When Lufthansa offers a FT'er a 'free' side trip anywhere in 'Europe' you want that they fly to .... well guess which one I'll choose. The one FURTHEST away from FRA of course. (It is 2,090 miles each way.) Gotta requalify for 1K somehow.

And so it was BAKU, Azerbaijan. BAK I gather is 4 or 5 hours flying from FRA? Being located on the Caspian Sea, and far further east than Baghdad, Baku seems to be more Middle East or Asia Minor than Europe, but LH are presumably far smarter than me at Geography.

I may try to upgrade using UA miles as I am on a 'H' fare. I am not sure whether LH will 'see' it for upgrade purposes as Europe-Middle East or Middle East - Middle East .... does anyone know? Maybe LH does not even have a ME-ME upgrade zone?

Seems like there is little to do there, so lucky I only have a couple of days there as LH only flies 3 times a week.

Hotels in a wacko place like that running over $US100 (Hyatts/SAS are $200+) do not suit my budget, but can't see anything much less than that around that do not look like flea pits.

My flight #613 to FRA (then TLV) leaves 3.45AM, so sadly I'll maybe need to pay for a hotel even tho I'll be checking out at 1am or so to go to airport?

Have no idea whether LH check in and security is a long process there, or all pretty easy - does anyone know? I will get boarding passes (I think) for Tel Aviv, as that is where bags will be checked to on LH. Whether the Israel destination adds to security stuff I need to do, no idea.

I have no idea whether I can kill time comfortably at airport, i.e. if there is a LH or Star lounge of some kind to kill time and save $100 or so on a needless Hotel room. Anyone know? I am also a NW Platinum, so if there is a lounge there for Sky Team maybe I can use that?

Maybe a lower cost airport Hotel I can catch some zzzzzzz's at via day rate booking?

Appreciate any input anyone can offer. Not much of help on the web at all on this one.