Mediterranean, Nordic or Asian charter on StarMegaDo4

[Storyteller]

Polling is taking place over on the MilePoint site for the StarMegaDo4, to be in September 2012, with options being Nordic, Mediteranean, or Asian Charters.
Go to Community, then MegaDO, then SMD3 to find it.

My first ever flying gathering was SMD1. I was totally ruined.
SMD1 started in the US, then a TATL, then charter from FRA OSLO TLS FRA. November 2009.
SMD 2 had a TATL to FRA, then charter in the US IAH PHX PAE :mrgreen: November 2010
SMD 3 had a TATL to MUC, then charter over 2 days ORD YUL DEN September 2011.
Upcoming One World Mega Do 1 will have a TATL to LHR, then charter over 2 days DFW SEA LAX.

All have involved behind the scenes airport & airline events - landing at PAE was fun, "missed approach" in Toulouse was a lot of fun. LH has always gone beyond the call to wine & dine us at JFK, FRA & MUC. For the OWMD 1 launch, AA & Hyatt put on a wonderful function in LA. SPG was hotel sponsor for SMD 1&2, & Hyatt for SMD3 & OWMD1.

I'm posting this because a couple Aussies & Kiwis have gone along, and lots of AFF folk have expressed interest. Watch that thread on MP & see when the Launch is. For OWMD 1 those who went to the launch got a 24 hour head start with registering. Gold posters on MP got 12 hours. It sold out around 15 minutes after general opening. (there's usually a competition with a random draw for a seat on the charter where it's possible to rack up a lot of posts while doing very little work for a week or so - it will take les time & cost less to go to the launch!)

 

[casanovawa]

So how much do these thing all add up, although probably helps if you have lots of airline and hotel points...

 

[Storyteller]

So how much do these thing all add up, although probably helps if you have lots of airline and hotel points...

Charter usually runs at around US$700 in Y. TATL has been optional when the charter was in N America. It runs around same, give or take.

Stay where you like, but usually good deals / brownie points at the sponsor hotel. Lots of folk share. Always earn miles on the charter to at least one airline, but has ended up being a variety of airlines in the alliance of the Do. Sometimes the charter is based on miles flown, sometimes a flat amount. More depending on class within the charter.

For us the positioning flights are the most expensive thing.

Once it starts, there is very little need to buy food or drinks, as the airlines & hotels are very gracious and generous with their hospitality. Am really hoping QF takes the opportunity to show off some big planes & Aussie hospitality in LA at OWMD1 next month.

If you have a look over on Flyertalk you will see SMD1 & 2 threads. SMD3 and the OWMD 1 are on MilePoint. You will be able to see the fun, hospitality of airlines & how folk earned points.

 

[anat0l]

My preferences in order would be Asian, Nordic then Mediterranean.

In saying that, not sure which of the Asian *A partners would give the best reception, let alone who would participate.

As for the Nords, there is really only one - SAS - who gave a great reception in snowy Oslo during SMD1. And, there would always be the opportunity again to engage the Lufthansa group, who, as you say Storyteller, have always put on a great reception. There's also always the chance to engage with *A directly.

 

[anat0l]

Am really hoping QF takes the opportunity to show off some big planes & Aussie hospitality in LA at OWMD1 next month.

Are QF participating? Seems like an oddity if they do, though in saying that, the US part of the QF operation might be more open or switched-on than in Australia.

 

[Storyteller]

Are QF participating? Seems like an oddity if they do, though in saying that, the US part of the QF operation might be more open or switched-on than in Australia.

Hoping they do. They may have 2 A 380s at LAX all day, as well as a couple of 747s. Why not do a show & tell?? Would be good to show keen travelers how they configure their jets. Having flown in J on LH A380, the QF product is way better. As we all know, all airlines seem to do things differently. QF could do with some good press in the US at this stage. Lots of participants also coming from Europe, S America, Canada & Asia.

That part of the programme is still under wraps, but I'm hoping.

 

[anat0l]

Hoping they do. They may have 2 A 380s at LAX all day, as well as a couple of 747s. Why not do a show & tell?? Would be good to show keen travelers how they configure their jets. Having flown in J on LH A380, the QF product is way better. As we all know, all airlines seem to do things differently. QF could do with some good press in the US at this stage. Lots of participants also coming from Europe, S America, Canada & Asia.

That part of the programme is still under wraps, but I'm hoping.

Well QF are still better than most other USA airlines most of the time - doesn't matter if they have an industrial dispute or a grounding, just seems better. Plus, unlike pretty much every other USA airline, QF haven't had to go through a Chapter 11. Yes, a few days of grounding seems like a lesser evil there.

Still, QF's social engagement is pretty meek, though I guess you could argue they are more "across the board" than taking interest in "focus groups", such as MilePoint / frequent flyers. (A limited example of their specific engagement with our group was only witnessed this year with the Rockpool lunch).