The flight we looked at taking is 3.5 hours after we land at 7:30 - so I was off... you are right willt - bottom line we get into paris late on the 23 and I am not going to send the friend of stepson to the apartment ahead of us in a country where he does not speak the language and has never been...

well traveled adults have issues...

*If* the payment were wired ahead of time for the apartment, then the agent could let him in, although I would not like that option either.

If something does go sideways, though, is he capable of booking and staying at a hotel by himself? Would his parents be mad at you? Hopefully that will not be the case, but among plane problems, crew problems, weather problems, and airport problems, something could happen where this was necessary.

WillT - I asked the Mom that and asked if he would have a credit card etc. She said yes - he is flying home by himself and going through Chicago in Jan.... that is why I orginally asked if he had a credit card and if she was comfortable with him getting a room etc.

Dawn, That's reassuring. I'd also suggest having cell phones that are enabled for roaming. It really facilitates meeting up, even though the calls are expensive. Texting is not so bad.