United Miles for Lufthansa Upgrade
Sep 27, 2010, 4:46 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 8
United Miles for Lufthansa Upgrade
I can't seem to find up to date information on upgrading Lufthansa flights with United miles. I'm a 1 k , the flights are IAD- FRA- JNB for next August September. Any sources? key question is whether an upgrade is or can be confirmed when you buy the ticket
Sep 27, 2010, 5:52 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 496
There are more threads on this than you would believe. Do a search.
In short, if using miles you can only upgrade YB economy to Biz and CD biz to first. You have to buy, ticket, and then call UA to request the upgrade. If it is available it will clear at the time of booking.
If not you can call daily up to 24 hours before departure. If you are a 1K you can also call to get a systemwide printed for a standby upgrade on day of departure only. But they are good for CDZYBMH fares.
Flights must be booked as LH flights, not UA flights.
In short, if using miles you can only upgrade YB economy to Biz and CD biz to first. You have to buy, ticket, and then call UA to request the upgrade. If it is available it will clear at the time of booking.
If not you can call daily up to 24 hours before departure. If you are a 1K you can also call to get a systemwide printed for a standby upgrade on day of departure only. But they are good for CDZYBMH fares.
Flights must be booked as LH flights, not UA flights.
Sep 27, 2010, 7:26 am
#3
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,038
Sep 27, 2010, 10:05 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
There are more threads on this than you would believe. Do a search.
In short, if using miles you can only upgrade YB economy to Biz and CD biz to first. You have to buy, ticket, and then call UA to request the upgrade. If it is available it will clear at the time of booking.
If not you can call daily up to 24 hours before departure. If you are a 1K you can also call to get a systemwide printed for a standby upgrade on day of departure only. But they are good for CDZYBMH fares.
Flights must be booked as LH flights, not UA flights.
In short, if using miles you can only upgrade YB economy to Biz and CD biz to first. You have to buy, ticket, and then call UA to request the upgrade. If it is available it will clear at the time of booking.
If not you can call daily up to 24 hours before departure. If you are a 1K you can also call to get a systemwide printed for a standby upgrade on day of departure only. But they are good for CDZYBMH fares.
Flights must be booked as LH flights, not UA flights.
Additionally, if it hasn't cleared (on request) 24 hrs before departure, you're not getting an upgrade using miles. Even if there are empty seats in the class you are trying to upgrade to.
Jan 1, 2011, 6:55 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,449
Can you find availability on ANA tool?
Of course, the logical thing to do is find availability, buy ticket, then apply miles. It does not make much sense to just buy at ticket, then call, only to find the upgrade is not available. Do you know if the ANA tool shows availability for LH upgrade using UA miles?
Jun 8, 2011, 3:40 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: United 1K; AA Platinum
Posts: 326
Bumping this thread to see if anyone knows whether the ANA or any comparable tool can be used to check LH biz class upgrade availability before purchasing in the context of getting an upgrade from YB using United miles. Is Starnet blocking a concern?
Feb 9, 2012, 11:51 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 27
I am also bumping this thread.
I am looking to upgrade a LH flight from B class to business from FRA to JNB. Of course there are currently no upgrades available. Is there a tool available where I can check if upgrades become available instead of calling United every day? Thanks.
I am looking to upgrade a LH flight from B class to business from FRA to JNB. Of course there are currently no upgrades available. Is there a tool available where I can check if upgrades become available instead of calling United every day? Thanks.
Mar 9, 2012, 3:17 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: HNL & SFO
Programs: UA MM/Gold
Posts: 292
I'm on UA8897 BLR-FRA-SFO on a B fare. so, to try and upgrade the BLR-FRA via Lufthansa with miles, I need to call United?