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I never joined when I was younger, since my dad used to pay for first class all the time.

I wish I had known better

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What? and go thru the BS with CSRs & TSA? Hassles with boarding experiments, bin-space, oversize seatmates, and poopy chow?

NoSireeBob -- John Travolta has the right idea -- a private 707 and (currently, I think) Gulfstream at the back door. ^ Do It Yourself - go when YOU want - Seat 1 guaranteed.

But it's a lot of work; fewer headaches to just have a charter outfit on hot standby -- I'm thinking maybe HootersAir

/.

I would learn how to fly.

And buy myself a Learjet.

Then fly around the world seeing all the different sights.


I seriously cannot understand what drives rich people to drugs, there are so many wonderfull places to explore (espcialy if you have money). Why no-one would want to is beyond me.

All of the above and not belong to any FF programs! Not to mention just having one no fee CC.;

That is the tought part. There are a lot of rich people out there, fewer really rich people, and fewer still really, really rich. Not a lot of folks out there where "money is no object" who can spend as they please because the money supply is endless.

That being said, if my money supply was endless, I wouldn't worry about a FFP, buying myself a lear jet or any of that nonsense. I would have a fleet of BBJs waiting for me at all times so that I could come and go as I please. I wouldn't waste my time or effort to learn how to fly the planes myself (except as a hobby), that is what the hired help is for. I wouldn't bother with packing my bags because that is what the hired help would be for. Better yet, I would just have duplicates of everything everywhere. If money were no object, the art of travel would take on a whole new meaning.

You know it. If money were no object I would get out of this nightmare altogether: invasive security, nonsensical and borderline-fraudulent FF programs run by anti-customer companies staffed by vindictive, hateful employees... why would a seriously rich person put up with any of this?

I dont think "smart" rich people do this. More likely they go the Marquis Jet route. At somewhere around 4k an hour ( counting wheels up to wheels down) its a deal. Professional pilots, smaller airports and the ability to drive up park, walk to the plane and away you go in 20 minutes or less.

Plus I think Marquis Jet is a Warren Buffett owned company.

Ken in Phx

Money is always an issue. You won't stay wealthy if you waste it on things that you could get for free (like uppgrades etc). The same applies if its OPM.

That considered, it is no way you would use commercial flights if money wasn't an issue. Look at the President.
Looking forward to the Bowman One.

Best

If I were a real rich person I would still join an FFP simply because it records all the places you have been to and when. When you grow old and you go through these statements that would be quite enjoyable.

My mileage balance would be a lot, lot higher

Is he interested in adopting?

But seriously, unless your airline's top sales manager knows you, buying First Class still does not engender the status and benefits holding top tier elite does. And even the rich can appreciate the "rebate" value of FF programs using the miles generated. Not to mention the waste of paying full fare for First Class within the USA when a top tier elite can upgrade from higher coach fares.

In the pre-FF days, each airline did have its own program for CIPs (commercially important persons) which included access to their lounges and the occasional social event. But FF programs permit cross-carrier recognition that was not possible in those days. I was a CIP at both AC and CP back in the 70s and into the early 80s when both Canadian carriers decided to launch their FF programs. I flew First Class domestic all the time, but still appreaciated the benefits of these programs, and particularly the large number of free tickets that I was earning each year. This allowed my wife and I to see the world in the front cabin, and save huge amounts of our personal $s.

Celebs/VIP's with their own, or chartered, airplanes & helicopters, seem to have a much higher chance of crashing - so no thanks.

Yes, I would actually enroll in several programs and fly FC always and everywhere. Celebs enjoy private jets and use them for easy access and privacy. A non-celeb with tons of money should be able to get by with FC on major airlines, might be roughing it but that's ok