Anyone booked LH F awards recently?
Sep 26, 2013, 7:51 pm
#1576
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: VAG
Posts: 1,865
I didn't book LH F, but I flew it anyway. Last weekend I had an award itinerary booked from FRA-MUC-BKK-SYD on Thai, but my FRA-MUC flight got cancelled at the last minute, so they had to reroute me.
I wound up flying FRA-SIN in the new Lufthansa A380 F, which was a pretty snazzy cabin and the best seat I've ever had.
Then, they stuck me in freaking suite class on a Singapore A380 for the SIN-SYD leg, which as far as I know is still supposed to be completely unavailable on UA miles. Best flight cancellation ever! I even got into SYD an hour earlier than my original itinerary.
In conclusion, sometimes it's easier to luck into things than it is to book them
I wound up flying FRA-SIN in the new Lufthansa A380 F, which was a pretty snazzy cabin and the best seat I've ever had.
Then, they stuck me in freaking suite class on a Singapore A380 for the SIN-SYD leg, which as far as I know is still supposed to be completely unavailable on UA miles. Best flight cancellation ever! I even got into SYD an hour earlier than my original itinerary.
In conclusion, sometimes it's easier to luck into things than it is to book them
Sep 27, 2013, 8:42 pm
#1577
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
I didn't book LH F, but I flew it anyway. Last weekend I had an award itinerary booked from FRA-MUC-BKK-SYD on Thai, but my FRA-MUC flight got cancelled at the last minute, so they had to reroute me.
I wound up flying FRA-SIN in the new Lufthansa A380 F, which was a pretty snazzy cabin and the best seat I've ever had.
Then, they stuck me in freaking suite class on a Singapore A380 for the SIN-SYD leg, which as far as I know is still supposed to be completely unavailable on UA miles. Best flight cancellation ever! I even got into SYD an hour earlier than my original itinerary.
In conclusion, sometimes it's easier to luck into things than it is to book them
I wound up flying FRA-SIN in the new Lufthansa A380 F, which was a pretty snazzy cabin and the best seat I've ever had.
Then, they stuck me in freaking suite class on a Singapore A380 for the SIN-SYD leg, which as far as I know is still supposed to be completely unavailable on UA miles. Best flight cancellation ever! I even got into SYD an hour earlier than my original itinerary.
In conclusion, sometimes it's easier to luck into things than it is to book them
Sep 28, 2013, 1:21 am
#1578
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Yellow Springs
Programs: AS 75k
Posts: 1,523
LH tix # not changed?
My search ability hasn't come through for me on this so if someone can point me to the appropriate thread, I'd appreciate it.
I had previously booked Mrs flymonthly and her mother in J on an itinerary that includes an LH ORD-FRA segment next week. I managed to snag two F seats that became available today and UA immediately reissued the tix.
However, the booking on the LH web site has the OLD e-ticket #, but does correctly list the cabin as First (O) and let me select seats in F (81CH). Is the incorrect tix # something I need to worry/call about?
I had previously booked Mrs flymonthly and her mother in J on an itinerary that includes an LH ORD-FRA segment next week. I managed to snag two F seats that became available today and UA immediately reissued the tix.
However, the booking on the LH web site has the OLD e-ticket #, but does correctly list the cabin as First (O) and let me select seats in F (81CH). Is the incorrect tix # something I need to worry/call about?
Sep 28, 2013, 1:31 am
#1579
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
What I do is book F or J on UA on same route and time, and when I see F on LH open up, book on LH, wait for it to ticket, confirm on LH.com that the flights are ticketed, and then cancel the UA flights online. I don't wait very long (i.e. I wait minutes) to cancel the UA itin because IME UA notices when the same pax is on two different flghts at overlapping times or even non-overlapping times (UA seems unaware that one can take over carriers to get from B to A, when one has two flights A to B booked on 016 tix or UA metal, 24 hours apart). Also if you have a lot of miles, I am not particularly picky as to which gateway cities between North America and Europe I end up on: one way flights on low cost carriers in North America are loose change, and one way flights in Europe don't cost much, and worst case there is always a first class cabin in a train.
For example Mrs. mre is going to FRA next month, but for now she is landing in LHR on UA F, and in the worst case, I will buy her a one way revenue ticket on LH, GermanWings, or some other carrier to get her to FRA if nothing opens up. When I went to TXL last month, I started off on UA lie flat to TXL, got DEN to FRA locked in, and bought an LH FRA to TXL flight. Then FRA to Detroit opened up, so I scored that, and bought a WN Detroit to DEN flight and an AB TXL to FRA flight. Then FRA/IAD/DEN opened up, so I scored that, and canceled the WN flight, leaving me with a credit to use up (no change fees, no guilt).
It works best to book two one ways rather than a round trip so that one can exploit inventory on the outbound at exactly T-14. Obviously if you are subject to miles deposit fees or don't have extra miles to play with, this doesn't work.
For example Mrs. mre is going to FRA next month, but for now she is landing in LHR on UA F, and in the worst case, I will buy her a one way revenue ticket on LH, GermanWings, or some other carrier to get her to FRA if nothing opens up. When I went to TXL last month, I started off on UA lie flat to TXL, got DEN to FRA locked in, and bought an LH FRA to TXL flight. Then FRA to Detroit opened up, so I scored that, and bought a WN Detroit to DEN flight and an AB TXL to FRA flight. Then FRA/IAD/DEN opened up, so I scored that, and canceled the WN flight, leaving me with a credit to use up (no change fees, no guilt).
It works best to book two one ways rather than a round trip so that one can exploit inventory on the outbound at exactly T-14. Obviously if you are subject to miles deposit fees or don't have extra miles to play with, this doesn't work.
2. Why didn't you just add on a leg LHR-FRA in Y or C for your wife on her UA F to LHR? It isn't going to cost more miles. Why buy a revenue seat? The award is NA-Europe so it can get you to FRA via LHR.
3. While one ways are easier to manage and you can refund miles for your return if you need to. Obviously you loose out on the stopover feature that is so oftenly used by many of us on the RT awards.
I didn't book LH F, but I flew it anyway. Last weekend I had an award itinerary booked from FRA-MUC-BKK-SYD on Thai, but my FRA-MUC flight got cancelled at the last minute, so they had to reroute me.
I wound up flying FRA-SIN in the new Lufthansa A380 F, which was a pretty snazzy cabin and the best seat I've ever had.
Then, they stuck me in freaking suite class on a Singapore A380 for the SIN-SYD leg, which as far as I know is still supposed to be completely unavailable on UA miles. Best flight cancellation ever! I even got into SYD an hour earlier than my original itinerary.
In conclusion, sometimes it's easier to luck into things than it is to book them
I wound up flying FRA-SIN in the new Lufthansa A380 F, which was a pretty snazzy cabin and the best seat I've ever had.
Then, they stuck me in freaking suite class on a Singapore A380 for the SIN-SYD leg, which as far as I know is still supposed to be completely unavailable on UA miles. Best flight cancellation ever! I even got into SYD an hour earlier than my original itinerary.
In conclusion, sometimes it's easier to luck into things than it is to book them
Sep 28, 2013, 6:56 am
#1580
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: DTW, but drive to/from YYZ/ORD
Programs: Chase Ultimate Rewards 2MM, Diner Club points
Posts: 31,920
Wouldn't that have been TG going the extra mile since they were the sole carrier?
Sep 28, 2013, 7:56 am
#1581
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
Sep 29, 2013, 11:08 am
#1582
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 1,231
I'm trying to figure out how I should plan for my upcoming trip for 2 from SFO-FCO on November 23 to upgrade to LH First. I understand that I should look within 14 days and SFO/LAX are difficult to find to FRA/MUC. Should I just try to find DEN/SEA/YVR to FRA instead? If I find one of those flights should I book it or should I hold out for an SFO-FRA/MUC flight? I don't have any elite status so I would have to pay the $100/pp change fee each time I make a change. Thanks!
Sep 29, 2013, 11:18 am
#1583
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
Programs: UA MM/1P, EK Au, QR, TK, Marriott Life Ti, Hilton Dia, IC Dia, Hyatt Glob, Accor Pt, Shangri-La
Posts: 4,526
I'm trying to figure out how I should plan for my upcoming trip for 2 from SFO-FCO on November 23 to upgrade to LH First. I understand that I should look within 14 days and SFO/LAX are difficult to find to FRA/MUC. Should I just try to find DEN/SEA/YVR to FRA instead? If I find one of those flights should I book it or should I hold out for an SFO-FRA/MUC flight? I don't have any elite status so I would have to pay the $100/pp change fee each time I make a change. Thanks!
Sep 29, 2013, 11:38 am
#1584
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
Which Routing Would you Take?
OK, I know people on this forum aspire to LH F because it is such a great product, but would you really take that option, or the UA alternative:
LH:
HNL-YVR AC J Leave 8:30 PM Arrive 5:00 AM Next Day
YVR-FRA LH F Leave 4:15 PM Arrive 11:10 AM Next Day
FRA-IST LH J Leave 1:00 PM Arrive 4:50 PM
UA:
HNL-SFO UA J Leave 6:15 AM Arrive 2:27 PM
SFO-FRA UA F Leave 7:20 PM Arrive 3:00 PM Next Day
FRA-MUC LH J Leave 5:00 PM Arrive 6:00 PM
FRA-IST LH J Leave 7:15 PM Arrive 10:50 PM
LH Option Pluses:
Not getting up at 3 AM to make first flight
Only two connections
LH F product
Earlier arrival in IST
UA Option Pluses:
Only one overnighter
Less total travel time
-----
Your considered wisdom would be appreciated!
LH:
HNL-YVR AC J Leave 8:30 PM Arrive 5:00 AM Next Day
YVR-FRA LH F Leave 4:15 PM Arrive 11:10 AM Next Day
FRA-IST LH J Leave 1:00 PM Arrive 4:50 PM
UA:
HNL-SFO UA J Leave 6:15 AM Arrive 2:27 PM
SFO-FRA UA F Leave 7:20 PM Arrive 3:00 PM Next Day
FRA-MUC LH J Leave 5:00 PM Arrive 6:00 PM
FRA-IST LH J Leave 7:15 PM Arrive 10:50 PM
LH Option Pluses:
Not getting up at 3 AM to make first flight
Only two connections
LH F product
Earlier arrival in IST
UA Option Pluses:
Only one overnighter
Less total travel time
-----
Your considered wisdom would be appreciated!
Sep 29, 2013, 11:46 am
#1585
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: United Arab Emirates & Arizona, USA
Programs: UA MM/1P, EK Au, QR, TK, Marriott Life Ti, Hilton Dia, IC Dia, Hyatt Glob, Accor Pt, Shangri-La
Posts: 4,526
You've outlined the pros and cons well. Of course it depends what you value.
If it were me, I would take the first option in a heartbeat. Having a day to go into Vancouver and see the sights, have lunch, etc., would be a plus for me (maybe not for you), plus the full extra day in Hawaii instead of rising at 3:00am, plus not having to shuttle through FRA and MUC (passport control in each). All of this without even mentioning the superiority of LH F, which would probably be enough to take that itinerary regardless of all the rest.
Also, I don't know what type of equipment AC flies to HNL, but I would assume that it can't be any worse than UA's. I would prefer the overnight flight anyway if I were in J; I suppose that you disagree.
Another advantage of the second option, however, is somewhat more time to enjoy F as it's a longer flight by 675 miles.
If it were me, I would take the first option in a heartbeat. Having a day to go into Vancouver and see the sights, have lunch, etc., would be a plus for me (maybe not for you), plus the full extra day in Hawaii instead of rising at 3:00am, plus not having to shuttle through FRA and MUC (passport control in each). All of this without even mentioning the superiority of LH F, which would probably be enough to take that itinerary regardless of all the rest.
Also, I don't know what type of equipment AC flies to HNL, but I would assume that it can't be any worse than UA's. I would prefer the overnight flight anyway if I were in J; I suppose that you disagree.
Another advantage of the second option, however, is somewhat more time to enjoy F as it's a longer flight by 675 miles.
Sep 29, 2013, 11:46 am
#1586
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
OK, I know people on this forum aspire to LH F because it is such a great product, but would you really take that option, or the UA alternative:
LH:
HNL-YVR AC J Leave 8:30 PM Arrive 5:00 AM Next Day
YVR-FRA LH F Leave 4:15 PM Arrive 11:10 AM Next Day
FRA-IST LH J Leave 1:00 PM Arrive 4:50 PM
UA:
HNL-SFO UA J Leave 6:15 AM Arrive 2:27 PM
SFO-FRA UA F Leave 7:20 PM Arrive 3:00 PM Next Day
FRA-MUC LH J Leave 5:00 PM Arrive 6:00 PM
FRA-IST LH J Leave 7:15 PM Arrive 10:50 PM
LH Option Pluses:
Not getting up at 3 AM to make first flight
Only two connections
LH F product
Earlier arrival in IST
UA Option Pluses:
Only one overnighter
Less total travel time
-----
Your considered wisdom would be appreciated!
LH:
HNL-YVR AC J Leave 8:30 PM Arrive 5:00 AM Next Day
YVR-FRA LH F Leave 4:15 PM Arrive 11:10 AM Next Day
FRA-IST LH J Leave 1:00 PM Arrive 4:50 PM
UA:
HNL-SFO UA J Leave 6:15 AM Arrive 2:27 PM
SFO-FRA UA F Leave 7:20 PM Arrive 3:00 PM Next Day
FRA-MUC LH J Leave 5:00 PM Arrive 6:00 PM
FRA-IST LH J Leave 7:15 PM Arrive 10:50 PM
LH Option Pluses:
Not getting up at 3 AM to make first flight
Only two connections
LH F product
Earlier arrival in IST
UA Option Pluses:
Only one overnighter
Less total travel time
-----
Your considered wisdom would be appreciated!
Sep 29, 2013, 11:48 am
#1587
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,969
OK, I know people on this forum aspire to LH F because it is such a great product, but would you really take that option, or the UA alternative:
LH:
HNL-YVR AC J Leave 8:30 PM Arrive 5:00 AM Next Day
YVR-FRA LH F Leave 4:15 PM Arrive 11:10 AM Next Day
FRA-IST LH J Leave 1:00 PM Arrive 4:50 PM
UA:
HNL-SFO UA J Leave 6:15 AM Arrive 2:27 PM
SFO-FRA UA F Leave 7:20 PM Arrive 3:00 PM Next Day
FRA-MUC LH J Leave 5:00 PM Arrive 6:00 PM
FRA-IST LH J Leave 7:15 PM Arrive 10:50 PM
LH Option Pluses:
Not getting up at 3 AM to make first flight
Only two connections
LH F product
Earlier arrival in IST
UA Option Pluses:
Only one overnighter
Less total travel time
-----
Your considered wisdom would be appreciated!
LH:
HNL-YVR AC J Leave 8:30 PM Arrive 5:00 AM Next Day
YVR-FRA LH F Leave 4:15 PM Arrive 11:10 AM Next Day
FRA-IST LH J Leave 1:00 PM Arrive 4:50 PM
UA:
HNL-SFO UA J Leave 6:15 AM Arrive 2:27 PM
SFO-FRA UA F Leave 7:20 PM Arrive 3:00 PM Next Day
FRA-MUC LH J Leave 5:00 PM Arrive 6:00 PM
FRA-IST LH J Leave 7:15 PM Arrive 10:50 PM
LH Option Pluses:
Not getting up at 3 AM to make first flight
Only two connections
LH F product
Earlier arrival in IST
UA Option Pluses:
Only one overnighter
Less total travel time
-----
Your considered wisdom would be appreciated!
I would sleep in and take LH F, and with 1 less segment (option 1)
Maybe you could do some sightseeing in YVR on your long layover also.
Also gives you an extra day in HNL and as you said, you get to your destination in time for dinner.
Sep 29, 2013, 12:40 pm
#1588
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Isn't there some rule that says if you cancel an award ticket, or cancel an award ticket X days before departure then you do not get your miles back or have to pay to hey you're miles back?
What I do is book F or J on UA on same route and time, and when I see F on LH open up, book on LH, wait for it to ticket, confirm on LH.com that the flights are ticketed, and then cancel the UA flights online. I don't wait very long (i.e. I wait minutes) to cancel the UA itin because IME UA notices when the same pax is on two different flghts at overlapping times or even non-overlapping times (UA seems unaware that one can take over carriers to get from B to A, when one has two flights A to B booked on 016 tix or UA metal, 24 hours apart). Also if you have a lot of miles, I am not particularly picky as to which gateway cities between North America and Europe I end up on: one way flights on low cost carriers in North America are loose change, and one way flights in Europe don't cost much, and worst case there is always a first class cabin in a train.
For example Mrs. mre is going to FRA next month, but for now she is landing in LHR on UA F, and in the worst case, I will buy her a one way revenue ticket on LH, GermanWings, or some other carrier to get her to FRA if nothing opens up. When I went to TXL last month, I started off on UA lie flat to TXL, got DEN to FRA locked in, and bought an LH FRA to TXL flight. Then FRA to Detroit opened up, so I scored that, and bought a WN Detroit to DEN flight and an AB TXL to FRA flight. Then FRA/IAD/DEN opened up, so I scored that, and canceled the WN flight, leaving me with a credit to use up (no change fees, no guilt).
It works best to book two one ways rather than a round trip so that one can exploit inventory on the outbound at exactly T-14. Obviously if you are subject to miles deposit fees or don't have extra miles to play with, this doesn't work.
For example Mrs. mre is going to FRA next month, but for now she is landing in LHR on UA F, and in the worst case, I will buy her a one way revenue ticket on LH, GermanWings, or some other carrier to get her to FRA if nothing opens up. When I went to TXL last month, I started off on UA lie flat to TXL, got DEN to FRA locked in, and bought an LH FRA to TXL flight. Then FRA to Detroit opened up, so I scored that, and bought a WN Detroit to DEN flight and an AB TXL to FRA flight. Then FRA/IAD/DEN opened up, so I scored that, and canceled the WN flight, leaving me with a credit to use up (no change fees, no guilt).
It works best to book two one ways rather than a round trip so that one can exploit inventory on the outbound at exactly T-14. Obviously if you are subject to miles deposit fees or don't have extra miles to play with, this doesn't work.
Sep 29, 2013, 12:57 pm
#1589
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,392
OK, I know people on this forum aspire to LH F because it is such a great product, but would you really take that option, or the UA alternative:
LH:
HNL-YVR AC J Leave 8:30 PM Arrive 5:00 AM Next Day
YVR-FRA LH F Leave 4:15 PM Arrive 11:10 AM Next Day
FRA-IST LH J Leave 1:00 PM Arrive 4:50 PM
UA:
HNL-SFO UA J Leave 6:15 AM Arrive 2:27 PM
SFO-FRA UA F Leave 7:20 PM Arrive 3:00 PM Next Day
FRA-MUC LH J Leave 5:00 PM Arrive 6:00 PM
FRA-IST LH J Leave 7:15 PM Arrive 10:50 PM
LH Option Pluses:
Not getting up at 3 AM to make first flight
Only two connections
LH F product
Earlier arrival in IST
UA Option Pluses:
Only one overnighter
Less total travel time
-----
Your considered wisdom would be appreciated!
LH:
HNL-YVR AC J Leave 8:30 PM Arrive 5:00 AM Next Day
YVR-FRA LH F Leave 4:15 PM Arrive 11:10 AM Next Day
FRA-IST LH J Leave 1:00 PM Arrive 4:50 PM
UA:
HNL-SFO UA J Leave 6:15 AM Arrive 2:27 PM
SFO-FRA UA F Leave 7:20 PM Arrive 3:00 PM Next Day
FRA-MUC LH J Leave 5:00 PM Arrive 6:00 PM
FRA-IST LH J Leave 7:15 PM Arrive 10:50 PM
LH Option Pluses:
Not getting up at 3 AM to make first flight
Only two connections
LH F product
Earlier arrival in IST
UA Option Pluses:
Only one overnighter
Less total travel time
-----
Your considered wisdom would be appreciated!
Even if the AC craft has full-flat C, I'm not sure going into Vancouver at 3 am Honolulu time is, um, reasonable. Besides, probably easier to enjoy all that LH F offers if you've gotten lots of sleep. That's why I'd find the day room.
You might want to see if you can get TK J on the FRA-IST segment...
Sep 29, 2013, 2:01 pm
#1590
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,466