Here is my logistical information as of now:

I am arriving on US Airways flight 3110 from Charlotte, which is scheduled to land at 3:00 in the afternoon tomorrow, giving me 2 hours and 30 minutes to transfer from my US Airways flight to the OpenSkies flight, which I did not realize until now that they are both in Terminal 7. How convenient! I spent 50,000 Dividend Miles and US$60.00 for this, but I figured with the downhill spiral that the US Airways Dividend Miles frequent flier program is currently undertaking, I probably should get rid of many of my Dividend Miles before August. The main frequent flier program of which I am a member is Delta Air Lines SkyMiles and, while I would have used fewer miles, the scheduling was not as convenient and it would have cost me an additional US$20.00.

I return on US Airways flight 3107, which is scheduled to depart for Charlotte at 3:35 in the afternoon, giving me 2 hours and 10 minutes to transfer from the OpenSkies flight in business class to the US Airways flight on a regional jet.

How is that for instant culture shock?

I have a room booked at the Hilton Paris Orly Airport hotel, checking in on Saturday night, June 21 and checking out on Sunday, June 22. Considering the currently horrid exchange rate between the United States dollar and the Euro, the rate is a decent €110.00, which includes all taxes and service charges. I decided to pay for this non-refundable rate rather than use points.

My lodging for Friday night, June 20 into Saturday is still undecided at this time. I am thinking about using 40,000 Hilton HHonors points at either the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris hotel or the Hilton Paris, or I might perhaps try to secure the following if it is still available:Advice is certainly welcome.

Thank you in advance.

Well, if Hilton Paris is available, there are a few others staying there, which could make for easy cab sharing in and out of the city, if that's any incentive.

Edited to add: And congrats on finishing up the MBA!

Just FYI dinner for Friday night is now CONFIRMED. We'll have two tables of six, so please start confirming if you'll be joining us. Same applies for the other activities, please!

Thank you on both counts.I am confirming for dinner on Friday evening.

FWIW,

Just got off the phone with Aviation Club de France.

I'm planning on possibly making a late visit on Friday evening.

Was able to confirm that the Punto Banco (American Baccarat) table minimums are €20. If this is big table, these are incredibly low limits; as it is next to impossible to find a big baccarat game in the states for under $100 table minimum.

The nice gentleman only spoke a little English, but he was trying to explain his Baccarat Banque game to me. I was able to comprehend that the minimum seems to be €60, and that they play two shoes at 6PM and then again at 10.30PM.

My "assumption" is that the minimums for roulette or blackjack would not be any higher than €20.

Since this visit is more exploratory, than anything --- though, I might get sucked into a game...... I am bit hesitate as there seems to be a €100 entrance fee.

Do you think they'll status match (Harrah's Diamond or Borgata Black Label) and let me in for free. LOL

No, but let me know if they do!

Wish I was going to Paris with the gang

I'm in for dinner on Friday, and the music/wandering/dinner on Saturday night. Can't wait!!

I am in for Saturday night also.

I found the Courtyard Paris Defense West - Colombes at a rate of €94.00, so I will get my Marriott fix as well. I check in on Friday, June 20 and check-out on Saturday, June 21.

At an equivalent of approximately US$150.00 for the night all inclusive, I could not resist this rate.

Note on the Musee D'Orsay website FYI:

"The museum will close at 4pm on Saturday 21 June 2008 to prepare for the Fête de la Musique."

Not that there isn't plenty of other stuff to do in Paris

I'm in for dinner on Friday, and the music/wandering/dinner on Saturday night. Can't wait!!

True, but I do wonder if other music sites (i.e. museums and public attractions) will do the same? Then again, perhaps it would be a good time to put my feet up for a rest pending the evening's activities.

Does anyone believe that it is worth purchasing a 2-day adult pass for the Metro and RER (which would include unlimited rides and transportation to and from Orly airport) for €14.00 total?

Actually, Orly is in a zone which increases the two-day pass to €27.50 total. That does not sound like a good deal after all.

I am re-thinking this due to the fact that it is fairly far west of Paris......for this reason:Should I spend the 40,000 Hilton HHonors points on Hilton Paris to possibly help offset transportation costs, or should I keep my reservation at the Courtyard Paris Defense West - Colombes at a rate of €94.00?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

The Hilton Paris guests plan to taxi it to the hotel from Orly.

I am the only one staying overnight on Saturday at the Hilton Paris. I planned to meet up with the IC people to taxi it to Orly on Sunday. I'm sure we can figure out the best groupings once we figure out the distance between the hotels for those who overnight in town on Saturday night.

I think we need one of those hotel maps Lucky has someone make when he plans a DO. <hint hint>

I just got an email to OLCI, but I'm not sure if I want to. While it's good in case my flight is delayed, I want to be sure to get a real boarding pass for the inaugural. Thoughts? Should I print it now just in case and ask for a new one at the gate?

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 6.12) Sprint:PPC6800)

That is exactly what I was planning.