Unofficial DO-Newbie SMD4 Thread

Howdy Y'all,

Rather than pepper the official master with a bunch of questions from those of us new to DO's, I thought it might be helpful to create a thread where we can ask SMD4 related DO-neophyte questions.

For example:
What costs should I anticipate if I'm lucky enough to get a seat? I've listed my guesses, but would appreciate a veteran's confirmation.

Expected costs:
-Charter Seat (Listed in Master)
-Positioning Flight (Home to SFO or IAD)
-Un-Positioning Flight (ORD to Home)
-Hotel Costs (Currently TBD)

Listing IAD there suggests you may do the optional international part as well.

So add in the group $ rate that is TBD for the flights IAD FRA ZURICH SFO. IIRC previously LH around $700 coach & $2400 business.
Add in accommodation cost in ZURICH .
May (& I say may) have transport costs in ZURICH to & from hotel / airport.

You will have virtually no food costs , and only drink costs if you need more beverages than are available at the sponsored functions!

Edit: Oops, the next few posters have added valuable information about the Charities we fly for Be sure to bring some extra dollars, & have your credit card handy ...

Optional costs :
- Raffle tickets (previous DO : IPad, GPS, EU ticket, SWUs etc)
- Auction for limited-slot prime activities (previous DO : flight-simulator time, water evacuation drill etc)

You will have to account for the cost of buying an additional bag should you wish to take all your swag home

Hotel is biggest cost outside of ticket.

An optional, but IMO key, item is charity donations.

There will likely be auctions for sim time, suites at the hotels, 'special' experiences (say, a seat in box at a sports game), and the like. Additionally, there will be raffle tickets sold on board for various prizes.

Of course you don't have to participate at all, but I would budget at least a minimal amount (50-100) to donate to charity.

But at least this time, we will have the opportunity to purchase a special Rimowa carry-on

Oops, took the question as a literal, what extra mandatory costs are there. So yes, I totally missed adding in all the other fabulous things on offer to us that go towards the Charities of the Do.

Guess this means I need to improve my game & try donate a bit more to keep them fresh in my mind!!

Have gone back & edited 2nd post a bit to hopefully make it easier for newbies

Other add ons:
Transportation between home and airport for positioning flights or airport parking
Tips for hotel housekeepers, lounge bartenders, etc.
Taxes on hotel rooms in addition to the rate
Internet access charges, especially if not elite
Any lounge day passes for those without access, for example at home airport before positioning flights
Overnight in hotel before first international leg if you don't want to risk a missed connection; taxi fares for this if no airport shuttle and associated cost of meal(s)
Taxi fares to catch up with the group if you miss any provided transportation
Visa fees, passport fees if you don't have one or it is about to expire
Souvenirs in addition to SMD4 swag
Any phone charges, roaming fees, SIM cards, etc.
Luggage fees, for example if not *A elite and flying coach for international portion or for domestic positioning flights if not elite; IIRC there weren't checked bag fees on the charter for reasonable luggage
Any items you purchase for the trip such as travel umbrella, LH/LX compliant carryon bag, etc.

Hahah. And don't forget that the blowup giraffe isn't free, either...

American idol is free lol

Thank you for allowing us newbies to learn more about MegaDo4. When will an itin be out and how do we sign up? Do we get FF points for the trip? Thank you!

The itin, and costs are available in the Master Thread. You can earn United miles for the charter, and miles on your preferred Star Alliance carrier for the international portion. How to register will be posted when they are ready to announce that piece.

Adding to mowogo's answer above..

For direct information sign up at MegaDO.com, and also keep a close eye on the Master Thread.

We should get a week's notice for booking. When booking does open, if they use the same format as the OWMD in January, they have developed a booking page for your details, class of charter & seat selection, plus payment by card. Not that different to an airline booking page.

Be ready to put in passport or other government issue photo ID number.
Be ready to put in your Hyatt Gold Passport number.

If your passport / ID is going to expire before the SMD4 then just put in what you currently have and let the organizers know the new details when you have them.

Be prepared for a glitch once booking does open. Don't only have 5 minutes to spare!!
If you miss out on booking when all the seats are gone, put your name on the wait list that will start up immediately. Life happens, so there is always some movement on the seats sold.

Thank you for this! This is my very first posting so it's exciting. Any "gut" thoughts as to when this is going to happen?

Welcome to MP, have a look at the SMD4 Master Thread.

Tommy had mentioned that July 9th was the target date, but they would advise if it would be possible to book before then.

I want to go, hope I get the chance!

Hoping to hop on board the international portion of the 'DO. Sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun!

Getting a seat would be an awesome birthday present.

Traditionally, the only way you can do the international is you do the domestic too (they haven't sold the international portion only as a standalone offering). I don't think they will this time either (based on the fact they're allowing 80 people who book the international to book the domestic, and with the demand, i'm sure these will be snapped up!).

It will definitely disappear. I'm already looking forward to the international, just waiting to see prices to determine which class to buy (especially since the international portion does not require more days of vacation this time).

I probably could have been clearer in my last post--Since the international portion is optional, I'm hopeful to do that in addition to the domestic.

Definitely then. Hope to see you there (providing we both get a seat of course!). Knowing my luck, sales will be at 3am again and i'll sleep through 'em heh

What kinds of swag have you received at previous dos? Sounds like a hoot.

Blessed be.

Luggage tags, model planes, lounge passes, pajamas, bears, bags, notepads, pens, phone stands, etc