Originally Posted by gya007
1. How/Where do you guys see the seat availability per fare class (a la ual.com's expert mode)?
2. If we wanted to request consideration for VDB on FRA-->BOM, do you guys recommend asking for it, in SFO at check-in itself (12-13 hours prior to FRA-->BOM)? OR do you recommend doing so, upon landing at FRA?
3. Any other tips on maximizing this opportunity?
1:see previous post
2: I doubt that SFO will be able to help you. It will most likely not be stated in LH check-in system 12-13 hours in advance that VDBs are required. LH may have contacted potential VDBs well in advance. Only FRA will be able to assist you. Go straight to the gate, transfer desk or LH lounge and ask if the need VDBs.
3. I agree, you have to be prepared to split up. If you check-in all the luggage in the name of one pax, the two others will have much better chance of being bumped. Often LH gate agents only search for pax with hand luggage only in order to avoid unloading luggage from the plane. Alternatively, ask the check-in agent in SFO to put a sticker on your luggage tag showing that this piece of luggage has to be loaded last in order to enable a VDB. However, it may be that SFO does not have such sticker. I'm only familiar with such stickers when checking in at a German airport.
Good luck