UA F v LH F v LX F
Feb 7, 2018, 12:07 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: AA PP, OZ *G, Hyatt Expl, Marriott Gold, Lots of Ex-statuses
Posts: 318
I'd actually recommend LX F. DXB-FRA is a long 6-7 hour flight and having a first class suite vs. a 2-2-2 J config is pretty nice. Plus, if they deny lounge access at ZRH, at least you'll get the Senator lounge, which is pretty fantastic by itself.
The only big downside is the extra hop from ORD-IAH. I hate flying through ORD, especially in the wintertime. If your DXB-FRA is night time, then I might just go for LH F so you can sleep on LH J and then get a direct flight to IAH.
The only big downside is the extra hop from ORD-IAH. I hate flying through ORD, especially in the wintertime. If your DXB-FRA is night time, then I might just go for LH F so you can sleep on LH J and then get a direct flight to IAH.
Feb 7, 2018, 1:07 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,328
I would normally pick LH F, but since OP has tried LH F several times before and never tried LX F, I'd suggest LX F. It is a fine product.
UA is a distant 3rd for me in terms of onboard offerings and services.
UA is a distant 3rd for me in terms of onboard offerings and services.
Feb 7, 2018, 1:18 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
I'd also push for LH. LX is risky with the extra hop at ORD. For lounge stuff, a definite FCT option is better than a possible ZRH F lounge. If the goal is to do as much premium travel, then yes, LX is better. But considering time factor, C isn't Y.
Feb 7, 2018, 1:47 am
#21
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,893
Will you have a working mobile phone in ZRH? The most fun would probably be to book paid LX F, then if a ZRH agent denies you FCL access, stand in front of them and call your travel agent and rebook off of LX F (or ask to borrow their phone and do the same). Surely every traveler dreams of having their own real life "Pretty Woman" moment and they are few and far between now that you can't just endorse full-fare paper tickets between carriers the way you used to.
Feb 7, 2018, 2:40 am
#23
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
Will you have a working mobile phone in ZRH? The most fun would probably be to book paid LX F, then if a ZRH agent denies you FCL access, stand in front of them and call your travel agent and rebook off of LX F (or ask to borrow their phone and do the same). Surely every traveler dreams of having their own real life "Pretty Woman" moment and they are few and far between now that you can't just endorse full-fare paper tickets between carriers the way you used to.
Feb 7, 2018, 8:18 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
OP - another option would be to fly DXB-ZRH-FRA-IAH. The only downside is you can’t get LH F on the FRA-IAH flight because it leaves too early. But would get you LX F and UA F and avoids the connection at ORD and having to clear immigration enroute.
Feb 7, 2018, 9:23 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,504
That's a good point that I hadn't factored in - thanks.
Last edited by l etoile; Feb 7, 2018 at 7:58 pm
Feb 7, 2018, 5:15 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,193
Agreed. I've tried all three and your assessment is spot on. I only took UA F as there were few other premium cabin options for a last minute award flight. It was okay, but not a patch on the others.
Feb 7, 2018, 11:04 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
This issue supposedly has been resolved a couple of months ago and LX F-class lounge access should be granted now.
Feb 8, 2018, 9:42 am
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,504