Please post your M&M award booking experience
Nov 25, 2018, 7:26 pm
#631
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Cologne
Programs: FB Plat, IHG RA Spire, TK Elite+, HH Diamond, LH SEN, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 972
I’m in the process of booking 2 F tickets to and fro South Africa for October / November next year.
The lady I spoke to on the phone said something very interesting. She put me on the waitlist for a flight and she said the following...
”They only begin to sell First Class AWARD tickets after a First Class REVENUE ticket has been sold. Currently the cabin is empty. I expect that as soon as the first ticket is sold you’ll get notified that your two award tickets have cleared the waitlist.”
I thought this was interesting...not sure if it is true...maybe for some cases? The reason I doubt it is I have held two award tickets from CPT to MUC in First Class. There are no seats sold on this flight and lots and lots of first availability.
Anyone got some clarification?
(apologies for terrible English, i’ve Been awake far too long...)
The lady I spoke to on the phone said something very interesting. She put me on the waitlist for a flight and she said the following...
”They only begin to sell First Class AWARD tickets after a First Class REVENUE ticket has been sold. Currently the cabin is empty. I expect that as soon as the first ticket is sold you’ll get notified that your two award tickets have cleared the waitlist.”
I thought this was interesting...not sure if it is true...maybe for some cases? The reason I doubt it is I have held two award tickets from CPT to MUC in First Class. There are no seats sold on this flight and lots and lots of first availability.
Anyone got some clarification?
(apologies for terrible English, i’ve Been awake far too long...)
Nov 25, 2018, 7:47 pm
#632
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,637
The lady I spoke to on the phone said something
”They only begin to sell First Class AWARD tickets after a First Class REVENUE ticket has been sold. Currently the cabin is empty. I expect that as soon as the first ticket is sold you’ll get notified that your two award tickets have cleared the waitlist.”
Nov 27, 2018, 4:47 pm
#633
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LON, BOM
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH SEN, Vistara Platinum
Posts: 177
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
LHR-MUC-JFK F
JFK-FRA-LCY F
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax. 170,000 miles and ~ GBP 600 in fees/taxes
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
~ 50 days ahead
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Return 1 day later than preferred
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Online. The website takes a lot to get working, but once it does its fine.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Online, before payment
LHR-MUC-JFK F
JFK-FRA-LCY F
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax. 170,000 miles and ~ GBP 600 in fees/taxes
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
~ 50 days ahead
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Return 1 day later than preferred
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Online. The website takes a lot to get working, but once it does its fine.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Online, before payment
Dec 2, 2018, 8:43 am
#635
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,637
Jan 12, 2019, 10:07 am
#636
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: ZRH
Programs: LX M&M
Posts: 318
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
KIX-HND NH Y
HND-BKK TG F
BKK-CDG TG F
CDG-ZRH LX C
How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax. 145,000 miles and ~ CHF 320 in fees/taxes each
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
~ 10months ahead
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
checked all flights online, called once and booked right away
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
only once
KIX-HND NH Y
HND-BKK TG F
BKK-CDG TG F
CDG-ZRH LX C
How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax. 145,000 miles and ~ CHF 320 in fees/taxes each
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
~ 10months ahead
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
checked all flights online, called once and booked right away
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
only once
Last edited by lx343; Jan 31, 2019 at 5:01 am
Jan 13, 2019, 5:18 am
#637
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: BRU
Programs: LH Sen, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 159
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
CJU-GMP / ICN-HKG OZ Y
HKG-ZRH-BRU LX C
How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax to HKG, 1 pax to BRU
15k miles + €44 each
67k miles + €105
Two bookings as stopover in HKG not possible on oneway award ticket
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
1 day and 4 days
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Yes, called SEN line in BRU once from Korea, booked right away and cancelled previously booked ICN-FRA-BRU award for €50 fee and full refund of miles and charges
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
only once
CJU-GMP / ICN-HKG OZ Y
HKG-ZRH-BRU LX C
How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax to HKG, 1 pax to BRU
15k miles + €44 each
67k miles + €105
Two bookings as stopover in HKG not possible on oneway award ticket
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
1 day and 4 days
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Yes, called SEN line in BRU once from Korea, booked right away and cancelled previously booked ICN-FRA-BRU award for €50 fee and full refund of miles and charges
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
only once
Last edited by tem123; Jan 13, 2019 at 5:21 am Reason: correction
Jan 13, 2019, 5:38 am
#638
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 30
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
MXP-MUC-YVR LH C (P)
Upgrade to F (O) (MUC-YVR)
How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax
2 eVouchers + 70k miles
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
>6 months
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Where informed about a change in seat reservations because of an equipment change from A350 (no F cabin) to A346 (with F cabin). Called SEN hotline assuming, the F seats might be available for Senators flying in C. Turned out, F is available on this flight instead. So I asked for an upgrade with miles (2*70k). Was waitlisted imedialtely and confirmed 24h later. As I re-qualified Senator some weeks later I called again and was able to change the reservation from 2*70k miles to 2 eVouchers + 70k miles.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
once for the upgrade, twice for the change.
MXP-MUC-YVR LH C (P)
Upgrade to F (O) (MUC-YVR)
How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax
2 eVouchers + 70k miles
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
>6 months
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Where informed about a change in seat reservations because of an equipment change from A350 (no F cabin) to A346 (with F cabin). Called SEN hotline assuming, the F seats might be available for Senators flying in C. Turned out, F is available on this flight instead. So I asked for an upgrade with miles (2*70k). Was waitlisted imedialtely and confirmed 24h later. As I re-qualified Senator some weeks later I called again and was able to change the reservation from 2*70k miles to 2 eVouchers + 70k miles.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
once for the upgrade, twice for the change.
Jan 14, 2019, 1:38 am
#639
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Miles&More AirNZ BA Emirates Finnair Plus
Posts: 33
Which route /airline did you book and which class?
VCE-FRA-BKK-AKL LH/TG C
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax
185k miles + 696,15 euro
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
10 months
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Did it online, only one choice via BKK but still better than PVG that they usually offer when I do the booking by phone.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
I choose them before the payment.
VCE-FRA-BKK-AKL LH/TG C
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax
185k miles + 696,15 euro
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
10 months
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Did it online, only one choice via BKK but still better than PVG that they usually offer when I do the booking by phone.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
I choose them before the payment.
Jan 14, 2019, 10:35 am
#640
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BSL/FRA or PHL
Programs: LH Miles and More, DL SkyMiles, Bonvoy, Hilton
Posts: 2,335
- Which route/airline did you book and which class?
FRA/BOG LH E (Y+)
BOG/FRA LH C
- How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax 55000 + 67000 miles and ~600EUR in fees
- How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
7 months
- Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Dates yes, but (a bit surprisingly) not a lower class of travel. C wide open, but Y was not at all available as award and expensive as paid fare on the required dates (~1400EUR). Passenger is a 15-year-old traveling with a companion traveling in Y on the outbound.
- Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
One call to SEN line that confined no Y and limited E, so I simply booked the E outbound with a C return, and upgraded the companion from Y to E.
FRA/BOG LH E (Y+)
BOG/FRA LH C
- How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax 55000 + 67000 miles and ~600EUR in fees
- How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
7 months
- Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Dates yes, but (a bit surprisingly) not a lower class of travel. C wide open, but Y was not at all available as award and expensive as paid fare on the required dates (~1400EUR). Passenger is a 15-year-old traveling with a companion traveling in Y on the outbound.
- Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
One call to SEN line that confined no Y and limited E, so I simply booked the E outbound with a C return, and upgraded the companion from Y to E.
Jan 15, 2019, 12:23 am
#641
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: CGN
Programs: LH SEN since 2007
Posts: 149
FRA-SIN and BKK-FRA
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
FRA-SIN and BKK-FRA with LH in Business
- How many pax and how many award miles?
1 at 135k Miles (No SEN-Premium Award required!)
- How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
1 day
- Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes
- Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
I desperately needed a flight from Germany to an airport close to CAN, as I had to go to Guangzhou but did not have a visa and wanted to make use of the 72h transit visa. So I needed to fly in from either Singapore, Japan or Korea but out to any OTHER country than the country from where I flew into. LH/LX/OS do NOT fly directly to CAN. So my request was a bit complicated. However, the staff at the LH-SEN-Hotline were very forthcoming and competent and managed to fine suitable connections within a few minutes. From/To SIN/BKK I booked separate flights.
FRA-SIN and BKK-FRA with LH in Business
- How many pax and how many award miles?
1 at 135k Miles (No SEN-Premium Award required!)
- How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
1 day
- Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes
- Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
I desperately needed a flight from Germany to an airport close to CAN, as I had to go to Guangzhou but did not have a visa and wanted to make use of the 72h transit visa. So I needed to fly in from either Singapore, Japan or Korea but out to any OTHER country than the country from where I flew into. LH/LX/OS do NOT fly directly to CAN. So my request was a bit complicated. However, the staff at the LH-SEN-Hotline were very forthcoming and competent and managed to fine suitable connections within a few minutes. From/To SIN/BKK I booked separate flights.
Jan 17, 2019, 3:21 pm
#642
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: Delta Silver, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond, Ex-UA Gold, Ex-AA Gold , Ex-SPG Gold, Peon everywhere else
Posts: 616
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
TXL-FRA-LAX in LH Business
TXL-FRA-MEX in LH Business
- How many pax and how many award miles?
3 pax (2 adults, 1 child) @ 143k miles + USD1203 in taxes/fees (total) TXL-FRA-LAX
2 pax @ 120k miles + USD766 taxes/fees (total) TXL-FRA-MEX
- How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
7 months
- Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes, Had two weeks of flexibility. Most days had availability.
- Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Online, pretty straight forward.
- How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Our group of 5 (3 to LAX, 2 to MEX) are departing TXL on the same day within a an hour of each other. However, had to look around for space on the TXL-FRA leg, as there was not enough space in business for all 5 on the same flight so the TXL-FRA-MEX itinerary leaves a little earlier from TXL than the TXL-FRA-LAX (had the option of also doing TXL-MUC-LAX on the same day leaving at the nearly the same time).
TXL-FRA-LAX in LH Business
TXL-FRA-MEX in LH Business
- How many pax and how many award miles?
3 pax (2 adults, 1 child) @ 143k miles + USD1203 in taxes/fees (total) TXL-FRA-LAX
2 pax @ 120k miles + USD766 taxes/fees (total) TXL-FRA-MEX
- How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
7 months
- Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Yes, Had two weeks of flexibility. Most days had availability.
- Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Online, pretty straight forward.
- How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Our group of 5 (3 to LAX, 2 to MEX) are departing TXL on the same day within a an hour of each other. However, had to look around for space on the TXL-FRA leg, as there was not enough space in business for all 5 on the same flight so the TXL-FRA-MEX itinerary leaves a little earlier from TXL than the TXL-FRA-LAX (had the option of also doing TXL-MUC-LAX on the same day leaving at the nearly the same time).
Jan 18, 2019, 6:00 am
#643
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 7
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
TG 432 DPS-BKK C
LH 773 BKK-FRA F
LH 1392 FRA-PRG C
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax, 105K miles and 5,956,000 IDR (approx. 367 Euro) per person in taxes, fees and YQ
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
8.5 months
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Within +/- 2 day
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Was playing with online tool couple of days to select most effective option for DPS-PRG flight in C (avoid YQ with LH) and accidentally noticed a few seats available in F, within 2hrs almost everything gone but I was lucky to book flight on 747-400 (first time ever) and A380 (first time in F) so I am extremely happy and looking forward to F experience
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Done online during booking for LH operated segments
TG 432 DPS-BKK C
LH 773 BKK-FRA F
LH 1392 FRA-PRG C
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax, 105K miles and 5,956,000 IDR (approx. 367 Euro) per person in taxes, fees and YQ
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
8.5 months
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
Within +/- 2 day
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Was playing with online tool couple of days to select most effective option for DPS-PRG flight in C (avoid YQ with LH) and accidentally noticed a few seats available in F, within 2hrs almost everything gone but I was lucky to book flight on 747-400 (first time ever) and A380 (first time in F) so I am extremely happy and looking forward to F experience
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Done online during booking for LH operated segments
Jan 28, 2019, 2:07 pm
#644
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: VIE
Programs: M&M SEN
Posts: 442
Hi,
quick question on a flight booking with SEN companion award:
I booked a flight for a party of 3 using the SEN companion award for one individual. Now I may not be able to go on the trip, but the other 2 would go.
Would M&M just collect the additional miles (because the SEN companion benefits would not kick in) or will the tickets have to be cancelled and re-booked (if still award flights available).
Thanks,
David
quick question on a flight booking with SEN companion award:
I booked a flight for a party of 3 using the SEN companion award for one individual. Now I may not be able to go on the trip, but the other 2 would go.
Would M&M just collect the additional miles (because the SEN companion benefits would not kick in) or will the tickets have to be cancelled and re-booked (if still award flights available).
Thanks,
David
Jan 30, 2019, 4:15 pm
#645
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London | Sydney
Programs: LH HON, QF CL, SQ TPPS, AF Plat, VS Gold, VA Plat, EK Gold, HH Diamond, WoH Globalist, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,528
Hi,
quick question on a flight booking with SEN companion award:
I booked a flight for a party of 3 using the SEN companion award for one individual. Now I may not be able to go on the trip, but the other 2 would go.
Would M&M just collect the additional miles (because the SEN companion benefits would not kick in) or will the tickets have to be cancelled and re-booked (if still award flights available).
Thanks,
David
quick question on a flight booking with SEN companion award:
I booked a flight for a party of 3 using the SEN companion award for one individual. Now I may not be able to go on the trip, but the other 2 would go.
Would M&M just collect the additional miles (because the SEN companion benefits would not kick in) or will the tickets have to be cancelled and re-booked (if still award flights available).
Thanks,
David