Friend had another friend cancel last minute plans. Has offered to have me join her and pay my way to Chicago and put me up in hotel with airmiles points. We'll be there for a weekend. What expenses of hers should I pick up?

The cost of the pistol she's using to shoot the friend who canceled.

Be liberal with paying for dinner/drinks and cabs. What is your budget? Mabe I can suggest some good restaurants.

jvs hit it exactly--if you can afford to treat her to one 'event' meal, tell her in advance you'd like to thank her for her generosity and take her out to dinner. The rest of the time, split the tab the way you would if you had each paid for your own tickets, but err on the generous side--pick up an extra cab fare, drink tab, etc. Don't try to repay her exactly for the amount of your hotel & airfare --she obviously invited you because she wants to enjoy your company, and you may not have been planning for the extra expenses, so be yourself.

You're quite right cindy-I wasn't planning this at all and it's really not in the budget but how could I pass it up? So I'll pay for a nice dinner one night with the wine etc. We're right down town Chicago so maybe able to walk lots. Otherwise, lunches, other dinner etc everyone agree we split 50/50? thanks for advice

I concur with the idea of treating your friend to a great dineer and 50/50 afther that. You're probably doing your friend a favor by going. S/he may not want to travel a lone and would lose $$ by cancelling entirely. Consider this mutual enrichment-friend gains a companion, you get an inexpensive getaway.

I'd also buy a nice bottle of wine for the room at the hotel. Plus pay for dinner and then 50/50 after that. Nice little surprise!

Are you the same Doris who wanted to know about etiquette on a plane and who got plain nasty towards the end?? can't beleive you are back! Doris is a troll y'all! Ignore her!