Another factor that may be of relevance is the relationship cardholders have with LH agents. I have been upgraded several times on non-mileage accruing LH fares like K and received C class mileage credit. If the ticket is for an inward LH flight to Germany, it appears that out stations are involved in flight planning and duty managers know which of their frequent local passengers are on board. At one in particular, I am often greeted by name by the business class check-in agent who seems to not treat me any differently than her LH*G passengers. It is worth remembering that there is no obligation on *A airlines to offer priority economy seating to passengers with other airline *G cards. If an LH airline agent is aware that an A3*G card can be renewed for as little as €600 (and many are), do you think they will give an A3 passenger the same priority as someone else with a difficult to get ueber-gold *A black card?