Sorry, you’ll never be a VIP

A friend of mine paid over $1,000 for the "VIP Package" when Katy Perry came to town a few weeks ago. Never mind that paying even a buck for anything Katy Perry-related is stupid, but this friend told me that all she got for the VIP package was access to a lounge, one free drink and appetizers, a 360-photo booth, an opportunity to get a picture standing in front of a giant butterfly thing, and entry to her seats 30 minutes before the regular crowd.

What a waste of money.

OP the cocktail reception is over. Start clearing glasses from the high tops and then assist the other wait staff in the main room for table service. GO!

I didn’t pay for it, but a friend took a couple of us to see Bette Midler in Vegas 15 years ago for The Showgirl Must Go On show at Caesar’s.

A thousand 2009 dollars for an escort who walks you to a front row seat and an open bar. If there was more on offer, I missed it. It was appropriately named, at least to the people who sold it.

They called it the “Smug Mutha” package.

This is true that it is a huge con to call something VIP when you are paying hundreds or thousands to experience it, when true VIPs pay nothing and get more perks!

Well, we could all be like DL-darling Kevin Sessums and grift a ticket. When he has to pay for the rafters, he taught me I can always move to the good seat after intermission so I can harass some old lady or a young boy with cat hair oil cake. I've learned so much from Datalounge.com

I’m so special!!

I bought David Archuleta’s VIP package several times. It was worth it.

Yeah, I'm not a VIP, never will be, I am destined to be forever a nonentity, and I'm ok with that

What r8 said goes for me, too.

In those rare moments I can't resist a live performance, or more often, a pro sports event, I'll pay for a very good seat(s) and be done with it.

OP you seem very jealous here. Who hurt you?

Years ago I got free access to some corporate seats to see a Ranger game at Madison Square Garden. We sat in the third row. Had a special entrance, could leave our seats anytime to a special bar and the ushers never asked to see a ticket. It was great and now I understand how true VIPs live. The seats around us had nothing special guys with stunning women. It’s good to be rich.

r11 describes those exclusive elite sports events seat well.

A close relative of mine worked in upper management for a casino that leased luxury courtside seats for the local NBA team and suites for pro baseball and football.

When the VIP high betting gamblers ("whales") didn't want to attend a game, she'd be able to fill remaining seats with her staff first then whoever she wanted to invite.

I know what I'm about to write may be derided but, seriously, once you've experienced watching a pro sporting event from a luxury suite more than a few times, the thrill wears off.

I actually prefer the energy of a good seat among the masses.

In the past 20 years, a friend of mine and her husband were suckered in to buying two "VIP" tickets for 2 different charity events involving two different celebrities. The very expensive tix had a lot of tiny perks attached to them, but the main perk they were interested in was doing a private "meet and greet" with the celebrity after the event in a VIP cocktail lounge area. Both times, the celebrity did not make an appearance to the gathered crowd. Both times ! And both times the 'even coordinator' had to make excuses as to why that particular celebrity 'couldn't be there'. By the second time, my friend and her husband (who live 'comfortably') swore off these scams.

Who were the celebrities, r13? Name and shame.

VIP is a joke. You're not a VIP because you pay extra. Just another way to get middle class and upper middle class Americans to overspend on their credit cards.

I'm only into upgrades if it is something meaningful and significant. It almost never is, especially these days.