Booking DB Rail & Fly in conjunction with Lufthansa [merged]
Sep 12, 2007, 9:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK Gold
Posts: 70
Booking DB Rail & Fly in conjunction with Lufthansa [merged]
Hi,
I want to book a one-way LH flight LHR - STR using my BMI Miles. Is it possible to book a rail&fly ticket by calling the LH call centre just by providing my flight confirmation number? Rang LH in the UK today and they seemed utterly clueless...
I want to book a one-way LH flight LHR - STR using my BMI Miles. Is it possible to book a rail&fly ticket by calling the LH call centre just by providing my flight confirmation number? Rang LH in the UK today and they seemed utterly clueless...
Sep 12, 2007, 12:32 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: LH FTL (*S), AA, Sixt Plat, bahn.comfort
Posts: 1,801
Booking Rail & Fly offline?
LH flight LHR - STR using my BMI Miles
Sep 14, 2007, 4:26 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,621
Well, it didn't work for me. I somehow missed the Fly & Rail in the booking process, and it wasn't possible later. But it was for a next day departure, and they said that a paper ticket needed to be issued and mailed. L'tur is quite good with Fly & Rail (Zug zum Flug) tickets for their last minute W fares.
I remember now that I got annoyed during the booking process for a Ready to Fly offer. Signing in using my Miles & More number didn't work, and I realise that it was because my given address was in Switzerland (I changed it during the Summer to be able to receive paper tickets while away). So I changed it back to the German address, and the Reday to Fly booking went through. How absurd!
I remember now that I got annoyed during the booking process for a Ready to Fly offer. Signing in using my Miles & More number didn't work, and I realise that it was because my given address was in Switzerland (I changed it during the Summer to be able to receive paper tickets while away). So I changed it back to the German address, and the Reday to Fly booking went through. How absurd!
Oct 31, 2008, 2:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: Miles&More Blue, SPG Silver
Posts: 3,379
The only way to earn miles by taking the train I think is if you for example take a train from FRA-CGN which has a LH flight number.
Nov 19, 2008, 2:20 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: STR-BUD-ZRH-MUC-FRA
Posts: 210
Acc. to LH it's possible to book R&F via call centre even with tickets purchased on expedia or other portals (to save the impertinent Creditcardpenaltyfee and high TSC).
BUT:
the flight need to start in Germany!!
I wonder how you can do that for LHR-STR? Please let us know!
BUT:
the flight need to start in Germany!!
I wonder how you can do that for LHR-STR? Please let us know!
Nov 19, 2008, 2:22 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: STR-BUD-ZRH-MUC-FRA
Posts: 210
No miles. Rail&Fly is a program where you can buy train tickets to get to the airport for a flat rate. Especially for longer train trips it is a good deal.
The only way to earn miles by taking the train I think is if you for example take a train from FRA-CGN which has a LH flight number.
The only way to earn miles by taking the train I think is if you for example take a train from FRA-CGN which has a LH flight number.
Nov 19, 2008, 3:29 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: North-Western Germany [BRE]
Programs: LH [FTL]
Posts: 211
If LH won't do it in your case, maybe the detour with a TUIfly ticket might be an option (just use the train ticket and forget about the flight).
Nov 19, 2008, 7:11 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Reutlingen, Germany
Programs: LH FTL, UA 1K MM, Lifetime Marriott Platinum, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 558
I got R&F also issued on Tickets with a Stopover in Germany.
It worked for stopovers on both ways...
Asia-MUC-QYG-MUC-Brazil-FRA-QYG-FRA-Asia
On non 220 Tickets it is a hit or miss...
Got it once on UA redemption ticket got denied another time...
It worked for stopovers on both ways...
Asia-MUC-QYG-MUC-Brazil-FRA-QYG-FRA-Asia
On non 220 Tickets it is a hit or miss...
Got it once on UA redemption ticket got denied another time...
Jun 28, 2011, 8:02 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA1MM ex-1K
Posts: 13
Lufthansa Rail and Fly - booking from the US
Wanted to post my experience with purchasing a rail&fly pass from Lufthansa USA, because I think this contains useful hints for others trying to accomplish the same.
The rail and fly pass allows anyone with an international ticket on Lufthansa flying into or out of Germany to get a rail ticket between anywhere in Germany and the airport you are flying into or out of. There are very few exceptions [BRU, AMS, CDG, SZG, VIE, ZRH] for specific close-to-the-border airports that are not counted as international flights. The price is 25Eur per oneway in 2nd class(=economy, or 45Eur for 1st class), and this ticket can only be bought for and is only valid on the day of arrival in Germany and the day after arrival in Germany (in conjunction with a ticket into a German airport). Alternatively, for departure from Germany (in conjunction with a ticket segment out of a German airport) for the day of departure and the day before departure. This is generally a really good deal, completely flexible and not bound to a specific train. It can be purchased with one-way, round-trip, and open-jaws.
According to LH once you make a flight booking, there should be a special link below your purchase confirmation with a direct entry into the Deutsche Bahn (german rail) system. This link, however, I have never found when making a booking from outside Germany.
The way to still get the rail and fly ticket is to call LH reservations in the US: 800-645-3880 - but be aware that you may have to call several times. US/Canadian call center agents typically insist that a transcontinental LH ticket is required (it is not, only must be international, i.e. UK-Germany works) - so you get the best chances when calling late at night, when the line gets routed to their international call center.
Official rule that is rarely stated but important: the flight MUST be from LH ticket stock (i.e. ticket number must start with 220) and the flight should be operated by LH metal. Some agents seem to be able to relax the second requirement but only extremely rarely the first.
Once you have found an able agent the process is easy, an additional PNR between your airport [e.g. FRA] and Railway Germany [QYG] is created (with flight operator 9B=Access Rail) and a special ticket pickup number is provided over the phone. This number is like an electronic ticket (http://www.bahn.de/p/view/service/flug/railandfly.shtml) that has to be printed out at the rail way station ticketing machine, and shown in conjunction with your LH ticket when checked on the train. I was charged 36$ for a oneway to anywhere in Germany, really good deal.
According to the Bahn site, United Airlines and Continental Airlines are not partners in this program. US Airways is, but I have never read anything about it on their website. Would be great to hear if anyone has had success getting a Rail and Fly Germany ticket from US Airways.
The rail and fly pass allows anyone with an international ticket on Lufthansa flying into or out of Germany to get a rail ticket between anywhere in Germany and the airport you are flying into or out of. There are very few exceptions [BRU, AMS, CDG, SZG, VIE, ZRH] for specific close-to-the-border airports that are not counted as international flights. The price is 25Eur per oneway in 2nd class(=economy, or 45Eur for 1st class), and this ticket can only be bought for and is only valid on the day of arrival in Germany and the day after arrival in Germany (in conjunction with a ticket into a German airport). Alternatively, for departure from Germany (in conjunction with a ticket segment out of a German airport) for the day of departure and the day before departure. This is generally a really good deal, completely flexible and not bound to a specific train. It can be purchased with one-way, round-trip, and open-jaws.
According to LH once you make a flight booking, there should be a special link below your purchase confirmation with a direct entry into the Deutsche Bahn (german rail) system. This link, however, I have never found when making a booking from outside Germany.
The way to still get the rail and fly ticket is to call LH reservations in the US: 800-645-3880 - but be aware that you may have to call several times. US/Canadian call center agents typically insist that a transcontinental LH ticket is required (it is not, only must be international, i.e. UK-Germany works) - so you get the best chances when calling late at night, when the line gets routed to their international call center.
Official rule that is rarely stated but important: the flight MUST be from LH ticket stock (i.e. ticket number must start with 220) and the flight should be operated by LH metal. Some agents seem to be able to relax the second requirement but only extremely rarely the first.
Once you have found an able agent the process is easy, an additional PNR between your airport [e.g. FRA] and Railway Germany [QYG] is created (with flight operator 9B=Access Rail) and a special ticket pickup number is provided over the phone. This number is like an electronic ticket (http://www.bahn.de/p/view/service/flug/railandfly.shtml) that has to be printed out at the rail way station ticketing machine, and shown in conjunction with your LH ticket when checked on the train. I was charged 36$ for a oneway to anywhere in Germany, really good deal.
According to the Bahn site, United Airlines and Continental Airlines are not partners in this program. US Airways is, but I have never read anything about it on their website. Would be great to hear if anyone has had success getting a Rail and Fly Germany ticket from US Airways.
Jun 28, 2011, 8:31 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BER
Programs: Hilton Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 15,757
welcome to flyertalk, usuallyhappytravels 
please continue to follow this thread in our Lufthansa forum, where it fits better than in the rail travel forum since this is LH specific.
regards,
chrissxb
moderator
european rail travel
please continue to follow this thread in our Lufthansa forum, where it fits better than in the rail travel forum since this is LH specific.
regards,
chrissxb
moderator
european rail travel
Jun 28, 2011, 11:51 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
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Posts: 20,387
It's kind of LH specific... except AB sells them too. And I've used one from AB. 
http://www.airberlin.com/site/zug_zu...y.php?LANG=eng
Ordinarily, AB mails you the ticket, but since I was going to be out of the country, I was able to pick it up on my arrival in FRA (it was a print ticket with carbon copies, etc.)- the DB conductor took a carbon copy from the ticket I provided him and I went on my way
Also, strictly speaking, AB should NOT have sold me the ticket- I was flying FRA-TXL on AB, and using the train to go to Leipzig, so this was not an international ticket (though I was on stopover in FRA an RTW on a separate ticket- ironically, a US DM award). They did so anyway. It was a very painless process with them.
If I can ever figure out how to make US issue one of these in conjunction with a future US DM award, I'll let the board know. Given that US phone agents struggle with things such as basic geography and their own program rules on awards, I am not too optimistic on this point, but I might give it a try next time I do this- I like flying to Germany, and Rail-and-Fly is an outstanding value, for the reasons mentioned.
http://www.airberlin.com/site/zug_zu...y.php?LANG=eng
Ordinarily, AB mails you the ticket, but since I was going to be out of the country, I was able to pick it up on my arrival in FRA (it was a print ticket with carbon copies, etc.)- the DB conductor took a carbon copy from the ticket I provided him and I went on my way
Also, strictly speaking, AB should NOT have sold me the ticket- I was flying FRA-TXL on AB, and using the train to go to Leipzig, so this was not an international ticket (though I was on stopover in FRA an RTW on a separate ticket- ironically, a US DM award). They did so anyway. It was a very painless process with them.
If I can ever figure out how to make US issue one of these in conjunction with a future US DM award, I'll let the board know. Given that US phone agents struggle with things such as basic geography and their own program rules on awards, I am not too optimistic on this point, but I might give it a try next time I do this- I like flying to Germany, and Rail-and-Fly is an outstanding value, for the reasons mentioned.
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Jun 28, 2011 at 11:56 am
Jan 19, 2012, 2:58 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,415
I booked an LH ticket to Germany on Expedia's UK site and LH tells me I need to call Expedia to add Rail & Fly. I expect that if I call Expedia UK they will tell me that they have never heard of LH Rail & Fly. From what I can see on the LH site it only has to be booked in conjunction with an LH flight, not necessarily a flight originating in Germany. Has anyne had recent experience with this?
ne had recent experience with this?
