As a lifelong Little Monster, I’ve seen Lady Gaga through every era and the evolution of her music, art and fashion. But there was always one bucket-list item I hadn't ticked off – seeing her perform in Paris, a global hub for art, history, and culture.
So when Gaga announced her return to the Accor Arena last year, I had a surge of excitement: I knew I had to be there. But tickets sold out in seconds – I didn’t get one. I was devastated.
© Getty ImagesSo when I was offered the opportunity to attend by Accor, who were showcasing the ALL Accor loyalty scheme, I couldn’t resist. I’ve never been a huge believer in such schemes and was sceptical that they could really cover the entire experience – the whole trip, from tickets to travel to Paris and even the pre-event London hotel.
How to get tickets using loyalty points
I was told that, for huge artists such as Lady Gaga, auctions are the best bet for members. The way it works is that you bid on the amount of points you’re happy to use – the winner gets a pair of tickets. It’s not dissimilar to the upgrade system an increasing number of airlines are using.
© Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for LivIn Lady Gaga's case, the auction went up to 80,000 points (around €1,600 or £1,400 for two tickets), offering fans an alternative option when ticket sites sold out immediately.
Travelling to Paris
My Gaga journey began at St Pancras. I was relieved to be skipping the 5:00 AM journey across London to make my train and checked into The Pullman London St Pancras the night before. Waking up in a Deluxe Room with a floor-to-ceiling view of the London skyline was the perfect way to start the day – and I was so excited, I needed a little time to relax in the calm before the storm. Rooms here typically start from £250 a night. If using points, you’d see a dent in your account of around 12,500 ALL Accor points to cover the cost.
© Mark WeeksAfter a short walk to the platform, I boarded the Eurostar to find I’d also been treated to an upgrade in a premium carriage (around 13,300 points but a faff as you have to convert your Accor points to Club Eurostar points to use for discounts, upgrades, and free travels – although there are no blackout dates). I enjoyed a stress-free journey, a glass of champagne and a comfortable seat. I put my phone on charge and let the motion of the train rock me gently to sleep as the countryside blurred past.
© Getty ImagesWhile we waited anxiously for the concert to start, we were treated with a visit to Le Louvre (2,500 points), but you can also use your points for activities such as a river cruise on the Seine (5,900 points) or a treasure hunt on the Marais (1,800 points).
The Main Event: Lady Gaga at the Accor Arena
On arrival at the stadium, I discovered we were being treated to the premium seating area: I was going to be surrounded by the most dedicated Little Monsters, watching a global icon from one of the best vantage points in the venue. I couldn’t quite believe it.
© Samir Hussein/Getty Images for LI almost held my breath as I walked up to the Accor Arena – the energy was electric. I found my seat and from the moment Gaga made her visionary, theatrical entrance, the 20,000-seat venue transformed into a temple of pop. Everything was over the top: the stage fireworks were magnificent, the costumes were structural masterpieces, and her vocals were, as always, flawless and magical.
It was the ultimate "pinch-me" moment, and a far cry from when I used to only watch her performance on my family computer as a child.
Recovering in the glow of the Eiffel Tower
Adrenaline is a powerful thing, so by the time the final notes of Rain on Me faded, I was completely wiped out and relieved I didn’t have to hop back on the train for London. Instead, I checked into the Pullman Paris Eiffel Tower (around 15,000 points).
© abacapress/giuliano ottavianiThe icing on the cake after the serotonin-fuelled performance from Lady Gaga was stepping onto the private balcony to see the Eiffel Tower sparkling at midnight.
The entire experience did exactly what it was supposed to – it made me rethink my attitude towards loyalty programs. Granted, in order to do the entire experience, I would have had to spend tens of thousands of pounds on travel to accrue the points. This would be completely unattainable for me, but an element of the trip? I could perhaps afford that someday. Maybe loyalty schemes aren't a boring waste of effort after all; they are the secret key to accessing the experiences you actually care about – and can change your life. If only for a little while.
Celine was a guest of Accor (accor.com)
