Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners) - Upgrade Advice and Questions

Need some advice and some answers. I did a search but couldn't find all the answers.

Currently booked on a UA one-way award ticket in C on the following route:
SMF-DEN-FRA-FCO

Have the option to upgrade for an additional 17,500 miles to the following route:
SMF-ORD-MUC-FCO

First of all, is the upgrade to F worth the additional miles? From the research I have done it doesn't look like the DEN-FRA route will be the new C (744) or the ORD-MUC will be the new F (A330-300). Have never been in Lufthansa F so curious about the difference between F and C.

Will I have access to the F lounge in ORD (2 hour layover) and MUC (2 hour layover) even though I am on an award ticket? I know the lounge in ORD would be the United partner first lounge if I am granted access.

Any other considerations I am not thinking of?

As usual, thanks for the help.

If an F award seat is available for an additional 17,500 miles I would choose it whether it's an old or new F. The new C seats are only available on a few aircraft at present. The new F is currently available on 7 out of 14 MUC-based A346s, though ORD-MUC (http://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/lh435) does not seem to be served by one of them regularly. Please check the first post of the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles-more-lufthansa-austrian-swiss-other-partners/1318664-new-first-class-retrofit-thread.html thread. F is always better than C whether old or new.

Yes, you will have access to the First Class lounge in ORD and MUC.

First of all, is the upgrade to F worth the additional miles?

For that low mileage difference, I would go for the F upgrade without much thinking ;)

Definitly agree - take the upgraded route. Also MUC is much nicer than FRA, but thats just IMO

Wow!! Only 17.500 miles for a C to F on a SMF-DEN-FRA-FCO upgrade.
That is almost for free.
Can you tell us why you only have to spend 17.500 miles??
Is it a special action in the US of LH??

UA MP F saver award is 17500 miles more than the C saver award...;)

UA MP F saver award is 17500 miles more than the C saver award...;)

Oliver,

But now the economics behind this low mileage!
Is UA first not comparable with LH first? which justifies the low extra between C an F? Or is there something else.

Thats just the way the UA MP system works: US-Europe is 100 000 miles/points in C saver, and 117 500 in a F saver award, irregardless if its operated by LH or UA or any *A partner for that matter.

In terms of redemption rates: UA MP beats LH M&M in all aspects.

The only advantage for M&M is the 50% companion award discount for HON and SEN.

The only advantage for M&M is the 50% companion award discount for HON and SEN.

... and the better availability on LH metal, free Infants, 25% discount for children, ability to request award inventory when D or B is still open... etc etc. I have balances on both UA MP & US DM, its always a mix and match scenario.