When the dots (Flying Blue) deliver excitement: what a show Andrea Bocelli put on at the Accor Arena in Paris

More and more loyalty programs jumped into the world of experiences. The concept is clear: you are a loyal passenger or guest of mine, maybe you don't care to take a flight or book a hotel room since you already spend so much time there, and so I try to reward you with something you otherwise couldn't buy.

Concert tickets, VIP experiences in Formula 1 e MotoGP, landmark matches such as the Champions League, cooking classes in restaurants three Michelin stars: in short, the limit is your imagination and the amount of points you have to spend.

The last frequent flyer to enter this space was. Flying Blue, the loyalty program of Air France-KLM, who announced it at the beginning of the year: Six Nations, Cannes Film Festival and concerts. And I gave Marika the concert of Bocelli he longed for.

The Flying Blue experience at the Accor Arena in Paris.

The April 1 we took off from Nice direction CDG, we stayed in Pigalle and, after a tour of one of the most iconic neighborhoods in the Ville Lumière, we went to the arena in Bercy, which hosts practically one event a day. The package had a cost of 40 thousand Flying Blue miles per person and, if you buy two tickets, you are also given a free parking space Inside the parking lot of the arena.

Right now if you do the status match Flying Blue You can also get 20k free miles.

The dedicated entrance to the VIP of the arena opened around 18:15, with the concert scheduled for the 20:00.

The Flying Blue Sky Box

There are six box, which can accommodate a maximum of 16 people each. In addition to that of Flying Blue, two were reserved for the guests of Accor, one was marked Hennessy, the maison of Veuve Clicquot, one of American Express And the last of another partner.

We were greeted by the two attendants who pampered us throughout the evening, and as on board, we started drinking champagne from the first minute until dessert was served at the end of the concert.

The parlor has the iconic light blue color and on the walls are pictures and gadgets with the logo of what, for me, remains the best loyalty program in the world.

The external part consists of. three rows of five seats each.

Of course, for a concert the location is not central, but for all other events it is probably one of the best seats in the house.

The Accor Arena

Having arrived early, Marika and I enjoyed a tour of the arena.

Among food stands, sponsor corner and other small attractions, we enjoyed singing in the shower and doing some souvenir photo.

What is included in the ticket

As mentioned, the entrance gives access to the Sky Box And to all that is offered within.

Dinner is served before the concert, during breaks and ends with the sweet in the end: a clever way to fill the wait and avoid going out with the mass of the rest of the spectators. The dinner was really good, with amuse-bouche, appetizers and a hot dish before the cheeses and of the final cake.

All washed down by unlimited open bar. We, apart from a glass of water, preferred not to mix and drank only Veuve Clicquot throughout the evening.

In conclusion

It was a perfect way to spend 80 thousand Flying Blue. Of course, they were points I already had in my pocket, but I could also have transferred them from American Express o Revolut, or simply buy them by taking advantage of a bonus promo to minimize spending.

Would I do it again? Definitely yes. Of course, with the same points I could have redeemed a ticket round trip in premium economy to fly from Italy to the United States, but certain experiences are worth much more than a plane ticket or a night in some hotel in 5 stars around the world.

Forgot, at this link you can see upcoming events scheduled and bookable.

• Flying Blue