Anyone booked LH F awards recently?
Dec 21, 2013, 5:41 am
#1756
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
I just snagged an F upgrade T-2 on a JFK-MUC flight that had been sitting at F5 A5 for almost two weeks. Yay!
When I called in to change the ticket, the agent read something on the screen alluding to a Lufthansa restriction that flights not be booked within 24 hours of departure time (ostensibly to allow time for ticketing). I see instances in this thread where folks have changed to F within hours of a flight, is there anything to be worried about? I'm trying to upgrade some travel companions but LH seems very tight with O and I inventory via MUC and expect if anything to become available very late.
When I called in to change the ticket, the agent read something on the screen alluding to a Lufthansa restriction that flights not be booked within 24 hours of departure time (ostensibly to allow time for ticketing). I see instances in this thread where folks have changed to F within hours of a flight, is there anything to be worried about? I'm trying to upgrade some travel companions but LH seems very tight with O and I inventory via MUC and expect if anything to become available very late.
Dec 24, 2013, 6:07 am
#1757
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SF, CA, US
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA MM Gold, HHonors Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Plat, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,236
I have an F award from Bangkok to USA that includes a LH TATL segment. I originally booked it in biz because that's all the agent said was available when I called in, even though F was available on the website. I noticed F for my flight was available on the ANA tool earlier this morning and I called in to change the segment from C to F. This time the agent saw the seat and the award was re-issued with the F seat. It shows up as F on My Reservations on United, but when I look it up on LH's my booking, it still shows as Biz, booking class I. Should I be worried?
Dec 24, 2013, 6:44 am
#1758
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
I have an F award from Bangkok to USA that includes a LH TATL segment. I originally booked it in biz because that's all the agent said was available when I called in, even though F was available on the website. I noticed F for my flight was available on the ANA tool earlier this morning and I called in to change the segment from C to F. This time the agent saw the seat and the award was re-issued with the F seat. It shows up as F on My Reservations on United, but when I look it up on LH's my booking, it still shows as Biz, booking class I. Should I be worried?
Dec 24, 2013, 7:40 am
#1759
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: BA, AA, SQ, UA, AC, WS, MR TIT
Posts: 8,659
If it does not show in LH system the booking class O then you should be concerned.
Dec 24, 2013, 8:36 am
#1760
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: LAX IAH AMS
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 1,267
The phantom availability on UA.com is REALLY bad right now. Probably the worst that I've seen it. Literally not 1 of about 10 flights Ive tried to book over the next 2 weeks is actually available.
As well, seems that LH may becoming more stingy with releasing seats? FRA-BOS is F8 at about 10 days out and no seats released. Also, NRT-FRA is F7 at T-6 and no seats released. seems strange.
As well, seems that LH may becoming more stingy with releasing seats? FRA-BOS is F8 at about 10 days out and no seats released. Also, NRT-FRA is F7 at T-6 and no seats released. seems strange.
Dec 24, 2013, 9:00 am
#1761
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
The phantom availability on UA.com is REALLY bad right now. Probably the worst that I've seen it. Literally not 1 of about 10 flights Ive tried to book over the next 2 weeks is actually available.
As well, seems that LH may becoming more stingy with releasing seats? FRA-BOS is F8 at about 10 days out and no seats released. Also, NRT-FRA is F7 at T-6 and no seats released. seems strange.
As well, seems that LH may becoming more stingy with releasing seats? FRA-BOS is F8 at about 10 days out and no seats released. Also, NRT-FRA is F7 at T-6 and no seats released. seems strange.
Well I was able to get 2 F seats NYC-FRA when I was looking this past Saturday. I was shocked when it went thru but it did. Checked the PNR on LH.com and it's all good to go. Still shocked. Agree on return there are 7 seats on one of the flts and none released yet.
Dec 24, 2013, 5:20 pm
#1762
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: Delta Diamond/ Hyatt top tier(lifetime)
Posts: 652
sorry if this has been asked already - but if i have a award tix (pre devaluation) that was booked as mixed (paid F) and F saver opens on LH (currently in J) will i get upgraded ? Whats the process on this?
Dec 24, 2013, 7:42 pm
#1763
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
The phantom availability on UA.com is REALLY bad right now. Probably the worst that I've seen it. Literally not 1 of about 10 flights Ive tried to book over the next 2 weeks is actually available.
As well, seems that LH may becoming more stingy with releasing seats? FRA-BOS is F8 at about 10 days out and no seats released. Also, NRT-FRA is F7 at T-6 and no seats released. seems strange.
As well, seems that LH may becoming more stingy with releasing seats? FRA-BOS is F8 at about 10 days out and no seats released. Also, NRT-FRA is F7 at T-6 and no seats released. seems strange.
Definitely seems LH is becoming stingier. Last week LH never seemed to open F space on an IAD-MUC flight I was tracking, despite an F cabin load of 1 and very light J (half full) and Y loads. I'm seeing a similar trend trying to change my return flight next week. Who knows what's going on?
Merry Christmas.
-FlyerBeek
Dec 24, 2013, 8:24 pm
#1764
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
Well, I got my return from fra back to the us done. I am really psyched to experience the FCT and do a RT in F on LH. God knows with the UA deval I will not be doing this one again in the future at the prices UA wants after 2/1/14.
I'm going to keep monitoring to see if I can change to a more direct flt.
The bad thing about the NH site is that if it is within 4 days of departure they do not show availability due to their booking constraints.
I'm going to keep monitoring to see if I can change to a more direct flt.
The bad thing about the NH site is that if it is within 4 days of departure they do not show availability due to their booking constraints.
Dec 24, 2013, 10:23 pm
#1765
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,403
I am on an LH award on Thursday. I originally had a GlobalFirst United flight SEA-SFO-FRA-TXL. Thanks to advice from FlyerTalk, I checked four days before the trip. Sure enough, the nonstop from Seattle to Frankfurt was open in Lufthansa First Class. I switched the ticket online, and I got a $1.50 refund (due to changes in tax.)
I kept getting an error message, but reservation change was actually perfect on both the United and Lufthansa web sites.
As much as the First Class Terminal sounds cool, I think that I'll probably be better off in the A10 First Class Lounge. I'll have plenty of time for a shower and breakfast. According to reports here, I wouldn't have anything to gain by using the First Class Terminal.
In the future, I may use the same plan: book on United First if that's the only thing available, but switch over to Lufthansa closer to the trip.
I kept getting an error message, but reservation change was actually perfect on both the United and Lufthansa web sites.
As much as the First Class Terminal sounds cool, I think that I'll probably be better off in the A10 First Class Lounge. I'll have plenty of time for a shower and breakfast. According to reports here, I wouldn't have anything to gain by using the First Class Terminal.
In the future, I may use the same plan: book on United First if that's the only thing available, but switch over to Lufthansa closer to the trip.
Dec 24, 2013, 11:04 pm
#1766
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
-FlyerBeek
Dec 25, 2013, 12:29 am
#1767
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: BA, AA, SQ, UA, AC, WS, MR TIT
Posts: 8,659
Dec 25, 2013, 7:21 am
#1768
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
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No, if you see your flight has F available, you have to call in to change your segment to F, which will subject to change fee and if it is after 2/1/2014, you have a very high chance that you have to pay for the increase of miles because your ticket has to be re-issued.
Dec 26, 2013, 10:37 am
#1769
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, DL Diamond, NK Gold, Mariott LT Plat/Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 925
Changed two seats FRA-JFK from I to O yesterday. Looking forward to F on the 747. I've never flown this configuration. Tried to book O on flights FRA-EWR and MUC-EWR today (both showing availability on UA but agent said they weren't available). Really happy that I got what I got. 
The phone agent was shocked that the seats I did reserve were open. He said most times what I see online is not really there.
The phone agent was shocked that the seats I did reserve were open. He said most times what I see online is not really there.
Dec 26, 2013, 5:36 pm
#1770
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
Posts: 3,685
I am curious as to whether a UA LH F roundtrip MP award booked at the pre devaluation levels would qualify for rebooking at a later date for the same amount of miles for the award. For example, the LH F award to Europe is priced at 135,000 MP miles, what happens if one wishes to change the return date to LH F flight in March or May?