I am going to the Star MegaDO 4 (SMD4)

 

Timeline of Events:

May 22, 2012- SMD4 Launch party set (Theme: Don’t Be Tardy To The Party) at Washington DC Hyatt Regency Crystal City

June 3, 2012: Launch party and SMD4 details released!

Rimowa is a new sponsor and everyone on the trip to have an opportunity to purchase a limited-edition MegaDO branded Rimowa 20″ rollaboard in a new color.

Hyatt Promotion to be announced based on participant suggestions... details to be released by August!

The optional international portion of the MegaDO will kick off Sunday, November 11 at Washington-Dulles with a party in the Lufthansa lounge and a ride in the brand new Boeing 747-800. The flight will be to Germany followed by a connection to Zurich. However, due to logistics... the departure airport is now Los Angeles but still on-board the new Boeing 747-800 (and it's a longer flight!).

There will be programs with Swiss and Lufthansa, and the host hotel is the Park Hyatt Zurich. It is on the pricey side ($600 daily rate per night and currently $1000 per night as the hotel is SOLD OUT).  I immediately booked a FREE night there using 22,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points. It’s also the only host hotel that’s going to be optional given the cost, folks will be able to stay on their own elsewhere in Zurich if they wish.

There will be a total of 35 coach pre-sale tickets available at the prices above (there will also be 45 tickets in business class at the beginning of the week). If you purchase any one of these seats, you’ll be eligible to pre-purchase a seat on the Star MegaDO domestic charter.  I was top 10 on the economy class waitlist and cleared the Friday (July 5th) before the opening of the domestic charter tickets.

International Portion flights:
November 11, Los Angeles – Frankfurt, 3:20pm – 11:15am+1, Lufthansa LH457
November 12, Frankfurt – Zurich, 1:35pm – 2:30pm, Lufthansa LH1192
November 13, Zurich – San Francisco, 1:05pm – 4:25pm, Swiss LX38


On Tuesday, it’s back to the U.S. with a flight to San Francisco.

That’s where the official launch will start for the MegaDO, for those not doing the optional international portion of the trip.


Domestic Portion Charter Prices (with United Airlines Mileage)

• Coach: $999 (will earn 5000 qualifying/redeemable miles)
  
• Economy Plus: $1249 (will earn 7500 qualifying/redeemable miles) (Extra Legroom)
• Tommy Class: $1599 (will earn 7500 qualifying/redeemable miles) (Extra Legroom and No One Next to You)
• BusinessFirst: $1999 (will earn 15000 qualifying redeemable miles)

Booking for SMD4 opened on Monday, July 9th at 10 am Eastern (9am Central, 8am Mountain, 7am Pacific) at megado.com.

The charter flight distance (San Francisco – Houston – Chicago) totals 2,650 actual miles.  But you will be able to accrue more than that in a United MileagePlus account (note: United MileagePlus is the only program offering mileage credit for the charter).

I was ready at 8:55AM on July 9th and was able to snag a coach seat. The tickets were sold out within 7 minutes!  I am very excited about attending my first MegaDO. 

It’s the ultimate frequent flyer adventure, where 150-200 enthusiastic folks get together, charter an aircraft, and go on behind-the-scenes tours of airlines and aircraft, while picking up swag and tons of miles and elite status along the way.

The last event, Oneworld MegaDO was sold out in under 20 minutes. But there’s a widebody aircraft this time, hopefully the trip will be able to accomodate more folks and won’t sell out nearly as quickly.

Tuesday November 13th 

8 PM Welcome reception @ Hyatt SFO sponsored and hosted by Hyatt

Wednesday November 14th 

7 AM-8 AM Breakfast is served
Morning program at SFO
1 PM. The FIRST Mega DO flight ever on a widebody goes SFO-IAH. The plane will be a 767-400 in the new config

Layout and facts here: https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/aircraft/767/400ER/default.aspx

6 PM Arrival in Houston. Barbecue party upon arrival Sponsored by United, Hyatt and Milepoint

Overnight @ the Hyatt Regency Houston

Thursday November 15th 

530 AM-615 AM Breakfast at the Hyatt TBD in Houston
730 AM Departure from Houston to Chicago

10 AM Arriving in Chicago

United hosts us in Chicago. Think the previous Continental DO’s in Houston on steroids

7 PM United hosts reception @ Hyatt Schaumburg in Chicago.

Friday November 16th

7 AM Breakfast at a Hyatt TBD in Chicago
United Program continues and eases in to the 15th anniversary Star Alliance reception hosted by Star Alliance
9 PM The official SMD party ends

Saturday November 17th (OPTIONAL)
9 AM Brunch Hyatt Schaumburg

Official Cowboy day in Chicago!
 

Enjoy an all-in action filled day with:
- Line dancing lessons
- Riding lessons
- Lasso lessons
- We’ve rented a farm for the day – Learn how to milk a cow, feed chickens and be a part of the first SMD hoedown!
- The ultimate pick up truck show down. The OFFICIAL SMD Ford F150 and Randy Petersen’s very own 2008 F150 STX will be hauling ass!
- Lunch catered by famous Hackney’s.
- AND more!

7 PM The Giddy Up Charity Affair at the Hyatt Schaumburg.
- The SMD country and western band will be entertaining.
- Cowboy Pat and his crew will be showing off with their professional line dancing.
- YOU will be able to show what you learned today

Program ends late.