Consolidated "Lufthansa Upgrade With UA SWU Questions/Experiences" Thread [2010/11]
Jul 17, 2011, 8:02 am
#421
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Welcome to FT!
Was your intial flight before Jul 1? LH redid some of their lowend fare classes on this date so terms may have changed...
Was your intial flight before Jul 1? LH redid some of their lowend fare classes on this date so terms may have changed...
Jul 25, 2011, 5:24 pm
#422
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: UA, AA
Posts: 212
Hoping to use SWU but tight layover
I am flying FCO to SEA on 7/30. There is about 80 mins on the ground in FRA which is challenging in and of itself. Was hoping to use paper SWU to upgrade C to F but am worried that will be too close to departure and catering issues will become a factor. Anyone have any suggestions for trying to get upgrade prior to arriving in FRA.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jul 25, 2011 at 5:34 pm Reason: moved into pre-merger UA forum and existing thread
Jul 26, 2011, 12:54 am
#423
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
This will be a tough one... the flight is operated with a small C config (only 36 C seats) and C+Y is oversold. To top that they sold 5 seats in F.
Your only hope is that FCO puts a note in your booking if they can't put you on the grading list. This way the FM in FRA knows you are coming and will 'pay' for your upgrade so he/she doesn't have to give away the F seat to a op-up.
Your only hope is that FCO puts a note in your booking if they can't put you on the grading list. This way the FM in FRA knows you are coming and will 'pay' for your upgrade so he/she doesn't have to give away the F seat to a op-up.
Code:
>ad30julfrasea/alh
AD30JULFRASEA/ALH
** AMADEUS AVAILABILITY - AD ** SEA SEATTLE.USWA 4 SA 30JUL 0000
1 LH 490 F3 A3 J1 C1 DL ZL Y9 /FRA 1 SEA 0935 1105 E0/333 10:30
B6 M5 UL HL QL VL WL SL
>SM LH 0490/F/30JULFRASEA /v
SM LH 0490/F/30JULFRASEA/V
SM LH 0490 F 30JUL FRASEA 333
A D G K
F 1 + . . . 1 F
2 + + + + 2
A D G K
SM LH 0490/C/30JULFRASEA/V
SM LH 0490 C 30JUL FRASEA 333
A C D G H K
C 3 + + + + + + 3 C
4 + + + + + + 4
10 + I C I I C 10
11 < + + + + + + > 11
12 < + + H H + + > 12
14 < + + + + + + > 14
A C D G H K
SM LH 0490/Y/30JULFRASEA/V
SM LH 0490 Y 30JUL FRASEA 333
A C D E F G H K
M 20 <B + + / / / + + B> 20 M
21 < + + + + + + + + > 21
22 < + + + V V + + + > 22
23 < + + + + + + + + > 23
24 < + + + + + + + + > 24
25 < + + + + + + + + > 25
26 < + + + + + + + + > 26
27 < + + + + + + + + > 27
29 / I I / 29
30 E / / / / / / / / E 30
31 + + + + + + + + 31
32 + + + + + + + + 32
33 + + / + + + + + 33
34 + + + + + / + + 34
35 + + / . . + + + 35
36 + + + + . + + + 36
37 + + + + + + + + 37
38 + + + . . + + + 38
39 + + + . . + + + 39
40 / / / / / / / / 40
41 / / / / / / / 41
42 + + + + + + + 42
43 + + + + + + + 43
44 + + U U + + + 44
45 + + + + + . . 45
46 + + + + + + + 46
A C D E F G H K
. AVAILABLE <> WING F GEN FACI K GALLEY E EXIT C COT
+ OCCUPIED - LAST OFF H HANDICAP Q QUIET G GROUPS P PET
/ RESTRICTED B BULKHEAD V PREF.SEAT X BLOCKED L TOILET U UMNR
() SMOKING D DEPORTEE UP UP-DECK Z NO FILM I INFANT R REAR
>
Jul 28, 2011, 4:28 pm
#424
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Raleigh
Programs: United GS 2MM,, Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 754
I'm flying SAN-SFO (UA); SFO-FRA (UA); FRA-DOH (LH) soon.
Two questions:
1. Any chance I can request my upgrade on the LH leg when I'm in SFO? Are there LH agents secure-side (other than the gate agents, who I would suspect are too busy for such requests)? (I'm thinking of something similar to that LH staff in the ORD B18 RCC).
2. The FRA-DOH flight (LH 620) makes some type of stop, I think (perhaps Manama, Bahrain?). But it's ticketed as a single flight. Will on SWU cover the whole thing?
Two questions:
1. Any chance I can request my upgrade on the LH leg when I'm in SFO? Are there LH agents secure-side (other than the gate agents, who I would suspect are too busy for such requests)? (I'm thinking of something similar to that LH staff in the ORD B18 RCC).
2. The FRA-DOH flight (LH 620) makes some type of stop, I think (perhaps Manama, Bahrain?). But it's ticketed as a single flight. Will on SWU cover the whole thing?
Jul 29, 2011, 10:13 am
#425
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
What is the status of upgrading T class for LH intercontinental flights?
I know there is this confusion with L class, where in some places it says L is forbidden only for European flights, but LH won't accept it for any flights. Well, T is also listed by UA as forbidden for European flights only. I would like to book T transatlantic if it can be upgraded.
I know there is this confusion with L class, where in some places it says L is forbidden only for European flights, but LH won't accept it for any flights. Well, T is also listed by UA as forbidden for European flights only. I would like to book T transatlantic if it can be upgraded.
Jul 29, 2011, 10:18 am
#426
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 332
I'm flying SAN-SFO (UA); SFO-FRA (UA); FRA-DOH (LH) soon.
Two questions:
1. Any chance I can request my upgrade on the LH leg when I'm in SFO? Are there LH agents secure-side (other than the gate agents, who I would suspect are too busy for such requests)? (I'm thinking of something similar to that LH staff in the ORD B18 RCC).
2. The FRA-DOH flight (LH 620) makes some type of stop, I think (perhaps Manama, Bahrain?). But it's ticketed as a single flight. Will on SWU cover the whole thing?
Two questions:
1. Any chance I can request my upgrade on the LH leg when I'm in SFO? Are there LH agents secure-side (other than the gate agents, who I would suspect are too busy for such requests)? (I'm thinking of something similar to that LH staff in the ORD B18 RCC).
2. The FRA-DOH flight (LH 620) makes some type of stop, I think (perhaps Manama, Bahrain?). But it's ticketed as a single flight. Will on SWU cover the whole thing?
Jul 29, 2011, 11:19 am
#427
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA, AA, LH, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, Hertz
Posts: 1,759
U booking class - what is the status now?
Oliver mentioned upthread that LH reshuffled some of the booking classes recently. Do we know if U booking class is eligible for UA SWU upgrades? I just bought a ticket and U was priced above V (actually, V disappeared as I was making up my mind) for a TATL trip - I just want to make sure I am not stuck with a non-upgradeable ticket. I can still cancel within 24 hours and would appreciate if someone could answer this quickly for me.
TIA
TIA
Jul 29, 2011, 11:58 am
#428
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Raleigh
Programs: United GS 2MM,, Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 754
Great, thanks. My goal is to upgrade from a C fare to F (and get use of the FCT in FRA), so hopefully that might have even better odds. Though this will be my first try on a 747 since they cut the F cabin in half.
Jul 29, 2011, 11:21 pm
#429
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
What is the status of upgrading T class for LH intercontinental flights?
I know there is this confusion with L class, where in some places it says L is forbidden only for European flights, but LH won't accept it for any flights. Well, T is also listed by UA as forbidden for European flights only. I would like to book T transatlantic if it can be upgraded.
I know there is this confusion with L class, where in some places it says L is forbidden only for European flights, but LH won't accept it for any flights. Well, T is also listed by UA as forbidden for European flights only. I would like to book T transatlantic if it can be upgraded.
Oliver mentioned upthread that LH reshuffled some of the booking classes recently. Do we know if U booking class is eligible for UA SWU upgrades? I just bought a ticket and U was priced above V (actually, V disappeared as I was making up my mind) for a TATL trip - I just want to make sure I am not stuck with a non-upgradeable ticket. I can still cancel within 24 hours and would appreciate if someone could answer this quickly for me.
TIA
TIA
Whatever your SWU may say, LH gate/checkin uses Pictures to process the upgrade as if someone was upgrading using M&M evouchers or miles. So if the fare qualifies for an M&M upgrade, your SWU will fly. :-:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...002&size=2#431
Jul 31, 2011, 7:25 am
#430
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,632
With the realignment of the fare classes that was done this summer the alphabet game has started again. Now the following are excluded on intercont: E, K, L, S, T & W
Whatever your SWU may say, LH gate/checkin uses Pictures to process the upgrade as if someone was upgrading using M&M evouchers or miles. So if the fare qualifies for an M&M upgrade, your SWU will fly. :-:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...002&size=2#431
Whatever your SWU may say, LH gate/checkin uses Pictures to process the upgrade as if someone was upgrading using M&M evouchers or miles. So if the fare qualifies for an M&M upgrade, your SWU will fly. :-:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...002&size=2#431
This thread is in the 'pre-merger' UA forum, I would encourage you to post this info in the current UA forum and LH forum.
Jul 31, 2011, 4:17 pm
#431
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,482
A little update:
Tried to use SWUs to go C->F at SEA on Sunday. The incident at BOS mentioned above is true. LH NYC (HQ Americas) has sent a circular to all 17 stations in N. America instructing DMs to only approve upgrades using the paper SWU issued by UA if the sponsoring member is physically present and approves the use of the instrument (the same procedure as if you would sponsor a M&M miles upgrade at the airport for someone else).....
Tried to use SWUs to go C->F at SEA on Sunday. The incident at BOS mentioned above is true. LH NYC (HQ Americas) has sent a circular to all 17 stations in N. America instructing DMs to only approve upgrades using the paper SWU issued by UA if the sponsoring member is physically present and approves the use of the instrument (the same procedure as if you would sponsor a M&M miles upgrade at the airport for someone else).....
This effectively makes paper SWU non-transferable. 
Jul 31, 2011, 10:50 pm
#433
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Aug 1, 2011, 5:08 pm
#434
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
With the realignment of the fare classes that was done this summer the alphabet game has started again. Now the following are excluded on intercont: E, K, L, S, T & W
Whatever your SWU may say, LH gate/checkin uses Pictures to process the upgrade as if someone was upgrading using M&M evouchers or miles. So if the fare qualifies for an M&M upgrade, your SWU will fly. :-:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...002&size=2#431
Whatever your SWU may say, LH gate/checkin uses Pictures to process the upgrade as if someone was upgrading using M&M evouchers or miles. So if the fare qualifies for an M&M upgrade, your SWU will fly. :-:
http://www.miles-and-more.com/online...002&size=2#431
If what you say proves to be the case, it is certain that I will raise with LH officials in MUC at the SMD3 because it conflicts with their partner, and it is UA that negotiated the terms for its members and LH cannot unilaterally change these terms with no notice.
On my outbound FRA-BOM on LH756, the LH check-in agent at the *gold desk gave me an upgrade to C on LH stock L ticket. When I bought the ticket, I had explicitly bought an L fare to be able to use the SWU, according to the UAL web site http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,50027,00.html
and hadn't read the fine print. I thought everything was fine, except on the return yesterday LH757, the check-in agent pointed out that it excludes L class, and wouldn't upgrade me. So perhaps not all agents got updated instructions?
and hadn't read the fine print. I thought everything was fine, except on the return yesterday LH757, the check-in agent pointed out that it excludes L class, and wouldn't upgrade me. So perhaps not all agents got updated instructions?
Validity Period: This upgrade certificate is only valid only for travel one year from date of issue. For example, upgrade certificates issued in January 2009 are valid for travel through January 31, 2010.
Here's the current page:
www.united.com/page/article/1,,53477,00.html
Suspect your computer cached the old one.
Certainly angry if LH unilaterally changes this without notifying UA, and in turn UA notifying us!
Last edited by Shareholder; Aug 1, 2011 at 11:11 pm Reason: merge
Aug 1, 2011, 11:17 pm
#435
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
The missing communication between UA and LH about this is as old as the SWUs.
Raising a stink at the MUC portion of SMD3 will help nothing, you will be in touch with PR and operational people for that region.
The booking class alignment was done this summer to bring it in line with CO/UAs fare structure.
I kinda like the SWUs and really hesitate to raise a stink about K not being eligible. LH agents are pretty efficient using paper SWUs and its one of the remaining gems out there to get 'cheap' upgrades.
We (the M&M forum) already raised the matter with LH when the paper voucher was completely wrong and months later the document was updated (along with a little layout and logo changes). My fear is that along with the upcoming MP update the powers above may just think 'this is more fuss than benefit lets just optimize this feature away' since non of us writes letters of praise when the SWUs work and no one see how much much revenue the A+ group makes because people go out there and buy V fares.
Raising a stink at the MUC portion of SMD3 will help nothing, you will be in touch with PR and operational people for that region.
The booking class alignment was done this summer to bring it in line with CO/UAs fare structure.
I kinda like the SWUs and really hesitate to raise a stink about K not being eligible. LH agents are pretty efficient using paper SWUs and its one of the remaining gems out there to get 'cheap' upgrades.
We (the M&M forum) already raised the matter with LH when the paper voucher was completely wrong and months later the document was updated (along with a little layout and logo changes). My fear is that along with the upcoming MP update the powers above may just think 'this is more fuss than benefit lets just optimize this feature away' since non of us writes letters of praise when the SWUs work and no one see how much much revenue the A+ group makes because people go out there and buy V fares.