Take a chance on LH A380 same-day upgrade w SWU?
Mar 12, 2011, 10:27 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 232
I would take the gamble. I like aviation and want to experience the A380 one day, even if it is nothing special. Like you said, if they are full, Lufthansa economy is a heck of a lot better then UA.
Mar 12, 2011, 10:33 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM
Posts: 11,632
Except there's no E+ on LH. If I were stuck in coach, I'd really feel stuck without an E+ seat, regardless of service or other amenities.
Mar 12, 2011, 10:56 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: TPE, SF, DC
Programs: UA Lifetime GS 4mm
Posts: 891
Obviously you are willing to risk not clearing upgrade (while not having acess to UA-style E+) to rely on being entertained by A380 regular coach seat with the decent personal AVOD. As long as you don't feel like sardine because they will pack a lot coach passengers despite it being roomiest aircraft.
Mar 13, 2011, 1:34 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: TPE, SF, DC
Programs: UA Lifetime GS 4mm
Posts: 891
Mar 13, 2011, 3:00 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Plat, AA Plat Pro, ITA Exec, NK Gold, F9 Diamond
Posts: 62
It's a crap-shoot on UA as well, but at least the fallback there for you is E+. On LH, it's E-...
Mar 13, 2011, 3:14 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 232
Obviously you are willing to risk not clearing upgrade (while not having acess to UA-style E+) to rely on being entertained by A380 regular coach seat with the decent personal AVOD. As long as you don't feel like sardine because they will pack a lot coach passengers despite it being roomiest aircraft.
Mar 13, 2011, 9:31 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Victoria, BC
Programs: UA 1k, AA Exec Plt 2MM, HH Diamond, *wood Gold, disgruntled Amex Ex-Centurion
Posts: 584
UA aircraft that I have flown over the pond have all been older models. Old seats, no personal IFE at all, and had to pay for my drinks. Any LH plane I have flown over the pond within the last 5 years have been newer planes, great IFE, decent seat for economy, and free booze. E+ makes no difference to me. A few inches of extra leg room does nothing for me. I am only 5'7" though.
I have not flown LH long-haul Y in ages, but if their short-haul seats are any measure of the seat-comfort on LH, it would have to be abysmal.
Mar 13, 2011, 9:55 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 198
The 380 is different however. The seats are considerably wider than normal economy seats, fairly good ergonomics, and decent IFE. Sure, they pack you in there, but within your seat it's not horrible. I recently flew it JNB-FRA (C was full so my paper SWU did me no good, but I had an empty seat next to my aisle seat). I survived. And I love to gripe about LH's normal long haul Y seats...
Mar 13, 2011, 11:15 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,628
Well, if you're a flight geek, that's enough reason. I'd go (somewhat) out of my way to fly the A380, but only because I never have. It's the only major aircraft type I've never been on. (except an A330, but that's basically a short A340).
Mar 13, 2011, 1:46 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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UA aircraft that I have flown over the pond have all been older models. Old seats, no personal IFE at all, and had to pay for my drinks. Any LH plane I have flown over the pond within the last 5 years have been newer planes, great IFE, decent seat for economy, and free booze. E+ makes no difference to me. A few inches of extra leg room does nothing for me. I am only 5'7" though.
I agree about the ridiculous paying for drinks bit, but so often UA is cheaper and therefore that's just a matter of equalization...
Mar 22, 2011, 10:05 am
#27
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NJ/NYC
Programs: AA EXP/LT Plat, SPG Plat/LT Plat, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 2,786
Thinking about trying to use a friends SWU on a LH A380 flight (C to F) next week. Couple questions:
1) Will they fill A380 F to capacity? Currently only a couple of seats as of right now.
2) How long does it normally take to get the certificate after requested?
3) If the upgrade doesn't go through, can a paper certificate be converted back to electronic?
1) Will they fill A380 F to capacity? Currently only a couple of seats as of right now.
2) How long does it normally take to get the certificate after requested?
3) If the upgrade doesn't go through, can a paper certificate be converted back to electronic?
Mar 22, 2011, 10:10 am
#28
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K, PC Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 62
Thinking about trying to use a friends SWU on a LH A380 flight (C to F) next week. Couple questions:
1) Will they fill A380 F to capacity? Currently only a couple of seats as of right now.
2) How long does it normally take to get the certificate after requested?
3) If the upgrade doesn't go through, can a paper certificate be converted back to electronic?
1) Will they fill A380 F to capacity? Currently only a couple of seats as of right now.
2) How long does it normally take to get the certificate after requested?
3) If the upgrade doesn't go through, can a paper certificate be converted back to electronic?
Mar 22, 2011, 11:33 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Dog Woof Million Mile Member
Posts: 444
Just made that choice
I'm planning SFO-FRA and I'd love to fly on the new A380... but it looks like UA doesn't codeshare with that so I'd have to be on an LH ticket. I understand that I can get one of my SWUs converted to a paper cert and present it on the day of flight for LH to upgrade me, space permitting.
Here's my question: since the A380 has ~98 biz seats, is this a fairly safe bet? I would HATE (hate, hate, hate, HATE) to be stuck in LH coach all the way to FRA... and after having paid for the ticket to be in an upgradable fare class, too! (I'm also thinking that to help improve my odds, I have a few days' wiggle room with my travel plans, so I could pick the A380 flight that has the most empty biz seats.)
My other option is to forego the A380, book a simple UA upgradable fare, and get my SWU upgrade (which will at least likely clear before the date of travel).
What do y'all think? As a 1K, and with that many biz seats on the A380, do I have a shot?
Here's my question: since the A380 has ~98 biz seats, is this a fairly safe bet? I would HATE (hate, hate, hate, HATE) to be stuck in LH coach all the way to FRA... and after having paid for the ticket to be in an upgradable fare class, too! (I'm also thinking that to help improve my odds, I have a few days' wiggle room with my travel plans, so I could pick the A380 flight that has the most empty biz seats.)
My other option is to forego the A380, book a simple UA upgradable fare, and get my SWU upgrade (which will at least likely clear before the date of travel).
What do y'all think? As a 1K, and with that many biz seats on the A380, do I have a shot?
With you, it is even riskier because you will not know until day or departure. I would book on UA and take a sure bet rather than risk the ride in coach. No, the seat is not as good, but you know what they say. A seat in the hand is worth more than two seats in the bush. Or a plane in the hand. Or something like that...
Mar 25, 2011, 9:51 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K2MM ACMME50 SQPPS HHDiamond Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,391
Thinking about trying to use a friends SWU on a LH A380 flight (C to F) next week. Couple questions:
1) Will they fill A380 F to capacity? Currently only a couple of seats as of right now.
2) How long does it normally take to get the certificate after requested?
3) If the upgrade doesn't go through, can a paper certificate be converted back to electronic?
1) Will they fill A380 F to capacity? Currently only a couple of seats as of right now.
2) How long does it normally take to get the certificate after requested?
3) If the upgrade doesn't go through, can a paper certificate be converted back to electronic?
1) LH did not fill 380 F to capacity. The 4 flights I did in the past few weeks; F was 50% full. Business was complete full.
For all 4 flights I used my UA SWU. All cleared well in advance. None went to the gate.
Actually I have never had any of my LH upgrade go to the gate. I only use UA SWU to upgrade on LH from J to F.