More Seats Available for Star MegaDO5!

Back in May I posted that seats for another MegaDO were going on sale – this was for the Star MegaDO 5 in October. At that time I decided there was no way I’d be able to go as I was 8 months pregnant and didn’t think I’d be able to leave a little one at home that soon. Well as much as I’d already like a vacation my intuition was correct and there is no way in hell I’d be able to go – my 6 week old sure does love to cry it out! Since I wasn’t going and things have been sorta busy recently, I haven’t been paying much attention to this MegaDO. Well, I just received an email from the organizer that many seats have opened up (due to the change of equipment to a bigger plane) and some prices have dropped! Here is the new pricing (these prices just include the chartered flight. You will still be responsible for paying for the nightly negotiated rate at the hotels  and for the positioning flights to Toronto and home from San Francisco):

• Coach: $999USD (new, lower price)
• Economy Plus: $1,299 (new offering, 12 seats available)
• Tommy Class: (middle seat blocked) $1,799 (was sold out, but equipment change opens up 4 seats)
• Tommy Class Emergency Exit (middle seat blocked) $1,999 (was sold out, but equipment change opens two seats)
• First Class: $2,799 (First Class is sold out)

Booking will open today, June 10th at noon mountain time – you can book here if interested

As I’ve mentioned in the past, the Star MegaDO is an event partnered with Star Alliance and Marriott giving you the a behind-the-scenes travel opportunity. It is a three day tour starting in Canada, stopping in Arizona, and eventually ending in San Francisco flying United 737-900ER (it original was supposed to be Air Canada’s A321) where you will meet other obsessed travel junkies, tour some cool air crafts, and earn some points and miles. It is essentially a party on a plane. If you are looking for a quiet ride, this is probably not for you!

While I will not be attending this year, I did go on the OneWorld MegaDO which is a similar concept, although it was partnered with the OneWorld Alliance and Hyatt. I personally loved it and had a blast and am looking forward to going on another one at some point. Also, you’ll earn either Air Canada or United miles (you choose). This will be based on the seat you purchase:

While, it is a pretty steep cost for this event, there will be some cool perks. There will be some promotion with Marriott, although it will not be announced until July 20th – your guess is as good as mine, but the organizers say it is awesome. Miles will be awarded on both Air Canada and United, you have to pick where you want them:

• Coach: 5000 PQM/RDM/Lifetime + applicable tier bonus
• Tommy Class and Economy Plus: 7500 PQM/RDM/Lifetime + applicable tier bonus
• First Class: 15.000 PQM/RDM/Lifetime + applicable tier bonus

Schedule – you can see the official complete itinerary here, but to summarize:

• Tuesday October 22, 2013: Arrival in Toronto, no program (optional, so you can arrive Wednesday instead if you prefer)
  • Host hotel: Ritz Carlton Toronto or Toronto Marriott Downtown
• Wednesday October 23, 2013: Breakfast at the host hotel, registration opens at 8AM; 10:00am –  Buses to Rimowa’s factory (tours and BBQ); 11:00am –  Buses from the airport to Rimowa’s factory for people arriving Wednesday morning; Return back to the hotel at 4:00pm and welcome reception hosted by Marriott
  • Host hotel: Ritz Carlton Toronto or Toronto Marriott Downtown
• Thursday October 24, 2013: 9:30am –  Buses to YYZ for a day with Air Canada. Return to the hotel at 4-5PM and a reception hosted at hotel by Air Canada
  • Host hotel: Ritz Carlton Toronto or Toronto Marriott Downtown
• Friday October 25, 2013: 7:30 – Buses to YYZ, charter departs at 9:30; fly to Tuscon, Arizon at 11:15am and go to AF base; Return back to airport to fly to San Francisco; hangar party hosted by United Airlines from 6-8:30pm

Hotel Price (booking will be available July 20th): 

• Toronto – There will be two hotels available. The Ritz Carlton rate is confirmed at 310 CAD per night. There will be an lower priced alternative available for around 140 CAD per night.
• San Francisco – There will be two hotels available, one around 140 USD per night in addition to the Ritz Carlton downtown with a rate TBD.

Yes, this is not a cheap trip. This is not advertised as some deal or anything, but one of those cool “once in a lifetime” opportunities – although for many this has been a “many times in a lifetime” trip. Assuming the least expensive costs, you will be paying $999 for the flight, let’s say another $400 to go to Toronto and home from San Francisco, and then $450 on hotels (estimated). This will bring you to a grand total of around $1,800 give or take. Now the good thing is that you really will not incur any other costs as food and activities are included.

Are any of you going?! Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.