5 x usual HON miles for Lufthansa Private Jet
Mar 13, 2010, 3:50 am
#31
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,735
Crazy stuff. I can understand it if someone would be within 100-200K of making HON in the 2 years period and wants an easy top up with a bit of a novelty factor. Apart from that it doesn't make much sense unless you really fly a lot on LH. SO being SIN based I'm in no danger of jumping on board ... plus I think hemore they call and ask about it LH will pull the plug or change the conditions of the offer
Mar 13, 2010, 5:08 am
#32
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ZRH
Programs: M&M Senator, Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 344
Mar 13, 2010, 5:08 am
#33
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,511
i doubt that there will be many HON runner, who in his right mind will spend 10k+ on a weekend to get HON?! and even if, its mostly people from FT and/or VFT, so we are talking about a very limited group of people. what does is matter if there is maybe 10 more HONs due to this?! 
^^
For a joy ride (without miles!) I'd rather opt for this one.
Mar 13, 2010, 5:42 am
#34
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,941
Lufthansa Private Jet is offering a five-week special, from May 1 to June 6, where each passenger will earn 50,000 miles (counts for status and HON Circle miles) per flight instead of the usual 10,000.
They are also offering a five percent discount on private jet flights booked from March 1 on routes beyond Germany’s borders.
So, 12 short hops by private jet would net 600,000 miles (and most importantly, HON Circle status). While that is obviously going to cost more than to earn 600,000 miles flying LH commercial, if it is indeed correct that each passenger earns miles then the cost could be shared between 4 passengers on the Cessna Citation CJ1+ (netting a total of 2.4 million miles and HON for 4).
It might be a world first - mileage running by private jet!
They are also offering a five percent discount on private jet flights booked from March 1 on routes beyond Germany’s borders.
So, 12 short hops by private jet would net 600,000 miles (and most importantly, HON Circle status). While that is obviously going to cost more than to earn 600,000 miles flying LH commercial, if it is indeed correct that each passenger earns miles then the cost could be shared between 4 passengers on the Cessna Citation CJ1+ (netting a total of 2.4 million miles and HON for 4).
It might be a world first - mileage running by private jet!
Where did you find that promotion? I cannot find a link.
By the way, if this promotion is true, I am personally annoyed by LH watering down the HON status this way. I would expect hundreds of extra HONs from this, overcrowded lounges, and a further reduction of services.
Last edited by CalFlyer; Mar 13, 2010 at 5:47 am
Mar 13, 2010, 6:12 am
#35
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3
CalFlyer, people becoming HONs this way are - on average - definitely not travelling the amount of legs, miles etc. of "regular" HONs. Therefore, the effect on lounge usage will be neglectable.
Mar 13, 2010, 6:18 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
I really don't think you will find hundreds of extra HON customers this way- not that many people are going to take this many private jet flights just to get an airline card...
Mar 13, 2010, 6:30 am
#37
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3
Mar 13, 2010, 6:37 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
I cannot imagine this (the after-work party part that is).
Anyway- one of the greatest things about FT is people's creativity- I am guessing LH is probably also interested to see if something like this get's pulled off- could be the ultimate "Mileage Running" article.
Personally I will stick to getting my miles the old fashioned way.
Mar 13, 2010, 6:51 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,941
Case in point: Most of my European colleagues (who fly at least one European roundtrip per week, mostly two) used to book their flights in business class, and thus had made it to HON. For some time now, our new travel policy requires discounted economy for flights below 3h -- meaning they will all lose their HON status by the end of the year! I am sure many of them will do this HON run, and they will for sure crowd the lounges!
Many other companies have introduced similar economy class policies (especially consultants, bankers).
With the reduced mileage earnings for economy class travel, there are many high frequency "road warrior" travellers out there who will gratefully grab the opportunity to upgrade themselves. I am truly annoyed!
Last edited by CalFlyer; Mar 13, 2010 at 6:58 am
Mar 13, 2010, 7:17 am
#40
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,511
Most of my European colleagues (who fly at least one European roundtrip per week, mostly two) used to book their flights in business class, and thus had made it to HON. For some time now, our new travel policy requires discounted economy for flights below 3h -- meaning they will all lose their HON status by the end of the year! I am sure many of them will do this HON run, and they will for sure crowd the lounges!
Mar 13, 2010, 7:23 am
#41
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MUC/HKT
Programs: UA1K;AAEXP;BAG
Posts: 595
There are quite a few people out there who have "generated" substantial amounts of award miles and have no LH status at all. Beeing able to use those award miles the most effective way for the next 31 months as HON and another 24 months as SEN is a big benefit for them. Add the 600k award miles, the other current perks of HON like e-vouchers as well as the "priceless" ability to brag with your new shiny black card in front of your friends and colleagues and that return on your 12k € investment might be considered as a "Top-Deal" by them... 
Mar 13, 2010, 8:05 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,674
just my 2ct on this promotion
it cannot be compared to the referenced UK SEN status match (sorry NewbieRunner for mentioning this ) ... why?
1. you have to spend a large amount of money for this promotion
2. you have to be organized to stem such a HON-run. it will be much more expensive when you don't find enough companions to fill a private jet.
3. this promotion will be discussed here and in some other frequent traveller forums. the huge bunch of other frequent flyers won't hear about the promotion and the very FT-like creative solution to trick the system. and when they do it is probably too late :-)
i don't expect that a huge amount (more than 50 people) will make / retain HON through that promotion. maybe more people will re/qualify for SEN.
moreover i agree, it is a very sick idea to run from zero to HON with that private jet promo - but hey, that's the spirit of FT. i am highly tempted to spend around 9500€ for that promo.
why? because there is much more than a shiny black card in the wallet.
1. HON circle status for almost 3 years and afterwards 2 years SEN status meaning 4 years of not worrying about SEN requalification
2. 6 additional eVouchers
3. the promotion (5 round trips) generates 525.000 award miles worth 5 longhaul business class round trip tickets with HON availability guarantee or approx. 4 companion award longhaul business class award tickets. when you value one longhaul C ticket (excluding taxes) with approx. 2000€ then you gain a value of around 8000€
4. highest op-up-priority (how many regular HONs do travel longhaul economy)
it seems everyone is worried about the crowding of the lounges - i don't care much about lounges - the last two times i have been to a LH F lounge i just had a glass of still water and did not stay more than 30 minutes. (my definition of luxury: you can have/take everything, but you don't have to ...)
it cannot be compared to the referenced UK SEN status match (sorry NewbieRunner for mentioning this
) ... why?1. you have to spend a large amount of money for this promotion
2. you have to be organized to stem such a HON-run. it will be much more expensive when you don't find enough companions to fill a private jet.
3. this promotion will be discussed here and in some other frequent traveller forums. the huge bunch of other frequent flyers won't hear about the promotion and the very FT-like creative solution to trick the system. and when they do it is probably too late :-)
i don't expect that a huge amount (more than 50 people) will make / retain HON through that promotion. maybe more people will re/qualify for SEN.
moreover i agree, it is a very sick idea to run from zero to HON with that private jet promo - but hey, that's the spirit of FT. i am highly tempted to spend around 9500€ for that promo.
why? because there is much more than a shiny black card in the wallet.
1. HON circle status for almost 3 years and afterwards 2 years SEN status meaning 4 years of not worrying about SEN requalification
2. 6 additional eVouchers
3. the promotion (5 round trips) generates 525.000 award miles worth 5 longhaul business class round trip tickets with HON availability guarantee or approx. 4 companion award longhaul business class award tickets. when you value one longhaul C ticket (excluding taxes) with approx. 2000€ then you gain a value of around 8000€
4. highest op-up-priority (how many regular HONs do travel longhaul economy)
it seems everyone is worried about the crowding of the lounges - i don't care much about lounges - the last two times i have been to a LH F lounge i just had a glass of still water and did not stay more than 30 minutes. (my definition of luxury: you can have/take everything, but you don't have to ...)
Last edited by f0zzyNUE; Mar 13, 2010 at 8:11 am
Mar 13, 2010, 10:20 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
just my 2ct on this promotion
it cannot be compared to the referenced UK SEN status match (sorry NewbieRunner for mentioning this ) ... why?
1. you have to spend a large amount of money for this promotion
2. you have to be organized to stem such a HON-run. it will be much more expensive when you don't find enough companions to fill a private jet.
3. this promotion will be discussed here and in some other frequent traveller forums. the huge bunch of other frequent flyers won't hear about the promotion and the very FT-like creative solution to trick the system. and when they do it is probably too late :-)
i don't expect that a huge amount (more than 50 people) will make / retain HON through that promotion. maybe more people will re/qualify for SEN.
moreover i agree, it is a very sick idea to run from zero to HON with that private jet promo - but hey, that's the spirit of FT. i am highly tempted to spend around 9500€ for that promo.
why? because there is much more than a shiny black card in the wallet.
1. HON circle status for almost 3 years and afterwards 2 years SEN status meaning 4 years of not worrying about SEN requalification
2. 6 additional eVouchers
3. the promotion (5 round trips) generates 525.000 award miles worth 5 longhaul business class round trip tickets with HON availability guarantee or approx. 4 companion award longhaul business class award tickets. when you value one longhaul C ticket (excluding taxes) with approx. 2000€ then you gain a value of around 8000€
4. highest op-up-priority (how many regular HONs do travel longhaul economy)
it seems everyone is worried about the crowding of the lounges - i don't care much about lounges - the last two times i have been to a LH F lounge i just had a glass of still water and did not stay more than 30 minutes. (my definition of luxury: you can have/take everything, but you don't have to ...)
it cannot be compared to the referenced UK SEN status match (sorry NewbieRunner for mentioning this
) ... why?1. you have to spend a large amount of money for this promotion
2. you have to be organized to stem such a HON-run. it will be much more expensive when you don't find enough companions to fill a private jet.
3. this promotion will be discussed here and in some other frequent traveller forums. the huge bunch of other frequent flyers won't hear about the promotion and the very FT-like creative solution to trick the system. and when they do it is probably too late :-)
i don't expect that a huge amount (more than 50 people) will make / retain HON through that promotion. maybe more people will re/qualify for SEN.
moreover i agree, it is a very sick idea to run from zero to HON with that private jet promo - but hey, that's the spirit of FT. i am highly tempted to spend around 9500€ for that promo.
why? because there is much more than a shiny black card in the wallet.
1. HON circle status for almost 3 years and afterwards 2 years SEN status meaning 4 years of not worrying about SEN requalification
2. 6 additional eVouchers
3. the promotion (5 round trips) generates 525.000 award miles worth 5 longhaul business class round trip tickets with HON availability guarantee or approx. 4 companion award longhaul business class award tickets. when you value one longhaul C ticket (excluding taxes) with approx. 2000€ then you gain a value of around 8000€
4. highest op-up-priority (how many regular HONs do travel longhaul economy)
it seems everyone is worried about the crowding of the lounges - i don't care much about lounges - the last two times i have been to a LH F lounge i just had a glass of still water and did not stay more than 30 minutes. (my definition of luxury: you can have/take everything, but you don't have to ...)
(I'll join one run just for the heck of it and because I've never tried the Private Jet program...and probably because I seem to have more money than sense!!
)
Mar 13, 2010, 10:25 am
#44
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,674
Mar 13, 2010, 10:28 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505