AFF Gathering #13 in SYD on 18 - 20 October 2019

[Major]

Thanks @Fifa . Was just looking for accom, and managed to get the same

Same here. Thanks @Fifa and looking forward to catching up with you both...and @RooFlyer

 

[Jacques Vert]

I am now Platinum for this event!

Luxury Escapes currently has a great deal at the Marriott Circular Quay so I checked the Marriott website and they also have the same offer:
"Harbour Getaway, includes buffet breakfast for 2 guests daily at Silvester's, chocolates upon arrival, 1 bottle of wine upon arrival". Free cancellation up to 17 October.
$499 for 2 nights (plus 3.5% cash back via Cash Rewards).

It's a really expensive weekend for accommodation in Sydney so I'm really pleased I was able to nab this.

Be aware that you may not get the cash back; IME Marriott are likely to claim that this rate is outside the T & Cs of the cashback offer (terms are pretty broad).

BTW: +1 & I are booked there as well.

 

[Fifa]

Be aware that you may not get the cash back; IME Marriott are likely to claim that this rate is outside the T & Cs of the cashback offer (terms are pretty broad).

BTW: +1 & I are booked there as well.

The cashback is showing in my account so I hope it sticks!!!

Looks like the Marriott will be the party hotel which is very unusual.

 

[Major]

Looks like the Marriott will be the party hotel which is very unusual.

With 4 bottles of wine, so far

 

[Jacques Vert]

The cashback is showing in my account so I hope it sticks!

It always shows in the account when you book but then gets denied a few weeks later.

 

[Jacques Vert]

With 4 bottles of wine, so far

And lounge access for some

 

[Quickstatus]

Update...
I’m working on a few options re dinner 19Oct on the basis of 50 pax, circa $85 budget for food. (Bev sep), non exclusive use of whatever space they give us. And avoiding the alternate drop main courses.

Barangaroo House Bea Restaurant Share plates. They wants $6600 minimum guarantee on CC for F&B. Which means $85 for dinner and at least $47 on Bev plus 10% tip/tax/surcharge per person. One non exclusive section of restaurant.

ChinChin on lower level section can do dinner and individual bar tabs. Share plates. Will confirm tomorrow

 

[Quickstatus]

It's a really expensive weekend for accommodation in Sydney

Welcome to the Sydney Surcharge!!

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to the Sydney Surcharge!!

I think we saw that on the post above the quoted one! < Eyes watering>

The tip, of course, will be optional?

 

[Quickstatus]

I think we saw that on the post above the quoted one! < Eyes watering>

The tip, of course, will be optional?

Haha...Not optional The 10% tip is included in the $6600

 

[kookaburra75]

Thanks @Fifa . Was just looking for accom, and managed to get the same

And us too. Thanks for the tip - see the rest of the gang there

 

[Major]

I should confirm that I am now platinum for this event. Unfortunately MrsMajor has other commitments and will not be joining us.

 

[Quickstatus]

So the Sydney Surcharge continues:

ChinChin minimum spend is also $6600 F&B incl 10% gratuity

Menus range between $88-$150pp plus they can arrange a drinks package

 

[Jacques Vert]

And here I was thinking Switzerland is expensive!

 

[RooFlyer]

I greatly appreciate you doing the work @Quickstatus , - I always say those who put in the work make the calls - but hopefully there might be a cheaper alternative looked at? For those of use flying in, plus accommodation, its already a pretty expensive exercise to attend.

 

[Quickstatus]

Right to choose usually tied to an CC underwriting obligation...

 

[support]

I greatly appreciate you doing the work @Quickstatus , - I always say those who put in the work make the calls - but hopefully there might be a cheaper alternative looked at? For those of use flying in, plus accommodation, its already a pretty expensive exercise to attend.

The pricing isn't actually that bad for the menus we have looked at, but we may need to continue shopping around purely for the minimum spend. If we don't get the right numbers, it'll turn into an object to spend a lot on booze just to meet their requirements.

As far as a drinks package goes, these have been discussed in the past and tend to not be good value as they usually include average beverages, some members aren't big drinkers, and some aren't drinkers at all.

For comparison, some of the higher amounts that have been spent on food only:

• Gold Coast $78.5
• Hobart $75
• Perth $80

 

[RooFlyer]

or comparison, some of the higher amounts that have been spent on food only:

Wow, I hope you got crayfish and scallops for the $75 in Hobart . I was trying to see what Adelaide was, last year (only one I've attended) and thought it was a fair bit less. Does Sydney do Indian But as I said, thankful to those who are making the effort ...

 

[support]

Wow, I hope you got crayfish and scallops for the $75 in Hobart . I was trying to see what Adelaide was, last year (only one I've attended) and thought it was a fair bit less. Does Sydney do Indian But as I said, thankful to those who are making the effort ...

Every location will be able to cater for all, but the key considerations are:

• Two dinners, a cheap night and an expensive night (comparatively)
• One of the dinners will have a guest speaker
• Guest speakers usually require people to keep quiet, so a shared space with other restaurant goers doesn't make sense
• While not necessary, splitting drink bills is preferable to bringing cash (like last year)
• We usually have about 5 dietary requirements

Regarding the dinner venue last year, it was a late pick based on something I read. Considerations before that were for a completely different venue with similar food prices (but no minimum spend to hit).

 

[cove]

We don’t mind the Intercontinental buffet and they can fit a group in an adjacent room.