Total n00b needs help with LH -> UA miles
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: M&M
Posts: 56
Total n00b needs help with LH -> UA miles
hi there.
this is my first post here, even though i been lurking for some time now. i never posted before since i am not a frequent traveler (but i do go to europe every couple of years)
here is the situation. i have a Miles & More account with close to 200,000K miles (most of them are from credit card use though, which shouldn't matter since its still miles). i am looking to travel with a gf to Buenos Aires for the thanksgiving week. obviously LH doesn't fly to Bs As from North America, but United, which they are partner with, does.
it seems like i have enough miles to upgrade both of us from economy to business class, which with my 6'3" heigh and tweaked knee, is something i really really want to do. the question is, how do pull it off? i looked at LH M&M site and United site and searched everywhere, but without any luck. anybody can share their bits of wisdom? am i on a quest which is going to be impossible to achieve?
and lastly, if anybody has a good travel agent who can basically help me do what i am trying to do here somewhat painlessly, i'll be forever grateful to you for that said travel agent contact info.
thanks again
(x-posted to FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airline Programs > Miles & More)
p.s. - i did use the search feature, but found the question asked many times the other way (xfer of miles from UA -> LH).
this is my first post here, even though i been lurking for some time now. i never posted before since i am not a frequent traveler (but i do go to europe every couple of years)
here is the situation. i have a Miles & More account with close to 200,000K miles (most of them are from credit card use though, which shouldn't matter since its still miles). i am looking to travel with a gf to Buenos Aires for the thanksgiving week. obviously LH doesn't fly to Bs As from North America, but United, which they are partner with, does.
it seems like i have enough miles to upgrade both of us from economy to business class, which with my 6'3" heigh and tweaked knee, is something i really really want to do. the question is, how do pull it off? i looked at LH M&M site and United site and searched everywhere, but without any luck. anybody can share their bits of wisdom? am i on a quest which is going to be impossible to achieve?
and lastly, if anybody has a good travel agent who can basically help me do what i am trying to do here somewhat painlessly, i'll be forever grateful to you for that said travel agent contact info.
thanks again
(x-posted to FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airline Programs > Miles & More)
p.s. - i did use the search feature, but found the question asked many times the other way (xfer of miles from UA -> LH).
#2
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BCN
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,084
What you want to use is a Star Upgrade award using your M&M miles. This is possible USA-South America, but if you're doing coach to business, your ticket needs to be in Y or B fare classes (these are typically very expensive).
Here's a link on M&M's website describing how to do it:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...nodeid=1209676
The other possibility on UA is an upsell on the day of travel, where you pay $500-$700 per person each way for an upgrade.
Here's a link on M&M's website describing how to do it:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...nodeid=1209676
The other possibility on UA is an upsell on the day of travel, where you pay $500-$700 per person each way for an upgrade.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: M&M
Posts: 56
What you want to use is a Star Upgrade award using your M&M miles. This is possible USA-South America, but if you're doing coach to business, your ticket needs to be in Y or B fare classes (these are typically very expensive).
Here's a link on M&M's website describing how to do it:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...nodeid=1209676
The other possibility on UA is an upsell on the day of travel, where you pay $500-$700 per person each way for an upgrade.
Here's a link on M&M's website describing how to do it:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...nodeid=1209676
The other possibility on UA is an upsell on the day of travel, where you pay $500-$700 per person each way for an upgrade.
since on the day of travel business class might be booked, it sounds like the best thing to do is "The best way to book your upgrade is online, but you can also contact our Miles & More Service Team for a reservation. The re-booking goes through right away and the corresponding miles will be debited to your account."
how expensive is Y/B economy fare? it would still be cheaper than business class, right? where is a good place to get deals on Y/B class economy tix?
could there be a catch-22 of sort if i end up getting Y/B economy fare but they wont upgrade me when i call them? IOW: could business class get filled up between the time i get United economy tickets and call to get an upgrade to business?
#4
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: LH SEN, SPG Gold(SCI Gold), Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,451
What you want to use is a Star Upgrade award using your M&M miles. This is possible USA-South America, but if you're doing coach to business, your ticket needs to be in Y or B fare classes (these are typically very expensive).
Here's a link on M&M's website describing how to do it:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...nodeid=1209676
The other possibility on UA is an upsell on the day of travel, where you pay $500-$700 per person each way for an upgrade.
Here's a link on M&M's website describing how to do it:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...nodeid=1209676
The other possibility on UA is an upsell on the day of travel, where you pay $500-$700 per person each way for an upgrade.
The M&M rules for UA are these:
"An upgrade is possible from Business Class booking classes C and D, as well as from Economy Class booking classes Y, B, M, H. For selected US domestic flights booking classes E, U, Q, V, W, S, T, K, L also apply. It is possible to upgrade to classes C, D, Y and B electronically. A paper certificate still has to be issued for upgrades to any other booking class."
So for international travel Y,B,H or M is required.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BCN
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,084
It depends on the route, but M and H can still be very pricey. For what it looks likely to cost you, my suggestion would be to try to upsell on the day of travel. It's a gamble, since you can't be sure that it will be available, though.