Standby to Paris
 

I would like to take my 15yr. old to Paris during a school break in February. Flying standby is of course tricky and I would not want to make advance hotel reservations. Will I have trouble getting a hotel after arrival in Paris? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'm too paranoid to try to fly standby or to go anywhere without reservations, but. . .<BR>I think in February it shouldn't be that much of a problem. In these easy internet days, I'd line up a couple hotels in advance, email them with your dilemna and ask if they are likely to have rooms available if you arrive. You could do this just a day or two ahead, and at least it could save you some legwork when you get there. Assuming your arrival would be in early morning, they might even let you reserve and then cancel on that morning if you are still sitting at home, not making the flight.

While you probably COULD do it, it doesn't seem to make sense to fly standby when you can easily lock in reserved seats for a very reasonable cost during that period. The same applies to hotel reservations, for that matter. Take advantage of the low season and line up your arrangements. I frequently see bumps being offered in every season on transatlantic flights and that means the standby passengers aren't getting seats. Particularly when you are trying to hit a school break, why risk disappointment and the very real possibility that you will end up paying more for a dicey way of doing things?

After further review, I think I know why you're flying standby....<BR> <BR>So I like Patrick's suggestion. Good luck. :o)

If you aren't picky about where you stay, I'm sure you will find a hotel room SOMEWHERE in Paris. YOu can go to the main tourist office at 127 av Champs-Elysees and they will help you. There's no harm in doing what Patrick suggested, and then calling upon arrival, but I wouldn't expect a hotel to make a reservation for you and not charge a cancellation fee if you don't make it. Especially if the reason you want a reservation is because it's a well-known popular hotel you've read that a lot of people like. <BR><BR>I have read that February is actually one of the busiest hotel months in Paris. I don't know the reasons why (more than March, for example)--partly it may be because there are regular fashion shows in February. On the other hand, I have seen a very few hotels that give discounts in February so they must not cater to that trade (you can see them on www.123france.com). I think you will get something, just maybe not exactly what you want.

You should not have too much of a problem in Feb.... however, I would scope out in advance 3-4 hotels in the area that you want to stay, email them in advance to let them know your situation to get prices and availability, .... and wait until you get there to confirm.<BR><BR>Have fun!

You can use www.HRS.com to make hotel reservations in Paris - at some hotels, without a credit card. They will hold such rooms usually until 4PM. Or you can hold the room with a credit card and cancel within the advertised cancellation period.<BR><BR>I don't think you will find great deals with HRS, but at least you can hold something if you are still not sure about taking this trip.<BR><BR>Andrew<BR>

I think that if you email the hotel like Patrick suggests and advise them of the standby situation, see what they say regarding cancellation at the last minute.