Jan 23, 15, 8:28 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA , Lufthansa or COPA
Partner PlusPoints Upgrade Awards
For general information on upgrading ANA or Lufthansa flights with PlusPoints (note to use miles is a separate process) see Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA , Lufthansa or COPA You actually request the upgrade through the online form, here: Partner PlusPoints Upgrade Awards
Per United web support, you only need to fill in the required* info.
**The LH flight you are upgrading must be an LH flight, not a UA codeshare flight. If you have a UA codeshare flight, you can call websupport and they will (put you on hold and] change your itinerary to one with an LH flight#.
Note that UA websupport might give you a new ticket # when you do the above, but if the original ticket # was 016 UA stock, it will remain so, and thus you will still be earning RDMs at the UA rate (11x for a 1K), not the *A rate. In case of a $6000 biz fare for LAX-FRA that you are trying to upgrade to F for example, as a 1K you would earn 66,000 UA RDM if booked as a UA flight. And even though after booking you get them to change the UA flight # from a UA codeshare flight to an LH flight, the 016 ticket stock sticks, and you earn 66,000 RDMs.
(FYI, had the ticket stock been an LH stock, the RDM's earned would be 5790 miles x 150% = 8685 RDMs. Big difference)
Note that sometimes the online upgrading does not work, and you may get an error message to call an 877 number, which is now defunct but still resides on .bomb...Ignore it and just call web support. They might put you on hold while they call LH but they will get the job done.
Eligible Economy Fares to Apply PlusPounts
Upgradeable to business fares include U/H/Q the lowest eligible economy fares. G&E the two top premium economy fares and Y/B/M the most expensive economy fares. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24219165-post205.html)While UA has not changed their T&Cs, LH appears to have expanded the potential fare classes
For C->F upgrade, J, D, C fares are eligible, Z and P fares are not
.
LH booking class P, Z upgreadable for miles and eVouchers
From April to September 2018 it was possible to confirm and waitlist P,Z-class LH flights with a PlusPoints. Confirming and waitlisting is no now longer possible, but previously waitlisted segments will continue to clear as/if available.
Checking for Upgrade Availability
Upgrades to E, C and F come from the R, I and O fare bucket, but its a subset, which theoretically is not the same as the award subset. If awards are available it is a strong indication the upgrade is available too. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24861289-post342.html)
In case of upgrade clearing but eticket refresh problems:
Checking for availability prior to calling
Use ANA or even united.com to see availability.
To check if C/F upgrades may open up, ask in this thread: Determining LH Y/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]
Regarding ticket stock, Oliver reports:
Each LH flight segment requires a separate set of PlusPoints
A single set of PlusPoints can be used to only upgrade a single LH flight segment, And that PlusPoints cannot be extended to include another LH flight segment or another UA flight segment.
Problems getting mileage credit for upgraded LH segments
Numerous reports of denial of mileage credits (RDMs, PQMs, PQSs, PQDs) for upgraded tickets. This issue is probably due to LH uses the same fare bucket for mileage awards and upgrades. It seems patience, persistence, and documentation of the originally paid fare are needed to get credit.
You probably won't get credit by simply submitting the online form or asking a CSR to do so for you. A CSR needs to submit a System Issue Form, together with the mileage request, explaining that you flew in I class, but you paid for a mileage-earning booking class.
T-10
While the original system did not allow the upgrade waitlist to carry on past t-10 hours, the have been multiple reports that this is no longer the case. If not cleared in advance - the upgrade wait-list will last all the way until the door closing. UA has not updated the text on the LH upgrades to reflect this change.
Premium Eco To Biz Upgrade
Archive Thread: Lufthansa GPUs Go Electronic {Archive}
Related Thread
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
Partner PlusPoints Upgrade Awards
For general information on upgrading ANA or Lufthansa flights with PlusPoints (note to use miles is a separate process) see Upgrading Flights Operated by ANA , Lufthansa or COPA You actually request the upgrade through the online form, here: Partner PlusPoints Upgrade Awards
Per United web support, you only need to fill in the required* info.
**The LH flight you are upgrading must be an LH flight, not a UA codeshare flight. If you have a UA codeshare flight, you can call websupport and they will (put you on hold and] change your itinerary to one with an LH flight#.
Note that UA websupport might give you a new ticket # when you do the above, but if the original ticket # was 016 UA stock, it will remain so, and thus you will still be earning RDMs at the UA rate (11x for a 1K), not the *A rate. In case of a $6000 biz fare for LAX-FRA that you are trying to upgrade to F for example, as a 1K you would earn 66,000 UA RDM if booked as a UA flight. And even though after booking you get them to change the UA flight # from a UA codeshare flight to an LH flight, the 016 ticket stock sticks, and you earn 66,000 RDMs.
(FYI, had the ticket stock been an LH stock, the RDM's earned would be 5790 miles x 150% = 8685 RDMs. Big difference)
Note that sometimes the online upgrading does not work, and you may get an error message to call an 877 number, which is now defunct but still resides on .bomb...Ignore it and just call web support. They might put you on hold while they call LH but they will get the job done.
Eligible Economy Fares to Apply PlusPounts
Upgradeable to business fares include U/H/Q the lowest eligible economy fares. G&E the two top premium economy fares and Y/B/M the most expensive economy fares. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24219165-post205.html)While UA has not changed their T&Cs, LH appears to have expanded the potential fare classes
... Just check the tables here: https://www.miles-and-more.com/onlin...l=en&cid=18002
.
From April to September 2018 it was possible to confirm and waitlist P,Z-class LH flights with a PlusPoints. Confirming and waitlisting is no now longer possible, but previously waitlisted segments will continue to clear as/if available.
Checking for Upgrade Availability
Upgrades to E, C and F come from the R, I and O fare bucket, but its a subset, which theoretically is not the same as the award subset. If awards are available it is a strong indication the upgrade is available too. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24861289-post342.html)
In case of upgrade clearing but eticket refresh problems:
Originally Posted by oliver2002
Both longhaul LH segments cleared into I after being on waitlist. The first didnt get stickered, so the DCS (amadeus altea) rejected online and agent checkin. The eticket helpdesk had to manually update the first coupon for the DCS to accept the coupon. My seat in C was safe, since the PNR was updated correctly, just the ticket was not updated completely to the satisfaction of the DCS. Everyone looking at the booking agreed the upgrade was legit, so you will not be denied boarding or downgraded, just budget enough time
Originally Posted by oliver2002
The LH GA must have called the eticket helpdesk and pointed out the * SSR remark in your reservation that shows an upgrade was applied and the e-ticket just needed a fix/sticker. See my experience above.
To check if C/F upgrades may open up, ask in this thread: Determining LH Y/C/F loads? [the help me guesstimate loads thread]
Regarding ticket stock, Oliver reports:
Each LH flight segment requires a separate set of PlusPoints
A single set of PlusPoints can be used to only upgrade a single LH flight segment, And that PlusPoints cannot be extended to include another LH flight segment or another UA flight segment.
Problems getting mileage credit for upgraded LH segments
Numerous reports of denial of mileage credits (RDMs, PQMs, PQSs, PQDs) for upgraded tickets. This issue is probably due to LH uses the same fare bucket for mileage awards and upgrades. It seems patience, persistence, and documentation of the originally paid fare are needed to get credit.
You probably won't get credit by simply submitting the online form or asking a CSR to do so for you. A CSR needs to submit a System Issue Form, together with the mileage request, explaining that you flew in I class, but you paid for a mileage-earning booking class.
T-10
While the original system did not allow the upgrade waitlist to carry on past t-10 hours, the have been multiple reports that this is no longer the case. If not cleared in advance - the upgrade wait-list will last all the way until the door closing. UA has not updated the text on the LH upgrades to reflect this change.
Premium Eco To Biz Upgrade
Related Thread
How to upgrade with UA miles on Star Alliance carriers
LH Electronic PlusPts Upgrades -How to use, will it clear?, issues w/flight credit,..
Dec 10, 14, 8:35 am
#1
Company Representative, United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago, Houston, or somewhere in between
Posts: 2,179
LH Electronic PlusPts Upgrades -How to use, will it clear?, issues w/flight credit,..
Hi everyone,
Last year, we indicated that we were working to make electronic the paper-based process to request Global Premier Upgrades on flights operated by Lufthansa. Today we are launching a new online portal for these upgrades on most Lufthansa flights, which enables customers to request and confirm GPUs as early as time of ticketing.
You can find complete information on the Lufthansa GPU page on united.com, but here are some brief highlights about the transition to the new process:
Please visit the updated Lufthansa GPU page on united.com for full details, terms and conditions. Gute Reise!
-UA Insider
Last year, we indicated that we were working to make electronic the paper-based process to request Global Premier Upgrades on flights operated by Lufthansa. Today we are launching a new online portal for these upgrades on most Lufthansa flights, which enables customers to request and confirm GPUs as early as time of ticketing.
You can find complete information on the Lufthansa GPU page on united.com, but here are some brief highlights about the transition to the new process:
- Lufthansa GPU requests will be electronic: No more paper certificates. Starting today, you may go to the Lufthansa GPU page on united.com to learn more about the process and link to an online portal where you can request your upgrade. The request may be made as soon as your ticket is issued, up to 10 hours before flight departure.
- Please note: The online process works for flights marketed with a Lufthansa flight number (e.g. LH431). For codeshare flights marketed by United (e.g. UA8837, operated by Lufthansa), please contact the MileagePlus Service Center to make the request, rather than going online.
- Paper certificates remain valid for a very limited time: Lufthansa will retain limited capability to accept paper certificates for flights through January 31, 2015. However, acceptance is at Lufthansas discretion and may vary based on station capability, so we highly recommend you convert to the online process as soon as possible. If you currently have paper certificates already issued for future flights, please mail them back to using the return address on the front of the certificate, with a request that they be re-deposited to your account for future use. After today, we will no longer issue paper certificates.
- Lufthansa handles clearance priority: Your request may be confirmed instantly if upgrade seats are available. If upgrade seats are not available, you may choose to be placed on Lufthansas internal upgrade waitlist.
- Please note: Currently, waitlist requests will remain valid until 10 hours before departure. If Lufthansa does not clear your upgrade request by this time, we will automatically re-deposit the GPU into your account.
-UA Insider
Jan 9, 18, 10:31 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
How does one 'force' UA's website to show a H,Q,etc fare class when booking on it and wanting to specifically book into that fare class for the purpose of using a GPU?
When I try forcing it, I get "fare class not available" despite it having valid numbers on expert mode for the lufthansa segments. If I don't force it, my "economy flexible" is the U fare. The displayed "economy" fare is W. Can I get something in the middle? Or is the U fare the 'lowest' GPU fare available right now?
When I try forcing it, I get "fare class not available" despite it having valid numbers on expert mode for the lufthansa segments. If I don't force it, my "economy flexible" is the U fare. The displayed "economy" fare is W. Can I get something in the middle? Or is the U fare the 'lowest' GPU fare available right now?
Jan 9, 18, 1:06 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
By them are you referring to UA? They would charge me to do something that I cant do on the web? I thought fees like those were waived...
Jan 9, 18, 1:18 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 20,259
Did you try listing every valid fare code? If you just put in Q and there's no Q fare filed, it wouldn't return any results. I just did a search with B, H, M, Q, U, Y and it seemed to work fine.
Jan 15, 18, 1:18 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 311
I just booked BLR-FRA-SFO for 2 pax on Sun, Sep 9th in H-fare (LH755/LH454). One really odd thing was that the UA code share flights I booked had availability all the way down to V while the LH only showed Y9/B9 in economy (and J9 in business, while UA code-share has J/C/D open). Any idea what may be going on?
I booked it on the UA codeshares and websupport then moved it over to LH by calling an LH agent, them opening H in Amadeus for my booking, and then UA reissuing the ticket on 016 again. Then applied GPUs.
It is really far out still so I'm hoping they'll clear, but that LH availability was making me wonder, any ideas?
I booked it on the UA codeshares and websupport then moved it over to LH by calling an LH agent, them opening H in Amadeus for my booking, and then UA reissuing the ticket on 016 again. Then applied GPUs.
It is really far out still so I'm hoping they'll clear, but that LH availability was making me wonder, any ideas?
Jan 15, 18, 1:37 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 13,879
I just booked BLR-FRA-SFO for 2 pax on Sun, Sep 9th in H-fare (LH755/LH454). One really odd thing was that the UA code share flights I booked had availability all the way down to V while the LH only showed Y9/B9 in economy (and J9 in business, while UA code-share has J/C/D open). Any idea what may be going on?
It's probably too far out to read much into availability, although FRA-SFO on a Sunday is always going to be a really tough sell. Dunno about BLR-FRA.
Jan 15, 18, 2:30 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA Gld, UA 1K
Posts: 28
This may sound ridiculous, but is there a way to search by a particular fare class for Lufthansa on either their website or United's? I want to book BOS to MUC for July in a eligible booking category, but cannot for the life of me figure out how to search for the correct code that is eligible. I've already looked at United metal, but want to avoid connecting if possible.
Jan 15, 18, 2:35 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 13,879
This may sound ridiculous, but is there a way to search by a particular fare class for Lufthansa on either their website or United's? I want to book BOS to MUC for July in a eligible booking category, but cannot for the life of me figure out how to search for the correct code that is eligible. I've already looked at United metal, but want to avoid connecting if possible.
Jan 15, 18, 4:05 pm
#11
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN**
Posts: 47,117
I just booked BLR-FRA-SFO for 2 pax on Sun, Sep 9th in H-fare (LH755/LH454). One really odd thing was that the UA code share flights I booked had availability all the way down to V while the LH only showed Y9/B9 in economy (and J9 in business, while UA code-share has J/C/D open). Any idea what may be going on?
I booked it on the UA codeshares and websupport then moved it over to LH by calling an LH agent, them opening H in Amadeus for my booking, and then UA reissuing the ticket on 016 again. Then applied GPUs.
It is really far out still so I'm hoping they'll clear, but that LH availability was making me wonder, any ideas?
I booked it on the UA codeshares and websupport then moved it over to LH by calling an LH agent, them opening H in Amadeus for my booking, and then UA reissuing the ticket on 016 again. Then applied GPUs.
It is really far out still so I'm hoping they'll clear, but that LH availability was making me wonder, any ideas?
Code:
> an09sepblrsfo/alh755,lh454Code:AN09SEPBLRSFO/ALH755,LH454 ** AMADEUS AVAILABILITY - AN ** SFO SAN FRANCISCO.USCA 236 SU 09SEP 0000 1 LH 755 F3 AL J9 CL DL ZL GL /BLR FRA 1 0305 0900 E0/74H EL NL Y9 B9 ML UL HL QL VL WL SL LH 454 F3 AL J9 CL DL ZL GL /FRA 1 SFO I 1030 1255 E0/388 22:20 EL NL Y9 B9 ML UL HL QL VL WL SL> an09sepblrsfo/auaAN09SEPBLRSFO/AUA ** AMADEUS AVAILABILITY - AN ** SFO SAN FRANCISCO.USCA 236 SU 09SEP 0000 1LH:UA8897 F4 A0 J4 C4 D4 Z0 P0 /BLR FRA 1 0305 0900 E0/74H TR Y4 B4 M4 U4 H4 Q4 V4 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 LH:UA8829 F4 A0 J4 C4 D4 Z0 P0 /FRA 1 SFO I 1030 1255 E0/388 22:20 Y4 B4 M4 U4 H4 Q4 V4 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0
Jan 15, 18, 5:53 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,008
This may sound ridiculous, but is there a way to search by a particular fare class for Lufthansa on either their website or United's? I want to book BOS to MUC for July in a eligible booking category, but cannot for the life of me figure out how to search for the correct code that is eligible. I've already looked at United metal, but want to avoid connecting if possible.
Jan 16, 18, 5:57 am
#14
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN**
Posts: 47,117
Jan 16, 18, 6:01 am
#15
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN**
Posts: 47,117
Code:
AN17JANFRASFO/ALH
** AMADEUS AVAILABILITY - AN ** SFO SAN FRANCISCO.USCA 1 WE 17JAN 0000
** XT STANFORD COURT*NEWLY REDESIGNED*12PT COMM*FIT CTR*LGE
** 10PCT OFF BAR/15PCT OF ADV PURCH RTS*>HAXTSFOSCHDDMMM-1
1 LH 454 F2 AL J9 CL DL ZL G3 /FRA 1 SFO I 1040 1320 E0/388 IR 11:40
EL NL Y8 B8 M8 UL HL Q6 V6 WL SL
2UA:LH9052 JL CL DL ZL Y4 B4 M4 /FRA 1 SFO I 1250 1530 E0/77W 11:40
U4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S4 T4 L4 K4
3 LH 924 J9 C9 D8 Z8 P7 Y9 B9 /FRA 1 LHR 2 0700 0745 E0/32A IR
M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
UA:LH9378 FL AL J4 C4 D4 Z4 P4 /LHR 2 SFO I 0920 1225 E0/777 14:25
Y4 B4 M4 U4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S4 T4 L4 K4
4 LH 902 J7 C5 D5 Z4 P4 Y9 B9 /FRA 1 LHR 2 0900 0945 E0/32A IR
M9 U9 H9 Q8 V7 W4 S3 T3 L2 K1
UA:LH9374 JL CL DL ZL Y4 B4 M4 /LHR 2 SFO I 1135 1435 E0/789 14:35
U4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S4 T4 L4 K4
5 LH 106 JL CL DL ZL Y9 B9 M8 /FRA 1 MUC 2 1315 1410 E0/321 IR
UL HL Q7 V6 WL SL
LH 458 FL AL JL CL DL ZL G3 /MUC 2 SFO I 1615 1935 E0/346 IR 15:20
EL NL Y9 B9 M8 UL HL Q7 V6 WL SL
>
sm/1/f/v
SM LH 0454/F/17JANFRASFO/V
SM LH 0454 F 17JAN FRASFO 388
A D G K
F 1 UP + / + + UP 1 F
2 UP . + + . UP 2
A D G K
. AVAILABLE <> WING F GEN FACI K GALLEY E EXIT C COT
+ OCCUPIED - LAST OFF H HANDICAP Q QUIET G GROUPS P PET
/ RESTRICTED B BULKHEAD V PREF.SEAT X BLOCKED L LEGROOM U UMNR
() SMOKING D DEPORTEE UP UP-DECK Z NO FILM I INFANT R REAR
Y CHARGEABLE
>
sm/1/c/v
SM LH 0454/C/17JANFRASFO/V
SM LH 0454 C 17JAN FRASFO 388
A C D G H K
C 10 UP< C + / / I + >UP 10 C
11 < + + + / + / > 11
12 < + / + + + + > 12
14 < + + / / + + > 14
15 < . + + + + + > 15
16 < + + + + + + > 16
18 < + + + + + . > 18
19 < + + + + . . > 19
20 < + + + + U . > 20
21 C I . + I C 21
22 . . . . / + 22
23 . . . . . . 23
24 UP . . . . . + UP 24
A C D G H K
. AVAILABLE <> WING F GEN FACI K GALLEY E EXIT C COT
+ OCCUPIED - LAST OFF H HANDICAP Q QUIET G GROUPS P PET
/ RESTRICTED B BULKHEAD V PREF.SEAT X BLOCKED L LEGROOM U UMNR
() SMOKING D DEPORTEE UP UP-DECK Z NO FILM I INFANT R REAR
Y CHARGEABLE
>
m
REQUESTED DISPLAY NOT SCROLLABLE
>
sm/1/e/v
SM LH 0454/E/17JANFRASFO/V
SM LH 0454 E 17JAN FRASFO 388
A C D E F G H K
E 50 + + + + 50 E
51 + + + + 51
52 + + + . . + + + 52
53 + + / / / / + + 53
54 + / + + + . + . 54
55 + + + . . + + + 55
56 + + + . . + + + 56
57 U + + + 57
A C D E F G H K
. AVAILABLE <> WING F GEN FACI K GALLEY E EXIT C COT
+ OCCUPIED - LAST OFF H HANDICAP Q QUIET G GROUPS P PET
/ RESTRICTED B BULKHEAD V PREF.SEAT X BLOCKED L LEGROOM U UMNR
() SMOKING D DEPORTEE UP UP-DECK Z NO FILM I INFANT R REAR
