Jan 23, 2015, 7:28 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA , Lufthansa or COPA
Partner PlusPoints Upgrade Awards
For general information on upgrading ANA or Lufthansa flights with PlusPoints (note to use miles is a separate process) see Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA , Lufthansa or COPA You actually request the upgrade through the online form, here: Partner PlusPoints Upgrade Awards
Per United web support, you only need to fill in the required* info.
**The LH flight you are upgrading must be an LH flight, not a UA codeshare flight. If you have a UA codeshare flight, you can call websupport and they will (put you on hold and] change your itinerary to one with an LH flight#.
Note that UA websupport might give you a new ticket # when you do the above, but if the original ticket # was 016 UA stock, it will remain so, and thus you will still be earning RDMs at the UA rate (11x for a 1K), not the *A rate. In case of a $6000 biz fare for LAX-FRA that you are trying to upgrade to F for example, as a 1K you would earn 66,000 UA RDM if booked as a UA flight. And even though after booking you get them to change the UA flight # from a UA codeshare flight to an LH flight, the 016 ticket stock sticks, and you earn 66,000 RDMs.
(FYI, had the ticket stock been an LH stock, the RDM's earned would be 5790 miles x 150% = 8685 RDMs. Big difference)
Note that sometimes the online upgrading does not work, and you may get an error message to call an 877 number, which is now defunct but still resides on .bomb...Ignore it and just call web support. They might put you on hold while they call LH but they will get the job done.
Eligible Economy Fares to Apply PlusPounts
Upgradeable to business fares include U/H/Q the lowest eligible economy fares. G&E the two top premium economy fares and Y/B/M the most expensive economy fares. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24219165-post205.html)While UA has not changed their T&Cs, LH appears to have expanded the potential fare classes
For C->F upgrade, J, D, C fares are eligible, Z and P fares are not
.
LH booking class P, Z upgreadable for miles and eVouchers
From April to September 2018 it was possible to confirm and waitlist P,Z-class LH flights with a PlusPoints. Confirming and waitlisting is no now longer possible, but previously waitlisted segments will continue to clear as/if available.
Checking for Upgrade Availability
Upgrades to E, C and F come from the R, I and O fare bucket, but its a subset, which theoretically is not the same as the award subset. If awards are available it is a strong indication the upgrade is available too. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24861289-post342.html)
In case of upgrade clearing but eticket refresh problems:
Checking for availability prior to calling
Use ANA or even united.com to see availability.
To check if C/F upgrades may open up, ask in this thread: Determining LH Y/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]
Regarding ticket stock, Oliver reports:
Each LH flight segment requires a separate set of PlusPoints
A single set of PlusPoints can be used to only upgrade a single LH flight segment, And that PlusPoints cannot be extended to include another LH flight segment or another UA flight segment.
Problems getting mileage credit for upgraded LH segments
Numerous reports of denial of mileage credits (RDMs, PQMs, PQSs, PQDs) for upgraded tickets. This issue is probably due to LH uses the same fare bucket for mileage awards and upgrades. It seems patience, persistence, and documentation of the originally paid fare are needed to get credit.
You probably won't get credit by simply submitting the online form or asking a CSR to do so for you. A CSR needs to submit a System Issue Form, together with the mileage request, explaining that you flew in I class, but you paid for a mileage-earning booking class.
T-10
While the original system did not allow the upgrade waitlist to carry on past t-10 hours, the have been multiple reports that this is no longer the case. If not cleared in advance - the upgrade wait-list will last all the way until the door closing. UA has not updated the text on the LH upgrades to reflect this change.
Premium Eco To Biz Upgrade
Archive Thread: Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
Related Thread
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
Partner PlusPoints Upgrade Awards
For general information on upgrading ANA or Lufthansa flights with PlusPoints (note to use miles is a separate process) see Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA , Lufthansa or COPA You actually request the upgrade through the online form, here: Partner PlusPoints Upgrade Awards
Per United web support, you only need to fill in the required* info.
**The LH flight you are upgrading must be an LH flight, not a UA codeshare flight. If you have a UA codeshare flight, you can call websupport and they will (put you on hold and] change your itinerary to one with an LH flight#.
Note that UA websupport might give you a new ticket # when you do the above, but if the original ticket # was 016 UA stock, it will remain so, and thus you will still be earning RDMs at the UA rate (11x for a 1K), not the *A rate. In case of a $6000 biz fare for LAX-FRA that you are trying to upgrade to F for example, as a 1K you would earn 66,000 UA RDM if booked as a UA flight. And even though after booking you get them to change the UA flight # from a UA codeshare flight to an LH flight, the 016 ticket stock sticks, and you earn 66,000 RDMs.
(FYI, had the ticket stock been an LH stock, the RDM's earned would be 5790 miles x 150% = 8685 RDMs. Big difference)
Note that sometimes the online upgrading does not work, and you may get an error message to call an 877 number, which is now defunct but still resides on .bomb...Ignore it and just call web support. They might put you on hold while they call LH but they will get the job done.
Eligible Economy Fares to Apply PlusPounts
Upgradeable to business fares include U/H/Q the lowest eligible economy fares. G&E the two top premium economy fares and Y/B/M the most expensive economy fares. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24219165-post205.html)While UA has not changed their T&Cs, LH appears to have expanded the potential fare classes
... Just check the tables here: https://www.miles-and-more.com/onlin...l=en&cid=18002
.
From April to September 2018 it was possible to confirm and waitlist P,Z-class LH flights with a PlusPoints. Confirming and waitlisting is no now longer possible, but previously waitlisted segments will continue to clear as/if available.
Checking for Upgrade Availability
Upgrades to E, C and F come from the R, I and O fare bucket, but its a subset, which theoretically is not the same as the award subset. If awards are available it is a strong indication the upgrade is available too. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24861289-post342.html)
In case of upgrade clearing but eticket refresh problems:
Originally Posted by oliver2002
Both longhaul LH segments cleared into I after being on waitlist. The first didnt get stickered, so the DCS (amadeus altea) rejected online and agent checkin. The eticket helpdesk had to manually update the first coupon for the DCS to accept the coupon. My seat in C was safe, since the PNR was updated correctly, just the ticket was not updated completely to the satisfaction of the DCS. Everyone looking at the booking agreed the upgrade was legit, so you will not be denied boarding or downgraded, just budget enough time
Originally Posted by oliver2002
The LH GA must have called the eticket helpdesk and pointed out the * SSR remark in your reservation that shows an upgrade was applied and the e-ticket just needed a fix/sticker. See my experience above.
To check if C/F upgrades may open up, ask in this thread: Determining LH Y/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]
Regarding ticket stock, Oliver reports:
Each LH flight segment requires a separate set of PlusPoints
A single set of PlusPoints can be used to only upgrade a single LH flight segment, And that PlusPoints cannot be extended to include another LH flight segment or another UA flight segment.
Problems getting mileage credit for upgraded LH segments
Numerous reports of denial of mileage credits (RDMs, PQMs, PQSs, PQDs) for upgraded tickets. This issue is probably due to LH uses the same fare bucket for mileage awards and upgrades. It seems patience, persistence, and documentation of the originally paid fare are needed to get credit.
You probably won't get credit by simply submitting the online form or asking a CSR to do so for you. A CSR needs to submit a System Issue Form, together with the mileage request, explaining that you flew in I class, but you paid for a mileage-earning booking class.
T-10
While the original system did not allow the upgrade waitlist to carry on past t-10 hours, the have been multiple reports that this is no longer the case. If not cleared in advance - the upgrade wait-list will last all the way until the door closing. UA has not updated the text on the LH upgrades to reflect this change.
Premium Eco To Biz Upgrade
Related Thread
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
LH Electronic PlusPts Upgrades -How to use, will it clear?, issues w/flight credit,..
Jan 25, 2024, 10:20 am
#421
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
the OP didn't suggest the inbound was LH operated and SDC doesn't work in that case anyway. My comment was assuming the return was UA operated. If partner flights are involved then this always gets more tricky, irrespective of the 10 hour rule for +Ps on LH.
Jan 25, 2024, 3:36 pm
#422
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, BA Gold
Posts: 430
Unfortunately I have an intra EU connection so SDC is not an option. Any "magic words" that would help an agent fix the pricing mixup that happened when switching to LH flight number?
Jan 26, 2024, 5:51 am
#423
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
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they need to go back to the original ticket and not the re-issued ticket. That also what they need to do in case mileage earning gets messed up (which is sometimes does). For even exchanges it doesn't matter, but if you need to pay to make a change (which is what it sounds you'd like to do) then you will have to get back to the original fare construction.
Jan 26, 2024, 6:34 am
#424
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,162
The PNR should have a record of all the Transitional Stored Ticket (TST) issued in its lifetime. An agent with some ticketing experience can look up how the ticketing of the original reservation was constructed?
Jan 27, 2024, 8:20 am
#425
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
Feb 1, 2024, 3:23 pm
#426
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: UA 2.6 MM, 1K, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 115
Possible to waitlist for an upgrade on Lufthansa using Plus Points?
Hello FlyerTalk community,
I have a couple of questions to which I haven't found answers after browsing multiple threads:
- I purchased a one-way flight directly from Lufthansa (FRA -> HND, LH 716 on Saturday 2/17)
- Premium Economy, Upgradable G fare
- I'd like to use Plus Points to upgrade to business
- Head to Star Alliance Upgrade Awards page: https://www.united.com/loyalty/partn...s/saua/request
- Enter the required information and get a notification that no upgrade is currently available
I understand that I can keep on checking regularly to see in a spot becomes available. However,
- Is there a way to be placed on the waiting list like for UA operated flights and thus forego repeated daily checks?
- If no, is it worth checking two weeks out, or will seats get released for upgrade closer to the time of departure?
Thank you in advance for any insights you can share.
Szbenny.
I have a couple of questions to which I haven't found answers after browsing multiple threads:
- I purchased a one-way flight directly from Lufthansa (FRA -> HND, LH 716 on Saturday 2/17)
- Premium Economy, Upgradable G fare
- I'd like to use Plus Points to upgrade to business
- Head to Star Alliance Upgrade Awards page: https://www.united.com/loyalty/partn...s/saua/request
- Enter the required information and get a notification that no upgrade is currently available
I understand that I can keep on checking regularly to see in a spot becomes available. However,
- Is there a way to be placed on the waiting list like for UA operated flights and thus forego repeated daily checks?
- If no, is it worth checking two weeks out, or will seats get released for upgrade closer to the time of departure?
Thank you in advance for any insights you can share.
Szbenny.
Feb 1, 2024, 3:36 pm
#427
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,846
use
Premier upgrades on ANA or Lufthansa | United Airlines
Once your ticket has been issued, requests to upgrade with PlusPoints can be made through our online request form.
Waitlist for ANA and Lufthansa-operated flights
If upgrade space on ANA or Lufthansa is not available at the time of the request, travelers may have the option to be placed on the ANA or Lufthansa upgrade waitlist. United will automatically deduct PlusPoints from your MileagePlus account when you add travelers to the waitlist. The waitlist will clear automatically as upgrade space becomes available on the flight. Please note that the waitlist functionality is controlled by the operating airline and may not be available if the operating airline chooses not to offer it for a particular flight.
If a waitlisted traveler is confirmed in the higher cabin, the ANA or Lufthansa reservation will reflect the upgraded class and United will send a notification to the email address provided at the time of the request. Unconfirmed upgrades will be transferred to ANA or Lufthansa’s check-in system automatically. If you don't get the upgrade at check-in, your PlusPoints will be automatically re-deposited to your account within 24 to 48 hours.
If upgrade space on ANA or Lufthansa is not available at the time of the request, travelers may have the option to be placed on the ANA or Lufthansa upgrade waitlist. United will automatically deduct PlusPoints from your MileagePlus account when you add travelers to the waitlist. The waitlist will clear automatically as upgrade space becomes available on the flight. Please note that the waitlist functionality is controlled by the operating airline and may not be available if the operating airline chooses not to offer it for a particular flight.
If a waitlisted traveler is confirmed in the higher cabin, the ANA or Lufthansa reservation will reflect the upgraded class and United will send a notification to the email address provided at the time of the request. Unconfirmed upgrades will be transferred to ANA or Lufthansa’s check-in system automatically. If you don't get the upgrade at check-in, your PlusPoints will be automatically re-deposited to your account within 24 to 48 hours.
Feb 7, 2024, 9:05 pm
#429
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Houston
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Gold, Hilton - Gold, Global Entry,
Posts: 632
I bought a UA ticket from IAH-FRA-DXB with both segments operated by LH. I have plus points to burn and would like to upgrade IAH - FRA to F. The LH website shows 5 seats for sale in F on my IAH-FRA flight about 1.5 weeks out. Any idea on how likely a pp upgrade would be to clear? Since it's a UA ticket, I think i need to call and have them change it to a LH ticket to apply the pp. If the ticket is changed to a LH ticket, would I be able to SDC to a different UA routing if the upgrade doesn't clear in advance (assuming availability)? If i can't upgrade to LH F, I'd prefer to fly IAH-EWR-DXB and be on UA metal in Polaris.
Feb 8, 2024, 1:37 am
#430
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,162
You need the reservation to be booked in native LH flight numbers, the ticketing doesn't matter at all. UA codeshare flight numbers operated by LH are not eligible for upgrades.
Feb 8, 2024, 12:38 pm
#431
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Waiting for a gate at EWR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 102
Recently applied PlusPoints to two LH flights for eco to biz. The first one cleared right away, and the second one is waitlisted. However, the waitlisted segment now shows as premium economy, with associated LH premium economy fare class (G), which I haven't seen before. Does that mean even if I don't clear into business, I will end up in premium economy? First time I've seen that behavior..Thanks
Feb 8, 2024, 8:05 pm
#432
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
Recently applied PlusPoints to two LH flights for eco to biz. The first one cleared right away, and the second one is waitlisted. However, the waitlisted segment now shows as premium economy, with associated LH premium economy fare class (G), which I haven't seen before. Does that mean even if I don't clear into business, I will end up in premium economy? First time I've seen that behavior..Thanks
Feb 13, 2024, 8:36 am
#433
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 1
PP upgrades to LH F have been a great success for me. But sometimes agents still don't know what I'm talking about when I request the UA codeshare flight number to be flipped to an LH native flight number. On hold now b/c the supervisor told the agent that is not possible and the flight is not upgradeable. I asked the agent to go back to another supervisor because this is how I've done this 4 times in the last 2 years. She's very nice but she is also perplexed. I view PP usage to upgrade to LH F one of the best benefits of 1K.
***Update - this was resolved. UA codeshare flipped to an LH Native flight number. Immediately requested upgrade online, and it immediately confirmed. Flight is in late May. Nice work, United. I surely hope this benefit sticks around.
***Update - this was resolved. UA codeshare flipped to an LH Native flight number. Immediately requested upgrade online, and it immediately confirmed. Flight is in late May. Nice work, United. I surely hope this benefit sticks around.
Last edited by houstonflyer1981; Feb 13, 2024 at 8:59 am
Feb 13, 2024, 9:15 am
#434
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: FRA ✈️ SFO
Posts: 68
PP upgrades to LH F have been a great success for me. But sometimes agents still don't know what I'm talking about when I request the UA codeshare flight number to be flipped to an LH native flight number. On hold now b/c the supervisor told the agent that is not possible and the flight is not upgradeable. I asked the agent to go back to another supervisor because this is how I've done this 4 times in the last 2 years. She's very nice but she is also perplexed. I view PP usage to upgrade to LH F one of the best benefits of 1K.
Feb 13, 2024, 10:08 pm
#435
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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It is true and for a short moment in time it was possible to upgrade LH P or Z fare class to F with just one GPU (pre-covid). I recall that this required quite a bit of convincing back then because the website did not state that. I was able to use that two times. But now the minimum required fare class is D, C or J.