I've had many LH upgrades clear inside the 3 hour mark. Maybe all of them actually. Actually I've had difficulty outside the 3 hour mark if the "flight manager" isn't yet on duty.

They need 90-180 minutes to organise additional F catering to make sure all pax get what they want. If the flight is already catered full, it should be no issue to upgrade at the gate. In C the catering is usually no issue.

Alright I will cross my fingers that the transfer desk (or lounge) is able to upgrade me to F right when I get there. I sure hope I don't have to wait for the gate - part of the reason I want the upgrade is so I can go to the FCT!

Update to Lufthansa GPU Certificate Request Process
 

For those interested, no need to split the PNR and upgraded very easily at checkin. The check in agent glanced at a paper print out on her desk and said "yes I can upgrade you". That's all there was to it. Given that it was my first LH upgrade experience, I must say it was much easier than I expected.

If you are close to a lounge, I would go there first. The lounge agents seem very familiar with the process. In my experience, the transfer desk agents - less so. I once even went to the first class lounge (not terminal) because it was the first one I saw - and they were happy to assist processing my upgrade into first. (Then I left and went to the First Class Terminal!).

I see lots of seats open for an upcoming flight, but I would like to get 2 seats together if at all possible & on the upper deck of the 748 would be even better. Does LH allow you to check in at the airport the day before your flight? Would I need everyone present to check in or would they let me check in my wife with her passport? I assume if not they would still let me check in & upgrade myself.

Help booking a flight to Germany
 

I want to travel in business class from LAX -> MUC round trip September 18-22. I have 350k United miles, 6 GPUs, and lots of chase and other points I could use if I needed to.

I think the best way to do this would be to pay cash for an economy flight direct from Lufthansa and then try and get two GPUs from United to transfer to Lufthansa, but I am not sure as I have never done this before.

If someone could assist me with this I would really appreciate it!

There's a thread on this topic.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...t-process.html

A few key points.
1. Make sure you buy an upgrade-eligible fare class on LH. If your fare class isn't eligible you'll have zero chance of an upgrade. LH's website will tell you the fare class you're purchasing, and UA's site will tell you what LH fare classes are upgrade-eligible.
2. Be sure to request the paper certificates from UA early so they have time to mail them. However, you can't request them until after you know exactly what days/flights you'll be on.
3. Get to the airport early to get yourself on the upgrade list. This applies both directions.

And one opinion: LH business seats are lousy (except 747-8 seats). However, your odds of upgrading are better on LH than on UA. IMO this is a great way to use GPUs.

LH flies the 748 from LAX-FRA; if you're flexible, that's going to be a much better business class experience.

Using UA GPUs on LH is a great way to use them. You have to request them ahead of time by calling in, and you'll have to provide the agent with your flight information. Then, the only trick is getting to the airport as early as possible in order to apply your GPU -- it is first come, first served. Also, when using the GPUs on LH, they are only good for one flight (not one direction as on UA), so any connections will be in Y without CPU.

The 748i is great in J -- I recently rode the upper deck for FRA-LAX. With the direct flight to MUC, though, it may not be worth the extra connection to you.

As mentioned, be sure to purchase a fare that is eligible. The following fares are NOT eligible: L, T, X, I, R, N, E, S, W, Z, P, K, O, ID, AD and IP.

At the moment, mileage redemptions don't look too favorable for those dates (I don't see any "low" inventory without getting creative about routings...).

4. Make sure to book LH flight numbers (if booking on LH.com, this isn't a problem, but if you book on UA.com make sure not to book UA flight number). I find that it's easier to just book through LH.

I have to agree about LH business class seats not being great (sleeping on an angle doesn't work well for me). They are upgrading them and you can get more info on the LH forum.

If you're using a GPU, it doesn't matter whether you book a LH or UA flight number.
This only matters for *A upgrades on Y or B fares.

I find that it's still a good policy and the OP had mentioned that they also would consider using miles, which could potentially be booked ahead of time if they are willing to book a Y or B fare as opposed to standby using a GPU. For maximum flexibility it is best to match the number with the metal.

+1

Buying a codeshare just adds a level of complication which can cause complications at various stages of the process.

Just two thoughts first that might impact your trip planning more generally:
1) Oktoberfest begins on September 21, so hotels/flights to MUC could be quite busy.
2) This is a short trip, lots to see there, why not stay longer? Leaving on the 18th you get in on the 19th with the time change and then only have about 3 days there.

In terms of getting there in business, you have 3 options:
1) Use miles for C in the first place. Alas, I see no availability for your dates.

2) Buy an economy ticket on United and then upgrade with a GPU. This requires fare class W and above. Also you want to look for R class availability to apply the GPU.
On the outbound, R=1 on the flight from IAD -> MUC, UA 132. You could snag this upgrade and then get the connecting LAX ->MUC when it clear. Other connection options include Newark and Chicago, although D & Z are already 0 on the ORD option.

On the return, R=9 on the flight from MUC-> ORD UA 953. There's also R availability on the ORD->LAX flight.

3) Buy economy on LH and then upgrade with a GPU. This requires fare class V and above. Only same-day, so who knows what your chances are. Especially with Oktoberfest.

[There's technically a bad 4th option, which is buying a lower class and using your miles or miles + co-pay. Given the GPU's, it's not worth it.]

I would go with option 2 given that right now you can get both overwater segments confirmed as well as one of the domestic connections. I also prefer UA C to LH C as the LH C flights are angle-flat.

You should also start using your GPU's. They expire at the end of January. If you ever need help, you can always let a lowly Plat like me know. :D