Standby for earlier departure - LH Group [merged sameday standby Q&A thread]
Jun 28, 2008, 6:25 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: TLV
Programs: LY Matmid, BMI Diamond
Posts: 52
Standby for earlier departure - LH
Howdy,
I'm in a bit of a sticky situation with my next travel to Europe. I'm expected to have a 6-hour stopover in FCO between my AZ flight and my LH flights (FCO-DUS-TXL). I would like to try to stand by for an earlier departure once I get there. The fare rules specify a 100 eur penalty on any change/reissuance/endorsement etc - so does this mean that it would cost me 100 eur to get on an earlier flight if there's an available seat last-minute?
Thanks!
I'm in a bit of a sticky situation with my next travel to Europe. I'm expected to have a 6-hour stopover in FCO between my AZ flight and my LH flights (FCO-DUS-TXL). I would like to try to stand by for an earlier departure once I get there. The fare rules specify a 100 eur penalty on any change/reissuance/endorsement etc - so does this mean that it would cost me 100 eur to get on an earlier flight if there's an available seat last-minute?
Thanks!
Jun 28, 2008, 6:32 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: MUC/LAX/SMV
Programs: LH, UA, BD, AA, NW, FB, NH, AC, Sixt, Hertz, Avis, *W, HH, Marriott, PC, Leaders Club, AMEX
Posts: 12,406
Of course, you can always beg.
Jun 28, 2008, 6:35 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: WRO
Programs: LH SEN, UA 1K, MR Platinum, BW Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 281
... and remember that checked-in luggage will not allow you to get in to earlier flight if there is no enough time (about 2h) to redirect your suitcase.
LH will not let you travel without your luggage on the same flight - security.
TP
LH will not let you travel without your luggage on the same flight - security.
TP
Jun 28, 2008, 7:19 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: TLV
Programs: LY Matmid, BMI Diamond
Posts: 52
Any way around it then?
Jun 28, 2008, 7:29 am
#35
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: WRO
Programs: LH SEN, UA 1K, MR Platinum, BW Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 281
I remember several times being offered in the US earlier fligth during check-in for 20-50USD. But here in Europe situation is different. If you want to take earlier flight you can do that according to your fare and seat availibity. Unless you are in Y or B (booking class) you need to pay 50-100 Euro for rebooking plus fare difference if no seat available in your booking class.
So... try right now...
TP
Jun 29, 2008, 3:16 am
#37
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,712
A few years ago, in Milano, I requested to to board an earlier flight to Germany. My reservation was in one of the lowest booking classes (W or V), and there was a hefty change fee. I went directly to ticketing, explained that my plans had changed and that I knew my ticket was highly restricted, but in case they had available seats on the earlier flight, I'd be most grateful etc. One call to a supervisor and they gave me a boarding pass to the earlier flight. I was a Senator (gold) then, which surely helped.
Shuly
Shuly
Jun 29, 2008, 3:40 am
#38
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MUC (home), DUS (office), XXX (customer)
Programs: LH, AB, SPG, CC, Sixt, EC
Posts: 6,334
As you can read in the M&M lounge thread, I was lucky on Friday. They offered to take me on the earlier flight, I didn't even ask.
It depends on several factors, luck is one of them
It depends on several factors, luck is one of them
Jun 29, 2008, 3:46 am
#39
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN, SPG Plat, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 566
A few years ago, in Milano, I requested to to board an earlier flight to Germany. My reservation was in one of the lowest booking classes (W or V), and there was a hefty change fee. I went directly to ticketing, explained that my plans had changed and that I knew my ticket was highly restricted, but in case they had available seats on the earlier flight, I'd be most grateful etc. One call to a supervisor and they gave me a boarding pass to the earlier flight. I was a Senator (gold) then, which surely helped.
Shuly
Shuly
Jun 29, 2008, 4:43 am
#40
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: INN
Posts: 2,907
Not for European flights. W can cost up to about 2/3 of a full fare ticket and is generally changeable for just 50EUR. I've never actually seen a V fare for Kont-tickets, but as the order of booking classes is always the same it would be even more expensive and maybe less restrictive.
Jun 29, 2008, 5:16 am
#41
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: LH HON, DL FO/MM, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Accor Lifetime Platinum, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 6,174
Well, if the flight you're ticketed on is overbooked, they more than happily move you to an earlier flight at no charge (but without compensation either!).
Jun 29, 2008, 5:49 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
I have been permitted to move to earlier flights, but probably only because the later flight was oversold thus actually helping out LH.
If your original flight is not oversold, there is little chance of getting rebooked free of charge - it would erode the entire fare structure. (Something US airlines never understood...)
If your original flight is not oversold, there is little chance of getting rebooked free of charge - it would erode the entire fare structure. (Something US airlines never understood...)
Jun 30, 2008, 12:17 am
#43
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Reutlingen, Germany
Programs: LH FTL, UA 1K MM, Lifetime Marriott Platinum, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 558
I would still ask nicely. Explain the situation and expect nothing more than getting it done according to the rules, but I had about 50% success of free rebbokings in lowest booking classes...
Jun 30, 2008, 8:24 am
#44
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: BAEC, M&L, Bonvoy
Posts: 1,339
I had luck few times, but every time it was when arriving from US to EU. Once I was with my family, other times I was traveling alone, but asked nicely and it worked out. But several times it didn't work out as well. Usually in summer works out better then in other seasons.
Jul 19, 2008, 11:05 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Between SFO and SJC
Programs: UA 1K-MM
Posts: 1,406
Standby on LH?
This is probably a dumb question, but I have a UA PNR SFO-FRA-GVA-FRA-SFO. SFO-FRA is on UA, FRA-GVA is on LH. If I get to GVA early for my return, will LH let me standby on an earlier flight? I know once I get to FRA UA will let me fly standby.
Edited to add: UA codes this as a W class fare, but I don't know what that translates to on LH.
Edited to add: UA codes this as a W class fare, but I don't know what that translates to on LH.
Last edited by Lightman7; Jul 20, 2008 at 10:18 am