Welcome to FT!,
TuomoR
Yes, UA has a special relationship with LH and LH Group carriers.
UA/AC/LH have a TATL Joint Venture. -- this is big as it means revenue sharing.
LH is another founding member of Star Alliance. The other large EU carriers -- AF/KLM and BA are in different alliance. The remaining carrier are most country specific (expect perhaps TK -- also *A)
There is really no other reasonable partner for UA. LH Groups out of FRA/MUC/ZRH are very centrally located and can get you nearly anywhere in EU with a short hop
So the best coverage of Europe for UA flyers is LH / LH Group
The weak spot of *A is the UK
As for luggage, LH has never lost my luggage (when I check, usually flying with by wife -- annual to EU)
Originally Posted by
TuomoR
... It also appeara that the higher status you have with UA they treat you worse. ...
And what would be the purpose of that?
Who would you suggest UA use instead? If you think LH is bad, the others are hardly better.