The Second Annual Star Alliance Mega DO -- The official planning thread
#271
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
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Posts: 4,065
Personally I'd do a DO if I can get into that country without the need of a visa.. On that basis alone, if the DO is in the US would be just fine by me or in SE Asia.. Further than that, other than transit, I'd have to get a visa to basically every country there is..
Its tough being Indonesian...
Its tough being Indonesian...
#272
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: YUL
Programs: AC-SE MM, SPG Plat Lifetime, Marriott Plat, FPC Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 824
Maybe what you got a few years ago was different but what we got in TLS is the same tour offered to the public. I asked our guide about it and she confirmed. What we got different is the reception at Airbus office. I enjoyed going there and it was fun but I just mentionned my interest to see something customized for the group when possible.
#273
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
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#274
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
And even if it was the same walk-through, we got to do it with 200+ other aerophiles and we certainly arrived in style.
#275
If you're interested in joining this DO, you might want to check out this thread..
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...ruary-1st.html
Survey will be announced this weekend
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...ruary-1st.html
Survey will be announced this weekend
#276
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,018
- How was the value for the money paid in 2009
J transatlantic fares excellent value.
J for the charter - medium value.
I liked the empty middle seat. Helps make up for the lack of legroom.
But I'm not much of a drinker. I don't care for fancy cheeses and foods.
Give me a big serving of meat an potatoes and I'd be happy.
Knowing what I know now, I would do the charter in Y. Unless it was on an a/c with real business class
- How many days can you be away to participate in a DO
4-5 would be ideal.
- How much money will you be willing to spend
About the same as this year. But would be dependant on what's offered.
For 2010.... A great deal in a premium cabin is almost essential for my participation.
J transatlantic fares excellent value.
J for the charter - medium value.
I liked the empty middle seat. Helps make up for the lack of legroom.
But I'm not much of a drinker. I don't care for fancy cheeses and foods.
Give me a big serving of meat an potatoes and I'd be happy.
Knowing what I know now, I would do the charter in Y. Unless it was on an a/c with real business class
- How many days can you be away to participate in a DO
4-5 would be ideal.
- How much money will you be willing to spend
About the same as this year. But would be dependant on what's offered.
For 2010.... A great deal in a premium cabin is almost essential for my participation.
#277
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,501
As you know, we're starting to plan for StarMegaDO 2010. I've put together an on-line survey for prospective participants. Please take a few minutes to fill it out. You can find it here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StarMegaDO
All responses are anonymous.
Xyzzy
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StarMegaDO
All responses are anonymous.
Xyzzy
#278
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: @somewhere, if help needed use my email address [email protected]
Programs: BA & QR
Posts: 1,014
As you know, we're starting to plan for StarMegaDO 2010. I've put together an on-line survey for prospective participants. Please take a few minutes to fill it out. You can find it here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StarMegaDO
All responses are anonymous.
Xyzzy
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StarMegaDO
All responses are anonymous.
Xyzzy
Xyzzy,
just did it, have the feeling it is going to be even better.
dutch_122^
#279
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,501
#281
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,501
#282
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,423
There was no option to answer the sleep question as "sleep is over-rated".
So based on the survey I'm expecting the tours will be whatever Tommy wants, the fare to be $500 (but which type of dollars is cunningly omitted) for first class, more miles, another flyby, lotsa fun.
Yup, this survey has set my expectations brilliantly.
So based on the survey I'm expecting the tours will be whatever Tommy wants, the fare to be $500 (but which type of dollars is cunningly omitted) for first class, more miles, another flyby, lotsa fun.
Yup, this survey has set my expectations brilliantly.
#283
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,951
Well, I answered the survey.
I really enjoyed SMD 1 and look forward to the next one eagerly! Some of the experiences from SMD 1 you definitely cannot buy alone, and that might have justified the price tag no matter if you flew the charter in C or Y. For myself, I'm glad I only chose Y on the charter, only because I didn't really see the improved service of C through anyone else who chose to fly in C. Airbus tour was a tad bland, or rather this should be read if I had to choose the most boring tour it would be Airbus (not that it was boring per se, although I do remember that one group had their guide go MIA - no, he didn't escape to Florida, the other MIA ).
It would be really nice if SMD 2 was based around the Asia-Pacific, viz. closer to home (even if this was, say, a Circle Pacific) Getting NZ, a.k.a. 2010 Airline of the Year, would be great (I don't think seeing anyone in body paint will form part of the entertainment! ). I think trying to get SQ on side is also a no-brainer.
As a student, I think I'll be sufficiently struggling with positioning flights for the next Do (no more super cache of points left to burn off), but I'll get there somehow by hook or by crook. In saying all of that, I hope that the costs of the Do do not increase significantly from last year (barring inflation I guess ).
RTW idea sounds very interesting, even though it would be quite expensive. It'd be a tough one to set up and certainly although the apparent interest is high the reality is that it will be more difficult to fill the plane if the Do was a RTW due to the required increased cash and time commitments.
I really enjoyed SMD 1 and look forward to the next one eagerly! Some of the experiences from SMD 1 you definitely cannot buy alone, and that might have justified the price tag no matter if you flew the charter in C or Y. For myself, I'm glad I only chose Y on the charter, only because I didn't really see the improved service of C through anyone else who chose to fly in C. Airbus tour was a tad bland, or rather this should be read if I had to choose the most boring tour it would be Airbus (not that it was boring per se, although I do remember that one group had their guide go MIA - no, he didn't escape to Florida, the other MIA ).
It would be really nice if SMD 2 was based around the Asia-Pacific, viz. closer to home (even if this was, say, a Circle Pacific) Getting NZ, a.k.a. 2010 Airline of the Year, would be great (I don't think seeing anyone in body paint will form part of the entertainment! ). I think trying to get SQ on side is also a no-brainer.
As a student, I think I'll be sufficiently struggling with positioning flights for the next Do (no more super cache of points left to burn off), but I'll get there somehow by hook or by crook. In saying all of that, I hope that the costs of the Do do not increase significantly from last year (barring inflation I guess ).
RTW idea sounds very interesting, even though it would be quite expensive. It'd be a tough one to set up and certainly although the apparent interest is high the reality is that it will be more difficult to fill the plane if the Do was a RTW due to the required increased cash and time commitments.
#284
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: MUC
Posts: 162
It would be really nice if SMD 2 was based around the Asia-Pacific, viz. closer to home (even if this was, say, a Circle Pacific) Getting NZ, a.k.a. 2010 Airline of the Year, would be great (I don't think seeing anyone in body paint will form part of the entertainment! ). I think trying to get SQ on side is also a no-brainer.
And seeing Tommy in a NZ body paint would be defintely priceless.
#285
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
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