Lufthansa: Changes to the Miles&More program effective January 1st, 2014
Jan 4, 2014, 3:56 pm
#751
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: BA, AA, SQ, UA, AC, WS, MR TIT
Posts: 8,659
I just bought a Q-class ticket, which showed "100% miles" on the page when selecting the flight as Economy Basic Plus.
However, now that I research Q-class on the miles and more page, it shows me that only 0.5x miles are accrued.
I consider that false advertising / false factual information.
It is unreal how LH just seems to ignore these issues and continues with their downgrading without troubleshooting their IT.
However, now that I research Q-class on the miles and more page, it shows me that only 0.5x miles are accrued.
I consider that false advertising / false factual information.
It is unreal how LH just seems to ignore these issues and continues with their downgrading without troubleshooting their IT.
Jan 5, 2014, 11:03 am
#752
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: US of A
Programs: Delta Diamond, United 1K, BA Blue, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,775
I wanted to diversify things a bit, being so entrenched with OW and all, but looks like LH FFP is not for me with those changes in mind. Unfortunate, but the search for a good *A FFP with a large presence in Europe goes on.
Jan 5, 2014, 6:47 pm
#753
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
Seriously though if you find one please let me know as the *A program offerings in Europe leave a lot to be desired.
Jan 6, 2014, 4:21 am
#754
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BSL/FRA or PHL
Programs: LH Miles and More, DL SkyMiles, Bonvoy, Hilton
Posts: 2,335
"...The peak of Status [FFPs] is behind us..." -C. Spohr, 04NOV13
(I don't have it in my notes, but I think Spohr or Huber said a similar thing about marketing alliances in general as well on the same evening)...
I any case, based on the trends I see in the programs to which I belong, I don't expect to see anytime soon major incentives in the form of more generous FFPs.
I do expect to see ever more transactional behavior, which will be very interesting on competitive routes. I have the feeling that going forward the FFP benefits will become a small to insignificant driver in my purchase decision. There seems (to me at least) to be an almost universal belief among carriers that they can not significantly differentiate themselves via FFPs, and while there are some differences among programs (particularly between geographic regions), I personally see a trend toward a least common denominator in terms of FFP benefits.
Jan 6, 2014, 4:28 am
#755
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
To repeat once again the words of the LH Passage leadership:
"...The peak of Status [FFPs] is behind us..." -C. Spohr, 04NOV13
(I don't have it in my notes, but I think Spohr or Huber said a similar thing about marketing alliances in general as well on the same evening)...
I any case, based on the trends I see in the programs to which I belong, I don't expect to see anytime soon major incentives in the form of more generous FFPs.
I do expect to see ever more transactional behavior, which will be very interesting on competitive routes. I have the feeling that going forward the FFP benefits will become a small to insignificant driver in my purchase decision. There seems (to me at least) to be an almost universal belief among carriers that they can not significantly differentiate themselves via FFPs, and while there are some differences among programs (particularly between geographic regions), I personally see a trend toward a least common denominator in terms of FFP benefits.
"...The peak of Status [FFPs] is behind us..." -C. Spohr, 04NOV13
(I don't have it in my notes, but I think Spohr or Huber said a similar thing about marketing alliances in general as well on the same evening)...
I any case, based on the trends I see in the programs to which I belong, I don't expect to see anytime soon major incentives in the form of more generous FFPs.
I do expect to see ever more transactional behavior, which will be very interesting on competitive routes. I have the feeling that going forward the FFP benefits will become a small to insignificant driver in my purchase decision. There seems (to me at least) to be an almost universal belief among carriers that they can not significantly differentiate themselves via FFPs, and while there are some differences among programs (particularly between geographic regions), I personally see a trend toward a least common denominator in terms of FFP benefits.
I just bypassed Germany on 2 tickets from India to the US during December so far...
I gather they (LH) don't want our transactional spend then!
Now ramping up for DOH/LHR and other transits...
Last edited by SuperFlyBoy; Jan 6, 2014 at 4:34 am
Jan 6, 2014, 6:14 am
#756
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PMI
Programs: BA,LH,CX,EK SPG,IC mainly and a few others
Posts: 1,862
I do expect to see ever more transactional behavior, which will be very interesting on competitive routes. I have the feeling that going forward the FFP benefits will become a small to insignificant driver in my purchase decision. There seems (to me at least) to be an almost universal belief among carriers that they can not significantly differentiate themselves via FFPs, and while there are some differences among programs (particularly between geographic regions), I personally see a trend toward a least common denominator in terms of FFP benefits.
Jan 6, 2014, 11:09 am
#757
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Ever since UA introduced fully flat seats, I noticed that I dislike those as well. They hurt my back quite badly and I use them like LH's oild crappy stools: as recliners in a pod.
Flying F or SQ is out of the monetary question and OS has no network. And hence I discovered that Premium Coach is just perfect for my needs. It has space and power, and I am fine after a flight. Sure a pod would be nice and so would proper food - but I can go have fast food @:-) 100 times for the money I save per direction.
Technically, the current coach seats would often also be good enough but they bring you in direct physical contact with current coach passengers. And is a highly undesirable biomass more often than not. Premium Y solves that issue and hence I found my new way of travel.
Jan 7, 2014, 12:56 am
#758
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
Jan 7, 2014, 1:49 am
#759
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Jan 7, 2014, 7:15 am
#760
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: GVA,OPO
Programs: BD the last decent FFP
Posts: 1,856
I already pick the best product/price/schedule combination that suits me rather than be loyal to a specific airline- now need to deaddict me completely from FFP virus. I avoid EK/EY (despite being comped to EK Plat by my TA) because they don't belong to OW or *A. Could save a lot of money if I become alliance neutral in addition to airline neutral.
EK is a partner airline of TP FFP (only award miles).
EK C earns 200% and F 300%.
2 caveats:
- YQ does apply on redemptions.
- Miles have a 3 year validity
Jan 7, 2014, 7:48 am
#761
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,623
It seems that the alliances as such are developing much less clear boundaries, witness what Etihad is doing in Europe. Not to mention Qantas with Emirates as well as Delta with Virgin Atlantic. And airberlin with Air France. If M&M say that the high point of the FFP and elite traveller has passed, maybe they just don't know how to deal with this shift in emphasis and strategy. They haven't quite worked out how to react to this change yet...maybe.
Jan 7, 2014, 11:08 am
#762
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BSL/FRA or PHL
Programs: LH Miles and More, DL SkyMiles, Bonvoy, Hilton
Posts: 2,335
It seems that the alliances as such are developing much less clear boundaries, witness what Etihad is doing in Europe. Not to mention Qantas with Emirates as well as Delta with Virgin Atlantic. And airberlin with Air France. If M&M say that the high point of the FFP and elite traveller has passed, maybe they just don't know how to deal with this shift in emphasis and strategy. They haven't quite worked out how to react to this change yet...maybe.
It would not be the first time that LH marketing has reacted slowly and with not much finesse.
On the other hand, even with the evolution of the alliances as observed, I see today, in general, less incentive to shift my marginal business to a given airline and/or alliance. The benefits of most FFPs have to me become so diluted and almost interchangeable that they no longer offer enough incentive to alter my behavior (at least in the market segment I currently occupy).
Jan 7, 2014, 10:16 pm
#763
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
... hence slimming down again and the eternal cycle of saving starts anew.
Jan 8, 2014, 3:36 am
#764
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: WRO
Programs: LH SEN, UA 1K, MR Platinum, BW Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 281
Got an op-up today from L->C on DUS-EWR flight. While picking up new BP I asked the agent to change my FFP from SEN to UAP (used SEN only for the incredibly small chance of op-up.... and it worked).
I did not forget to express my appreciation: "Thank you so much for a complimentary upgrade, especially for being just an United Silver". Of course, I made sure that two folks, one with red and second with silver LH tags heard this sentence. Saw them approaching the agent and returning unhappy.
I did not forget to express my appreciation: "Thank you so much for a complimentary upgrade, especially for being just an United Silver". Of course, I made sure that two folks, one with red and second with silver LH tags heard this sentence. Saw them approaching the agent and returning unhappy.
Jan 8, 2014, 4:29 am
#765
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,069
Got an op-up today from L->C on DUS-EWR flight. While picking up new BP I asked the agent to change my FFP from SEN to UAP (used SEN only for the incredibly small chance of op-up.... and it worked).
I did not forget to express my appreciation: "Thank you so much for a complimentary upgrade, especially for being just an United Silver". Of course, I made sure that two folks, one with red and second with silver LH tags heard this sentence. Saw them approaching the agent and returning unhappy.
I did not forget to express my appreciation: "Thank you so much for a complimentary upgrade, especially for being just an United Silver". Of course, I made sure that two folks, one with red and second with silver LH tags heard this sentence. Saw them approaching the agent and returning unhappy.
