Has anyone here ever used Expedia to buy tickets? Ten days ago, I bought my ticket to NY on American Airlines via Expedia, and the service charge (charged by expedia) has shown up on my credit card statement, but the actual ticket (charged by AA) has not. My big worry is that in the meantime, I got a new credit card, so I am worried that when AA try to actually charge me for my ticket, it won't go through and I will be screwed.

My itinerary on Expedia is confirming the ticket purchase by AA, but where's the charge?

You are right (given I'd spend more that $10 on a potluck) but like I said, something in me thinks asking for $ in an invite is gauche. Yet asking for contributions or a freaking dish , doesn't. I contain multitudes of contradictions.

This is me as well. I don't think twice about being asked to bring a bottle/six-pack or a dish (or asking for people to do same when I'm hosting) but someone charging money for their party would give me pause.

I guess, one explanation would be that if everyone brings drink and/or food to share, they're guaranteed that there will be at least one thing for them to consume that they will enjoy and it's an oppurtunity to share something they like with others, whereas having a cover charge has a stigma of whatever you're providing better be damn good or people are going to be resentful of "wasting money".

Another explanation is that different groups of people have different currencies .

Sue, I'd call AA, just to check. I always do e-tickets, so I never hear from the airlines, merely the dealer, and I have no idea what the delay between the two is. Perhaps you did that? Which reminds me, I'm getting a new issue of my card soon. I wonder if I should wait until after my TG trip to start using it, in case the swipe at Southwest expects the old and it is somehow different than the new.

When I bring something to a party, it's more often than not a host gift. I don't expect to eat or drink of it unless the invite said potluck. So I may show up with a bottle of wine (or not -- I don't pretend to be a good guest as often as I'd like), but it's not about me drinking any of it.

Sarameg, you are wise. I haven't done anything yet, I just checked my CC statement tonight. I was mostly wondering if this is some kind of crazy SOP for Expedia.

I'm going to call them tomorrow, I think it's about time to tidy the house and get ready for bed.

Hee, I can be wise after four fingers of scotch!

I only bring host gifts for housewarmings or otherwise New stuff. Or if I'm imposing. It'd never occur to me otherwise.

Hell, it was only recently I figured out I needed to tip the shampoo person.

Well, we were talking about BYOB and potluck vs. having a cover charge. Bringing a gift for the host is different.

I'm not saying there's necessarily anything wrong in charging an entry fee for a party, just that I personally would have different expectations from a party I paid to go to versus one where I was asked to BYOB. (And would never in a million years think to charge people for one of my parties because of said expectations.)

I am random and erratic. And also don't expect or want gifts from guests.

kashi:

we were talking about BYOB and potluck vs. having a cover charge

But what I'm saying is that the practice of just bringing stuff for your host (which is what I was talking about from the start, hence the mention of flowers) is SOP enough that it doesn't twig me, and I was extrapolating that to it not affecting my expectations of the party.

I only bring host gifts for housewarmings or otherwise New stuff. Or if I'm imposing. It'd never occur to me otherwise.

Likewise. Gifts are for housewarmings, showers, weddings and birthdays. The rest of the time I may bring something to share (and will definitely if requested) but not a gift. I wouldn't even know what to give in those situations, as I don't drink wine and have no clue as to what would be good and what's just rancid grape remains.

Hell, it was only recently I figured out I needed to tip the shampoo person.

Huh. Of course, in the rare instances I've been to a place where they washed my hair, it was done by the stylist.

I am random and erratic. And also don't expect or want gifts from guests.

Neither do I. I always specify "no gifts" on the invitations for any parties I throw. Having people I like at my parties is enough of a "gift" to me.