I thought I'd start a thread for the Roachfest attendees to post their travel budget estimates. It will be interesting to see who's spending the most & the least money to attend the festivities. I'll start with mine:


Airfare $317.20 (.066/mile)
In-flight cafe b/c upgrade is unlikely to clear on LAX-PHL leg: $10
Drink at Marriott bar Friday night: $10
Breakfast 8/7 $5
Hotel: $98/night + tax = $196 + tax (estimated $220) $220
Local call to do web-check-in from hotel rm due to no E bucket: $1.00
Registration + ballgame: $55
Drinks at Roachfest (assuming not included in price tag) $20
Rental car/gas contribution to Atlantic Beach (estimate) $20
LAX parking: $20
Petco gift certificate for friend who's watching my dog: $25
Total budget (estimated): $703.20
Cost: Priceless

I thought I'd start a thread for the Roachfest attendees to post their travel budget estimates. It will be interesting to see who's spending the most & the least money to attend the festivities. I'll start with mine:


Airfare $317.20 (.066/mile)
In-flight cafe b/c upgrade is unlikely to clear on LAX-PHL leg: $10
Drink at Marriott bar Friday night: $10
Breakfast 8/7 $5
Hotel: $98/night + tax = $196 + tax (estimated $220) $220
Local call to do web-check-in from hotel rm due to no E bucket: $1.00
Registration + ballgame: $55
Drinks at Roachfest (assuming not included in price tag) $20
Rental car/gas contribution to Atlantic Beach (estimate) $20
LAX parking: $20
Petco gift certificate for friend who's watching my dog: $25
Total budget (estimated): $703.20
Cost: Priceless



I have so wanted to have this information available for Airways when they arrive, could the other 46 attendees follow this fine young lady's lead.

Gosh, I am not that organized! All I know is that I am driving up from DC so I have tolls and gas. I haven't decided if I am spending the night or not yet. It doesn't matter to me -- I'll just do a PL hotel if I decide to stay (gotta decide in the next few days). Does anyone else from DC want to car pool?

Okay, I'll give this a try for Ms. rtpflyer and myself:
Airfare: $76.70 ea. r.t. Up Sat. AM, Back Sun. AM = $153.40
Hotel:$124/night + tax - $100 Marriott bonus bucks certificate = about $41
Car Rental: about $50 (including gas)
Public Transit: $8
Sat. AM Breakfast snacks at PHL airport: about $10
RF Attendance for 2: $70
Drinks at RF: $20
Sat. Dinner at Le Bec Fin: $135 e.a plus wine + tax + tip = about $400
New dress slacks and belt for Le Bec Fin: $80 (but this should be amortized over every wedding and funeral I attend for the next few years.)
RDU Airport Parking: $12

Total for 2: $844.40 (or $422.20 each)

So what ELSE have I left out? :rolleyes:

So what have I left out?

Oh, about another $100 for your Le Bec Fin bill! Get her a nice bottle of wine for her birthday.

PA Turnpike toll: 1.45 each way
Gas usage: 10 gallon - 19.00

Total: 21.90

Do I get the cheap Roach award? ;)

Airfare $0 Fky 3 get 1 from last year
In-flight cafe $0 Not offered.
Drink at Marriott bar Saturday night: $10
Breakfast $0 TFB at Marriott
Hotel: $124.00 + tax = $196 - $100 Bonus Buck = (estimated $40)
Registration + ballgame: $55
Drinks at Roachfest (assuming not included in price tag) $20
Rental car/gas $80
CLT parking: $10
South Street $50
Total budget (estimated): $260
Cost: Many miles on US

PA Turnpike toll: 1.45 each way
Gas usage: 10 gallon - 19.00

Total: 21.90

Do I get the cheap Roach award? ;)

Looking good so far. ;)

Roachfest Admission Fee: $35

Roach Mug (I promised this to the attendee who spent the least on a paid airfare to Roachfest - see the main thread for rules): $12

Septa Subway Tokens X 2: $4
Roachfest Drinks $20

Total: $71

South Street $50


How many beers are you planning on drinking with your cheesesteak? :D

Ok. This looks like an adventure...

I'm flying in from Roanoke Sat AM, going back first thing Sunday AM thru CLT.

Airfare $0 - burned a 25K award.
In-flight cafe - not offered on USEX
Drink at home Fri night $0 - will use a bottle of Jack or Finlandia (with a green lime of course) taken off a previous flight in FC.
Breakfast Sat $0 - will make a mug of latte to drink in the 90 min drive to ROA.
Hotel: $0 - using a voucher snagged from Fairfield Inn in June when they screwed up lodging in ATL for my wife and I
Local call to do web-check-in from hotel rm due to no E bucket: $0 - free internet at hotel, that is assuming I even bring the notebook. Plus can't upgrade a 25K (we all know it's possible with right people...)
Registration + ballgame: $55
Drinks at Roachfest (assuming not included in price tag) $20
Rental car/gas (estimate) $45 - assuming I rent one. I may not. I have one on hold with Hertz.
ROA parking: $12
Babysitting on Saturday for my 3 1/2 year old so my wife can work at her store (in peace) $30
Total budget (estimated): $162 if I added correctly
Fun in meeting everyone from online: Priceless

Are non-alcoholic drinks complimentary at Roachfest (a la coach class)? :D

I flew on Icelandair this summer and they even charge for soft drinks and juices. :(

I flew on Icelandair this summer and they even charge for soft drinks and juices. :(

Shhh...Let's not give anyoen any ideas! ;)

Are non-alcoholic drinks complimentary at Roachfest (a la coach class)?

All I know is the limes better be GREEN! :D

Gosh, I am not that organized! All I know is that I am driving up from DC so I have tolls and gas. I haven't decided if I am spending the night or not yet. It doesn't matter to me -- I'll just do a PL hotel if I decide to stay (gotta decide in the next few days). Does anyone else from DC want to car pool?

Alysia, I might be interested in carpooling...all depends on whether I can go or not (I have a nonrefundable ticket on AA from IAD-LAX for that weekend that I booked long before RoachFest...so need to reschedule)

One hint for anyone driving from the DC area to Philly: Bypass the ridiculous $5 toll on I-95 northbound in Maryland by getting off at the Havre de Grace exit and taking US 40 across the Hatem Bridge, then get back on 95 after the bridge. You can buy a window decal for the US 40 bridge for $5 that gives you unlimited trips for a whole year. A cockroach fare for the roads, as it were ;)

Airfare $317.20 (.066/mile)
In-flight cafe b/c upgrade is unlikely to clear on LAX-PHL leg: $10
Drink at Marriott bar Friday night: $10
Breakfast 8/7 $5
Hotel: $98/night + tax = $196 + tax (estimated $220) $220
Local call to do web-check-in from hotel rm due to no E bucket: $1.00
Registration + ballgame: $55
Drinks at Roachfest (assuming not included in price tag) $20
Rental car/gas contribution to Atlantic Beach (estimate) $20
LAX parking: $20
Petco gift certificate for friend who's watching my dog: $25
Total budget (estimated): $703.20
Cost: Priceless

Airfare $60 - Buy 3 get 1 free - $10 issue + $50 change when previous committment changed
In-Flight Cafe - $0 - Flight's too darn short for that one
Drink at Marriott Bar - Hoping SS255 is paying ;-)
Hotel - $124 for 2 nights...EEO BOGO + earning $100 bonus buck - Net appx $50
Breakfast - Included in my rate - SS255 should be able to join me for free
Rental Car contribution - I guess $20 since I'm in Atlantic Beach's car and SS255 set the bar!!!
Parking at MGW in WV - $0 - Free parking is sweet, huh?
No sense to web check in cuz they don't upgrade freebies - saved a $1.00 there
Roachfest and Ball Game - $55
Total = $185

ChazDawg

US Air Fare: $105.00 (BOS to PHL Go Fare)
Event Admission Fees: $55.00
1 Night Hotel Accommodations: $130 (PHL airport Marriott)
Food/Beverage: $40
Ground Transportation: $10
Other Noncategorized Expenses: $25
Total Estimate: $365.00

I hate to give Bob more things to worry about, but it might be useful for those of you NOT flying (or flying non-USAirways) to compare your cost with flying the captive airline.

I hate to give Bob more things to worry about, but it might be useful for those of you NOT flying (or flying non-USAirways) to compare your cost with flying the captive airline.


No worries here. Alfred E Newman is neurotic compared to me right now.

I live in a suburb of PHL and will just be driving in. I think my only expense is the registration fee :)

Local also so only the cost of gas and registration.

Phillyguy

Oh yeah. Isn't there also a charge for parking at Lincoln Financial?

Drink at Marriott Bar - Hoping SS255 is paying ;-)
Breakfast - Included in my rate - SS255 should be able to join me for free
ChazDawg

Fare trade!

I'm local as well, so gas and registration fee. Where do we park @ Lincoln Financial Field?

Ticket: last year's buy 3 get one free - $5 (will be my first time in coach in 3 years, at least it's only 45min in the exit row)
Hotel: Marriott $99 less $50 gift Certificate from last year (willing to be someone's 2nd for the TFB)
food and beverage: always the biggest expense

Gosh, I am not that organized! All I know is that I am driving up from DC so I have tolls and gas. I haven't decided if I am spending the night or not yet. It doesn't matter to me -- I'll just do a PL hotel if I decide to stay (gotta decide in the next few days). Does anyone else from DC want to car pool?

I've just PL'ed a hotel room for Sat night. I first bid 3* for downtown at $45 but was rejected so I went up to $50 and added the airport zone. I'll be joining the other roaches at the airport Marriott. Cost: $50 + 13.38 tax and fee = 63.38 - 1000 ebay anything points ($10 for me to spend on ebay) = $53.38

I've just PL'ed a hotel room for Sat night. I first bid 3* for downtown at $45 but was rejected so I went up to $50 and added the airport zone. I'll be joining the other roaches at the airport Mariott. Cost: $50 + 13.38 tax and fee = 63.38 - 1000 ebay anything points ($10 for me to spend on ebay) = $53.38
Great. Our South Street tour guide is back! ^

Geeeez. I hadnt decided if I was coming and just checked the fares. Over $300 for NY to PHL. Arg. $138 rt in business class on Amtrak if I do attend. It might be worth it to take the train down just to tell the visitors from US Air thats what I did since their fares we so ridiculous.

Great. Our South Street tour guide is back! ^

Gee I spend one night on South Street and I become known as an expert on South Street.

How many beers are you planning on drinking with your cheesesteak? :D
no cheesesteaks, just drinks. And now that you're comng that total my be too low. :cool:

no cheesesteaks, just drinks. And now that you're comng that total my be too low. :cool:

Uh...I've never been known to drink more than a couple of drinks at any flyertalk event -- just ask anyone who has been on any of the various FT weekends that I've attended. That being said, I think I hear the US Airways GoFares TV commercial fortune teller saying, "Your reputation will be changing as a result of roachfest." :D

Copabanana has the very best Margarita in the city, right across South street from Jims Steaks.

Projected Cost;

6 gallons of gas @ $1.90 = $11.40
2 AC expresway tolls @ $2.00 = $ 4.00
1 W Whitman bridge toll @ $3.00 =$ 3.00
1 RoachFEST Ticket @ $55.00 = $ 55.00
TOTAL = $ 74.40

Projected costs to attend Roachfest:

PA Turnpike Tolls (Exit 74 to Exit 20) Round Trip - $6.50
Cost of gas 8 gallons @ 1.95 gal. - $15.60
Roachfest admission - $35.00
Total cost - $57.10

Talking with representatives from USAirwars - Priceless :-)

As a comparison flying from ABE to PHL - $316.20

Attempting to turn this into a MR from ABE -> any Go-Fare City - approximately $300 premium over last minute Go-Fare price.

Just gas for me, no tolls. Plus any parking at the Linc. My mom hasn't told me her cost for babysitting my daughter (heh), so that doesn't figure into my total of about $50 (registration and gas).

My opinion: South Street ain't what it used to be years ago. Rocky Horror no longer at the TLA....just no fun. It's looked downright TAME the last time I was there.

Airfare for two R/T, AVL-CLT-DCA: $338.60 (slightly late for meeting)
Marriott Airport (Priceline): $63.30
Hertz car/gas/tolls: about $50
Registration and ballgame, for two: $110
Misc: about $100

Total estimate, per person: $330

Two US tickets (chs-clt-phl-clt-chs) $399.30
Hotel x 2 nights (priceline @ crowne plaza city center) $106.00
Roachfest tickets $110.00
My wife's impending shopping spree $ potentially devastating
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total (for two, so far) $615.30

Airfare for 2 on US with first leg upgraded! $213
Hotel $76/night, 2 nights
Hertz $29/day, 2 days
Parking at airport, $16
Roachfest and game, $110
Beer-$$$

Is the Airport Marriott the unofficial HQ gathering place for the roaches or can we visit PineyBob in his natural habitat? :) Is there a meeting time or mini-event at the bar at the Marriott. I owe Spiff a beer.

Is the Airport Marriott the unofficial HQ gathering place for the roaches or can we visit PineyBob in his natural habitat? :) Is there a meeting time or mini-event at the bar at the Marriott. I owe Spiff a beer.
Biggs,

Best I can tell there are about twenty of us at the Marriott. Looks like several are trying to set up a lunch before the fest at around 11:00 / 11:30 range, then head to the meeting. If you want to meet there just let me or jimcfusus or know. (or for that matter anyone else who wants to join about eight of us there). We'll pick somewhere in the Marriott to meet and let everyone know.

I owe Spiff a beer.
Geez, does everybody owe him one too? :eek: I promised I was buying on an aborted trip to SDF a month or so ago.

Biggs,

Best I can tell there are about twenty of us at the Marriott. Looks like several are trying to set up a lunch before the fest at around 11:00 / 11:30 range, then head to the meeting. If you want to meet there just let me or jimcfusus or know. (or for that matter anyone else who wants to join about eight of us there). We'll pick somewhere in the Marriott to meet and let everyone know.

(Sitting and typing next to l4pi in the CLT club... :D )

I've been talking to Gretchyn about doing lunch anyway, and once I found out what options we have near the airport, I'll post here. We can figure we'll meet at/near the Marriott about 11ish. Anyone who's game, please PM myself or l4pi and we'll add you to the lunch plans. (Please add your email in the PM as I'll just do a email list to make it easy.)

Geez, does everybody owe him one too? :eek: I promised I was buying on an aborted trip to SDF a month or so ago.

Oh, no... Not more beer! :eek:

Airfare for 2 on US with first leg upgraded! $213
Hotel $76/night, 2 nights
Hertz $29/day, 2 days
Parking at airport, $16
Roachfest and game, $110
Beer-$$$

Is the Airport Marriott the unofficial HQ gathering place for the roaches or can we visit PineyBob in his natural habitat? :) Is there a meeting time or mini-event at the bar at the Marriott. I owe Spiff a beer.

PineyBob's "Natural Habitat" is 78 miles away on the ocean in Mystic Island. I am a true "Son of the Beach", just ask BBB, or Joe B.

If some of you would like to share an adult beverage Friday evening I might be able to raise up out of the shallow end of the gene pool and drag my knuckles all the way to PHL.

If some of you would like to share an adult beverage Friday evening I might be able to raise up out of the shallow end of the gene pool and drag my knuckles all the way to PHL.

Hmmm...I may be up for a drink Friday night. I know exactly zero of you, and I'd like to meet as many as possible before the official festivities begin. :)

If some of you would like to share an adult beverage Friday evening I might be able to raise up out of the shallow end of the gene pool and drag my knuckles all the way to PHL.

I'm up for an adult beverage(s) Friday. I'm also up for dinner. I should be at the downtown Embassy Suites by about 6pm.

I presume there will still be a crowd lingering at the Marriott bar at around midnight on Friday night? My flight doesn't arrive until 11:45PM.

Hmmm...I may be up for a drink Friday night. I know exactly zero of you, and I'd like to meet as many as possible before the official festivities begin. :)

I'm not that far ahead of you -- I've met only about 5 or so of the people who are attending roachfest.

Unfortunately Im not going to make it. I have some personal committments I cant get out of. But all the best to everyone attending and have a drink for me!