In my part of the world (overtaxed) Krug is $250 bucks a bottle at the only place I can buy it, a government monopoly store.

So if someone wants to give it to me as part and parcel of a flight I have paid for (either with miles or revenue ticket), then why should I not drink it?

As for caviar, I will eat it, but I certainly would never buy it.

Those discussions seem no different than hotel guests getting all excited that they get access to a special lounge with a free drink or two.

Each to their own, and I find the conversations on that topic more interesting than endless discussions about theoretical upgrade availability.

I guess that logic makes sense if you ignore the fact you can pay using a credit card that offers cash back.

Exactly!


As far as Krug and Dom Perignon, what carriers are YOU flying? I'm guessing it's in first class because we generally fly in Business and I don't recall ever seeing those brands in my cabin. However, I'm a Vueve Cliquot Grande Dame fan myself and...I have never acquired a taste for caviar. I'm starting to consider bringing my own meal onboard because I've never had anything very good for dinner. I'd rather have a simple sandwich and go to sleep.
I drank a lot, once, on a transatlantic flight from IAD to FCO. Did not feel well the entire next day. Live and learn...:p

Perhaps the service you were paying for in the first place? Miles are not free. Part of what you pay every single provider who takes credit cards goes to their cost of doing "reward" business.

Makes some sense...but I seriously doubt I will ever get enough "cash back" equivalent to a F class ticket on SQ/CX to India from the US.

Sunny 1 -- First class in SQ/CX offer Dom/Krug and Caviar. Food is very good also !!

Well, thanks, but no thanks. I had never looked at that forum before, and now that's 15 minutes of my life that I will never get back. The forum should be renamed, "FT Narcissist Histrionic Expressions".

On others trip report web sites, they are obsessed with getting the "whole can" of soda!

I think pictures might be better than words in this thread. ;)

http://sfo777.smugmug.com/Other/Cath..._idcMZ-L-1.jpg

You must be quite jaded with "the man". :) So you never use credit cards? In 99% of the places you pay for things, whether you use credit or cash the price is the same. So since you are already being charged the CC fees as part of the cost of your purchase you may as well get something back for it and not "throw away" rewards you can get by using cash instead. To your exact point, you're already paying for it. Whether it is cash back or reward points/miles, to each their own, right?

I guess I'm confused with what point you are trying to argue here. Are you suggesting the systematic abolishment of credit such that merchant fees can be removed from the price of products and therefore we cannot get "free" champagne and caviar? That may be something bigger than we can hash out here. :D

Not to mention for those who frequently travel, a large amount of the points/miles do not come from credit cards but from the actual flights or hotel rooms purchased and various bonuses and other offers. As a relatively light frequent flyer (by FT standards) over 70% of my miles come directly from my flown tickets and bonus miles. That's about as free as it gets. Sure, I'm sure there is some cost rolled into the price of your ticket/room to account for that too. You're paying it either way though just like the merchant fees. If you don't like that you can fly with a LCC who has no such program.

I echo the opinions most others have shared. I can afford Dom or caviar or a F ticket, but I'd feel totally stupid and guilty for spending money in that way. Knowing how to use the system to get all this stuff for "free" (see above), that's what many of us on FT think is really cool. And it isn't just about the Dom and caviar, but the whole experience.

These points/miles are really like a giant "sale" sign. Yes, I could turn my points into gift cards and probably eventually squeeze some Dom and caviar from it to eat at home (or maybe in a restaurant). But it would be a totally different experience. Part of the allure is the flight (or fancy hotel suite) and everything that comes with it, and also part of it is getting that $10,000 ticket for 90%+ off. It just tastes better when you know you got such a deal. :D

What no one has mentioned is that along with the Krug and Don and Caviar, is exemplary service, amenity kits, seats/suites, ground services, etc.

I've had dozens of international F flights on UA and AA and it doesn't do a damn thing for me. But the 100+ F flights I've taken on SQ, LX, CX, etc. have created indelible memories that I constantly cherish.

I stopped reading the trip reports bc I lost too much valuable time that I can never get back. Once you've read one trip report about drinking multiple bottles of champagne, pictures of multiple plates of food and Asian female flight attendants on SQ flirting with some FT guy and possibly doing a bit more than flirting, you've read them all. :D

Those who sniff that International First Class airline food can't hold a candle to earthbound food are certainly entitled to their opinion but I'm pretty sure they're in the minority here at FlyerTalk, as well as the rest of the world. It's not so much the food quality (although I've been served some downright excellent food aloft) as it is the overall experience that most of us are so taken with. Remember, most of us are sat in Economy Class most of the year. I think many of us would agree that being graciously served a seven course meal on linen and china while comfortably ensconced in a $90000 high tech suite 39000 feet above the planet is distinctly different from our everyday life experience, is pretty cool and is indeed worthy of some reminiscing on in trip reports. When you consider the various pleasures of flying in International First Class, and writing about it, it's easy to see why trip reporters focus on the food and drink because the vast majority of us find it more interesting to read about and/or look at than long descriptions and/or pictures of how comfortable their seat is.

The good news for those of you who feel otherwise is that you'll find a good number of trip reports here at FT that focus very little on getting there and much more on being there.

For many of us that fly for a living or just fly alot or just enjoy those occasions when we do fly at all, a seat in International First Class represents a rare and cherished treat that is the pinnacle of airborne existence. It's fun to read about, complete with pictures and descriptions. Outside of FlyerTalk, I don't know where else I could read quality reports about flying around the world in First Class.

So to all of you who submit pictures of your Champagne and caviar and write interesting and detailed trip reports, you go right ahead and fly your freak flags high and proud! Most of us love your reports and subsequent discourse!

I was duly discouraged from writing a TR after reading your post.. :(

But your last remark has encouraged me enough to try writing a TR now! :D

they taste good, especially with Irish Cream :D, my new favorite liquor.

pardon my dearth of years, but what's a check? :D