Standby for earlier departure - LH Group [merged sameday standby Q&A thread]
May 6, 2010, 6:28 pm
#79
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 2,262
Lufthansa stand-by policy?
Hi,
Two quick questions about LH stand-by policy for intra-Europe flights. If I miss my connecting flight, would they put me on next flight for free if space is available or would they charge me the change fee? Also, is it possible to get on an earlier flight if space is available without charge?
Thanks,
Two quick questions about LH stand-by policy for intra-Europe flights. If I miss my connecting flight, would they put me on next flight for free if space is available or would they charge me the change fee? Also, is it possible to get on an earlier flight if space is available without charge?
Thanks,
May 6, 2010, 9:01 pm
#80
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MUC (home), DUS (office), XXX (customer)
Programs: LH, AB, SPG, CC, Sixt, EC
Posts: 6,334
If you miss your connection because your inbound was late, they will put you on the next available flight for free (no matter if it was tech, weather, whatever)
If you miss your flight because you hit the duty free for too long, I doubt it.
Usually, they are very stiff about early standby, unless you are on a fully flexible A,C,F ticket of course.
Ask nicely, there is always the possibility that they will take you.
If you miss your flight because you hit the duty free for too long, I doubt it.
Usually, they are very stiff about early standby, unless you are on a fully flexible A,C,F ticket of course.
Ask nicely, there is always the possibility that they will take you.
May 7, 2010, 12:32 am
#81
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7,541
If you miss your connection because your inbound was late, they will put you on the next available flight for free (no matter if it was tech, weather, whatever)
If you miss your flight because you hit the duty free for too long, I doubt it.
Usually, they are very stiff about early standby, unless you are on a fully flexible A,C,F ticket of course.
Ask nicely, there is always the possibility that they will take you.
If you miss your flight because you hit the duty free for too long, I doubt it.
Usually, they are very stiff about early standby, unless you are on a fully flexible A,C,F ticket of course.
Ask nicely, there is always the possibility that they will take you.
May 7, 2010, 1:35 am
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,852
I tried to get on a earlier FRA-HAM flight two weeks ago on a dirt cheap E fare. No dice at the transfer desk or the gate.
There is no standby policy on LH! Unless it will fit LH (i.e. your flight is overbooked) you will not be allowed to change flight on non-flexible fares.
There is no standby policy on LH! Unless it will fit LH (i.e. your flight is overbooked) you will not be allowed to change flight on non-flexible fares.
May 7, 2010, 3:26 am
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
LH is nice- they just want people to buy tickets that fit the fare rules- and as such they don't deviate a lot from them. I had luck exactly one time changing a Z fare to an earlier flight- but I suspect that was because the later flight was oversold. Fully flexible fares can be changed, but watch that with a few of them there is still a change fee (I was burned once on OS by this)!
If you miss a flight because of a late inbound, usually they already have a new boarding pass waiting for you on arrival.
If you miss a flight because of a late inbound, usually they already have a new boarding pass waiting for you on arrival.
May 7, 2010, 9:05 am
#86
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: US Silver, CO, DL
Posts: 502
Unless it's on another airline then you're usually out of luck.
Well, that wasn't my experience at all. I flew LH from FRA to BOS then connecting to US from BOS to DCA.
The LH flight diverted to BDL where we sat for 3 hrs due to fog in BOS. When we finally landed in BOS, of course I'd missed my US flight. Went to the LH ticket counter and was given a boarding pass for the next US flight. Didn't have to say a word and the whole thing took less than 5 mins.
Well, that wasn't my experience at all. I flew LH from FRA to BOS then connecting to US from BOS to DCA.
The LH flight diverted to BDL where we sat for 3 hrs due to fog in BOS. When we finally landed in BOS, of course I'd missed my US flight. Went to the LH ticket counter and was given a boarding pass for the next US flight. Didn't have to say a word and the whole thing took less than 5 mins.
May 7, 2010, 9:24 am
#87
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FRA
Programs: LH SEN, SPG Plat, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 566
Unless it's on another airline then you're usually out of luck.
Well, that wasn't my experience at all. I flew LH from FRA to BOS then connecting to US from BOS to DCA.
The LH flight diverted to BDL where we sat for 3 hrs due to fog in BOS. When we finally landed in BOS, of course I'd missed my US flight. Went to the LH ticket counter and was given a boarding pass for the next US flight. Didn't have to say a word and the whole thing took less than 5 mins.
Well, that wasn't my experience at all. I flew LH from FRA to BOS then connecting to US from BOS to DCA.
The LH flight diverted to BDL where we sat for 3 hrs due to fog in BOS. When we finally landed in BOS, of course I'd missed my US flight. Went to the LH ticket counter and was given a boarding pass for the next US flight. Didn't have to say a word and the whole thing took less than 5 mins.
Obviously if the flights were booked as a connection, they will take care of you (because they have to). If you buy two separate tickets then you are mostly out of luck...
May 7, 2010, 9:25 am
#88
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Another reason is that they operate one of the most non-op airports in this galaxy and hence re-tagging luggage - which even the decrepit ports in the US can handle without major disruption - constitutes a major hassle for them. So hiding behind fare rules helps. A lot.
May 7, 2010, 9:37 am
#89
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: US Silver, CO, DL
Posts: 502
I guess those flights were booked together?
Obviously if the flights were booked as a connection, they will take care of you (because they have to). If you buy two separate tickets then you are mostly out of luck...
Yes, you are correct - both flights were on one ticket.
Sure, if you buy 2 separate tickets, I doubt many airlines would lift a finger to help you - since they don't have to.
Obviously if the flights were booked as a connection, they will take care of you (because they have to). If you buy two separate tickets then you are mostly out of luck...
Yes, you are correct - both flights were on one ticket.
Sure, if you buy 2 separate tickets, I doubt many airlines would lift a finger to help you - since they don't have to.
May 7, 2010, 10:55 am
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
Actually- in my experiences with IRROPS (unfortunately a little bit too frequent lately- no LH fault- but snow, volcanoes, wind...)- LH has been fantastic.