Downgraded Lufthansa First to Business on day of departure - options, advice?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,343
Downgraded Lufthansa First to Business on day of departure - options, advice?
Just saw that my LH flight from FRA-GRU today has been downgraded from a 747-8 to a 747-400 (Dec 16). I'd booked in J and had a confirmed points upgrade to F and have now been rebooked in J. I'm traveling AMS-FRA-GRU-SCL (single ticket, LH issued) and seems like slim pickings for alternate routings/options in F. Not sure how helpful staff will be at an outstation like AMS. Any suggestions on what I should expect? Am I still eligible for EU downgrade compensation given that I'd used points to upgrade to F? Zero communication from LH and I happened to notice the change on my own. I'd much prefer to fly in F than get any downgrade compensation, but don't see anything in the way of alternate routings.
#2
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,651
Just saw that my LH flight from FRA-GRU today has been downgraded from a 747-8 to a 747-400 (Dec 16). I'd booked in J and had a confirmed points upgrade to F and have now been rebooked in J. I'm traveling AMS-FRA-GRU-SCL (single ticket, LH issued) and seems like slim pickings for alternate routings/options in F. Not sure how helpful staff will be at an outstation like AMS. Any suggestions on what I should expect? Am I still eligible for EU downgrade compensation given that I'd used points to upgrade to F? Zero communication from LH and I happened to notice the change on my own. I'd much prefer to fly in F than get any downgrade compensation, but don't see anything in the way of alternate routings.
As to rebooking, I'd expect LH to be rebooking its paid F customers to LX if there is any space available. LH will not rebook you in F outside the LHG so you can forget AF P...
#3
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,196
Call the LH first hotline and ask to be rebooked onto LX.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luft...s-hotline.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luft...s-hotline.html
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
I had this problem in September and still fighting for compensation ... with SOEP right now after 3 months of silence from LH.
ZRH-GRU is F0J0 ... calling the F hotline is your best bet. Good luck!
ZRH-GRU is F0J0 ... calling the F hotline is your best bet. Good luck!
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,859
My guess is that LH will offer to refund the miles/points used for the upgrade and nothing more. To LH the ticket is a J ticket and the upgrade can be reversed/refunded if needed. I think you will have to fight to get something more than this, i.e. if EUR 1,000 is offered as compensation I would take that and be satisfied.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,668
Call the LH first hotline and ask to be rebooked onto LX.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luft...s-hotline.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luft...s-hotline.html
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,657
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,859
Guys, there is no way LH is going to rebook a pax via EZE or OAL (except LH Group) to GRU if there is no F seat. Much easier and cheaper to return the miles/points for the upgrade or pay a 1,000 EUR to get this over with.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Somewhere between BHX and HUY
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Eurobonus Silver, ALL Gold
Posts: 1,686
I had no problem getting FRA/ZRH-BKK flights rebooked via HKG and SIN when my planes got downgraded earlier this year. Just needed to check availability on my end beforehand and ask the FC hotline to do the change, which they performed without questions. (think one lady just had to ask for her supervisor how to get the codeshare working between HKG-BKK)
#13
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,089
I had no problem getting FRA/ZRH-BKK flights rebooked via HKG and SIN when my planes got downgraded earlier this year. Just needed to check availability on my end beforehand and ask the FC hotline to do the change, which they performed without questions. (think one lady just had to ask for her supervisor how to get the codeshare working between HKG-BKK)
1. same-day operational change (FRA-GRU is filed as 748)
2. upgrade, not purchased as F?
#15
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Somewhere between BHX and HUY
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Eurobonus Silver, ALL Gold
Posts: 1,686
Afraid not, it was companion fare bought at an outrageously low price
Bit sad if they treat upgraders as inferiors. After all they paid for their J tix and they earned the miles...
Bit sad if they treat upgraders as inferiors. After all they paid for their J tix and they earned the miles...