Hi all, I would appreciate some guidance here..,
I'm a United Global Services (not sure if it matters here but providing just for context) and frequently fly LH from MUC or FRA to LAX. Typical reservation is xxx - MUC/FRA - LAX, booked on United as a United Codeshare flight (operated by Lufthansa). I always book a C or D fare since P and Z are not eligible for upgrade with PlusPoints. Previously, after booking, I called United and they would change the code share from a UA 91xx to a LH xxx flight, after which I apply for an upgrade using PlusPoints. I did this earlier this month for a flight for myself and have one more in November for a flight with my wife and kid. It was a simple process. Last I did this was in February or March for my flights coming up in November.
Just yesterday, I booked a JNB - FRA - LAX flight. These are all operated by LH. Since I wanted to get PQP, I booked on United. This was a fully-refundable C fare (I also had a non-refundable D fare). When I called United to switch from a United code share to a LH flight number to apply plus points, I was told that the only way this would be possible was if LH had the same fare class available. The agents (I called three separate times) all came back and said that LH was only offering a J fare, so I could either wait until the same fare class came available or pay an additional ~$2k per passenger to upgrade to the J fare, after which I could apply my plus points. Obviously said no since the original C/D fare + $2k was a straight up First class fare on LH if booked directly on the LH website.
Is this a new policy? If so, seems very regressive...I am sitting at ~50k PQP on United this year, with my wife and kid with their own PQP. I am more than happy to buy these tickets on LH direct and apply plus points and not give United anything if that's how this works. But if I'm missing some step(s), please let me know so that I can get my tickets booked. For what it's worth, here's the math:
- C/D fare on UA for JNB - FRA - LAX (all flights operated by LH) is ~$4k per passenger. To be eligible for an upgrade with PlusPoints, I need to switch to a J fare that is ~$6k per passenger. And then, the upgrade is not guaranteed since it is space sligible
- F fare on LH for JNB - FRA - LAX (same flights, operated by LH( is ~$6k per passenger
Thanks for any guidance.