I bought a ticket on United.com to go:
FRA <--> TLV with Lufthansa. It says H fare on the ticket. UA - 1K reservations won't upgrade it with UA miles. Not good enough, blaming LH policy.

Whay's your opinion?
Where can I appeal this response?
Thanks,

UA does not have a policy of being able to upgrade on other Star airlines with miles, and nor does anyone else.

So just because you bought it on united.com, that doesn't mean they have to upgrade your FRA-TLV segments.

Star Alliance provides reciprocal status benefits such as priority waitlisting, standby, boarding, checkin and extra luggage allowance, along with reciprocal lounge access. They never promised that you will be able to upgrade on other airlines.

Where would you find out the mileage level required to upgrade the FRA-TLV segments anyhow, it's not published the UA MP guide.

I know, it's irritating. But unless you intend to embark on a crusade to make Star change their policy on reciprocal upgrade benefits, I think you might as well try to pick a good seat in Y class for those flights.

What LH fare classes are upgradeable with UA miles? H on LH is not necessarily equivalent to H on UA.

It's on page 21 of the Mileage Plus Guide! 20,000 UA miles to upgrade on Lufthansa between Germany and the Near East for "select economy to business." Question that remains is what LH booking classes are included in "select economy."

AFAIK you need to have a "B" class ticket for upgrading for UA flts. with LH miles (or LH flts. with UA miles).
It's UA policy btw. LH would let you upgrade almost anyfare using LH miles.

Thank you all.
Bernie:
Indeed I was told that I may upgrade a B class. I bought the ticket because it was there for purchase. There was no other price option to select from on coach. I was unable to tell before the purchase what fare class it is, although I rtied to understand the fare rules... My ignorance.
Bernie:
If I understand you correctly, then, its UA that is unwilling to enable this upgrade request of an H to business on LH?

Yes it's UA rule. Like it is with upgrading a "D" class ticket to F. UA won't let you do this - no problem with LH. (Almost) everything goes with LH compared to very restrictive UA.

Who is best to talk to in UA?
Got any idea?