-blogging it. Plus, it will signal all your P'ton friends to get their travel on as well. (Did I just say get their travel on?)
Step 2: Seek Bipartisan Input
Translation ... don't just tap your usual travel resources. Cross the aisle and consult some new experts to help you find the best deal. (This is really just a self-serving plug for you to read this blog.)
Step 3: Avoid the Pork (ironically, the only meaty section of this post)
Translation ... don't let hidden airline fees turn your "deal" into a deficit. From checked baggage to extra leg room to speaking with a live human, these little extras are a big annoyance. Especially if you're not expecting them. So before you grudgingly book that red-eye flight to save $50, double check the fees. Your total cost may be the same with a carrier that offers a more sleep-friendly schedule ... and doesn't charge you for a pillow in the process.
For handy reference, we've included a comprehensive chart compiled by USA Today. It was published back in August, so we'll cross-check some of the info and post any corrections to this blog in the coming days. Even better, if any of you have more accurate info, go ahead and note that in the Comments section. (Just pretend this is a Wiki if that makes you feel more hip.)
Airlines' rising fees confuse and anger their passengers
USA Today 08.18.08
From booking to on-board snacking, rising airline fees add up
These charts shows fees that U.S. airlines commonly charge coach passengers on domestic flights. Fees may be different than shown, depending on an individual traveler's circumstances. For instance, ticket-change fees can vary depending on whether a ticket is changed online, through an airline's telephone-reservation system or through a travel agent. Preferred-seat charges may be higher on some routes or some types of planes, or may vary for different kinds of seats. Many airlines reduce or waive certain fees for very frequent fliers or for passengers who pay full coach fares. The information in these charts was up to date as of Friday, August 8.
RESERVATIONS | |||
 | |||
| Airline | Book ticket by phone | Preferred seat | Ticket change fee3 |
| |||
| AirTran | $15 | $6-$20 | $75 |
| |||
| Alaska | $15 | NA | $75-$100 |
| |||
| American | $20 | NA | $150 |
| |||
| Continental | $15 | NA | $150 |
| |||
| Delta | $25 | NA | $100 |
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| Frontier | $25 | NA | $150 |
| |||
| Hawaiian | $10 or $201 | NA | $150 or $200 |
| |||
| JetBlue | $15 | $10-$30 | $100 |
| |||
| Midwest | $25 | $25-$502 | $100 |
| |||
| Northwest | $20 | $5-$35 | 1504 |
| |||
| Southwest | 0 | $15-$20 | 0 |
| |||
| Spirit | 0 | Up to several hundred dollars | $80-$90 |
| |||
| United | $25 | $14-$149 | $150 |
| |||
| US Airways | $25 | $5-$25 | $150 |
| |||
| Virgin America | $10 | $50-$100 | $75 |
| |||
| 1 — Begins in September; 2 — On Boeing 717s that begin flying this fall; $65 on McDonnell Douglas MD-80s that will cease flying Sept. 8; 3 — Ticket bought from a travel agent may have different fee; 4 — Some routes may have smaller fee | |||
| |||
FREQUENT FLIERS | ||||
| ||||
| Airline | Book free frequent-flier ticket on phone1 | Book free frequent-flier ticket on-line1 | Change free frequent-flier ticket | Fee for buying frequent-flier miles/credits |
| ||||
| AirTran | 0 | 0 | $75 | $39/credit |
| ||||
| Alaska | $15 | 0 | $100 | $27.50/1,000 miles; $275/10,000 miles |
| ||||
| American | $20 | $5 | $150 | $27.50/1,000 miles; $250/10,000 miles |
| ||||
| Continental | $25 | 0 | $150 | $32/1,000 miles; $320/10,000 miles |
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| Delta | $25 | 0 | $100 | $55/2,000 miles; $275/10,000 miles |
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| Frontier | $25 | 0 | $35 | $28/1,000 miles; $250/10,000 miles |
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| Hawaiian | $10-$20 | 0 | $30 -$150 | $32.25/$1,000 miles; $322.50/10,000 miles |
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| JetBlue | $15 | 0 | $100 | $5/point |
| ||||
| Midwest | $25 | 0 | $50 | $29.38/1,000 miles; $293.75/10,000 miles |
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| Northwest | $25 | $25 | $50 | $28/1,000 miles; $280/10,000 miles |
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| Southwest | 0 | 0 | 0 | Not for sale |
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| Spirit | Can't book on phone | 0 | $80-$90 | Not for sale |
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| United | $25 | 0 | $150 | $67.25/1,000 miles; $357.50/10,000 miles |
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| US Airways | $55 ($80 Hawaii) | $30 | $150 ($250 Hawaii) | $50/1,000 miles; $275/10,000 miles |
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| Virgin America | $10 | 0 | $75 | Not for sale until 2009 |
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| 1 — A fee may apply or could be higher if booking is made close to departure | ||||
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IN THE AIRPORT | |||||
| Airline | Check bag at curbside | First checked bag | Second checked bag | Third checked bag | Annual fee for airport club lounge membership3 |
| |||||
| AirTran | 0 | 0 | $252 | $50 | No lounges |
| |||||
| Alaska | No curb service | 0 | $25 | $100 | $375 new member; $275 renewal |
| |||||
| American | 0 | $15 | $25 | $100 | $450 new member; $400 renewal |
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| Continental | 0 | 0 | $25 | $100 | $450 new member; $400 renewal |
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| Delta | $3 | 0 | $50 | $125 | $450 new member; $400 renewal |
| |||||
| Frontier | 0 | 0 | $25 | $50 | No lounges |
| |||||
| Hawaiian | No curb service | 0-$151 | $17-$25 | $25-$100 | $150 |
| |||||
| JetBlue | $2 | 0 | $20 | $75 | No lounges |
| |||||
| Midwest | 0 | 0 | $20 | $100 | $250 |
| |||||
| Northwest | $2 at 19 airports; no fee at others | $15 | $25 | $100 | $450 new member; $400 renewal |
| |||||
| Southwest | 0 | 0 | 0 | $25 | No lounges |
| |||||
| Spirit | No curb service | $15-$25 | $25 | $100 | No lounges |
| |||||
| United | $2 | $15 | $25 | $125 | $500 |
| |||||
| US Airways | $15 | $15 | $25 | $100 | $390 |
| |||||
| Virgin America | No curb service | 0 | $25 | $25 | $40 for access to one lounge |
| |||||
| 1 — Begins in September; 2 — Effective Sept. 18; $10/$20 until then; 3 — Lower fee may apply for very frequent fliers | |||||
| |||||
IN-FLIGHT SERVICES | |||||||
| Airline | Headset | Non-alcoholic beverage | Alcoholic beverage | Snack | Meal | Unaccompanied minor age 5-7 | Pet aboard flight |
| AirTran | 0 | 0 | $6 | 0 | No meals | $39 | $69 |
| Alaska | $5-$10 | 0 | $5 | 0-$5 | $5 | $75 | $100 |
| American | $2 | 0 | $6 | $2-$4 | $6 | $100 | $100 |
| Continental | $1 | 0 | $5 | 0 | 0 | $75 | $125 |
| Delta | $3 | 0 | $7 | 0-$3 | $4-$10 | $100 | $150 |
| Frontier | 0 | 0-$3 | $6 | $3 | $6-$7 | $50 | No pets allowed |
| Hawaiian | $5 | 0 | $6 | 0-$51 | 0 | $35-$75 | $35-$175 |
| JetBlue | $1 | 0-$3 | $5 | 0 | No meals | $75 | $75 |
| Midwest | No headsets | 0 | $5 | 0 | $6-$11 | $50 | $100 |
| Northwest | $3 | 0 | $5 | $3-$7 | $10 | $75 | $80 |
| Southwest | No headsets | 0 | $4 | 0 | No meals | 0 | No pets allowed |
| Spirit | No headsets | $2-$3 | $5-$7 | $2-$4 | No meals | $75 | $85 |
| United | 0 | 0 | $6 | No fee (testing $3 snack on some routes) | $5-$7 | $99 | $1252 |
| US Airways | $5 | $1-$2 | $7 | $5 | $7 | $100 | $100 |
| Virgin America | 0 | 0 | $5-$6 | $2-$3 | $7-$9 | $75 | $100 |
| 1— $15 fee begins Oct. 1 on mainland U.S.-Hawaii flights; 2— $100 until Aug. 18 | |||||||
| Sources: Airlines, USA TODAY research by Gary Stoller | |||||||
