HELP ! STAR Alliance problem-
Jul 8, 2010 | 6:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boston MA
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 18
HELP ! STAR Alliance problem-
I just got totally screwed by Star alliance ( my own fault)
Traveling to FRA on Business and booked a FULL "Y" refundable so I could upgrade. Got my wife a first class round trip on LH.... Of course business is sold out on our return flight and I can't double upgrade to first...(My anniversary in Germany so hoping to spend time together),.. what a stupid rule though.... if you have the miles and they have space why not? Instead my wife is in first and I'm stuck with a $2500 coach seat.
I called Lufthansa to buy a first class one-way $8K, Business $5,500....
Not to mention it cost me 135,000 miles for my wife....I'd at least like to sit next to her.
Ideas? Thoughts?
Traveling to FRA on Business and booked a FULL "Y" refundable so I could upgrade. Got my wife a first class round trip on LH.... Of course business is sold out on our return flight and I can't double upgrade to first...(My anniversary in Germany so hoping to spend time together),.. what a stupid rule though.... if you have the miles and they have space why not? Instead my wife is in first and I'm stuck with a $2500 coach seat.
I called Lufthansa to buy a first class one-way $8K, Business $5,500....
Not to mention it cost me 135,000 miles for my wife....I'd at least like to sit next to her.
Ideas? Thoughts?
Jul 8, 2010 | 7:46 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
A Y ticket cannot be upgraded to F even if the award inventory was there. You can only upgrade one class of service so your Y ticket can only go to Biz. And you still need the reward inventory to be there.
Chances of y'all sitting next to each other given the tickets you currently have are VERY slim.
A Y ticket cannot be upgraded to F even if the award inventory was there. You can only upgrade one class of service so your Y ticket can only go to Biz. And you still need the reward inventory to be there.
Chances of y'all sitting next to each other given the tickets you currently have are VERY slim.
Jul 9, 2010 | 12:10 am
#3
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,445
Welcome to Flyer Talk Madcampa 
In a premium cabin yes. OP's wife could offer to swap with some lucky ....... in economy to sit beside the OP (& I expect the lucky one would say yes, no problem).
But, for the OP to suggest to his wife to voluntary downgrade 2 classes is not a good idea.
But, for the OP to suggest to his wife to voluntary downgrade 2 classes is not a good idea.
Jul 9, 2010 | 12:37 am
#4
Join Date: May 2003
Location: CA
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,879
Welcome to FT.
I don't know what advice anyone here can give you. As others have said, you can not get a double upgrade. That being said, if you have the miles / cert (and an upgrade IS available), you could buy a C seat (that has an upgradeable fare) and then upgrade to F. But again, make sure that EVERYTHING is lined up before buying the ticket.
Don't see any other way around it.
I don't know what advice anyone here can give you. As others have said, you can not get a double upgrade. That being said, if you have the miles / cert (and an upgrade IS available), you could buy a C seat (that has an upgradeable fare) and then upgrade to F. But again, make sure that EVERYTHING is lined up before buying the ticket.
Don't see any other way around it.
Jul 9, 2010 | 9:13 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,913
Op,
You were not screwed by star. Not sure why you wrote that. By your own admission, it was your fault. When you made th reservations, what were your expectations?
As you are in full y, you have flexibility. Why not check other options. Are there other flights, other airlines, that can get you and your wife in the same cabin?
You were not screwed by star. Not sure why you wrote that. By your own admission, it was your fault. When you made th reservations, what were your expectations?
As you are in full y, you have flexibility. Why not check other options. Are there other flights, other airlines, that can get you and your wife in the same cabin?
Jul 9, 2010 | 11:29 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,807
Hopefully you have not started your trip yet.
The only good news is all of your bookings are refundable (even with the award seat with $150).
Refund and re-book is only choice now.
The only good news is all of your bookings are refundable (even with the award seat with $150).
Refund and re-book is only choice now.
Jul 9, 2010 | 1:10 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,032
Looks like buying an Eco ticket and getting a F award will never get you in a seat next to your wife.
Can you get a second award seat on the same flight and return your Y ticket?
Or return both tickets and look for two F awards on different flights/routing?
At least with the original plan you are in Y and your wife is in F. Much better than the other way around?
Can you get a second award seat on the same flight and return your Y ticket?
Or return both tickets and look for two F awards on different flights/routing?
At least with the original plan you are in Y and your wife is in F. Much better than the other way around?
Jul 10, 2010 | 8:55 pm
#9
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Danville, CA
Programs: AA EXP - UA *G MM - HH Diamond - Hertz PC
Posts: 3,242
Jul 11, 2010 | 1:09 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Programs: M&M SEN, Amex Plat, Marriott, HHonors & Accor Gold, Velocity Silver, Qantas Bronze
Posts: 3,813
I don't get you. It is your fault and you were not thinking (see above), but you blame Star Alliance and their rules? Get real!!!
Jul 11, 2010 | 10:56 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder
Posts: 53,184
Jul 12, 2010 | 7:22 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,698
Yes, I don't see what this has to with Star, and why you are screwed by Star.
You knew, or should have known the rules before you booked.
And this is strictly a LH issue, not Star.
I don't know of any airline that allows a double-class upgrade.
You knew, or should have known the rules before you booked.
And this is strictly a LH issue, not Star.
I don't know of any airline that allows a double-class upgrade.
