Please post your M&M award booking experience
Jan 26, 18, 12:43 am
#601
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: ZRH
Programs: LX M&M
Posts: 306
not at all, there were plenty available seats between HKG/MFM to TPE, however to get the most out of my miles and i love to fly CA & BR in C i've booked this itinerary. two connecting flights within the same region as a oneway award are allowed.
Jan 28, 18, 5:47 pm
#602
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,225
Well if that is what you wanted, all the power to you. While I'm aware of the connecting flights within the region, in this case, I would have thought that MPM rules would limit the creativity somewhat And make your routing invalid. Alas, just shows that it never hurts to ask and see if something is permitted. Enjoy ...
Feb 6, 18, 2:02 am
#603
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: BER
Programs: LH FTL
Posts: 278
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
TXL - MUC - HND - SYD (LH/NH/NH) in C
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax, 92K miles, ~220€ in taxes/fees
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
11.5 months
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
I had no preferred date, only a preferred week and found a flight within that period
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Checked availability online, but could not add the feeder from TXL to MUC myself, so called service center and had the flights booked within 5 minutes, very smooth, friendly and competent, also got my preferred seats already
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Checked online a few times and called once as soon as available flights showed up
TXL - MUC - HND - SYD (LH/NH/NH) in C
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax, 92K miles, ~220€ in taxes/fees
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
11.5 months
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
I had no preferred date, only a preferred week and found a flight within that period
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
Checked availability online, but could not add the feeder from TXL to MUC myself, so called service center and had the flights booked within 5 minutes, very smooth, friendly and competent, also got my preferred seats already
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Checked online a few times and called once as soon as available flights showed up
Feb 6, 18, 10:10 am
#604
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: EDKA, STR, ZRH
Programs: LH SEN, A3*G, IHG plat, DB Comfort, SPG gold
Posts: 964
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
FRA-HND on LH F
How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax, 105K miles + 314 EUR p.P. (total 210K miles + 628 EUR)
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
roughly 4 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)?
I found the old matrix with possible combinations of outbound and return flights easier to use when looking for possible flight dates, but as my preferred day of travel was already available, it was still ok. However, somehow the booking site didn't accept my LH credit card (received two SMS saying "declined" from the CC company) and I suspect they don't support the "3D secure" feature (or whatever they call it) of the card (which is embarrassing, as they are marketing the card). Needed to pay using direct debit instead. And I also don't really appreciate the fact that you cannot reserve seats online for award bookings.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
I had looked the date up a few weeks before booking, and when it was still available at the time I intended to book, i instantly booked. No phone calls required.
FRA-HND on LH F
How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax, 105K miles + 314 EUR p.P. (total 210K miles + 628 EUR)
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
roughly 4 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)?
I found the old matrix with possible combinations of outbound and return flights easier to use when looking for possible flight dates, but as my preferred day of travel was already available, it was still ok. However, somehow the booking site didn't accept my LH credit card (received two SMS saying "declined" from the CC company) and I suspect they don't support the "3D secure" feature (or whatever they call it) of the card (which is embarrassing, as they are marketing the card). Needed to pay using direct debit instead. And I also don't really appreciate the fact that you cannot reserve seats online for award bookings.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
I had looked the date up a few weeks before booking, and when it was still available at the time I intended to book, i instantly booked. No phone calls required.
Mar 10, 18, 1:28 pm
#605
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: VIE
Programs: M&M SEN
Posts: 442
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
VIE--FRA- BKK on LH, BKK-AKL on TG (2 one-way awards) in C. BKK is a stop over on a longer trip.
How many pax and how many award miles?
3 pax (2 adults+child)
VIE-FRA-BKK on LH: 67k + 33.500 (SEN Companion) + 50.500 (child) + 295 EUR p.p
BKK-AKL on TG: 3x52.00 + 105 EUR p.p.
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
10 months in advance
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
plus/minus 2 days.
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
New online booking tool worked well and suprisingly showed award availability for 3 on BKK-AKL around the desired dates. Most other dates only offered 2 seats in C, or lay-over in SYD/MEL with onward in Y. I banked on the SEN waitlist request for VIE-BKK. Turned out that the nonstop OS was not available at all around the desired date and LH bot rejected the request for the desired date, but offered on D-1 via FRA.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Booked TG online, and VIE-FRA-BKK through SEN hotline with 2 calls.
VIE--FRA- BKK on LH, BKK-AKL on TG (2 one-way awards) in C. BKK is a stop over on a longer trip.
How many pax and how many award miles?
3 pax (2 adults+child)
VIE-FRA-BKK on LH: 67k + 33.500 (SEN Companion) + 50.500 (child) + 295 EUR p.p
BKK-AKL on TG: 3x52.00 + 105 EUR p.p.
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
10 months in advance
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
plus/minus 2 days.
Were you happy with the award booking procedure (e.g. online/by phone)?
New online booking tool worked well and suprisingly showed award availability for 3 on BKK-AKL around the desired dates. Most other dates only offered 2 seats in C, or lay-over in SYD/MEL with onward in Y. I banked on the SEN waitlist request for VIE-BKK. Turned out that the nonstop OS was not available at all around the desired date and LH bot rejected the request for the desired date, but offered on D-1 via FRA.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Booked TG online, and VIE-FRA-BKK through SEN hotline with 2 calls.
Mar 26, 18, 7:59 am
#606
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN**
Posts: 46,679
- Which route/airline did you book and which class?
MUC-DEL LH business
- How many pax and how many award miles?
4 pax: me, my wife and two children (52+26+39+39 000) 156 000 miles and 282 surcharge+tax /person
- How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
T-61 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)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Saw 4 seats available online, had to call in for child award. DEL in May is not very busy, it looks like there is only one other person in the A359 business cabin
MUC-DEL LH business
- How many pax and how many award miles?
4 pax: me, my wife and two children (52+26+39+39 000) 156 000 miles and 282 surcharge+tax /person
- How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
T-61 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)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Saw 4 seats available online, had to call in for child award. DEL in May is not very busy, it looks like there is only one other person in the A359 business cabin
Apr 9, 18, 8:07 am
#607
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN**, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 641
- Which route/airline did you book and which class?
GVA-ZRH-LAX RT in LX F
- How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax: 170 000 miles and 643 CHF surcharge+tax
- How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
a bit less than 8 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)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Was not very hopeful initially for my travel dates, as ZRH-LAX was already D0Z0P0, i.e. LX has blocked all cheaper business fares for almost a week due to a big medical conference that I attend. So I thought that they will never release F award seats. In line with this, there was not even a single award seat in Y available when I checked online. But when I called the LX SEN Hotline in Basel, I had a super nice agent that got my seats in F that I booked immediately! The whole phone call took only 10 minutes and even included clarifying an issue on a second ticket.
GVA-ZRH-LAX RT in LX F
- How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax: 170 000 miles and 643 CHF surcharge+tax
- How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
a bit less than 8 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)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
Was not very hopeful initially for my travel dates, as ZRH-LAX was already D0Z0P0, i.e. LX has blocked all cheaper business fares for almost a week due to a big medical conference that I attend. So I thought that they will never release F award seats. In line with this, there was not even a single award seat in Y available when I checked online. But when I called the LX SEN Hotline in Basel, I had a super nice agent that got my seats in F that I booked immediately! The whole phone call took only 10 minutes and even included clarifying an issue on a second ticket.
Apr 17, 18, 12:48 am
#608
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BTS/KSC/VIE
Programs: LH
Posts: 337
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
VIE-FRA-MUC-SFO LH F
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax, 85k miles, 323 Eur surcharge
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
362 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)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
1 award seat was opened for my desired day, first day it was bookable. I had to phone to book my desired flights. Called Czech M&M office and the agent booked my ticket in <10 mins.
VIE-FRA-MUC-SFO LH F
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax, 85k miles, 323 Eur surcharge
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
362 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)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
1 award seat was opened for my desired day, first day it was bookable. I had to phone to book my desired flights. Called Czech M&M office and the agent booked my ticket in <10 mins.
May 8, 18, 12:58 am
#609
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: VIE
Programs: M&M SEN
Posts: 442
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
VIE-BKK-DPS in C with Thai, SIN-CPH-VIE in C with SQ
How many pax and how many award miles?
outbound 2 pax for 67k miles each + 111 EUR
inbound 5 pax for 67 miiles each + 81 EUR
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
11 1/2 months in advance
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)?
The outbound was easy to get with lots of flexiblity for 2pax in C, with TG offering the only 1-stop connection (vs 2 with all other airlines)
For the Inbound I had settled putting the party on 2 different flights figuring it would be next to impossible to get them on 1 flight in the week after Easter, which turned out to have very limited availability on LH. With hotline help I booked 2 on LO through WAW to VIE and the other 3 on SIN-CPH-VIE on SQ.
When re-checking SQ award availability again later that evening the same flight showed 2 more award seats in C so I ended up getting 5 C (!) award tix on SQ 777-300ER to CPH and on to VIE at the desired date. Happy customer!
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
LH bot rejected several SEN waitlist requests but was able to get 2 awards ticketed on the LO flight that did not show C availability online and booked the other 3 online on SQ.
While it's somehow annoying that the award availability that the hotline agent could see did not match what I could see through the online booking tool (even when pointing out exact flight # to agent), I am happy with the outcome.
VIE-BKK-DPS in C with Thai, SIN-CPH-VIE in C with SQ
How many pax and how many award miles?
outbound 2 pax for 67k miles each + 111 EUR
inbound 5 pax for 67 miiles each + 81 EUR
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
11 1/2 months in advance
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)?
The outbound was easy to get with lots of flexiblity for 2pax in C, with TG offering the only 1-stop connection (vs 2 with all other airlines)
For the Inbound I had settled putting the party on 2 different flights figuring it would be next to impossible to get them on 1 flight in the week after Easter, which turned out to have very limited availability on LH. With hotline help I booked 2 on LO through WAW to VIE and the other 3 on SIN-CPH-VIE on SQ.
When re-checking SQ award availability again later that evening the same flight showed 2 more award seats in C so I ended up getting 5 C (!) award tix on SQ 777-300ER to CPH and on to VIE at the desired date. Happy customer!
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
LH bot rejected several SEN waitlist requests but was able to get 2 awards ticketed on the LO flight that did not show C availability online and booked the other 3 online on SQ.
While it's somehow annoying that the award availability that the hotline agent could see did not match what I could see through the online booking tool (even when pointing out exact flight # to agent), I am happy with the outcome.
Jul 2, 18, 12:23 pm
#610
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: BZG
Programs: LH:SEN; HH:Diamond; SGP:Platinum; PC:Gold
Posts: 138
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
POZ-FRA-CUN RT in LH C
How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax, 110K miles plus 1900 PLN (or 450 EUR) each
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
5+ months
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
I had to adjust my plans by going 2 days earlier and staying 2 days longer, but it's perfect, because we will have a bit longer holidays :-)
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 booked tickets online as it was easy itinerary with all segments available. Actually, I was suprised to see those seats available as I thought Lufthansa very rarely open business class seats on CityLine A343 flights, because there are only 18 seats on this plane. So very happy and counting days till holidays...
POZ-FRA-CUN RT in LH C
How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax, 110K miles plus 1900 PLN (or 450 EUR) each
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
5+ months
Have you been able to book your preferred dates of travel?
I had to adjust my plans by going 2 days earlier and staying 2 days longer, but it's perfect, because we will have a bit longer holidays :-)
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 booked tickets online as it was easy itinerary with all segments available. Actually, I was suprised to see those seats available as I thought Lufthansa very rarely open business class seats on CityLine A343 flights, because there are only 18 seats on this plane. So very happy and counting days till holidays...
Jul 12, 18, 3:01 am
#611
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,119
Which route/airline did you book and which class?
LH FRA-HND upgraded with eVouchers from Business (P) to First.
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax, 2 eVouchers
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
9 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)?
Everything done online. I was quite impressed by the new (to me) interface via View booking on LH.com which was very clear and easy to use.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
ExpertFlyer showed that my flight was F8A5. On M&M I could find at least two F award seats on this flight. I booked a ticket online and immediately upgraded one segment. I don't usually book flights this far in advance but I was trying to maximize miles earning through my MBNA credit card before it ceases to be an M&M credit card in a few weeks and also wanted to use two eVouchers which would otherwise expire at the end of the year.
LH FRA-HND upgraded with eVouchers from Business (P) to First.
How many pax and how many award miles?
1 pax, 2 eVouchers
How many days/weeks/months did you book in advance?
9 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)?
Everything done online. I was quite impressed by the new (to me) interface via View booking on LH.com which was very clear and easy to use.
How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
ExpertFlyer showed that my flight was F8A5. On M&M I could find at least two F award seats on this flight. I booked a ticket online and immediately upgraded one segment. I don't usually book flights this far in advance but I was trying to maximize miles earning through my MBNA credit card before it ceases to be an M&M credit card in a few weeks and also wanted to use two eVouchers which would otherwise expire at the end of the year.
Jul 18, 18, 4:51 pm
#612
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: USA
Posts: 107
- Which route/airline did you book and which class?
BAH-ADD-ZNZ ET business
- How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax - 27,000 miles and 16.10€ surcharge+tax /person
- 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)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
I tried to book online in May, but even if both segments were available, I could not book them together. Tried again in July (online)... and BINGO. It worked.
BAH-ADD-ZNZ ET business
- How many pax and how many award miles?
2 pax - 27,000 miles and 16.10€ surcharge+tax /person
- 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)? How often did you have to check/call until you got the seats?
I tried to book online in May, but even if both segments were available, I could not book them together. Tried again in July (online)... and BINGO. It worked.
Last edited by jcsimard; Jul 18, 18 at 5:18 pm
Jul 24, 18, 8:36 am
#613
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Geneva, Dubai, Paris
Programs: Disillusioned Cent
Posts: 1,873
To those of you using ExpertFlyer to book LH C/F awards:
What do you make of the following statement on the expertflyer.com site:
"The Lufthansa Award search shows partner award inventory. Availability to Miles & More members may be greater."
This means that EF only shows award inventory for the coming 14 days (as partner award inventory isn't released longer in advance).
If that's the case, it would make EF useless for LH C/F award availability further out than 14 days. Can someone please confirm this?
Thanks.
What do you make of the following statement on the expertflyer.com site:
"The Lufthansa Award search shows partner award inventory. Availability to Miles & More members may be greater."
This means that EF only shows award inventory for the coming 14 days (as partner award inventory isn't released longer in advance).
If that's the case, it would make EF useless for LH C/F award availability further out than 14 days. Can someone please confirm this?
Thanks.
Jul 24, 18, 8:47 am
#614
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between DM464 and DM463 on the NAPSA26 RNAV TRANS in EDDM
Programs: this and that
Posts: 1,731
To those of you using ExpertFlyer to book LH C/F awards:
What do you make of the following statement on the expertflyer.com site:
"The Lufthansa Award search shows partner award inventory. Availability to Miles & More members may be greater."
This means that EF only shows award inventory for the coming 14 days (as partner award inventory isn't released longer in advance).
If that's the case, it would make EF useless for LH C/F award availability further out than 14 days. Can someone please confirm this?
Thanks.
What do you make of the following statement on the expertflyer.com site:
"The Lufthansa Award search shows partner award inventory. Availability to Miles & More members may be greater."
This means that EF only shows award inventory for the coming 14 days (as partner award inventory isn't released longer in advance).
If that's the case, it would make EF useless for LH C/F award availability further out than 14 days. Can someone please confirm this?
Thanks.
Jul 24, 18, 8:49 am
#615
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Geneva, Dubai, Paris
Programs: Disillusioned Cent
Posts: 1,873
