Photo Contest to Be My Seatmate on the Star Alliance Megado!
The fourth Star Alliance Megado is coming up in November, and even though it sold out within minutes, as a sponsor of the event I managed to snag an extra ticket for the domestic portion - and I want to take a lucky reader along with me for the ride like I've done in the past.
What the heck is a Mega Do?
Basically, it's when the frequent flyer community teams up with airline alliances to create the ultimate travel event that includes amazing access to airline facilities and executives along with chartered planes. This November is the fourth Star Alliance Mega Do and the itinerary will have us jetting around the US on a plane full of Star Alliance execs, bloggers and members of the media. Tickets went on sale July 9th and sold out almost instantly, but luckily I was able to get an extra seat next to me in a bulkhead Premium Economy seat.
Here's the schedule of events on the Star Alliance Mega Do 4:
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 Airport
1 PM The FIRST Mega DO flight ever on a widebody goes SFO-IAH.
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 in Houston
730 AM Departure from Houston to Chicago
10 AM Arriving in Chicago
United hosts us in Chicago
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
9 AM Brunch Hyatt Schaumburg
The actual flight distance (San Francisco – Houston – Chicago) totals 2,650 miles. Participants accrue more than that in a United MileagePlus account (note: United MileagePlus is the only program offering mileage credit for the charter). Since you'll be traveling in Economy Plus with me, you'll be earning 7,500 PQM/RDM's.
What is covered: In addition to a seat on the charter and access to these events, I’ll also cover hotels for Tuesday-Friday nights. Of course, I’ll let you pay for them so you get the Hyatt Gold Passport points and then reimburse you!
What is not covered: You will need to get yourself to San Francisco on Tuesday, November 13th and home from Chicago.
Estimated value of the prize: The cost of each seat was $1,249, plus hotels will be around $600 and the overall experience will be priceless, for sure.
Since this prize is a pretty valuable "once in a lifetime" experience, I want to make the lucky winner work for it a little bit - like what I did for the Oneworld Megado in January, where the winner Conor rapped in his video explaining why he should be selected. Instead of creating a video, this time it's all about photos and you have two ways to enter.
All you need to do is create a photo with caption explaining why I should choose you. In the example above, I decided to do a "Texts From Hillary" style entry so you get what I'm talking about. You don't have to be in the photo yourself - it can be of anything!
However, I will be judging based on creativity and humor, so try to be original. This site will help you make your own photo with a caption in no time. There are two ways to enter and you can use both methods, but you need to create a unique entry for each.
1) Follow The Points Guy on Twitter
and Tweet your photo to @thepointsguy and include the hashtag #greatseatmate in your Tweet.
2) On your smartphone, download the free Instagram App and then follow me at thepointsguy:
Then click the camera button and upload your photo. Make sure you include @thepointsguy and #greatseatmate in your caption so it is included as an official entry
You have until 4:00pm EST on Sunday October 14, 2012 to enter your photo and caption. I will select my 5 favorite entries and announce them in a blog post and on the TPG Facebook page and finally as Instagram photos on Monday October 15, 2012. I will then crowdsource feedback on the entries through comments on the blog post, comments/shares on the Facebook posts and "Likes" on the Instagram photos. I'll take all of that into consideration and announce the grand prize winner at 5pm EST on Tuesday October 16. A runner-up will be selected in case the grand prize winner can't attend the actual event and there will be other prizes for the other finalists.
Rules: I will disqualify/delete any offensive or obscene entries. Please stay away from politically charged captions - politicians can be in the photos (like my Hillary example), but don't get political in your caption. Overall, just have common sense. After all, I wouldn't want to be stuck next to a crazy seatmate for three days!
Feel free to ask any questions here or Tweet me. Bottom line – be creative and have fun and even if you can't enter the contest, enjoy the entries. I know I will!
[card card-name='Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card' card-id='220611156' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.