No worries - I'm sure ALCO will tip a few for you... :)

Ditto, though I'm in Y to/from BRU for my reward ticket.

I am figuring out how we'll get there. IAH-EWR-BRU seems like the best plan right now since both segments on are 767s (and we'll be on time constraints). I think I may cash in some miles for an upgrade on the EWR-BRU segment but we'll see, the availability has been sparse.

If the fares drop, I'll just grab two BF tickets.

I'm leaning towards IAH-AMS; Train; BRU-EWR-CLE-IAH (for some new FM lines). Now, to wait patiently until the prices drop.

No sure what your schedule is, but there is decent upgrade availability leaving EWR on 1/14. The 15th is (like you said) sparse.

FWIW

I did a Pub Crawl this summer with a friend of mine from Germany. Had a great time, Delirium pub is definitely worth a visit, hard to find but worth the effort. in BRU the food is great but like any city has they have lots of 'tourist traps' where the food is just so-so.

For you SPG's folks out there the Sheraton is OK but ugly. The four points cheap and far away. And in my opinion Le Meridien's have gone down hill over all (although some notable exceptions did not stay at this one, but for the price I think you can do better). If you do not need the points for a hotel chain I would recommend some of the local smaller hotels in the center. I stayed at the La Plaza, they gave us a great rate, and it is an old style hotel, which I like. Nice, comfortable, very friendly, a great lobby bar, good bed, but lacked wifi and a real spa or fitness center. Over all a great value for what the weekend was for.

Anyway just my two cents, have a great time!

I'm sure he will.

This trip will be equivalent to a Rehabilitation Center field-trip to Medellín.

Tell Lar' Baby that this is BRU, not FCO and his favorite flying couple expect a winter fare sub $500 AI from CLE.

P.S. Taxes are higher from CLE: $101.70

I might burn some of my many DL vouchers if I end up going to this event.

hey hey hey, I am not addicted to blow, I just do it for the taste.

Have fun everyone, what with the dollar firming up against all currencies, it was an awful 1.50something when I was there in April.

Anybody who purchased their tickets already, can you tell me what the departure taxes leaving BRU are?

I paid $37.60 in Y for the Belgium Embarkation Tax, according to my receipt.

U.S. Security Service Fee: 2.50
Belgium Embarkation Tax: 37.60
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
Per Person Total: 57.60

Awesome. Just needed to see how much I'd have to pay for my ticket:) Thanks so much!