Jul 10, 2021, 7:08 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Seat assignment fees for LH flights booked via UA has a moving target, consult LH Seat selection and advance seat reservation for present rules
As of July 2021
Codeshares are now included
UA economy award tickets -- no fee
Paid economy tickets (without higher LH status) -- fee varies on flight distance, intraEurope may be fee for higher economy fares
Paid Premium Economy (without higher LH status) -- fee varies on flight distance
Business / First -- no fee, even for codeshares
For those seats with advance selection fees, there will be no fee at check-in for available seats
Archive: LH Advance Seat selection fees for flights booked on UA tickets {Archive}
As of July 2021
Codeshares are now included
UA economy award tickets -- no fee
Paid economy tickets (without higher LH status) -- fee varies on flight distance, intraEurope may be fee for higher economy fares
Paid Premium Economy (without higher LH status) -- fee varies on flight distance
Business / First -- no fee, even for codeshares
For those seats with advance selection fees, there will be no fee at check-in for available seats
Archive: LH Advance Seat selection fees for flights booked on UA tickets {Archive}
LH Advance Seat selection fees for flights booked on UA tickets (none on X awards)
Jul 7, 2021, 11:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: UA Platinum, Star Alliance Gold, Asia Miles, Hilton HHonors Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Emerald Club.
Posts: 525
Does anyone have any recent experience on this policy that you can post an update? I am ready to book an 016 ticket in premium economy with one TATL segment (SFO - FRA) on LH. Any comments, insights, or recent experience will be appreciated. TIA!
Jul 8, 2021, 12:07 am
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
I'm in similar boat, about to book an LX itinerary via UA. Note that you can cancel and refund for free within 24 hours if you can't select seats.
Jul 8, 2021, 5:36 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: United 1K, Frontier 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond/ Ambassador/ Milestoner
Posts: 569
I have a Y segment from MUC to KRK on LH as a UA codeshare. Two days ago, I went online and paid $14/ seat for exit rows. I am *G, and this was a 'classic' ticket, not 'light'.
I have a native LX segment also and called them to get a seat a week ago and it was the same $14. They also sold me the seats on LH but this dropped off the reservation a couple days later. I was not able to buy seats on the LX site for the LH segment. You would think that they use the same software and back office.
Buying what seems to be the same flight and ticket type on LH for that segment allows for some free seat assignments including exit rows. Odd that you buy it from them, it is free. Buy it from United, and it is not.
I have a native LX segment also and called them to get a seat a week ago and it was the same $14. They also sold me the seats on LH but this dropped off the reservation a couple days later. I was not able to buy seats on the LX site for the LH segment. You would think that they use the same software and back office.
Buying what seems to be the same flight and ticket type on LH for that segment allows for some free seat assignments including exit rows. Odd that you buy it from them, it is free. Buy it from United, and it is not.
Jul 8, 2021, 9:02 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
While they both use Amadeus, the user interface, databases and back office are separate. Neither airline's is any good, though LX's is worse. I always find it amusing though how the cs agents for both airlines will never admit the IT made a mistake - it's always the fault of either UA or the passenger 
Jul 8, 2021, 9:16 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,044
This has always been hit or miss for me on paid tickets. If a seat assignment is important book the ticket via LH and pay the fee.
Jul 8, 2021, 11:56 am
#6
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,188
While they both use Amadeus, the user interface, databases and back office are separate. Neither airline's is any good, though LX's is worse. I always find it amusing though how the cs agents for both airlines will never admit the IT made a mistake - it's always the fault of either UA or the passenger
Seat assignments are done in LH/LX system and paid for using an EMD. The synch of booking between UA's flavor of shares and Amadeus Altea is patchy at best.
Jul 8, 2021, 11:59 am
#7
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Jul 8, 2021, 11:51 pm
#8
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,188
They are tying to make it happen with codeshares too, but its near impossible as the ownership of the PNR is with the codeshare partner and the issuing office.
Jul 9, 2021, 12:45 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
Jul 9, 2021, 3:44 am
#10
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,188
All (OS/LX/SN) are moving to the LH interface anyway. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luft...ne-2018-a.html
Jul 9, 2021, 10:48 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: UA Platinum, Star Alliance Gold, Asia Miles, Hilton HHonors Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Emerald Club.
Posts: 525
I searched the LH website and confirmed what the agent said was correct:
Advance seat reservations for Premium Economy Class passengers | Lufthansa
This is outrageous! I can understand a seat reservation fee for deeply discounted or basic economy tickets. But for a PE ticket this is outrageous and ridiculous.
Jul 9, 2021, 10:51 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Jul 9, 2021, 8:52 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: UA Platinum, Star Alliance Gold, Asia Miles, Hilton HHonors Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Emerald Club.
Posts: 525
Jul 10, 2021, 5:07 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,065
If not seated in that section, I would expect one could receive a refund for the downgrade, either from LH voluntarily, or through a chargeback.
