Ok, this R&F thing is not user-friendly at all.
I booked a return trip on my LHR FRA LH ticket for FRA to Koln Hbf Aug 31 to Sep 2 and added the first class option for 98 Euro. On the LH confirmation page I clicked on the link to open the R&F DB booking page - I entered all the information requested, chose first class, and chose seat reservation then hit next. Then I got some error page. I did this over and over and kept on getting the stupid error page.
So instead I go to the DB main english page and reserved a seat but I'm not sure if it's R&F or not or whatever. Then I read the R&F section of the website and it says:
Passenger Information
As most flight tickets are now issued as electronic tickets, Deutsche Bahn has implemented an e-ticketing system in cooperation with the airlines, tour operators and travel agencies.
When you book your flight, you will receive a personal pick-up number. Please note that you have to enter that number to pick up your Rail&Fly ticket at a DB long-distance ticket vending machine before beginning your outbound and return rail journeys. Presenting the e-ticket confirmation of your flight in combination with your pick-up number does not entitle you to travel by rail.
Nowhere on my LH ticket, despite saying I paid for and was charged for the first class R&F ticket, does it show any sort of pickup number. My seat reservation booking from the DB site shows an ORDER NUMBER at the top on the generated PDF of the booking, but nowhere do I see "pickup number". The PDF also refers to the "pickup number" as a "DB Collection Number" but nowhere do I see "DB Collection Number".
Also, where on earth do I find a DB long-distance ticket vending machine and what does it look like at FRA? I have an hour between my scheduled flight arrival and my outbound train from FRA to KOLN hbf.
Where is the ORDER NUMBER, PICKUP NUMBER, and a DB LONG-DISTANCE TICKET VENDING MACHINE?
Not like it matters, but I reside in Canada (and physically here in Canada at the moment).
Can someone please provide clear and accurate instructions on what on earth I need to do? Thanks in advance.