My relative is arriving in HAM on a LO flight in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, this person's knowledge of any worldly languages is limited, and she has not been flying anywhere since like 20 years... Thus... I am a bit concerned, and would like to get a gate pass to be able to pick her from the gate itself already (even though HAM is not too complicated)

I contacted LO helpline, but the the person in the call center did not even know what I am talking about, and told me the only thing they can offer is an unattended-minor service (or alike) for this person, which is definitely out of a question, due to pride, etc... etc... ("I am not that irresponsible yet!")

Should I try to arrive much earlier at the airport in HAM, and try to take it from there (e.g. airport info stand / LO ticketing office)? Or should I maybe make some phone-calls / send some letters to someone? All advice welcome...^

I don't believe gate passes exist in Germany - it's certainly not something I've ever come across outside North America.

You should ask for "meet and assist" (MAAS in airline code) - this is a service that is available to any passenger that needs help with getting to or from their flight, not just unaccompanied minors. MAAS must be booked ahead through the reservation centre.

Edited to add - sorry, didn't take in the bit about being "too proud". Don't know what to suggest then. I don't think you'll be able to go to the gate. And although HAM isn't THAT complicated it is actually possible to go to the wrong place because of the way T1 and T2 are linked airside. It's very easy to turn left instead of right (or vice versa) and come out at the wrong terminal.

I agree with Aviatrix.

My suggestion would be to buy a fully refundable ticket to somewhere, check in, go through security and then meet that person at the gate.

Afterwards, you just refund your ticket. You could also do that with a cheapo ticket with a 10EUR fare and lots of taxes, just claim the taxes back at a latter point, so this thing just cost you something like 10EUR.

Hmm... I knew about the full-fare cancellation trick, didn't think about the ultra-low fare one... So I should not get into any trouble, if I book E-fare (48E incl. taxes) from HAM, check-in, and then cancel the ticket? E.g. should I cancel it only after entering air-side (otherwise it could be treated as fraud, right?) AND can I just go to gate agent and tell him/her that I am not flying?

(Not a big fan of doing things "the other way", but I guess it's a "no-harm" situation, and I don't think MAAS will work in my case...)

Thanks a lot for your help!

What you can do is, buy a ticket at the ticket desk and you can cancel it within 24 hours without any charges. Check-In, meet the person and then cancel the ticket.

I know. But does this still work when you "used" the ticket, meaning you checked in? It's like ordering a computer online which you have the right to return but once you have used it, you can't do that anymore.

Anyway, either go with the fully refundable one or go with a cheapo ticket (this costs you 10EUR in fare you loose but that's probably not too bad)

Why shouldn�t this work. I bought a ticket, checked in and the flight was delayed and they were unable to fly me to my destination. Whole the ticket was cancelled and I got all my money back.

Check-in, my plans have changed, get the refund.

I called Lufthansa and confirmed that - with the fully refundable tickets (YFLYOW I think) I just need to cancel before the departure to get the full refund. Checked-in or not - doesn't matter. So now I know what has to be done :-) Thank you very much everybody! ^

What happens if the flight is not delayed? Does this still work for non-refundable tickets booked within the 24h??

Everybody knows it works for refundable tickets...

Good question and I think, that the 24 hour cancellation policy will also work for a non-refundable ticket. Once again, there is no different if I am checked in or not, I can cancel it free of charge within the 24 hour timeframe.

one thing to add: If you buy a LH ticket and refund that later, the ticket service charge is not to be refunded.

I can confirm that it doesn't matter if the ticket has already been used for check-in in or not.

In MUC they have a special assist desk where you can present yourself with the pax or explain your problem and you get a one time pass to go airside to meet your party. Before you start buying and cancelling tickets, I would explore the option and ask the HAM airport if they could help you. Their website has plenty of details too: http://www.airport.de/de/full_time_service.html