I know I’m crazy, but hear me out…I’ve decided to fly from Los Angeles to Frankfurt only to turn around and fly right home. Why? All for a rubber duck from the Lufthansa First Class Terminal. It’s truly a testament to my loyalty to Lufthansa.
Crazy: Flying To Frankfurt For A Special Rubber Duck From Lufthansa
The Lufthansa First Class Terminal recently re-opened after over a year and half of being closed due to the pandemic. To celebrate, Lufthansa issued a “very limited edition” special COVID-19 duck:
For those not familiar with the First Class Terminal experience, Lufthansa offers rubber ducks as a memento of your visit. These used to be yellow and lately have been black. But Lufthansa also issues special-edition ducks like the one pictured above. Over the years, I have built up a nice collection of these special ducks.
But the COVID-19 duck holds a special place in my heart and is about so much more than the duck. It was during COVID-19 that my primary business failed and that life truly turned upside down. Lockdowns and travel restrictions also crippled Award Expert, my miles and points consulting business. I contracted COVID-19 and lost my sense of smell for six weeks. Around the world, we’ve seen not just death from the pandemic, but unprecedented separation of family and friends who are forced to speak to each other on screens, which is never a suitable substitute for personal human interaction.
And while the virus is far from being defeated (it will be with us for a very long time), signs of normalcy are emerging again. Borders have re-opened. Families are again re-united. And one of my favorite places in the world, the First Class Terminal, is now open for business.
As much as I want to forget the pandemic, it is and forever will be an indelible part of my life; a chapter of my history. And I can think of no better momento of that history than the Lufthansa COVID-19 duck. I love the message, “Welcome home,” on the duck because returning to the First Class Terminal does feeling like coming home. In fact, travel itself is “home” for me. It is my element.
The duck will have a central place in my office. It will be reminder of the tough lessons I have learned over the last year but also a reminder that the joy of travel endures and that some things, like Lufthansa First Class, remain an aspirational but achievable expression of my love for miles and points.
I realize that I could (theoretically) buy one of these ducks on eBay, but where is the fun in that? My ducks are not bought.
So duck it, I’m going to Frankfurt.
Lucky you!! Sounds like a GREAT mileage run and a good time to just get away for a while.
This. The absolute best and most awesome/crazy but nerdy wonderful thing ever to be accomplished in the name of miles. You rock, Matthew.
Echt verrückt! Aber ich freue mich für dich. Ein wahrer Vielflieger!
Genau!
I get where you’re coming from, but a terminal building is one of your favorite places in the world?
Heading to Berlin for 2 weeks next week, flying home for 5 days and then taking the in-laws to Berchtesgaden and Berlin for 3 weeks.
Hope the border stays open to the vaccinated.
Two of my favorite places in the world…..Berlin & Berchtesgaden. And what a great time of year to be in Germany. I am jealous! Have fun….
Thanks @michael, will do. Usually spend the 3 weeks prior to Easter in Berchtesgaden every year and 3-4 weeks in the fall in Berlin, but, of course, missed that this year, and last.
Looking forward to reconnecting with friends.
If anyone is ever in Berchtesgaden, I highly recommend Hotel Bavaria and when in Berlin, the Myer’s Hotel in Prenzlauer Berg.
Ich hoffe ebenfalls für dich, dass die Grenze offen ist. Wenn du den deutschen Pass oder Aufenthaltstitel hast, sollte mit der Einreise keine Sorge sein. Abgesehen von der üblichen Frage über vorhandenen negativen Covid Test und Impfpass etc.
For Matthew, who does this for a living, great! For the rest of us, it’s not a good idea to travel for a duck.
Suggestion: I know Lufthansa and Germany are sticklers for rules but perhaps they can be persuaded to give Matthew 2 ducks if Matthew has a contest to Live and Let’s Fly readers for that second duck?
A great idea but it would be cheating! The beauty of the duck is the journey. You gotta pay (the miles) to gain that elusive beauty.
I disagree. The beauty of the duck is either in going to the First Class Terminal or winning it. I agree that buying it is no fun.
Am doing the same! HAHA
Why do you think that Welcome Home duck is still available when you will arrive?
P.S Do not forget to ask Olympic duck from bathroom clerk.
I’m chancing it.
Screw the environment, amirite?
I’ll go with you! I love LH F.
None of my bees wax but are you paying $ for this as I couldn’t find any F out of LAX on points.
I’ll come home in F.
Fantastic! There are stories that bring me to you.
Going to Berlin tonight. Economy though. Maybe one day again First Class
As someone who once went to Antwerpen for the weekend to buy a box of chocolate hands, this sounds perfectly normal to me.
P.S. if you’re still coming to Dallas for FTU, shoot me an email. I was serious about the invitation to mom’s house for BBQ and Indian food.
FTU cancelled. Will still send you email.
Solidly support this endeavor. Duck it!
This sounds like it will be great for the environment….
Hey brainwashed!!! The plane is flying anyway with or without Matthew inside. All the celebrities you follow on Twitter that claim the planet is dying they all fly private jets while you ride a bike to save the planet.
This is amazingly wonderful! Nothing better than spur-of-the-moment trips. I lived in LV and went to visit a friend in Japan for a weekend. It was wonderful! So happy you have the means to do this, no matter what it takes!
You are preaching to the choir here. I once flew from LAX to Melbourne FC and turned around 24 hours later for the return. But not for a duck…just miles. It makes perfect sense here….
@Michael, that’s too funny! I did same thing one time to Melbourne except I turned around same day. Decided didn’t like hanging out in the dingy club lounge and opted for the 8 hour turn in Sydney instead which allowed for quick trip into town and have a wonderful brekkie or lunch which I did a number of times. I miss those trips.
Did you find a great FC fair or use miles?? I never knew they gave out ducks on my 3 visits to the FC Lounge!!
I have a collection of ducks and ❤️ Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal but nope. I’m not going just to collect another duck. As a recently retired Pediatrician, I have plenty of unwanted memories of this pandemic
Sounds like a great adventure. I am not a fan of LH, although (because?) I use them for a fair proportion of my intra-Europe trips- but I always love to hear about this kind of stuff, irrespective of the airlines and routes involved.
Now that Joe Biden has defeated the Taliban, he will turn his attention to defeating the virus.
Why must you always spam some crap comment?
Can’t this “person” be banned from commenting?
Always a pleasure to have a good shit post.
Yes, just as deplorables should be banned from society. Vaccination or banishment. Socialism or barbarism!
Go duck yourself! You deserve it.
As a one-off Matthew, besides LAX, if I ever wanted to fly LH F, where could I do that from in the eastern US?
Also, flying LH ATL-FRA-MUC-TBS on Christmas day, have you ever experienced LH “business” short haul and what’s it like?
Historically, IAD/BOS/IAH/MIA/EWR. ORD might be easier for you. But right now only EWR/MIA offer first class on east (LAX, ORD, SFO, MEX offer first as well)
Have flown Lufthansa short haul business quite a bit. You’ll find several reviews here. Decent meal, economy class seat with the middle seat blocked.
Not JFK, but EWR. JFK is supposed to come back in October.
Correct. Thanks.
Thank you, I expected as much with the blocked middle seat. Not a big deal on a short flight, but a 4+ hour flight, ugh.
IAH offers it, too.
(At least, I hope it does, or they really messed up my ticket!)
I was the 5th person to enter the FCT when it reopened on Sept 1st. Even though the showers weren’t functioning for a while, the staff made sure the customers got the special edition duck. I am cherishing mine.
Ngl, very jealous as a Canadian – due to US’ Europe ban, I’d have to fly to Mexico in order to visit FCT and then have to fly home over 5h, instead of a 1h flight from NYC/ORD.
Good luck getting your duck!
(I just received one on Sunday AM, so I’m assuming you got one, too).
Spasti
This is actually cool as hell.
Hi Matthew – you’re married correct? Just curious if your wife thinks you’re crazy or if she comes along for the journey? Can’t wait for the trip report and you describing their faces when you tell them you’re here only for the duck lol. Hope you have an awesome trip!
She supports my trip. I married the right woman!
Wouldn’t it be funny if you went all the way there and couldn’t get one.
@Matthew, you are a literal murderer. We have less than a decade to save the world from a climate apocalypse and you fly a direct turn from LAX to FRA for a rubber ducky? How dare you!
There is space in the basement of the Demented in Chief for you to hide. Knock yourself in.
Last I checked the flight is occurring whether he is on the plane or not. I don’t think his extra 150lbs will matter too much.
Pretty sure that is the attitude / justification most if not all passengers would put forward if you ask them… the plane is flying anyway… so nobody is responsible?… How convenient.. a return trip LAX-FRA in F translates to roughly 8 million tons of CO2 for that one passenger…the young generation will appreciate and judge you.
You fellas aren’t very careful readers of the comments on this blog, are you?
Also, why would you want a rubber ducky that models one of the many “we must do something/anything” measures that didn’t stop the virus but destroyed people’s livelihoods, including yours?
You’re a troll. I’m surprised you didn’t say he’s a murderer for wanting a plastic item. Hasn’t he heard plastics are killing marine life!!!!! GTFO
Ah, another avid user of acronyms. Perhaps you and UA-CCP should jump boxes together. “SMH!”
I hope you had a pleasant journey. It sounds great and I’m envious.
Narcissism at it’s best.
Wow. As your home state burns, too. This post won’t age well.
You prefer I stay home and twiddle my thumbs?
Way to go Matthew!
I am so happy for you, that despite your primary and secondary businesses failed, you are still able to spend a few thousand dollars on a round trip First Class ticket to get a Lufthansa duck.
Grazie mille