Matthieu Schon, a 29-year-old luxury travel concierge, has offered a glimpse into the world of elite travel, where clients regularly spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on week-long vacations. Schon, founder of Matt Concierge, specializes in crafting bespoke experiences for wealthy travelers, sports stars, and VIPs, handling everything from private jets to exclusive yacht charters.

A "standard VIP trip" now often costs upwards of $500,000, according to Schon. He notes that these significant expenditures don't always come from the most recognizable celebrities, but can originate from individuals who appear ordinary. "Normal looking people have the money and are happy to spend it on luxury," he stated.

One notable client, involved in the pharmaceutical industry, reportedly spent nearly $857,000 in a single week while vacationing in Europe. This included approximately $214,000 for a yacht rental, with a single afternoon of partying on board costing over $51,000. "That's the crazy reality of the luxury world nowadays," Schon commented.

Schon's services extend to arranging private jet travel, with round trips costing over $100,000. Helicopter transfers, luxury hotel suites priced around $4,300 per night, and daily chauffeur services costing about $850 are also part of the typical package. Security expenses can run into thousands of dollars daily, and a single day on a yacht can exceed $40,000.

He also recounted planning a four-day trip to Mykonos for a major NBA player. Despite traveling with only his partner, the player booked the largest available villa at the Santa Marina hotel, which cost around $45,000 for the duration. Schon mentioned that NBA players often have substantial funds and enjoy indulging themselves when they do take time off from training.

When it comes to accommodation, Schon advises against standalone villas for his VIP clients due to security concerns. He prefers villas located within hotel grounds, which he believes are less likely to be targeted because of the higher volume of people and surveillance. "Hotels are usually less of a target because there are so many people around, so many cameras," he explained.

Beyond elaborate itineraries, Schon has handled some peculiar requests. One client famously demanded a "giant croissant" be brought onto their private jet. Schon had to quickly locate a bakery that could supply the large pastry and ensure it passed through airport security in time for departure.

Schon highlighted a key difference in attitude between his wealthy clients and typical vacationers: their approach to time. "VIPs are not trying to negotiate prices that much. They are trying to get peace of mind," he said. For them, spending time negotiating a minor expense, like a driver's fee, would equate to significant financial loss in their own business dealings.

This demand for immediate gratification extends to nighttime activities. Schon frequently receives calls around midnight or 1 a.m. from clients who spontaneously decide they want to go clubbing. He then must quickly arrange table bookings and ensure everything is in place, often requiring him to wake up and coordinate with club managers.

Schon manages these elaborate trips from his base in Dubai with a team of five employees who assist in planning the extravagant getaways.