Lufthansa standby on United ticket
Feb 20, 2019, 8:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Lufthansa standby on United ticket
One of my upcoming flights SFO-FRA-PRG is throwing up an itinerary with a 11 hr layover in FRA. Any chance that LH would allow me to standby for an earlier flight? The flight is in W class. Just looking for anecdotal reports from someone who has tried.
Feb 20, 2019, 8:30 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2000
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No - LH doesn't do "stand-by" like US carriers do. You can of course change your ticket to an earlier flight, with the prevailing change fees and fare difference applying.
Feb 20, 2019, 8:36 am
#3
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Is this booked already, or not?
If you want to try and force a shorter connection, try using multi-city and searching for XXX-FRA as one segment, FRA-PRG the next (or MUC, or whatever). You'll get more options that way, or use Google Flights, and use the link to book with UA (you can filter for airline, or connecting point).
Put simply, UA's search engine is awful. While it's possible shorter layovers involve a flight that is sold out, more likely that UAs site is simply missing one (or several) normal/reasonable connections that shouldn't be a problem to book. Living in a spoke, I always check with multi-city or Google flights before booking on UAs site since this is frequently an issue.
If you want to try and force a shorter connection, try using multi-city and searching for XXX-FRA as one segment, FRA-PRG the next (or MUC, or whatever). You'll get more options that way, or use Google Flights, and use the link to book with UA (you can filter for airline, or connecting point).
Put simply, UA's search engine is awful. While it's possible shorter layovers involve a flight that is sold out, more likely that UAs site is simply missing one (or several) normal/reasonable connections that shouldn't be a problem to book. Living in a spoke, I always check with multi-city or Google flights before booking on UAs site since this is frequently an issue.
Feb 20, 2019, 9:24 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: UA:MM 1K HH:Diamond IHG:Plat Marriott:Plat
Posts: 652
Is this booked already, or not?
If you want to try and force a shorter connection, try using multi-city and searching for XXX-FRA as one segment, FRA-PRG the next (or MUC, or whatever). You'll get more options that way, or use Google Flights, and use the link to book with UA (you can filter for airline, or connecting point).
Put simply, UA's search engine is awful. While it's possible shorter layovers involve a flight that is sold out, more likely that UAs site is simply missing one (or several) normal/reasonable connections that shouldn't be a problem to book. Living in a spoke, I always check with multi-city or Google flights before booking on UAs site since this is frequently an issue.
If you want to try and force a shorter connection, try using multi-city and searching for XXX-FRA as one segment, FRA-PRG the next (or MUC, or whatever). You'll get more options that way, or use Google Flights, and use the link to book with UA (you can filter for airline, or connecting point).
Put simply, UA's search engine is awful. While it's possible shorter layovers involve a flight that is sold out, more likely that UAs site is simply missing one (or several) normal/reasonable connections that shouldn't be a problem to book. Living in a spoke, I always check with multi-city or Google flights before booking on UAs site since this is frequently an issue.
Feb 20, 2019, 9:48 am
#6
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it’s not so black and white. You just have to find the right LH agent. Try the Senator Lounge first.
Feb 20, 2019, 9:55 am
#7
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LH doesn't do standby, in general. In my experience (as a former SEN and *G for the last 20 years) is that you'll be quoted the change fees (and fare difference, if applicable). This is at the First Class ticket desk, the transfer desk, and/or the Senator Lounge.
Feb 20, 2019, 10:57 am
#8
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It always strikes me as odd, why LH (and many other carriers) are following this rigid policy. Operationally, it makes sense to have pax on their way asap, as one never knows what might evolve as the day progresses (delays, overbooking, weather etc.).
Feb 20, 2019, 11:03 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 575
1K desk should be able to help. Just feed them leg-by-leg and define desired booking class (W in your case) to ensure that you get the farebase & appropriate fare you are looking for.
It always strikes me as odd, why LH (and many other carriers) are following this rigid policy. Operationally, it makes sense to have pax on their way asap, as one never knows what might evolve as the day progresses (delays, overbooking, weather etc.).
It always strikes me as odd, why LH (and many other carriers) are following this rigid policy. Operationally, it makes sense to have pax on their way asap, as one never knows what might evolve as the day progresses (delays, overbooking, weather etc.).
Feb 20, 2019, 11:24 am
#10
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I assume they do it for pricing. If you give away the expensive seats for free, nobody will pay for them. prob the same reason ua charges $75 for standby. I don't think WN even allows standby for general members? (but w no change fees you just buy up or maybe get an even exchange)
Feb 20, 2019, 12:09 pm
#11
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Feb 20, 2019, 12:41 pm
#13
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I concur. On my way to Naples in September, I had a planned 12 hour layover in MUC. I went to shower/freshen up and at lounge check in, asked about an earlier flight. The agent was incredibly helpful - told me to take my time and when I came back, she'd have everything ready, no bother at all. This has been my experience multiple times on LH (MUC-NAP, MUC-VIE, FRA-TXL - mix of front/back of the plane). I think policy is a no, but experience and some pleasantness plus a friendly lounge agent usually does the trick.
Feb 20, 2019, 1:00 pm
#14
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The other reason not to give away freebie changes is that many people will pay the fee. Intra-European change fees are often not that high and the value proposition for 3-4 hours of downtime may make paying the fee quite easy.
Feb 20, 2019, 1:10 pm
#15
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