FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Cashing in my UA miles on LH-TG-NH, almost all F
Old Dec 14, 2013, 7:25 am
  #12  
54austin
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: New York, NY
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 456
Nearly all of the LH flights in my itinerary became available T-15 some time between 3 and 6pm (local New York time).

The ANA flight was booked at approximately 630am on Nov 19 (flight was on Nov 29).

The LH FRA-IAH (A380) was booked the night before the flight.

Luckily, I'm UA platinum, so I was able to book as flights came available and just swap out the segments that were just placeholders at no cost. Otherwise, doing a similar itinerary would either require a lot of luck or stomach for hefty fees.

Booking another trip now for just after Christmas and availability is def a lot worse. Still, some LH/F is being released T-15 in the afternoon. It seems LH is limiting award space on their premium F. For example, IAD and ORD have 7 F available (expertflyer) and LH is not releasing space yet. JFK has 8 F seats open and only 1 is available for award. Meanwhile, on routes to FRA with the 343 (DTW) or 333 (SEA), they will release 2 at T-15 if it is there are 8 F seats.

Good luck! The persistence is worth it.
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