Nord

You nailed it.

But on the side of this conclusion ; ) I think it's interresting that we at this forum thru the 00's had to stress our worries about not being recognized enough, while lately it's not even a question about getting recognized at all, but a question about not receiving the LH-finger all in all.

volta

I did some math on awards. As I fly mostly Z and D class (occasionally P if can get good deal for leisure travel, C when stuck with no other options) going to Europe will get me between 16k and 21k miles. It takes at min 5 round trips for one award ticket in C. Cost of the award cca 900-1000USD.

If I turn to transactional approach buying tickets, most of the time other airlines are saving me between 1k and 4k USD per trip. And if I start looking early enough and ready to jump on good C sales from US to EU (for vacation travel), can find tickets between 2k and 3k USD in C (sometimes even below 2kUSD). So, by not being loyal to the airline, I'm actually saving money in total. If you fly paid C, then lounge access is provided. Miles are still collected, some status will be achieved, but don't know what is it good for.
And being based in US, domestic travel is not an issue, as best programs to participate are Pre and GOES. Those two save tons of time. Sometimes have to wait in Europe in longer security lines (if traveling economy ticket within Europe), but those are very rare occasions.

demue

^ +1. Following the same approach especially for long haul. Went from SEN for 10 years now down to FTL and next year Blue. Status miles from 200 - 250K annually to under 2K mls last year and a proud 0 mls this year .

The only flights I take on LH are the ones where there are no other options / alternatives especially within Germany or to/from nearby countries. I'm looking at trains as a real alternative if timings / trip duration are suitable (e.g. I'm going Zurich - Berlin on City Night Line 1st Class Deluxe Sleeper for 238 Euro 'Sparpreis' for 2 pax which is much cheaper than 2 one-way ZRH-TXL or even a RT with return thrown away and I also save a hotel night too).

mapu

Same for me. Used to fly 200k/y on LH. Now about 20k/y on European routes without competition.

By implementing all these enhancements, LH has educated me about all those great alternatives out there.

Concerto

I'm with you there! I am actually quite a fan of the German train company, among others, and they also have a points collection scheme (although it is very much a transactional one too). The other thing is, I am trying all these different airlines that I thought I would get the chance to try previously, because I was being loyal to M&M and a couple of other programmes. I even think there now is a chance I might manage to try all of them before too long!! And some of them are really quite good!

TRAVELSIG

Agreed.

As a customer that only flew previously on a regular basis with competitors when Lufthansa Group didn't service the destination or the connections timing were too difficult, to today flying 80% less with Lufthansa Group- I have been surprised by a number of airlines which have recently invested and really brought up their service levels.

I think the only thing a customer can do if they do not agree with the current policies and enhancements of the Miles&More program is to minimize their flying with Lufthansa Group. If enough people did this the policies and the structure of M&M would change- what it looks to me as an outsider of what Lufthansa is hoping for is the "lobster" scenario where they turn up the water slowly enough that we don't notice- the water being the metaphor for the continual cuts to the program and roll out of ever more lower cost carriers (note- lower Cost for Lufthansa Group- not necessarily lower price for you as the customer).

GRUflyer

Miles and More is a great FF Program.

I fly SQ F and earn 300% status miles and easily qualify for SEN.

But unless I am reedeming those miles to fly LH F, God forbid me EVER stepping into an LH aircraft again.

Seriously, when AZ is offering a better seat and catering than you, maybe it is time to think things over?

As it stands today, give me AZ over LH/LX anyday. Even IBERIA new C hardware (same as AZ and EY) is much better!

What is the standard LH? Ryanair?

Forrest Bump

You understand something is wrong when:
- 20-day notice
- one of the lower economy fares (T)
- intra euro flight (NAP-WAW)
- the slowest month of the year (with November)
LH has the nerve to ask EUR 355 return.
This is double the price of 2013, with reduced miles earning.

AZ comes at -41%, with better timings and shorter connections.
Never thought to find myself looking at AZ again.
Ex FCO things get even more porn, taking into account Wizz Air. God forbid .

mamb0

Yes, your post gave me the idea. KLM should give you a kick back

Rambuster

Only drawback so far is that the miles for my return flight don't seem to be posting with Flying poo...

Rambuster

Edit: Retro claim online worked like a charm. Miles instantly credited!
Half way to silver already .... not that I am chasing any FB status.

more4less

Hi Rambuster,

if you inform FB that you are HON I am sure they will offer a status match to Plat in no time, which will give you 100% bonus miles every time you fly on Sky team.

Tafflyer

I welcome you all to the ex Lufthansa customer forum.

LH withdrew showing me any return on my years of loyalty and support for them.

Now in my 2nd year of zero status miles. I was SEN for very many years and now travel even more than then, just hardly ever any more with LH. My alliance of choice is now OneWorld. When I must fly StarAlliance or on LH monopoly domestic routes, I credit to A3 where I am also Gold.

aidanc

I know that some companies treat the social media boards as crowd of cranks, and to be ignored.

But seriously, I've seen thread after thread of unrequited love, where FTers are spending serious cash with LH. For myself over 2012 and 2013 I clocked up some 230K status miles, and this year I've been on two mainline LH sectors, and few 4U. Everything else is OW.

Is anyone in LH management listening? Watching? Giving a s**t?

Will the last FTer leaving please switch off the lights...

oliver2002

Well, I'm pretty certain some posters in this thread still spend some serious cash with LH because they have no other option, and are pretty annoyed about it... hence the outrage