Some advice on United award flights w/Lufthansa EWR-CPT
Jun 12, 2019, 7:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Watermill,N.Y.,USA
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Some advice on United award flights w/Lufthansa EWR-CPT
I am planning on using United miles for award seats from EWR to CPT in January of 2020 for myself and 2 friends. I have found flights ,standard coach .First flight with a long layover in Frankfurt ,liking that . I will paying fees with my explorer card . Usually I get seats and better boarding with United in addition to free bags for myself and accompanying passenger . I don't expect seating but am hoping for baggage and maybe boarding . Any advice or info. to make the trip better? contacting Lufthansa about seating ? Thank you in advance ..
Jun 12, 2019, 8:01 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
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Given the time you are flying, why not the direct flight UA is starting December? I say this without knowing the rates; it isn't in the original post - so maybe routing via FRA saves miles. But going direct will certainly save more time...
Jun 12, 2019, 8:16 pm
#3
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Jun 12, 2019, 8:30 pm
#4
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Location: Watermill,N.Y.,USA
Programs: co,aa,del,united
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No status, by seating I meant that I get to chose seats in the class I am flying . Sorry about the lack of info. I did not know that there is a direct flight ,will look into it. I am treating for the seats so want to keep award levels low. 80k round trip coach as of now. Shorter flights are available w/AA miles on BA the same 80k for coach but I'm stacked with UA miles and would prefer burning those . Baggage is comparable on both it appears. Will be flying with surfboards packed with kites . Thx for replies
Jun 12, 2019, 8:31 pm
#5
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Unless you have Star Alliance status (which could be through United), you won't get any benefits on Lufthansa. A United co-branded credit card is worthless.
Jun 12, 2019, 9:43 pm
#6
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No status, by seating I meant that I get to chose seats in the class I am flying . Sorry about the lack of info. I did not know that there is a direct flight ,will look into it. I am treating for the seats so want to keep award levels low. 80k round trip coach as of now. Shorter flights are available w/AA miles on BA the same 80k for coach but I'm stacked with UA miles and would prefer burning those . Baggage is comparable on both it appears. Will be flying with surfboards packed with kites . Thx for replies
You will not get any special privileges from the credit card. No early boarding; you’ll get one bag free at 23kg/50lb as part of the ticket. You can also get a free seat assignment on Lufthansa.com after ticketing; that’s also part of the award ticket.
Jun 13, 2019, 8:52 am
#7
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Join Date: May 2001
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Thank you . I'm just riff-raff flying on CC miles . Lost status when they changed the programs . As a aside any thoughts as to Lufthansa to BA coach? I checked seat width and pitch both are the same . Might use the miles I have with AA on BA .
Jun 13, 2019, 11:37 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2000
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All this said, I would strongly recommend looking both at the UA nonstop and flying South African Airways (a Star Alliance partner) as avoiding Europe will save you quite a bit of time for the journey.
Jun 13, 2019, 12:19 pm
#9
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Jun 13, 2019, 12:24 pm
#10
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Jun 13, 2019, 12:34 pm
#12
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Edited to add: QR also flies PHL-DOH.
Jun 13, 2019, 3:15 pm
#13
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No status, by seating I meant that I get to chose seats in the class I am flying . Sorry about the lack of info. I did not know that there is a direct flight ,will look into it. I am treating for the seats so want to keep award levels low. 80k round trip coach as of now. Shorter flights are available w/AA miles on BA the same 80k for coach but I'm stacked with UA miles and would prefer burning those . Baggage is comparable on both it appears. Will be flying with surfboards packed with kites . Thx for replies
Jun 13, 2019, 5:35 pm
#14
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Jun 13, 2019, 9:35 pm
#15
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Join Date: May 2001
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Thank you all ,gives me a lot to check out. I am thinking it is a poor return for the mileage redemption,but my friends can't swing the trip cost . I have the miles ,they lose value, and I don't want to just horde them . The experience with my friends is more important to me than banking them . In addition I do have more to spare and adding daily . QR vs BA vs Lufthansa . I have only flown LUF 1st with miles for a RTW trip ,coach product ? QR coach ? I'm trying to book asap to avoid issues . Thx again you all have given a lot to think about , luggage being important .