Lufthansa flat tire rule
Aug 7, 2015, 6:53 am
#1
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Lufthansa flat tire rule
I have a flight with Lufthansa and there is a possibility that I will arrive to the airport a little too late and miss the flight. I know on US carriers they'll just put me on the next flight, but since I know LH is stricter with same day stand-by's and everything else, I was wondering if there will be a penalty to put me on the next flight two hours later, or if I'll just be screwed and need to buy a new ticket.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Aug 7, 2015, 8:47 am
#3
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or if I'll just be screwed and need to buy a new ticket.
Honestly, if LH (or any other European airline) would open loophole (flat tire rule), then that loophole would be misused.
Instead of buying an expensive flexible ticket, business people would just book an early flight, and if the meeting runs late, they would invoke the flat tire rule to get onto a later flight for free.
Easyjet has a pretty cool reverse-flat-tire-rule. If you arrive early at the airport, you can rebooked onto an earlier flight for free.
Aug 7, 2015, 9:01 am
#4
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The LH flat tire rule is: Don't get a flat tire !
For what it's worth, most US carriers have long ago eliminated their flat tire unwritten policy. Depending on the circumstances, you may get yourself rebooked, but with capacity cut and loads up, the availability of seats is now as great an issue as whether an agent would rebook if there were availability.
As to LH, plan on buying a new ticket at walk-up prices unless your original ticket is fully refundable. Also, remember that if there are onward or return segments on the ticket, those will be cancelled too unless you have purchased one of those pricey tickets not requiring segments to be flown in order.
For what it's worth, most US carriers have long ago eliminated their flat tire unwritten policy. Depending on the circumstances, you may get yourself rebooked, but with capacity cut and loads up, the availability of seats is now as great an issue as whether an agent would rebook if there were availability.
As to LH, plan on buying a new ticket at walk-up prices unless your original ticket is fully refundable. Also, remember that if there are onward or return segments on the ticket, those will be cancelled too unless you have purchased one of those pricey tickets not requiring segments to be flown in order.
Aug 7, 2015, 9:09 am
#5
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
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See the similar discussion on LX recently: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/swiss...e-rule-lx.html
Aug 7, 2015, 10:03 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Definitely endorse what was said above.
For LH, there's not even a flat tire rule or equivalent for connecting flights, i.e., once your itinerary has already begun. LH tried to get me to pay €1000 after I overslept a connection (yay faulty cell phone alarm) while napping at the FRA Senator Lounge. (I argued it down substantially, and having *G status helps, but there was definitely a mismatch of expectations there.)
This sounds normal to Europeans but it's quite surprising to Americans, given that esp. status passengers would be easily accommodated in these cases.
Huge contrast to the UA SDC policy, that's for sure!
For LH, there's not even a flat tire rule or equivalent for connecting flights, i.e., once your itinerary has already begun. LH tried to get me to pay €1000 after I overslept a connection (yay faulty cell phone alarm) while napping at the FRA Senator Lounge. (I argued it down substantially, and having *G status helps, but there was definitely a mismatch of expectations there.)
This sounds normal to Europeans but it's quite surprising to Americans, given that esp. status passengers would be easily accommodated in these cases.
Huge contrast to the UA SDC policy, that's for sure!
Aug 10, 2015, 3:25 am
#9
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Sep 20, 2017, 3:24 am
#10
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Referencing above...flying in J from Fra to Ewr. Stuck in a long security line. If I miss EWR and get to gate 5 min after door closes will they put me on JfK or will they hit me up for an add collect?
Sep 20, 2017, 3:47 am
#11
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Sep 20, 2017, 5:44 am
#12
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Sep 20, 2017, 12:40 pm
#13
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If you checkin in time, and dont oversleep, I think they should rebook you.
Sep 20, 2017, 10:47 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2005
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LH lurkers have stated several times that if you get stuck in passport control or security, they will make you pay to get rebooked. You then have the option to sue the German government for damages, but chances are slim they will have to pay you back :-( There was one case where security they kept a flyer several hours until some special equipment could be brought in -- that was considered unreasonable by the judges.
HTB.