UA (O) vs. LH (O)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 47
UA (O) vs. LH (O)
I'm currently booked on an UA flight to Europe in First Class. Space just opened up for a LH flight in First Class for an additional 30k miles + a $100 change fee. Is this worth it? Is there a huge difference between UA and LH First class? This will be my first First Class long haul experience.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,297
I'm currently booked on an UA flight to Europe in First Class. Space just opened up for a LH flight in First Class for an additional 30k miles + a $100 change fee. Is this worth it? Is there a huge difference between UA and LH First class? This will be my first First Class long haul experience.
UA F is a sad excuse for first class, that wouldnt even be business on serious carriers, but 30k+ $100 is tough for a 7 hour flight.
If it was ex-Germany, I would do it in a sec, longer flight, and ground handling in Germany.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WAS
Posts: 3,010
I'm currently booked on an UA flight to Europe in First Class. Space just opened up for a LH flight in First Class for an additional 30k miles + a $100 change fee. Is this worth it? Is there a huge difference between UA and LH First class? This will be my first First Class long haul experience.
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
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Posts: 10,762
I'm currently booked on an UA flight to Europe in First Class. Space just opened up for a LH flight in First Class for an additional 30k miles + a $100 change fee. Is this worth it? Is there a huge difference between UA and LH First class? This will be my first First Class long haul experience.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 47
Option 1 is SEA>ORD>BRU>MRS on UA with a 55 minute connection time in BRU.
Option 2 is SEA>FRA>MRS on LH with a 7+ hour connection time in FRA. I'm aware of the great LH First Class Terminal in FRA, however, I think that 7+ hours in FRA gives me enough time to get out of the airport and see some of the city. So I don't see myself experiencing much of the LH First Class terminal.
Option 2 is SEA>FRA>MRS on LH with a 7+ hour connection time in FRA. I'm aware of the great LH First Class Terminal in FRA, however, I think that 7+ hours in FRA gives me enough time to get out of the airport and see some of the city. So I don't see myself experiencing much of the LH First Class terminal.
#8
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: between SFO & SJC
Programs: UA 1MM (and no longer flying much)
Posts: 777
Compared to many people who post here, I'm not inclined to spend $ for F.
But in this case it's a ridiculously easy decision. For three reasons.
1. Eliminate 1 connection (a.k.a. opportunity for a misconnect or delayed baggage, especially with a 55 minute connection time in BRU).
2. LH F really is a huge improvement over UA F.
3. FCT in FRA. Or, as OP suggested, take a train into Frankfurt or Mainz (which is what I'd do).
But in this case it's a ridiculously easy decision. For three reasons.
1. Eliminate 1 connection (a.k.a. opportunity for a misconnect or delayed baggage, especially with a 55 minute connection time in BRU).
2. LH F really is a huge improvement over UA F.
3. FCT in FRA. Or, as OP suggested, take a train into Frankfurt or Mainz (which is what I'd do).
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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The LH itinerary is much better. No domestic F from SEA-ORD.
If I could afford the extra 30,000 miles without pain, I would go for LH.
If I could afford the extra 30,000 miles without pain, I would go for LH.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Southern California, GVA, SIN, LHR, BRU, CDG
Programs: UA LT GS 4.12MM (4.08MM BIS), AA EXP 1.86MM ,DL DM 1.1MM, HH LT Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,182
On this route take LH...no question!...and as others have said, stay at the airport and enjoy the F lounge (one of the few great airline lounges). You really don't have that much time to see anything substantial in FRA...maybe see the skyline or go to the museum embankment...or maybe a good meal. This said, I think I would stay at the airport! (which I actually did last week when I had to do a LAX-FRA-FCO in F...nice flight...great lounge in FRA!)
#14
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#15
Join Date: Aug 2005
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