Inside the exclusive Airbus clubhouse of some of the world’s most frequent first-class flyers
Some meet-ups are held in cocktail attire at posh clubs; others choose to geek out over shared interests at convention centers, or trivia night at a dive bar. For one particular group of travelers, though, the venue of choice is far more exclusive — the “pointy end” of a wide-body Lufthansa plane.
I jumped at the chance to experience the latter, when legendary first-class flyer Gino Bertuccio extended an invitation to join him and six friends to buy out an entire eight-seat Lufthansa first-class cabin (four, for a variety of reasons, would later drop out).
While I hadn't yet flown with Gino, he's almost a household name among certain frequent flyers, seeking out inaugural high-end experiences, such as the Etihad Residence, despite the frequent high cost of such trips.
Gino was clearly the leader of this exclusive group — he seemed energized to be around fellow aviation geeks, and appeared to be at home at the very front of Lufthansa's first-class cabin, explaining "If my seat (1A or 1K) is taken, I'll fly another day."
I'll be sharing our experience, but note that this isn't meant to be a traditional TPG review. Head over here for our full impressions of Lufthansa's first-class experience. Instead, I'll be presenting our adventure in a "trip report" format.
As if a chance to meet this group wasn't enough, a special fare from Paris (CDG) to Bogota (BOG) via Frankfurt (FRA) brought the cost of Lufthansa first class down to $2,100, including nearly 12 hours onboard and plenty of time at the carrier's famed First Class Terminal, to boot. Credited to United Airlines MileagePlus, I walked away with 2,372 Premier-Qualifying Points (PQPs), along with 17,784 redeemable miles, worth more than $230, based on TPG's valuations.
The four of us met up at the Lufthansa First Class Terminal, a short walk from the main terminal area. Aside from Gino, who lives in Miami, the group included Cherag Dubash, from Abu Dhabi, and Agustin Aguero, from Buenos Aires.
After a quick lunch (you have to try the schnitzel!), we walked a few feet to the bar, which boasts what has got to be the largest whisky collection in an airport lounge.
I proudly introduced Cherag to my First Class Terminal tradition, a top-shelf whisky tasting.
We settled on a duo of 21-year Scotch, a Glenfarclas and Glenfiddich, and one 25-year Glenfarclas as well. Such a treat!
After a couple of hours, it was time for the main event... or, almost time.
First Class Terminal guests are driven directly to the plane in a Porsche, or, if several visitors are on the same flight, a far-less-exciting Mercedes van.
With the rest of us in the van, Cherag had somehow landed himself a private Porsche Cayenne, offering a clear view of the airport, including dozens of wide-body planes along the way.
Before heading upstairs, we paused for a quick photo shoot — naturally, in front of Cherag's Porsche.
After a group shot, and a farewell to Frankfurt, it was time to board our Airbus A340-600 to Bogota, Colombia!
With our smartphones in camera mode, we each went directly to our four window seats to check things out.
With our departure just a few minutes away, the group took some time to get settled, so I decided to indulge in a glass of Champagne.
I was initially impressed with the service, but as it turned out, the flight attendant working my aisle was far more attentive than the crew member assigned to the other aisle.
Gino and I enjoyed a cross-cabin toast. While my neighbor in 2G was friendly as could be, with four strangers between us, I was bummed that the plan for a cabin buyout hadn't materialized as expected.
Just before the crew closed the door, I popped into the bathroom to change into my Lufthansa-supplied PJs, which ended up being a key component of our mid-flight group photo near the top of the post!
I was still feeling stuffed from the lounge, but who can resist a feast of caviar among friends? Easily one of the highlights of flying international first class.
With nearly 12 hours onboard, there was plenty of time to hang out — Lufthansa's sliding ottoman was perfect for one-on-one chats.
While Gino and Cherag didn't have the most attentive service, in 1A and 2A, being able to enjoy Lufthansa first class among friends definitely made the experience feel special. I just wish the rest of the group hadn't dropped out — a full cabin buyout would have been the way to go, especially with Lufthansa's widely available $2,000 first-class fares from Paris to Bogota, via the exceptional Frankfurt First Class Terminal.
Stay tuned for much more to come, including Q&A chats with frequent flyers Gino Bertuccio, Cherag Dubash and Agustin Aguero!
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.