Status STARS [2013-2023]
Dec 4, 2015, 2:43 am
#781
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,622
Interesting. I wonder if they might have the famous New Year Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic in their box of tricks. That one is seriously difficult to get tickets for, but they tend to play the same old nonsense over and over again. Once, some clever dick (I think it was Maazel) put a French overture by Berlioz in the programme and it created a scandal (because it should always be Viennese music that is played).
But if they can get Opernball tickets they must have serious contacts somewhere!
But if they can get Opernball tickets they must have serious contacts somewhere!
Jan 12, 2016, 7:24 am
#782
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BTS/VIE
Programs: LH MM**, HH Silver
Posts: 2,282
Just received an email with status stars offer, this time sounds rather interesting. GP in Monaco in May, with a helicopter xfer from NCE, accommodation in the West End in Nice, VIP lounge for the race, some champagne and gourmet cuisine thrown in.
Jan 12, 2016, 9:39 am
#784
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 119
Interesting. I wonder if they might have the famous New Year Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic in their box of tricks. That one is seriously difficult to get tickets for, but they tend to play the same old nonsense over and over again. Once, some clever dick (I think it was Maazel) put a French overture by Berlioz in the programme and it created a scandal (because it should always be Viennese music that is played).
But if they can get Opernball tickets they must have serious contacts somewhere!
But if they can get Opernball tickets they must have serious contacts somewhere!
Jan 13, 2016, 12:57 pm
#786
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,455
) - if all you get is a hotel bed on saturday night and you've to organize yourself, only be let into the Paddock on sunday etc., then it's drops quite a bit, probably to half of that value.As a sidenote: I've done some Monaco F1 trips in similar fashion for less than 100€, but you'll need to know some people for that
Jan 14, 2016, 6:13 am
#787
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: HKG, TXL
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 566
Jan 14, 2016, 3:22 pm
#788
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,455
Most races seems to be for 4200-4700$ (so, not exactly "around 5000€" - but close enough) for the 2-day package, Monaco obviously being more expensive (well, at least that didn't change
)2011, 2000€ were almost 3000$, so it's "just" an increase of roughly 35-40% in 5 years actually. I'll try to find data from back then (not sure if I still have them) - I could have sworn you could have got them for roughly 2000€ (or 3000$)**. But yeah, F1 really took a wrong turn couple years ago, and apparently Paddock access isn't excluded from that
So, thanks for putting me back into the sad reality.* some FTers can back my claim up if needed
** Shanghai 2009: 3750$ for Sat/Sun. Not THAT much less on pure $-comparison, but if you calculate in € 1.4 to the USD vs. 1.1 at current forex, you see the difference. Not 2000€ but not that much above it.
Taking those current costs into account, the offer from M&M indeed looks sound and solid being a "good value for miles", whatever it will mean for you. First time, if I'm not mistaken
Last edited by YuropFlyer; Jan 14, 2016 at 3:33 pm
Jan 15, 2016, 12:49 am
#789
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: HKG, TXL
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 566
You're right. Prices really went up in the last years (plus, devaluation of € vs. $ doesn't help..) since I used to be in the business. *
** Shanghai 2009: 3750$ for Sat/Sun. Not THAT much less on pure $-comparison, but if you calculate in € 1.4 to the USD vs. 1.1 at current forex, you see the difference. Not 2000€ but not that much above it
** Shanghai 2009: 3750$ for Sat/Sun. Not THAT much less on pure $-comparison, but if you calculate in € 1.4 to the USD vs. 1.1 at current forex, you see the difference. Not 2000€ but not that much above it
To OT...was in Shanghai myself in 2009. you can't buy those tickets though... may I ask what part you were of within the "zirkus"?
Jan 15, 2016, 4:34 am
#791
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BTS/VIE
Programs: LH MM**, HH Silver
Posts: 2,282
This exclusive experience can be yours for 250,000 award miles per person, you may bring one guest with you.
Jan 18, 2016, 5:54 am
#792
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,171
The link to the offer: http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...=en&WT.tsrc=nl
Jan 18, 2016, 11:02 am
#793
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
I took customers to Hockenheim about ten years ago and even then the tickets to Paddock club were at USD 3000 per person.
I'm sure price have gone up even more.
Total waste of money if you ask me, as most of the time you sit in the paddock club watching the TV screens in front of you.
Helicopter rides were however appreciated by customers.
The M&M offer is probably quite good value at today's pricing. I'll pass though.
I'm sure price have gone up even more.
Total waste of money if you ask me, as most of the time you sit in the paddock club watching the TV screens in front of you.
Helicopter rides were however appreciated by customers.
The M&M offer is probably quite good value at today's pricing. I'll pass though.
Jan 18, 2016, 2:58 pm
#794
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,455
3000USD was, for a while, not more than 2000€
Currently it seems most races are asking for about 4400$-4700$, with the more "prestigious" ones asking for a premium. Obviously it's quite a terrible way to spend money, but if you're lucky enough not to care about money anymore, it's not a CRAZY expense that you couldn't "justify" I guess.. I know about some "regular" people (as in, earning less than 10k/month) who gave themselves the pleasure of such luxury like once a year. I would probably make two weeks of (reasonable) luxury holidays out of it, but each to it's own..
Since it's 250k miles per person, the offer certainly isn't as good as it originally looked like, even if Monaco is THE most expensive race to attend. I would rate it better than some other events that were just purely a joke, but it's not great either. But if you're lucky enough and having enough travel anyway, and just want to attend the fake world of F1, certainly worse ways to spend your miles exist.
Currently it seems most races are asking for about 4400$-4700$, with the more "prestigious" ones asking for a premium. Obviously it's quite a terrible way to spend money, but if you're lucky enough not to care about money anymore, it's not a CRAZY expense that you couldn't "justify" I guess.. I know about some "regular" people (as in, earning less than 10k/month) who gave themselves the pleasure of such luxury like once a year. I would probably make two weeks of (reasonable) luxury holidays out of it, but each to it's own..
Since it's 250k miles per person, the offer certainly isn't as good as it originally looked like, even if Monaco is THE most expensive race to attend. I would rate it better than some other events that were just purely a joke, but it's not great either. But if you're lucky enough and having enough travel anyway, and just want to attend the fake world of F1, certainly worse ways to spend your miles exist.
Feb 3, 2016, 1:00 am
#795
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: 29,512
Set sail for Kiel Week: Experience sailing’s highlight of the year
Dear NewbieRunner,
When hundreds of small yachts and tall ships transform the Firth of Kiel into a sea of white sails on the last Saturday in June, you know it is that time again: with the Tall Ships Parade the legendary Kiel Week Regatta reaches its climax.
With your Status Stars, you too can set course for this exceptional sailing event: with our VIP‑Tickets, on 25 June 2016 you can enjoy a taste of the lifestyle of the maritime yachtsman against the beautiful backdrop of Kiel harbour. As well as the traditional Tall Ships Parade, you can look forward to a guided tour of the Olympic Sailing Centre with its many impressive sailing yachts.
You will also travel by speed boat to the regatta area where you can share the excitement with the yachtsmen at close quarters. So that you can also experience the feeling of freedom on the high seas, we invite you on an exclusive sailing trip where you will be welcomed on board personally by the captain. And when, in the evening, the sails are taken in, you can relax in the Hotel Maritim Bellevue.
Secure our exclusive offer for 120,000 award miles per person. As places are limited, we recommend that you book immediately.
We hope you enjoy an exciting Regatta and that your Status Stars continue to bring you pleasure.
Yours sincerely,
Alexander Schlaubitz
Vice President Marketing
Lufthansa German Airlines
When hundreds of small yachts and tall ships transform the Firth of Kiel into a sea of white sails on the last Saturday in June, you know it is that time again: with the Tall Ships Parade the legendary Kiel Week Regatta reaches its climax.
With your Status Stars, you too can set course for this exceptional sailing event: with our VIP‑Tickets, on 25 June 2016 you can enjoy a taste of the lifestyle of the maritime yachtsman against the beautiful backdrop of Kiel harbour. As well as the traditional Tall Ships Parade, you can look forward to a guided tour of the Olympic Sailing Centre with its many impressive sailing yachts.
You will also travel by speed boat to the regatta area where you can share the excitement with the yachtsmen at close quarters. So that you can also experience the feeling of freedom on the high seas, we invite you on an exclusive sailing trip where you will be welcomed on board personally by the captain. And when, in the evening, the sails are taken in, you can relax in the Hotel Maritim Bellevue.
Secure our exclusive offer for 120,000 award miles per person. As places are limited, we recommend that you book immediately.
We hope you enjoy an exciting Regatta and that your Status Stars continue to bring you pleasure.
Yours sincerely,
Alexander Schlaubitz
Vice President Marketing
Lufthansa German Airlines
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Feb 3, 2016 at 1:23 am