Jun 8, 2015, 5:51 am
Last edit by: UA1K_no_more
Thanks to member mre5765 for starting and maintaining this wikipost in the older thread.
General
LH has more wifi in its long haul fleet than UA.
LH Y vs UA Y
LH has free booze. And better booze than UA.
UA has E+. LH has true premium economy (separate booking class at a premium)
LH J vs UA J
All LH J seats have now been upgraded. However the window seats on 747-8i and all middle pairs of seats are arranged so that the feet of adjacent pax converge toward each other. Both UA J seats have a barrier that prevents kneeing, and the foot rests are well separated to prevent playing footsie.
Some people assert service and food in LH J is better, some say UA J is better, and others say there is no difference or that it varies flight to flight. LH J serves food on trays, but there are linens on the tray table and on the tray itself.
The trend at LH is that as it invests more in hard premium product, the soft aspects slip, because the hard product is an inflexible cost whereas the soft aspects are highly flexible.
The booze on LH J is better than UA J.
The IFE selections on UA are better than LH.
The amenity kit on UA J beats the LH J amenity kit.
LH F vs UA F
All LH planes with F now have the new F seat (748, 388, 346, 333). Ground services on LH F are better: the first class lounge, first class terminal (UA does not have one), and the tarmac limo service to your plane (UA only as this for GS and GF pax who have tight connections).
Standards in the FCT/FCL are slipping. A year or two ago one could expect limitless, whole macadamias and high end chocolates. Gone.
The new LH F seat is superior to the new UA F seat. However, the F cabin in the 747-8i is much more cramped than any GF cabin. Indeed, the 747-8i F cabin is more cramped than the upper deck of the 747-8i J cabin.
Another plus for LH is often the F cabins are sparsely filled, whereas, due to UA's employee contracts, unsold seats will invariably go to non rev employees.
The service and food on LH F is vastly superior to UA F. However standards are slipping. A year or two ago, an F pax was offered as many of the different appetizers as he wanted, and a second round of caviar. These offers are gone.
The booze on LH F is vastly superior to UA F.
The IFE selections on UA are better than LH.
The amenity kit on UA F beats the LH F amenity kit.
Overall, FT consensus in the UA and M&M forums is LH F is a better choice regardless of new F, old F, or gauge.
Overall
LH F > GF > BF > LH J > LH Y+ > UA E+ > LH Y > UA E-
Earlier threads
LH vs UA, which is better?
Best flight choice UA/LH TATL in business
General
LH has more wifi in its long haul fleet than UA.
LH Y vs UA Y
LH has free booze. And better booze than UA.
UA has E+. LH has true premium economy (separate booking class at a premium)
LH J vs UA J
All LH J seats have now been upgraded. However the window seats on 747-8i and all middle pairs of seats are arranged so that the feet of adjacent pax converge toward each other. Both UA J seats have a barrier that prevents kneeing, and the foot rests are well separated to prevent playing footsie.
Some people assert service and food in LH J is better, some say UA J is better, and others say there is no difference or that it varies flight to flight. LH J serves food on trays, but there are linens on the tray table and on the tray itself.
The trend at LH is that as it invests more in hard premium product, the soft aspects slip, because the hard product is an inflexible cost whereas the soft aspects are highly flexible.
The booze on LH J is better than UA J.
The IFE selections on UA are better than LH.
The amenity kit on UA J beats the LH J amenity kit.
LH F vs UA F
All LH planes with F now have the new F seat (748, 388, 346, 333). Ground services on LH F are better: the first class lounge, first class terminal (UA does not have one), and the tarmac limo service to your plane (UA only as this for GS and GF pax who have tight connections).
Standards in the FCT/FCL are slipping. A year or two ago one could expect limitless, whole macadamias and high end chocolates. Gone.
The new LH F seat is superior to the new UA F seat. However, the F cabin in the 747-8i is much more cramped than any GF cabin. Indeed, the 747-8i F cabin is more cramped than the upper deck of the 747-8i J cabin.
Another plus for LH is often the F cabins are sparsely filled, whereas, due to UA's employee contracts, unsold seats will invariably go to non rev employees.
The service and food on LH F is vastly superior to UA F. However standards are slipping. A year or two ago, an F pax was offered as many of the different appetizers as he wanted, and a second round of caviar. These offers are gone.
The booze on LH F is vastly superior to UA F.
The IFE selections on UA are better than LH.
The amenity kit on UA F beats the LH F amenity kit.
Overall, FT consensus in the UA and M&M forums is LH F is a better choice regardless of new F, old F, or gauge.
Overall
LH F > GF > BF > LH J > LH Y+ > UA E+ > LH Y > UA E-
Earlier threads
LH vs UA, which is better?
Best flight choice UA/LH TATL in business
Discussion of Flying Lufthansa vs. United [2015 onward]
May 21, 2016, 6:27 am
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
Interesting, I was in line to board MIA-ZRH on LX and the couple behind me had UA*P on their boarding pass distinctly different to my UA*G. I was debating if they were platinum and/or if LX was pre-prepping for a 3rd *A tier (a la Oneworld). Maybe LX just codes your actual UA status level on their boarding passes.
May 23, 2016, 4:01 am
#200
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 362
Thanks guys!
Thanks kthpence, sannmann, guitarjim! Pulled the trigger, looking forward to my rubber ducky. Will tell DH that I'm doing research on BA vs. LH 
[
Before flames on BA not being in the same league - we are fairly rich in BA miles, easy to acquire, 2x1 certs, have always had great experience, good availability]
[
Before flames on BA not being in the same league - we are fairly rich in BA miles, easy to acquire, 2x1 certs, have always had great experience, good availability]
May 23, 2016, 5:06 am
#201
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,039
Thanks kthpence, sannmann, guitarjim! Pulled the trigger, looking forward to my rubber ducky. Will tell DH that I'm doing research on BA vs. LH
[ Before flames on BA not being in the same league - we are fairly rich in BA miles, easy to acquire, 2x1 certs, have always had great experience, good availability]
[
Before flames on BA not being in the same league - we are fairly rich in BA miles, easy to acquire, 2x1 certs, have always had great experience, good availability]
May 23, 2016, 8:11 am
#203
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
I know it's YMMV, but I can pay $100 change fee and shift from UA F to LH F FRA to IAD next Saturday. I'm traveling alone, so not sure that the additional 30k miles is worth it (yes, YMMV). I read the wiki, and thinking maybe not worth it. Either way I will have about 4.5 to 5 hour layover in FRA. The posts that I've seen advocating LH were before the devaluation.
It would be a no brainer if it weren't for the extra miles, and the fact that I'm alone vs with DH. Advice?
It would be a no brainer if it weren't for the extra miles, and the fact that I'm alone vs with DH. Advice?
Clearly everyone has different utility curves for miles vs. experiences. I view 30K miles as a lot of currency and if I could choose between spending an extra 30K to get a different variant of F or saving the 30K to upgrade or make a future trip, I'd opt for the future trip.
May 23, 2016, 10:23 am
#204
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 362
The LH F lounge at FRA is fantastic. Probably the best lounge I've ever been in.
Clearly everyone has different utility curves for miles vs. experiences. I view 30K miles as a lot of currency and if I could choose between spending an extra 30K to get a different variant of F or saving the 30K to upgrade or make a future trip, I'd opt for the future trip.
Clearly everyone has different utility curves for miles vs. experiences. I view 30K miles as a lot of currency and if I could choose between spending an extra 30K to get a different variant of F or saving the 30K to upgrade or make a future trip, I'd opt for the future trip.
Instant buyer's remorse. I needed your common sense on Saturday!!Then again, life is short. If I have the miles, burn 'em and find another option for another trip.
May 23, 2016, 10:41 am
#205
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
Lufthansa's in-air experience so completely surpasses United's it's remarkable. I'm just thinking now of fresh spatzle and Frankenwein. Mmmm! Believe me: you won't miss the screw-top bottle crap they serve on United. Oh, and that's not even to speak of being treated decently (vs. being treated like dirt on United)....
May 23, 2016, 4:47 pm
#207
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,941
Indeed. For a flight that is only slightly longer than a transcon ... I wouldn't do it, but YMMV 
The LH F lounge at FRA is fantastic. Probably the best lounge I've ever been in.
Clearly everyone has different utility curves for miles vs. experiences. I view 30K miles as a lot of currency and if I could choose between spending an extra 30K to get a different variant of F or saving the 30K to upgrade or make a future trip, I'd opt for the future trip.
Clearly everyone has different utility curves for miles vs. experiences. I view 30K miles as a lot of currency and if I could choose between spending an extra 30K to get a different variant of F or saving the 30K to upgrade or make a future trip, I'd opt for the future trip.
Jun 26, 2016, 12:27 pm
#208
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SAN/TIJ or under water.
Programs: Club interjet; Airbnb
Posts: 1,882
Business Choices
I have business class awards for the wife and me next week to Rome but other choices look available. Can I get some input as to the options?
Existing (mixed) 57.5k miles:
SAN-DEN-ORD-FCO all on United with DEN-ORD in Y and unlikely to clear. All times and layovers are good. The tatl is UA 777-200
Option 1 70k miles:
SAN-LAX-FRA-FCO only SAN-LAX on United, the rest on Lufthansa. The tatl is LH a380. There is a 3 hr layover in LAX and only a 1 hr layover in FRA.
Option 2 (mixed) 57.5k miles:
SAN-IAD-MUC-FCO only the MUC-FCO on LH (Y), other legs on UA. The tatl is UA 777-200. There is a 3 hr layover in IAD.
Option 1 would use another 25k miles between us.
Worth it? Leave as is?
TIA
Existing (mixed) 57.5k miles:
SAN-DEN-ORD-FCO all on United with DEN-ORD in Y and unlikely to clear. All times and layovers are good. The tatl is UA 777-200
Option 1 70k miles:
SAN-LAX-FRA-FCO only SAN-LAX on United, the rest on Lufthansa. The tatl is LH a380. There is a 3 hr layover in LAX and only a 1 hr layover in FRA.
Option 2 (mixed) 57.5k miles:
SAN-IAD-MUC-FCO only the MUC-FCO on LH (Y), other legs on UA. The tatl is UA 777-200. There is a 3 hr layover in IAD.
Option 1 would use another 25k miles between us.
Worth it? Leave as is?
TIA
Last edited by hiyo; Jun 26, 2016 at 12:35 pm
Jun 26, 2016, 12:40 pm
#209
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,310
I have business class awards for the wife and me next week to Rome but other choices look available. Can I get some input as to the options?
Existing (mixed) 57.5k miles:
SAN-DEN-ORD-FCO all on United with DEN-ORD in Y and unlikely to clear. All times and layovers are good. The tatl is UA 777-200
Option 1 70k miles:
SAN-LAX-FRA-FCO only SAN-LAX on United, the rest on Lufthansa. The tatl is LH a380. There is a 3 hr layover in LAX and only a 1 hr layover in FRA.
Option 2 (mixed) 57.5k miles:
SAN-IAD-MUC-FCO only the MUC-FCO on LH (Y), other legs on UA. The tatl is UA 777-200. There is a 3 hr layover in IAD.
Option 1 would use another 25k miles between us.
Worth it? Leave as is?
TIA
Existing (mixed) 57.5k miles:
SAN-DEN-ORD-FCO all on United with DEN-ORD in Y and unlikely to clear. All times and layovers are good. The tatl is UA 777-200
Option 1 70k miles:
SAN-LAX-FRA-FCO only SAN-LAX on United, the rest on Lufthansa. The tatl is LH a380. There is a 3 hr layover in LAX and only a 1 hr layover in FRA.
Option 2 (mixed) 57.5k miles:
SAN-IAD-MUC-FCO only the MUC-FCO on LH (Y), other legs on UA. The tatl is UA 777-200. There is a 3 hr layover in IAD.
Option 1 would use another 25k miles between us.
Worth it? Leave as is?
TIA
Jun 26, 2016, 1:20 pm
#210
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Do you have to pay a change fee?
I guess you choose between DeN-ORD or MUC-FCO in Y.
I think business class in europe is not that big a deal. Then again DEN-ORD must be 3 hours so it may not be a big deal either?
The longer TATL lets you enjoy it more. The TATL out of IAD or ORD may only be 8-9 hours while the one out of LAX would be 10-11 hours?
I guess you choose between DeN-ORD or MUC-FCO in Y.
I think business class in europe is not that big a deal. Then again DEN-ORD must be 3 hours so it may not be a big deal either?
The longer TATL lets you enjoy it more. The TATL out of IAD or ORD may only be 8-9 hours while the one out of LAX would be 10-11 hours?