totti

Welcome to the M&M Forum and the ‘Miles and More Guide’. This thread is meant to be a collection of information and frequently asked questions which are useful to new visitors and old hands alike. Before asking a new question, please have a read (or search – see this thread for general FT search tips) of this thread first and see if what you want to know is already covered.

This thread is a first verion on the Miles and More Guide. It was inspired by the wonderful „Ultimate BA Guide“. Thanks to the BA board members for allowing us to use their guide as a role model. This guide is not the work of a single person, but a great team effort by may M&M forum regulars. Thanks are due to DownUnderFlyer, f4freeJunior, steffen0212, asmallworld, NewbieRunner and totti on the big effort to write, review and update the guide.

As you may realize this thread is only a Beta Version because there are still some parts missing or are not entirely correct. So please feel free to test the links, provided below and check all the information compiled in this guide
If you have comments, questions or suggestions for this guide – great! The constant revision and feedback is what makes the M&M forum such a useful resource. However, to ensure this main thread does not become too daunting for new visitors and get bogged down in too many responses, we’ve had our friendly moderators lock this thread and created a new one for comments. Please use this:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=811692

thread to provide feedback and we’ll try and incorporate it as rapidly as possible.

We are still looking for some help to complete the guide. For example we need someone to provide information on the M&M credit cards and connections in FRA, MUC, VIE and ZRH. If you have are interested to help please let us know!

Who’s Where?
Sometimes it’s nice to know who is flying where – especially with a view to coordinating lounge access or meeting up. There is now an excellent calendar tool to help with this. The extremely helpful BA97 hosts and maintains it on his website. It’s free to use and very useful, so check out:

http://www.ba97.com/calendar.asp

and see if you can ‘put a handle to a face’ (not literally, that sounds painful)…

Enjoy!

The Miles and More Board.

Release notes:
V0.5 Updated Earning chart, Updated SPG point transfer option
V0.6 Corrected some mistakes. 2 SEN lounges in FRA a. Updated booking classes.
V0.7 Add FTL perks
V0.8 Baggage regulations no longer part of the guide but included in collection of useful threads, new index for collection of useful threads to improve readability
V0.9 Some minor mistakes corrected. SEN perks in Status and Privileges added.
V0.10 Added some useful threads, corrected the lounge list, added FRA connection guide
V0.11 Revised Status and Privileges section

totti

The Miles and More Guide itself

Each item in the contents page will link to a separate post in the thread, allowing easier access to each part.

M&M forum acronyms
Collection of useful threads
Travel Classes
Fleet Overview and Seat Maps (AKA “What’s the best seat…”)
Lounges and Lounge Access
Frankfurt First Class Terminal FAQ's
Status and Privileges
Earning Miles
Upgrades
Operational Upgrades/Downgrades
FRA, MUC, VIE & ZRH connections
Miles and More credit cards
Fare ‘Buckets’/Letters
The famous HON Run®
Miles and More Forum Do’s and regular tables


This thread is designed to be a first stop for new people to the forum and a useful ‘dip in’ resource for existing FTers. It hopefully will address the most common questions to do with flying LH, LX and OS and membership of the Miles and More.

totti

AFAIK – As far as I know
BIS – butt in seat miles
DBC - denied boarding compensation vouchers
DO - officially a gathering of 12 or more at an event intended for FlyerTalkers. In reality, a gathering of any number of people involving large amounts of alcohol!
eVoucher – special upgrade voucher for use on M&M integrated partners
F or F class refers to First Class.
FCL - First Class Lounge, both in FRA and MUC
FCT - the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt
flat-bed seat - horizontal sleeper seat
FRA – LH’s main hub in Frankfurt
FTL – Miles and More Frequent Traveller Status
HON - is the highest M&M status (600k miles within two calendar years on M&M integrated partner airlines only)
HON RUN® - special European mileage run in premium cabin, see below
IIRC - If I recall correctly
LH – Lufthansa
lie-flat seat - flat seat but at an angle (not horizontal)
LO – LOT Polish Airways
LX – Swiss
MUC – second main hub in Munich
OS – Austrian Airlines
OLCI - Online Check-In
Op-Up - Operational Upgrade (free upgrade given for no specific reason)
PNR - Passenger Name Record
RTW - Round the World ticket
SEN – Miles and More Senator Status
SSSS - Selected for Secondary Security Screening (printed on selected boarding passes usually ex-USA meaning you're going to get extra screening by security)
TATL – TrAnsaTLantic (as in a ‘TATL trip’)
ZRH – LX hub in Zurich

totti

Here is a collection of threads that you may find useful in the Miles and More forum as well as in the *A forum

Miles and More specific threads

The List of Miles and More promotions hosted by crossings


Airline specific threads (LH,LX,OS,LO etc.)

Contact to our official LH lurker Michelle! thanks to the voluntary work of LHrelate (Michelle) ^

The general LH/OS seating thread hosted by oliver2002

The LX seating thread hosted by rorschi

FRA F/HON terminal FAQ's hosted by virtualtroy - The original ultimate First Class Terminal thread by Always Flyin can be found here.

The LH/OS special meal FAQ thread hosted by oliver2002

The all new Swiss Business First Class menu thread hosted by f4freeJunior

The complete LH baggage regulations hosted by oliver2002

Review of LO (Lot) C and comparison to UA and LH hosted by jason8612

Information on new C and F, expected in Summer 2010

Introduction of A380 on LH


Airport related threads

The FRA connection Q&A thread hosted by NewbieRunner

The MUC connection Q&A thread


Useful threads in other fora

The*A useful reference links hosted by Kiwi Flyer

BlondeBomber’s *G comparison chart

The status match master thread in the TravelBuzz! Forum


Threads for socialising

The Miles and More Forum Lounge Thread
Come and visit the Lounge, get to know other FTers and talk about almost everything you want: Miles and More enhancements, wasserdischt baggage tags sold on eBay, the new iPhone…

LH lounge meetings hosted by paffendorf

totti

General informations about the services on board of Lufthansa in the internet:

Seatmaps (all aircrafts)

Inflight Entertainment (longhaul flights)

Food & Beverages (longhaul flights)

Lufthansa Economy Class (shorthaul & longhaul flights)

Lufthansa Business Class (longhaul flights)

Lufthansa Business Class (shorthaul flights)

Lufthansa First Class (longhaul flights)

Lufthansa Private Jet

For information and discussion about the best or worst seat on a specific aircraft see The general LH/OS seating thread


Domestic flights
The following description is valid for all domestic flights in Germany, operated by Lufthansa Mainline and Lufthansa Regional.

Economy Class
Seating: European standard seats. In the first 2 to 5 rows in Economy you´ll find designated premium seats, reserved for status-pax, only given to anyone else if the flight is full. Seats in rows wich can be converted to Business Class seats (Airbus and Boeing aircrafts only) offer a little more legroom.
Service: No meals. One drink service with a limited selection (coffee, tea, juices (apple, orange, tomato), Coke, Coke Light, Fanta, Sprite, water (still and sparkling) beer (alcoholic/non-alcoholic) and sparkling wine. Ice and lemon are available. Ordering two drinks is allowed.

Routes without any service in Economy Class: FRA-DUS, FRA-NUE, FRA-STR, MUC-STR, MUC-NUE and vv.

Business Class
Seating: Business Class is separated from Economy Class with a movable curtain. On Airbus and Boeing aircrafts (except the Airbus A300-600) the middle seat is blocked and replaced with a small table, offering additional space and privacy. The seats are a little bit wider due to convertible armrests and offer a little more legroom. Otherwise seats are the same as in Economy Class. On regional aircrafts with 2-2 seating only window seats are available as the seat next to you is blocked.
Service: Free magazines on board (Bunte, Gala, Stern, Spiegel, Wirtschaftswoche, Focus, Time, Newsweek, Vanity Fair), refreshment towel before takeoff. You’ll be served a small cold snack (breakfast-, lunch-, dinner-type) and usually two full drink services (see Economy Class plus wine (red and white / small bottles), Tonic, Ginger Ale, Bitter Lemon, fresh orange-juice on early morning flights and a small selection of spirits. Before landing chocolates are distributed. On these flights “special meals” are not available.

European International Flights (shorthaul)
The following description is valid for all international flights in Europe with a scheduled flight time (blocktime) of less than 150 minutes and operated by Lufthansa Mainline and Lufthansa Regional. Please note that the 150 minutes-rule is not a law but a guideline. There might be a few shorter flights, qualifying for mediumhaul services and longer flights only receiving shorthaul services, depending mostly on competition on a specific route.

Economy Class
Seating: see Domestic Flights
Service: see Domestic Flights plus a second regular drink service (depending on flighttime and load) and wine (flighttime (blocktime) >~90 minutes). Additionally you’ll get a small snack (chocolate bar, sandwich, snack-bag). On these flights “special meals” are not available.

Business Class
Seating: see Domestic Flights
Service: see Domestic Flights – with full bar service with a cold meal, served in one course on a tray. The tray usually contains three little snacks (appetizer, entrée, dessert). You’ll get as much bread or rolls as you like. At least two regular drink offerings, but drinks are available everytime during the flight. On most flights with a flighttime (blocktime) >~90 minutes one FA is working in the business section exclusively to refill drinks, distribute more rolls and so on. Wines are served out of the regular bottle. On these flights “special meals” are available.


European International Flights (mediumhaul)
The following description is valid for all international flights in Europe with a scheduled flight time (blocktime) of 150 minutes or more, operated by Lufthansa Mainline and Lufthansa Regional. Please note that the 150 minutes-rule is not a law but a guideline. There might be a few shorter flights, qualifying for mediumhaul services and longer flights only receiving shorthaul services, depending mostly on competition on a specific route.

Routes:
DUS to AGP,KBP,MAD,OTP,SOF,SVO,VLC
FRA to AGP,ATH,DNK,FAO,GOJ,HEL,IST,KBP,KUF,KZN,LCA,LED,LI S,MAD,MLA,OPO,PEE,ROV,SVO,
SVX,TLL,UFA
HAM to BCN,MAD,PMI,SVO,VLC
MUC to ADB,ATH,DOK,ESB,HEL,IST,KBP,LED,LIS,MAD,SBZ,SVO,

Economy Class
Seating: see Domestic Flights
Service: Full Bar Service including wines and some spirits (no alcohol on early morning flights) with at least two regular drink offerings. Additionally you’ll get a meal service depending on the time of the day. Lunch and dinner are hot meals (no choice); breakfast may be a cold plate too, depending on the route. On these flights “special meals” are not available. On non-Schengen flights on board Duty-Free is available.


Business Class
Seating: see Domestic Flights
Service: See Domestic/International Flights – with full bar service and a hot meal (three courses) served on a tray with a choice of two entrées. Usually one FA is working exclusively in the Business section to fill up the glasses, offer more rolls and handle special requests. LH caters five different teas on these flights but you have to request them. On these flights “special meals” are available. On non-Schengen flights on board Duty-Free is available.


Intercontinental Flights (short longhaul)
It is indeed a little bit confusing but there are flights officially marketed as intercontinental flights (for mileage earning and award travel) but are operated with shorthaul aircrafts. The following description is valid for these specific flights operated by Lufthansa Mainline.

Routes:
FRA to ALG,AMM,BEY,CMN,HBE,TIP,TUN
MUC to EVN,TBS

Seating and service (Economy and Business) on these flights are the same as on international mediumhaul flights (with special meals available in Economy Class too – please have a look there for specific information.


Intercontinental Flights (Airbus A300 routes)
It is an open secret that LH is short in longhaul aircrafts. For this reason there are a few routes operated with specially reconfigured A300 aircrafts. The following description is valid for only these specific flights.

Routes:
FRA to ADD,ALA,CAI,KHI,KRT,LHE,TSE

Economy Class
Seating: Economy longhaul seats with individually adjustable headrest at every seat. No inflight entertainment on these aircraft. Pillows and blankets are available. No overnight kits.
Service: Flighttimes are usually from 3 to 6 hours, so there is one meal service in Economy (warm meal, three courses, one tray) with at least 2 full bar services.


Business Class
Seating: On these specific aircraft (known as ABA) and only on these specific aircraft your seat will be an “old” business class seat, well know for so many years, proudfully kicked into history last year but reappeared as LH decided to bring these bird back to longhaul travel. The seat reclines comfortable, but not full and has no inflight entertainment system. Instead you will receive a portable DVD player with a choice of 10 movies in up to 8 different languages and noise-cancelling headphones.
Service: Flighttimes are usually from 3 to 6 hours, so there is one meal service in Business. You´ll get a tray with all basics (cutlery, breadplate, butter and so on) and the starter of your choice plus a salad. After this the tray is removed and the entrée is served.


Intercontinental Flights
The following description is valid for all intercontinental flights not mentioned
in the above parts (short longhaul, Airbus A300 routes) operated by Lufthansa.


Economy Class
Seating: Economy longhaul seats with individually adjustable headrest at every seat. Pillows and blankets are available. No overnight kits. On most aircrafts the inflight entertainment is still limited to the overhead monitors, but LH finally decided to offer AVOD (Audio/Video on Demand) in Economy Class too.
Chances are good to find the new AVOD system on board the Airbus A330 as they will be converted first, followed by the Airbus A340-600.
Service:


Business Class
Seating: The “new” business class seat is available on ALL longhaul routes not operated by an Airbus A300. The sleep modus is angled flat and AVOD is offered in every seat. The hard features of the seat are: length of two metres in sleep mode, remote control unit for the seat and AVOD, privacy screen, large work table, individual reading light, PC power point with no adaptor necessary and an integrated massage function.
Service: new service level in 2nd quarter of 2008


First Class

Routes WITHOUT regular First Class service:
FRA to ATL,CAN,CCS,CPT,DEN,HYD,IAH,ICN,KIX,MNL,PDX,YVR,YY Z

Seating: Sleeper seat, fully (horizontal) flat with a length of two meters in sleep mode, AVOD in every seat (operated via touchscreen), large work table, individual reading light and a PC power point with no adaptor necessary. The next generation First Suites will be installed with the delivery of the first A380.
Service: In First Class every passenger is “master of time” which means that you are free to choose when, what and how many you will eat. A menu is distributed shortly after takeoff and after that, it is completely your choice. The service is very professional, personalized and caring and one of the reasons, why LH First Class is regularly considered one of the best in the world although the seat is clearly not up to date.

Catering is usually generous in amount and of very good quality (a full meal consists of 4 different starters incl. caviar, salad or soup, 4 different entrées, 2 desserts, cheese and chocolates), accompanied by an extensive wine list. A large selection of spirits is available as well as different teas and coffees (regular, decaf, espresso and cappuccino).

For those who are used to change clothes on flights, LH offers a sweatshirt during dayflights and a pyjama on overnight services – both times together with an amenity kit.

For information on the new F seat, which is expected to be introduced in Summer 2009, please click here.

Lufthansa seat pictures

Boeing 747-400
First Class
Business Class
Economy Class

Airbus A340-600
Business Class Picture1, Picture2
Economy Class new (old)

Airbus A340-300
First Class
Business Class
Economy Class

Airbus A330-300
Business Class
Economy Class New Old

Airbus A300-600
Business Class
Economy Class

Airbus A321
Business Class
Economy Class

Airbus A320
Business Class
Economy Class

Airbus A319
Business Class
Economy Class

Airbus A319 (PrivateAir Lufthansa)
Business Class

Boeing 737-500
Business Class
Economy Class

Boeing 737-300
Business Class
Economy Class

totti

See Travel classes or the LH/OS seating thread.

totti

LH has three (actually still four at the moment) different Lounge types:

• First Class Lounges (FCL)
• Senator Lounges
• Business Lounges
• FTL Lounge (only one in CDG)

Additionally there is the First Class Terminal in FRA.

If you want to meet a fellow FTer in one of the lounges please post in the [B] LH lounge meetings thread.

Rules for LH lounge access:

1. HON Circle card holders are allowed to enter ALL THE LOUNGES even when travelling on other carriers or not flying at all. Only for First class terminal they need a BP and ticket for a LH LX OS or other M&M integrated partner flight.
   
2. Senator card holders, even when travelling on other carriers or not flying at all, are entitled to access:
   • Senator Lounges
   • FTL Lounges
   • LH, LX and OS Business Lounges
3. Star Gold card holders, with a valid Star Alliance Boarding pass are entitled to access:
   • Senator Lounges
   • FTL Lounges
   • Business Lounges
   There are some restrictions about Star Gold access for some German domestic lounges. Please look for latest info on www.lufthansa.com
   
4. FTL card holders, with a valid Star Alliance or LH Partner carrier boarding pass are entitled to access:
   • FTL Lounges
   • LH, OS and LX Business Lounges
5. LH First class pax, with a valid ticket or boarding pass ON LH FLIGHTS are entitled to access ALL THE LOUNGES [including the First Class Terminal]
   Please note that the First Class Terminal/Lounge access is limited to pax travelling on LH/OS/LX operated flights, not on LH codeshare flights.
   
6. Other Star Alliance First class pax, with a valid ticket or boarding pass ON STAR ALLIANCE FLIGHTS are entitled to access:
   • Senator Lounges
   • FTL Lounges
   • Business Lounges
7. Lufthansa AND Star Alliance Business class pax, with a valid ticket or boarding pass on LUFTHANSA or STAR ALLIANCE FLIGHTS are entitled to access Business Lounges ONLY
   

Rules for Guests access to LH lounges:

1. HON Circle Member and LH First Class Traveller may invite: one companion and/or family members who are flying with them into the FCT, or with a valid ticket or *A BP into the FCL. Even though this are the official rules fellow FTer hch reports that it is possible to invite a guest to a FCL without a *A BP.
2. Senators and Star Gold cardholders are entitled to take ONE GUEST each into the lounge. Guests need to have a valid ticket or BP for a Star Alliance flight.
3. Other First Class Travellers are welcomed in the lounges and they are entitled to take ONE GUEST with them.
4. Biz Class Travellers (incl. LH pax) and Frequent Travellers are NOT ALLOWED to take GUESTS into the lounges.

STAR ALLIANCE GOLD CARDS
A little summary of LH, LX and OS lounges

First Class Terminal [not Star Gold designated lounge]

• Frankfurt

First Class Lounges [not star gold designated lounge]

• FRA T1 Concourse A
• FRA T1 Concourse B
• MUC
• Zurich
• Vienna
• Geneva

Senator Lounges

• Berlin-Tegel
• Bremen
• Dresden
• Düsseldorf
• Frankfurt Near Gate 26
• Frankfurt (FRA) Lufthansa Senator Lounge A51 (Non-Schengen)
• Frankfurt non/Schengen in Terminal B
• Frankfurt (FRA) Lufthansa Senator Lounge Concourse C (Priority Gates)
• Hamburg
• Hannover
• Cologne-Bonn
• Leipzig
• Munich Schengen
• Munich Non-Schengen
• Munich Senator Café
• Nuremberg
• Stuttgart
  
  Europe
• Athens
• Basel
• Geneva
• Milan-Linate
• Milan-Malpensa
• Paris-Charles de Gaulle
• Vienna A Gates, Non-Schengen
• Vienna C Gates
• Zurich
  
  Worldwide
• Atlanta
• Mumbai
• Boston
• Detroit
• Dubai
• New York-Newark
• New York-John F. Kennedy (NYTimes Article about the reopening of the JFK lounge.)
• Houston

[*] Washington


Business Lounges

• Berlin-Tegel
• Bremen
• Dresden
• Düsseldorf
• Frankfurt near Gate A26
• Frankfurt opposite Gate B24
• Frankfurt opposite Gate B44
• Hamburg
• Hannover
• Cologne-Bonn
• Leipzig
• Munich Schengen
• Munich Non-Schengen
• Nürnberg
• Stuttgart
  
  Europe
• Basel
• Geneva
• Mailand-Malpensa
• Paris CDG
• Vienna A Gates, Non-Schengen
• Vienna Plaza
• Zurich
  
  Worldwide
• Bangkok
• Boston
• Dubai
• Detroit
• Houston
• New York-John F. Kennedy
• Washington

totti

Do I have entitlement to access the F terminal in FRA?
Yes, under the following conditions:

- You have arrived / are departing on a confirmed F segment on LH metal, on the same day (so, for example, if you were to fly FRAMUC in any class, connecting to an ex MUC flight in F on LH, you would be entitled to FCT access)
- You hold HON status
- You are invited as a guest by someone who meets the above criteria
- And, you are departing on a flight operated by LH/LX/OS/EN (excludes codeshares)

What are the opening times of the F terminal?
- 0530 to 2245 daily

Where is it located?
About 200 metres to the west of Terminal 1

If arriving in FRA on a LH operated flight in F, will I get a car transfer from the arriving flight?
- Ordinarily, no. However, if you hold HON status, you're arriving / departing from an apron position and your onward flight is operated by LH / LX / OS, LH aims to send a car to meet you from your arriving aircraft. See for more info. NB If you do get the car service on arrival, you will be driven to the main arrivals area and not the FCT, as this does not offer immigration and customs facilities for inbound passengers.

How do I get to the F terminal in FRA?
The First Class Terminal at Frankfurt is located close to Terminal 1. You can reach it by car via the access road to Terminal 1: the entrance to the First Class Terminal is off this road, approximately 200 metres before you get to Terminal 1. When arriving on public transport, the First Class Terminal is only a few minutes’ walk from Terminal 1. The lounge is directly behind the Terminal’s security checkpoint.



The FCT is a departure terminal/lounge and is not meant for transfer pax. Transfer pax can use the FCLs located in the main terminal building which offer the same amenities as the FCT. There is not transfer or shuttle to the FCT. You can walk to the FCT, though:

tcswede advises: How many guests am I permitted in the F Terminal?
- One, assuming a lower cabin class and that they will be travelling on the same flight as you. If they also are confirmed to travel in F, they too will be entitled to a guest, meeting the same criteria
- Anyone with a confirmed segment in F is also entitled to bring in their domestic partner and / or children, provided they are departing on the same flight, irrespective of the cabin class they are travelling in

I’m arriving on LH/LX/OS C and departing TG/SQ/etc. F, do I get in to the F terminal?
- No, but you will have access LH Senator (Star Alliance Gold) lounges airside

I’m arriving on TG/SQ/etc. F and departing on LH, Swiss, Austrian C do I get in to the F terminal?
- Not unless you hold HON status, otherwise you will have access LH Senator (Star Alliance Gold) lounges airside

I’m arriving on any carrier in any cabin class and departing same day on LH/LX F do I get in to the F terminal?
- Yes.

I'm arriving on LH / LX F and departing same day on another carrier in any cabin class, will I have access to the F terminal?
- Yes, if your onward flight is operated by LH, Swiss, Air Dolomiti or Austrian Airlines Group. Otherwise, you will only have access to the LH F airside lounges or (if eligible) the lounge of the airline operating your onward flight.

What is the minimum connect time between flights in order to use the F terminal?
- 90 mins is recommended, however some have observed that 60 mins is acceptable, while others still have got away with just 20 mins. Bear in mind, if in transit, that you will need to factor in the time between arrival and departure

Do I need to tip the staff in the F terminal?
- At your discretion, but not expected under local cultural conditions

What's the food like in the F terminal?
- Well above the standard of anything you might expect from any airline in the air, a cut above lounge food of any other airline and equivalent to a smart restaurant in any major capital city in the world

What if I want a bath / shower in the F terminal?
- At peak times, you may have to wait. Go see the bathroom receptionist and ask for a place.

What if I just want to sleep when I arrive at the F terminal?
- The F terminal is equipped with two sleeper rooms. If one is available, just make sure your PA is aware that you intend to sleep, and you will be woken an appropriate time before you need to board your onward flight.

Can I smoke in the F terminal?
- Yes, both cigar and cigarette smokers are welcomed in an appropriately segregated area. If you don't make it to the F terminal, the only other LH F airside lounge which provides a smoking aread is the one by gate A26.

Will I be able to buy the same duty free products as elsewhere in FRA airport?
- The F lounge contains a small duty free shop – usually more extensive selections of perfumes and gifts v. tobacco and alcohol. Depending on the length of your layover, it may be possible to obtain other products available elsewhere in the airport. Otherwise, if on transit, you may wish to consider perusing the broader selection of shops on arrival airside, before heading to the F terminal. If you have sufficient time, a PA can organise for you to be driven back to Terminal 1 where you can go airside to the shops (don't forget your passport and BP!) then follow the same steps as in How do I get to the F terminal in FRA? above to get back there.

Is there somewhere to leave my coat(s) and hand baggage?
As you enter the main lounge of the F terminal, you'll see a coat rack, you can leave hand baggae in the area beneath this

When is the F terminal most crowded?
- To be added

What does the personal assistant do?
- The PA service exists to make your passage through the F terminal smoother
- He/she will initially check your BP and passport, assist with any baggage to be checked in and escort you through security controls
- They can assist with e-bookings and seating changes
- You will also be called by a PA (depending on length of layover, not necessarily the same one) when it’s time to get transport to your onward flight

What transport is offered to my flight?
- Either a Mercedes Benz S-Class, Porsche Cayenne or Mercedes Viano luxury minibus

Do I get to choose which I have?
- Ordinarily, no, but you will find the PA team obliging to requests should this be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Will I have to share the car transfer?
- Depending how many others are in the F terminal and travelling on the same onward flight, you may be asked to share the luxury minibus. If it's a special occasion or a once-in-a-lifetime journey, ask your PA if car-sharing could be avoided; they'll do their best to oblige in appropriate circumstances.

What if I want to log on to the web while I'm in the terminal?
- If you have your own, wireless-enabled laptop ask a PA for a (complimentary) code for access to the lounge network.
- If travelling without a laptop, a PA can organise to loan you one.

I have a long layover in the F terminal and all it offers isn't enough for me; I'm likely to get bored
- You could borrow a laptop and watch a movie from an available selection, ask a PA. These are also available in office cubicles in the terminal

The following are gratefully acknowledged for providing information which originally formed the basis of the original post or updates to the above: virtualtroy(host of the offical FCT FAQ thread^); KiwiFlyer ; AlanW; hch; tcswede; SmilingBoy; dhoward; SuperFlyBoy; Fendant; sentom.

totti

Thanks to steffen0212 who compiled this list in a german FF forum!

Miles and More has 4 status levels:
Miles and More base membership aka M&M blue
Miles and More Frequent Traveller (FTL) = *A Silver
Miles and More Senator (SEN) = *A Gold
Miles and More Hon Circle (HON) = *A Gold

A short overview on the perks for each tier can be found here.


Qualification
Status qualification is based on calendar years. You need to earn a certain amount of status miles per calendar year.
For HON status you need to earn a certain amount of HON miles within two consecutive calendar years for HON.

Status is valid for the remainder of the year you qualify plus the following 2 calendar years, plus Jan & Feb of the third year. It is not 100% clear if this also applies for HONs. Please see this thread for further details.

For requalification you need to earn the required amount of miles in one of the two years of status validity. If you earned status in 2010 it will be valid for the remainder of 2010, than 2 calendaryear (in this case 2011 and 2012) and will end by Feb 2013. If you earn the required amount of miles either in 2011 or 2012 you status will be prolonged by another two years (Feb 2015 in this example). If you requalify for status in both years 2011 and 2012 your status will be prolonged only once and the second requalification won't have any impact on status duration. The next time you can requalify will be the two years be for the repective status ends.

Miles and More Frequent Traveller (FTL)

• 35,000 status miles within one calendar year

Miles and More Senator (SEN)

• 130,000 status miles within one calendar year for M&M members with a german address in their M&M profile
• 100,000 status miles within one calendar year for M&M members registered outside Germany

Miles and More Hon Circle (HON)

• 600,000 HON miles within two consecutive calendar years

Miles and More Frequent Traveller (FTL)


Overview

• Special Hotline
• Discounted M&M CC (62 EUR vs. 95 EUR per year) (for the german CC only!)
• Lufthansa Exclusive Magazine (only in Germany, Austria and Switzerland)

Earn and redeem miles

• Executive bonus of 25% on base miles on fully Integrated Airline Partners (** see below) as well as AC, UA and US. Executive bonus miles count towards status miles as well as award miles.
• miles do not expire

Check-In / Luggage

• Business-Class-Check-In (M&M integreated partners only)
• Telephone- / SMS-Check-In for LH-flights
• Stand-By and waitlist priority (also when flying on other *A carriers)
• Higher baggage allowance: total of 40 kg on weight concept. Also included is the free carriage of one golf bag. (Note: NO additional baggage allowance für piece concept) (only M&M integreated airlines)
• free Golf bag (max. 15 kg) only if weight-concept applies
• free Ski bag within the overall baggage allowance only if weight-concept applies

Lounge
Daparture:

• LH, LX, OS and LO Business-Lounges with a valid Star Alliance Boarding pass
• LX Partner-Lounges (only with LX ticket for same day departure)

Arrival:

• LH Welcome-Lounge at FRA (long-haul arrivals only)
• LX Arrival-Lounge at ZRH

Airport

• Security-Fast-Track (only at certain airports including but not limited to FRA, MUC, ZRH, DUS, HAM, TXL)
• Priority Boarding* (UA only)

Onboard

• Special attendance* (if only few SEN/HON/*G on board)

Partner offers

• Sixt Gold Card 25% discount
• 10.000 miles for T-Mobile contracts and additional promos (may vary from country)

* Unconfirmed / non official perks
** M&M Fully Integrated Airline Partners are: Adria Airways, Air Dolomiti, Air One, Austrian Airlines Group, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa Private Jet, Lufthansa Regional, SWISS



Miles and More Senator (SEN)


Overview

• Senator telephone hotline (24/7)
• M&M CC for free (in Germany, Switzerland and US)
• Two upgrade eVouchers on achieving SEN status and two more every time status is extended (i.e. every two years). eVouchers are not transferable, but can be spent on accompanying persons.
• Guaranteed booking up to 48 hours before departure in booking class C, or up to 72 hours in booking class Y on flights operated by OS, LO, LH, and LX.
• Advance seat reservation on all LH flights irrespective of booking class including emergency exit row.
• enquiries Revenue Management* (LH only)
• Lufthansa Exclusive Magazine
• Status extention (2.000 EUR per year)
• Soft-Landing: if you don't requalify for SEN you will only drop to FTL for another two years

Earn and redeem miles

• Executive bonus of 25% on base miles on fully Integrated Airline Partners (** see below) as well as AC, UA and US. Executive bonus miles count towards status miles as well as award miles.
• miles do not expire
• Senator Premium Award (pay 150% of the normal miles to get an award seat even if there is no award availability)**
• Companion award: a companion accompanying Senator on the same award flight can fly for 50% fewer miles.**
• Mileage advance up to 50,000 miles. A Senator may overdraw up to 50,000 miles if accumulated miles are not sufficient to cover the cost of an award. The account must be balanced again by the time the Senator status expires.
• Waitlist award flights* (I any time, O two weeks prior to departure) (LH only)

Check-In / Luggage

• Check in at First Class counters irrespective of flown class or at dedicated *G counters.
• Choose exit row at online check-in
• SMS-Check-In for LH flights
• Stand-By and waitlist priority (also when flying on other *A carriers)
• Higher baggage allowance extra 20kg for weight concept
• extra bag 23kg (Economy) or 32kg (Business/First) (for piece concept) (also when flying on other *A carriers)
• free Golf bag (max. 15 kg) only if weight-concept applies**
• free Ski bag within the overall baggage allowance only if weight-concept applies**
• Priority baggage handling (also when flying on other *A carriers)
• priority luggage delivery if luggage got lost (LH only)[/URL]
• automatic check-in (LH, OS)

Lounge
Departure:

• LH SEN and Business-Lounges with a valid Star Alliance Boarding pass
• LX and OS SEN/Business-Lounges with a valid Star Alliance Boarding pass
• *G-Lounges with a valid Star Alliance Boarding pass
• One Guest allowed

Arrival:

• LH SEN and Business-Lounges any time
• LX and OS SEN/Business-Lounges with a valid Star Alliance Boarding pass
• LH Welcome-Lounge at FRA (long-haul arrivals only)
• LX Arrival-Lounge at ZRH
• One Guest allowed

Airport

• Security-Fast-Track***
• Priority Boarding

Onboard

• Exit-Row-seats (if avialable)[/URL]
• Seat-Blocking in Y* (only LH)
• Priority meal-choise*
• Business-Class drinks offered in Economy* (LO only)
• LH Economy (longhaul) some LH C perks like blankets, pillows etc. (you need to ask for it!)*
• Greeting by name and `Hello!' from the purser, Maitre de cabin*
• Special attendance*
• Priority in case of op-up due to overbooking*

Partner:

• Europcar: discount of up to 15% and double mileage for all rentals in Germany.
• InterContinental Hotels & Resorts: Double miles for extraordinary stays at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts Europe, Discover Europe and enjoy exceptional service and warm hospitality at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts! Until February 28, 2009, you will even earn 1,000 award miles, instead of the usual 500, for your weekend stay.
• Mandarin Oriental: upgrade to next-higher room category (subject to availability), early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability), waiting list priority
• NH Hoteles: upgrade to next higher room category (subject to availability), booking guarentee until 72 hours prior to arrival, early check-in and late check-out upon request, waiting list priority, welcome gift in guest room and VIP treatment more
• Ramada: upgrade to next higher room category (subject to availability), booking guarentee until 72 hours prior to arrival, early check-in and late check-out upon request, waiting list priority, welcome gift in guest room and VIP treatment more
• Shangri-La: Shangri-La's Corporate Select rate (subject to availability), Complimentary newspaper, Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability), Complimentary use of selected health club facilities, Express check-out (where available)
• Sixt: 35% discount for all rentals + upgrade (if available), 20% discount for all Sixt Holiday Cars,
• 10.000 miles for T-Mobile contracts and additional promos (may vary from country)

* Unconfirmed / non official perks
** M&M Fully Integrated Airline Partners are: Adria Airways, Air Dolomiti, Air One, Austrian Airlines Group, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa Private Jet, Lufthansa Regional, SWISS
*** at many airports worldwide and also on other *A carriers


Miles and More Hon Circle (HON)

Overview

• Hon Circle telephone hotline (24/7)
• M&M CC for free (in Germany, Switzerland and US)
• 6 upgrade eVouchers on achieving HON status and 6 every time status is extended (i.e. every two years). eVouchers are not transferable, but can be spent on accompanying persons.
• Guaranteed booking up to 24 hours before departure in booking class D and C, or up to 48 hours in booking class Y**
• Advance seat reservation on all LH flights irrespective of booking class including emergency exit row.
• enquiries Revenue Management* (LH only)
• Lufthansa Exclusive Magazin
• Senator partner card for spouse / partner
• Soft-Landing:if you don't requalify for HON you will onyl drop to SEN for antoher 2 year with all SEN perks

Earn and redeem miles

• Executive bonus of 25% on base miles on fully Integrated Airline Partners (** see below) as well as AC, UA and US. Executive bonus miles count towards status miles as well as award miles.
• miles do not expire
• Senator Premium Award (pay 150% of the normal miles to get an award seat even if there is no award availability)**
• Best flight award availability: HON + 3 companions until 14 days before departure. Valid for Economy and Business Class (at certain times and on certain flights seats may occasionally be unavailable)
• Companion award: a companion accompanying Senator on the same award flight can fly for 50% fewer miles.**
• Mileage advance up to 100,000 miles. A Hon Circle member may overdraw up to 100,000 miles if accumulated miles are not sufficient to cover the cost of an award. The account must be balanced again by the time the Senator status expires or at least 50,000 if you drop to SEN.
• Waitlist award flights* (LH, LX, OS LO) - Waitlisted awards will almost always clear for HONs within some hours
• Award discount voucher (US only)

Check-In / Luggage

• Check in at First Class counters irrespective of flown class or at dedicated *G counters
• Choose exit row at online check-in
• Telephone check-in 23 hours before departure / SMS-Check-In for LH flights
• Stand-By and waitlist priority (also when flying on other *A carriers)
• Higher baggage allowance extra 20kg for weight concept
• extra bag 23kg (Economy) or 32kg (Business/First) (for piece concept) (also when flying on other *A carriers)
• free Golf bag (max. 15 kg) only if weight-concept applies**
• free Ski bag within the overall baggage allowance only if weight-concept applies**
• Priority baggage handling with special HON tags (also when flying on other *A carriers)
• priority luggage delivery if luggage got lost (LH only)[/URL]
• automatic check-in (LH, OS)

Lounge
Departure:

• FCL, SEN and business lounges (LH,LX,OS) with a valid Star Alliance Boarding pass
• FCT with a valid with a valid LH, LX, OS boarding pass**
• *G-Lounges with a valid Star Alliance Boarding pass
• HONs may invite: one companion and/or family members who are flying with them into the FCT, or with a valid ticket or *A BP into the FCL.
• Invite a guest to a FCL without a *A BP*

Arrival:

• FCL, SEN and business lounges (LH,LX,OS) with a valid Star Alliance Boarding pass
• LH Welcome-Lounge at FRA (long-haul arrivals only) - With any arriving BP on LH
• LX Arrival-Lounge at ZRH
• HONs may invite: one companion and/or family members who are flying with them into the FCT, or with a valid ticket or *A BP into the FCL.

Airport:

• Personal assistant at may airports (LH only)
• Security-Fast-Track***
• Priority Boarding

Onboard

• Exit-Row-seats (if avialable)[/URL]
• Seat-Blocking in Y* (only LH)
• Priority meal-choise*
• Business-Class drinks offered in Economy* (LO only)
• LH Economy (longhaul) some LH C perks like blankets, pillows etc. (you need to ask for it!)*
• Greeting by name and `Hello!' from the purser, Maitre de cabin*
• Special attendance*
• Highest priority in case of op-up due to overbooking*

Partner

• Sixt Diamond incl. 40% Rabatt + Double Upgrade
• 10.000 miles for T-Mobile contracts and additional promos (may vary from country)
• Europcar: discount of up to 15% and double mileage for all rentals in Germany.
• AVIS President Club
• Hilton Gold
• Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) Discovery Black
• Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum

* Unconfirmed / non official perks
** M&M Fully Integrated Airline Partners are: Adria Airways, Air Dolomiti, Air One, Austrian Airlines Group, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa Private Jet, Lufthansa Regional, SWISS
*** at many airports worldwide and also on other *A carriers

totti

Before you can venture out to spend all those miles you need to earn them first.
There are three different categories of Miles within M&M:

1. HON Miles
2. Status Miles
3. Award Miles

HON Miles can only be earned through flying on selected airlines (fully integrated M&M airlines). The number of HON miles collected in a two calender year period determines whether you are eligible for HON status.

Status Miles can only be earned through flying on a wider group of airlines (generally Star Alliance members and/or M&M integrated airlines). The number of status miles collected in a calendar year determines your frequent flyer status within the M&M program. Status Miles can also be redeemed for flights and other things (see next chapter).

Award Miles can be earned through flying, hotel stays, credit card spend etc. The number of award miles you earn per calendar year has no influence your frequent flyer status. They can however be redeemed for flights and other things.

Earning miles through flying
The number of HON, status or award miles you earn through flying depends on the distance you fly, the booking class of the airline operating the plane you are travelling on and your frequent flyer status.

M&M has a free tool which tells you the amount of miles you will get for many of the flights operated by some of the M&M integrated airlines:
http://www.mileage-calculator.com/ph...p?language=eng

If you can’t find your flight in that tool you need to do some research yourself.
First you need to determine the distance of your flight and for that the Great Circle Mapper is a good place to start.
http://gc.kls2.com

Note that the distances there will slightly vary from the ones M&M uses to determine the distance of the flight.

Next you need to look at the booking class of the ticket you have purchased. The following table gives you an overview about the miles you will earn on Lufthansa operated flights. You need to multiply your miles flown with the percentage corresponding to your booking class, unless on short flights were a minimum mileage might kick in. Flights within Europe earn a fixed mileage no matter how long the flight is.

Other booking classes (award fares, free tickets etc.) do not earn any miles.

As a FTL, SEN or HON you will get a 25% bonus on the distance flown or the minimum miles when flying on some airlines.

For a full overview for all M&M partner airlines, award/status/HON miles etc. please follow this link:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/cdauti...dia_493415.pdf

A note on codeshare flights: You will normally only earn miles if the operating carriers is a M&M partner. There are some exceptions to this (like some OS flights operated by AF) but in general this rule is true. You will earn miles based on the booking class of the operating carrier, which might differ from the booking class on your ticket.

Earning Miles through other activities:
You can earn award miles (not status or HON miles) by spending money with various M&M partner companies.

These include many hotel chains, car rental companies but also telecommunications provider and many internet shops. Either you get a fixed amount of miles (500 per stay, 1000 per rental etc) or miles depending on your money spent (e.g. 1 mile per EUR spent).

Another category of partners are media companies who give you award miles for magazine or newspaper subscriptions.

Other partners are financial services providers who give you miles for investing money or using their services.

Another very common way of earning miles is the use of M&M credit cards. In some countries you can get M&M cards where money spend on the card gives you award miles.

There is another way of earning miles which does not depend on spending money: You get miles for subscribing to M&M newsletters or for referring other people to M&M or M&M credit cards.

And last but not least if you really have to, you can even buy miles. You can buy up to 12,000 miles per calendar year for yourself or for as many other people as you like (max 12,000 each) for EUR 290.00. Less miles are available for a higher price per mile.

As pointed out in the Status section SEN and HON members can overdraft their accounts if needed. Senator cardholders receive an advance of 50,000 miles, and HON Circle members enjoy a miles advance of 100,000 miles. 

Both Senator cardholders and HON Circle members have to balance out their mileage account by earning miles until their status expires.
 If the mileage account isn't balanced out, Miles & More will invoice any of the miles used at 0.024 EUR per mile.

Another way of buying award miles is through Starwood Preferred Guest. SPG points can be transferred to Miles 1:1 and you even get a bonus of 5000 miles for every 20,000 points transferred. Starwood lets you purchase up to 20,000 points per year. (Note that it can take up to 6 weeks until the points post in your account. Sometimes it only takes 2 weeks though.)

totti

**********************************
Beginners' guide to connecting at FRA

**********************************

This guide is meant to be for passengers connecting between LH/M&M integrated flights and to/from Star Alliance flights at FRA. Please post all other FRA connection questions in the relevant airline's forum or in the Germany forum.

Due to the ongoing refurbishment work at FRA and the adoption of the 2009 EU security policies, details mentioned here are subject to change and this is very much a work in progress.

Basics

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) has two terminals and all Lufthansa and Star Alliance flights use Terminal 1.

On arrival at FRA check the departure gate number of your connecting flight on the flight display boards even if you already have a boarding pass. If no flight display boards can be found, follow the signs for "Abflug/Departures" and you will eventually come to one.

The "Abflug/Departures" signs may show gate numbers (e.g. A1-16) or gate areas (e.g. B C).

If immigration or passport control is required, following the signs to the correct boarding gate should take you through the necessary check points.

If you don't already have a boarding pass for your connecting flight, get one from a Transfer Counter or if within one hour of departure from the departure gate of your onward flight.

Terminals and boarding gate areas
(see below for the definition of Schengen and non-Schengen)

Terminal 1
Pier A : Lufthansa domestic/Schengen (A1-42) and international/non-Schengen flights (A51-65)
Pier B : Lufthansa and partner airlines domestic/Schengen (B00-19) and international/non-Schengen flights (B20-62)
Pier C : Lufthansa intercontinental and Tel Aviv flights (C13-16), partner and other airlines international flights (C2-11) and domestic/Schengen (C1)

Terminal 2
Pier D : Other airlines domestic/Schengen flights (D21-31) and international flights (D1-13)
Pier E : Other airlines domestic/Schengen flights (E21-26) and international flights (E2-11)

Quick transfer guide
(For "domestic" read "domestic/Schengen")

• A international <--> B domestic (Transfer tunnel or walk through terminal)
• A international <--> B international (Sky Line train)
• A international <--> C (Sky Line train)
• A domestic <--> C (Sky Line train or walk through terminal)
• A domestic/international <--> Terminal 2 (Sky Line train)
• A domestic <--> B international (Transfer tunnel or walk through terminal)
• A domestic <--> B domestic (Transfer tunnel or walk through terminal)
• B international <--> C (walk)
• B international <--> Terminal 2 (Sky Line train)
• B domestic <--> C (walk)
• B domestic <--> Terminal 2 (Sky Line train)
• C <--> Terminal 2 (Sky Line train or walk)

Transfer tunnel and Sky Line train

The transfer tunnel links Pier A (domestic/Schengen) and Pier B (domestic/Schengen). The access to the tunnel is via elevators close to Gate A17 and Gate B19 but as far as I remember there's no sign for the actual tunnel. Simply following the signs to B gates or A gates should direct you to the elevator leading to the tunnel.

The Sky Line train links Pier A, Pier B/C and Terminal 2 Pier D/E. There are two carriages, one linking Schengen areas and the other linking non-Schengen areas with separate platforms so passengers in Schengen and non-Schengen areas are separated. The stop for Pier B/C is quite a long walk from C13-16 gates.

Arrival and departure gates

To find out which gate your flight is likely to arrive at or depart from, check Lufthansa's arrival and departure information. Beware that some flights may arrive at/depart from different gates or even different concourses on any given day from their usual gate area.

Minimum connection time (MCT)

• Connecting to/from intercontinental flights (LH400-799) – 60 mins
• All other flights: to Schengen and non-Schengen shorthaul destinations – 45 mins

Note that the MCT applies if bookings are on one ticket. If flights are on separate tickets or involving a carrier other than *A, additional time must be allowed. Increased security for certain flights means security screening may be required and your arrival and departure gates may be far apart, for example if arriving at an A gate and departing from a C gate.

Bus gates

Many shorthaul flights arrive at remote apron positions and passengers are ferried to the terminal by bus and arrive at "bus gates". Non-Schengen arrivals at bus gates are marked INT on the LH information page for arrivals. Schengen arrivals at bus gates are marked B00.

A number of departures are also from bus gates and if the connecting flight is from one of these gates it is important to arrive at the designated gate in good time. The following are believed to be bus gates: A1-5, B1-17, B30-33, B50-62.

Airport maps

Detailed maps of FRA showing all the gates are difficult to find but the following are worth checking.

http://www.frankfurt-airport.com/cms...3.overview.pdf
http://www.lufthansa.com/cdautils/me...dia_395687.pdf
http://www.media-frankfurt.de/upload...ankfurt_02.pdf
http://www.media-frankfurt.de/upload...oncourse_C.pdf

Schengen / non-Schengen

If you are travelling between EU countries which ratified the Schengen Treaty, there are no passport checks when crossing borders and flights to and from Schengen countries are treated as "domestic" flights at FRA.

Currently the following countries are in the Schengen area: Belgium, Germany, France, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Greece, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Hungary. Although not in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland are also in the Schengen free-travel zone.

Passport control and customs

If arriving from a non-Schengen country and connecting to a Schengen destination, you will go through passport control and customs for your carry-on baggage at FRA. In reality you may not even notice there are customs. You clear customs for any checked baggage at the final destination.

If connecting from non-Schengen to non-Schengen there's no need to go through passport control, though there may be security check points.

Finally...

If all this sounds too complicated remember one thing "Follow the signs", or to quote DownUnderFlyer:

"Just follow the signs. Don't think. Don't apply logic. Just follow the sign. You will get to your destination. You might have to go through security 2-3 times, customs, passport control, tunnels, escalators, elevators, stairs and you feel that you have just walked to your final destination.
But under no circumstances try to make sense of it. You will only get lost."

Other FT threads on FRA and transfer at FRA

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...ort-world.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...tion-news.html
Frankfurt Airport [in Germany Forum]

If you have any further questions please visit the FRA beginners' guide thread.

totti

Operational Gradings

Introduction: In case of overbooking of one class or even the whole flight, operational gradings must be taken into consideration.

Operational upgrade: Before offering operational upgrades, passengers registered on "Request for Grading" on the waiting list should be upgraded first.


Grading Procedures
If operational upgrades become inevitable, it should be performed according to revenue aspects. The sequence for operational upgrades is

• HON
• Senator or Star Gold
• FTL or Star Silver
• Passengers in the highest available booking classes

Note: Economy Class passengers with special meal are not allowed to be upgraded on standby basis. Business Class passengers with special meal may be upgraded to First Class. Please inform the crew accordingly.


Mileage credit
On operational upgrades The passenger will earn miles on his upgraded or downgraded flight according to the paid class.
The correct mileage accrual is guaranteed by the LH Check-in system as it recognises the grading items (UPG).

Operational downgrade If operational downgrades become inevitable, the sequence is:

• ID passengers listed under ‘Accepted Passengers available for Offloading or Downgrading’
• ‘Waiting List’ (lower priority first)
• Revenue Passengers (no frequent flyer status).

totti

Miles for Upgrades

eVouchers and M&M miles can be easily used for upgrades. There is always discussion in this forum if it makes sense to spend miles for upgrades because upgrades are fairly expensive e.g. for a flight from Europe to the US in C you need 95k miles, to upgrade a flight in travel classes Y and B you need 70k miles and in the other economy travel classes even 100k miles! If you decide to upgrade using miles or eVoucher here is how it works:

For LH LO and OS:
paperless (eUpgrade eVoucher)
between 360 days and 3 hours prior to departure if no special meal request exists in PNR
between 360 days and 12:00 PM UTC of the day before departure if special meal request exists in PNR
if origin of segment or carrier is not eligible for paperless upgrades, records will be automatically sent for conversion into paper
booking time limits for paper award documents will apply
If necessary, customers shall be informed about a resulting fee
booking time limits for upgrades against miles are also valid for upgrades against eVoucher


NH:
between 28 days and 24 hours prior to departure


NZ:
between 28 days and 24 hours prior to departure


SK:
between 360 days and 24 hours prior to departure

SQ, OZ, TG, UA:
between 365 days and 24 hours prior to departure

LX:
between 360 days and 3 hours prior to departure if no special meal request exists in PNR
between 360 days and 12:00 PM UTC of the day before departure if special meal request exists in PNR

TP:
between 330 days and 24 hours prior to departure

Please note that not all booking classes are upgradable! You can upgrade anytime in the timeframe mentioned above for either out- and inbound or only only one direction. Upgrades can be requested even if some segments of your itinary have been flown already.

totti

LH fare letters
This list was pioneered by Smiling Boy in this thread.

Because of the quite complex M&M earning and upgrade scheme it is very useful to check in which fare your flight will book in! Here is a small overview:

variations by LX, OS, LO (not yet completed!)

totti

The Hon Run® was originally introduced by our fellow FTers Flying Lawyer and labelled as such by flysurfer. Actually the Hon Run has nothing special to do with Hon but is kind of a placeholder for a great way to earn miles for a decent fare on LX metal. It is fairly simple: you just book a European flight via one of Swiss home bases (ZRH, GVA, BSL) in restricted and therefore discounted Business Class. You can even add an Intra-Switzerland flight to maximise miles. A flight with 4 cross boarder segments will earn you 8k M&M miles plus any status bonus for ~600 EUR.

A possible routing could be:

You will earn 13.750 bonus and status miles incl. Executive bonus.

For more information just have a look at this thread were you find detailed information about possible routings and how to book this. Latest discussion on other Hon Run possibilities can be found here.