Hi, I’m pretty new to the miles game and trying to get upgraded, so forgive me if this is pretty basic. Also, I could find much recent information on bidding strategy online, but if it’s somewhere I wasn’t looking please let me know.

I am flying a LH itinerary next week with a long flight from BKK to MUC (LH773). I was hoping to bid for an upgrade to at least premium economy because it would be nice to arrive decently well rested. I have never done this before (nor flown premium economy or business) and would appreciate some advice on maximizing my chances with a low bid.

Currently I’m bidding about $20 above the minimum bid for the premium economy upgrade with the hope that not that many people bid and I can get it for cheap. If I look to make a new booking online, it shows 10 premium economy seats available on the seat map with fare class G. It also shows 11 business class seats with fare class Z. Finally if I want to just pay to upgrade its 1270 to premium economy and 1350 to business, though these prices have swung a lot with premium economy going up and business going down.

I was wondering if bidding for premium economy and just a bit above minimum (that hits my willingness to pay) is my best bet given that there are a lot of seats available and people likely don’t bid or for business, and maybe some premium economy will bid up to business increasing availability? Or is bidding a bit above for business give me a better shot? I would be pretty happy in either class given I’ve never flown either and the extra comfort will already do a lot.

Also, are the seat maps on the Lufthansa website the most accurate way to gauge availability?

Thank you!