Princeton Class of 1994: 15th Reunion Blog

Budget Travel Blog 5: 14 Day alert for last minute planners

Fellow classmates ... here's your official 14 day reminder for our 15th Reunion.  What?   You didn't remember to set the alert on your Crackberry/iPhone/Treo?  Not to worry, we're always looking out for you.

In just two weeks, Old Nassau will be filling up with revelers of all ages.  Hopefully you'll be among the crowds.  If you're still making last minute plans, here is some useful info to help you get to campus as frugally as possible:

TRAIN TRAVELERS:

Amtrak offers a group discount for Princeton University Alumni, specifically for reunions.  Receive 10% off the lowest available fare.  Offer is good between May 25 and June 6.  Here's the link for more info and the all important discount code you'll need when you buy your ticket:

http://www.campustravel.com/university/princetonreunion/amtrak_ltr.pdf

AIR TRAVELERS:

Either it really does pay to procrastinate, or this is indeed the summer of the friendly skies.  Airfares are landing within reasonable range, so don't assume you've missed the boat.  Plane.  Whatever.  Here are the latest prices quoted by Kayak.com, from some of our largest alumni hubs:

• LA - lowest fare currently $219
• Bay Area (SFO/OAK/SJC) - lowest fare currently $219
• Chicago - lowest fare currently $199
• Houston - lowest fare currently $152 (Hobby), $217 (GB Int'l)
• Seattle - lowest fare currently $316
• London - lowest fare currently $450
• Atlanta - lowest fare currently $260

(Above fares are to/from either EWR, JFK, LGA or PHL for travel 5/28-5/31.)

Reunions Highlight: Children's Activities

On the fence about bringing your little tigers to Reunions?  Don't be.  We'll have activities galore to amuse them -- as well as subliminally persuade them that they simply must go to Princeton.  This will, in turn, lead to well-behaved children who do all of their homework.  And where else can you get seven meals, costumes, and this much entertainment over three days?  It's a bargain!

So what's on deck?

ALL WEEKEND:

Arts and crafts, ball pit, play area, scavenger hunt with prizes.

Kid-friendly meals and drinks.

A changing/nursing room for those with babies and toddlers.

FRIDAY:

Bounce house or slide, smoothie machine.

Tiger Camp.

SATURDAY:

Face-painting, P-Rade!

Tiger Camp.

To register for Tiger Camp, go here.

Budget Travel Blog 4: Fare Updates

Just a quick update since our 3/9 posting.  Kayak has alerted us that airfares from SFO-EWR have gone down to $289 on United & Continental today.   Great opportunity for all our Bay Area classmates to book their trips!

We'll post more fare updates as we find them ...

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

Click here for full article.

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
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
Delta	$25	0	$100	$55/2,000 miles; $275/10,000 miles
Frontier	$25	0	$35	$28/1,000 miles; $250/10,000 miles
Hawaiian	$10-$20	0	$30 -$150	$32.25/$1,000 miles; $322.50/10,000 miles
JetBlue	$15	0	$100	$5/point
Midwest	$25	0	$50	$29.38/1,000 miles; $293.75/10,000 miles
Northwest	$25	$25	$50	$28/1,000 miles; $280/10,000 miles
Southwest	0	0	0	Not for sale
Spirit	Can't book on phone	0	$80-$90	Not for sale
United	$25	0	$150	$67.25/1,000 miles; $357.50/10,000 miles
US Airways	$55 ($80 Hawaii)	$30	$150 ($250 Hawaii)	$50/1,000 miles; $275/10,000 miles
Virgin America	$10	0	$75	Not for sale until 2009
1 — A fee may apply or could be higher if booking is made close to departure

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
Continental	0	0	$25	$100	$450 new member; $400 renewal
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

Budget Travel Blog 2: Airfares

Ok, time for more SMELLS LIKE ... A DEAL:  REUNIONS TRAVELS TIPS FOR THE RECESSION-WEARY.

There are only 80 days until our 15th reunion, so no better time than now to start planning, pricing, and purchasing your trip to the Garden State.

Let's start with airfares, shall we?   

After several years of purchasing airline tix via OTA's (online travel agencies) such as Expedia or Priceline, I have personally made the switch to Kayak.com, an aggregator (or meta-search site) that is easy to use, doesn't charge fees, and has killer controls for users to manipulate their search results in real time.

As an aggregator site, Kayak doesn't actually sell tickets, it simply searches all the airline sites + several of the OTA's to find and display the lowest fares available.  Its other value-add is the ease with which you can filter and further narrow the results dynamically (e.g. takeoff time, layover time, type of aircraft, etc.).  Once you've found what you want, Kayak clicks you through to the actual site (e.g. AA.com, cheaptickets.com, etc.) to make the purchase.  Kayak also offers email alerts and airfare history data to help ensure you are finding the best deal.  Oh - and also - their prices include all airline taxes and fees, unlike other sites which 'surprise' you later on.

If you're unfamiliar with Kayak.com, check out this How-To article that walks you through the process:

http://www.cheapticketlinks.org/how-to-search-kayak/

Meantime, because we are here to help ... your friendly budget travel blogger has signed up for several daily email alerts to track airfares to Newark from the cities listed below.  Watch this blog for updates on prices:

• LA (lowest fare currently $290)
• SF (lowest fare currently $299)
• Chicago (lowest fare currently $257)
• Houston (lowest fare currently $304)
• Seattle (lowest fare currently $299)
• London (lowest fare currently $347)
• Boston (lowest fare currently $159)
• DC (lowest fare currently $119)
• Atlanta (lowest fare currently $209) 

(Above fares are to/from Newark for travel 5/28-5/31. We will also periodically check Philly and NYC airports as well as alternate travel dates.)  

Stay tuned for our next post coming soon ... meantime, don't forget to share your own travel savings tips with classmates by commenting on this blog.  

Smells Like ... a Deal: Reunions Travel Tips for the Recession-Weary

Hi folks.  Welcome to the first installment of your official Princeton Class of 1994 15th Reunion Budget Travel Blog.   Budget travel blog?  Seriously?   That sounds kinda depressing.  But it's true. Even our mighty and beloved Princeton reunions aren't immune to the ailing economy.  We all know that going back to old Nassau can be costly.  But since we don't want that to stand in the way of great attendance this year, we are here to help with some money saving tips and reminders! (cue super hero music)

Now, when I say "we" are here to help ... I am not just referring to yours truly or even to our Reunions committee members, but rather to the "collective we."   Even though I will do my best to scour the internet for the best, most jaw-dropping, miracle-working, mind-blowing travel bargains, I am humble enough to know that I will never be as savvy as our collective community of seasoned travelers.  So consider this your invitation to make this an interactive, participatory blog!   Please use the Comments section of this blog to post your own money saving ideas.  Who knows?  The information you share could make the difference between seeing that long lost classmate at Reunions (yay!) ... or not (boo!).

So let's get started, shall we?  Stay tuned for the next blog post in which we'll focus on planes, trains and automobiles ... oh yeah, and Kayaks.

Registration information -- the basic details

We've received many enthusiastic inquiries about registration for our 15th.  We're still hammering out the technical end of the registration process, as well as some details about what you get at each stage of registration.  But we can share with you the anticipated timing of each phase of registration:

Early-Bird Registration: opens on 2/2/09, ends on 3/15/09.  Early Birds will pay the lowest fees, be guaranteed costumes and all meals, and have priority access to on-campus housing on a first-come/first-served basis.  There will also be some other perks to be announced.

Regular Registration: opens on 3/16/09, ends on 5/15/09.  Regular registrants will pay more in fees than Early Birds but less than Late registrants, be guaranteed costumes and all meals, and have access to any remaining on-campus housing on a first-come/first-served basis. 

Late and Walk-In Registration: opens on 5/16/09 and continues through Reunions, which begin on 5/28/09.  Late registrants will pay the highest fees, will NOT be guaranteed costumes or meals (though every effort will be made to accommodate late registrants), and will NOT have access to on-campus housing.  

We encourage everyone to use the online registration system that will be up and running soon, but we will also have a paper form that you can fill out and mail in with a check.

Thanks!

-- Your Reunions Co-Chairs

Reunions volunteers still needed

SMELLS LIKE FIFTEEN SPIRIT NEEDS YOU!

Classmates,

We have a great team of committee chairs but are still looking for chairs, co-chairs, or committee members for the following areas.  This is a great way to get involved with Reunions and learn the secret inner workings of this vast machine.  Plus, it's fun.  If you're interested in any of these, please leave a note in the comments or email one of the Reunions Chairs.  Here's a brief description of each:

Children's Activities - This person will contact vendors to rent bounce house, water activities, snow cone machine, etc.;  order craft supplies;  build a schedule for children's activities for the weekend;  publicize children's activities to classmates.  The Class of 1993 did a great job with Children's Activities, so we don't have to recreate the wheel here.  We can pretty much do what they did.  Also, this person will help to communicate Tiger Camp details to classmates.

Community Service - Our class goal is to raise $20K to help build Arial Homes in Baja, Mexico.  This person will publicize the project; possibly organize a fundraising call to classmates; track donations and update the class website with our progress v. goal periodically.

P-Rade - The job of the P-Rade chair is to arrange for and manage the class formation, including hiring and coordinating with at least one marching band, any floats, vehicles, posters, etc.

Program - Coordinate class activities, including Class Dinner, arrange for class picture, and build a schedule for the weekend.

Registration - This person will partner with Tania (Cendejas) Gleason to track all registration information before and during Reunions. The Registration Chair must also report the reunion attendance periodically to the Alumni Association and file and Attendance Report immediately after Reunions.

Transportation - The job of the Transportation Chair is to coordinate transportation (vans, golf carts, University shuttle) needed during reunions.

Full descriptions are available on Tigernet: http://alumni.princeton.edu/main/volunteers/reunions_volunteers/

We're also looking for someone to help us blog about money-saving tips for Reunions travel and other costs.  If you're an expert at sniffing out bargains, let us know!

Finally, we're working with several other Reunions classes on a Singles Mixer this year. 

If you would be interested in overseeing any of these committees, please contact Nina (Bojko) Potsiadlo: nbojko@hotmail.com.

Thanks!
Your Reunions Chairs

Welcome to our 15th Reunion: Smells Like Fifteen Spirit

Greetings, classmates!  15 years ago at this time, we were probably all entombed somewhere in Firestone Library, the E Quad, or another library or computer cluster, working on our theses while wearing flannel shirts, jeans, and early fleece, which was not nearly as soft as today's versions.  As fuel for those late nights, Snapple had been invented, but Red Bull had not.  There was one real coffeehouse in town.  We accessed the Internet via something called Gopher, and, luckily, the procrastinatory allure of YouTube was not yet even a glimmer in a young technophile's eye.  Kurt Cobain was still alive, though not for long.

This spring -- May 28-31, 2009 -- we'll take a break from the financial meltdown and re-live our glorious, grungy youth.  This blog will provide you with updates on everything from registration to entertainment to tips for saving money on Reunions travel.  There may be a recession, but the great Class of 1994 will keep up its stellar record of Reunions attendance, creativity, and fun.

Check back regularly for updates from your Reunions chairs, committee chairs, and class officers.  We'll be posting frequently.  For those interested in registering, we'll have information on that by January 15th.

In the meantime, feel free to email us with any questions.

Your Reunions Chairs,

James Gomez (gomez at alumni-dot-princeton-dot-edu)
Jason Hollander (jasonhollandermd at yahoo-dot-com)
Nina (Bojko) Potsiadlo (nbojko at hotmail-dot-com)
Sarah Rogers (serogers at yahoo-dot-com)