Consolidated "Lufthansa Upgrade With UA SWU Questions/Experiences" Thread [2010/11]
#376
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Left Coast
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM, HH Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold (UA comp)
Posts: 1,352
To all: the LAX upgrade experience was successful. A couple of points to note:
1. The street-side check-in counter opened about 3 hrs 55 min prior to the 1st flight of the day, and there was a line by that time, although there were only 3-4 pax in the C and F lines.
2. None of the agents looked like they hailed from Germany but each was quite competent, and would not be considered hired guns that don't know the workings of LH upgrades, as is found in other airports/countries.
3. Despite there only being 8 of 16 seats usable in the upper deck of a non-reconfigured LH 747, I was able to get an upgrade to F with a paper cert, on a D fare. Given the line that eventually formed behind me by the time I left the check-in counter, I am not sure if I had waited to arrive my usual 1 hour before departure, that I would have been upgraded. (Having nobody next to you in F by the way is quite cool; you essentially can have a seat and a separate bed if you like)
Thank you all for your advice!
1. The street-side check-in counter opened about 3 hrs 55 min prior to the 1st flight of the day, and there was a line by that time, although there were only 3-4 pax in the C and F lines.
2. None of the agents looked like they hailed from Germany but each was quite competent, and would not be considered hired guns that don't know the workings of LH upgrades, as is found in other airports/countries.
3. Despite there only being 8 of 16 seats usable in the upper deck of a non-reconfigured LH 747, I was able to get an upgrade to F with a paper cert, on a D fare. Given the line that eventually formed behind me by the time I left the check-in counter, I am not sure if I had waited to arrive my usual 1 hour before departure, that I would have been upgraded. (Having nobody next to you in F by the way is quite cool; you essentially can have a seat and a separate bed if you like)
Thank you all for your advice!
#377
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The KUL city
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, TK Elite+
Posts: 2,658
I was reading through this thread earlier and noticed that one of the posters experienced some problems while trying to upgrade from LHR (for his/her FRA-LAX - itinerary was LHR-FRA-LAX) due to contract agents.
My sister (2P) will be flying LHR-FRA-YVR in a couple of weeks and she has 1.5 hours layover in FRA - should she request for the upgrade at LHR or FRA? Thanks!
My sister (2P) will be flying LHR-FRA-YVR in a couple of weeks and she has 1.5 hours layover in FRA - should she request for the upgrade at LHR or FRA? Thanks!
#378
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,001
#379
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,503
Any experience on the HKG-FRA-JNB route? I'm holding a C fare, and hoping to get into F...esp on the second segment since it's overnight and on the A380!
#380
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 121
Apparently, L has been added to the not eligible fares. Just got a LH paper voucher which already indicates the change. Also saw updates on the website:
The following Lufthansa tickets are not eligible for a Systemwide Upgrade:
•
Tickets in booking codes X, I, R, N, W, S, L, and E
•
Tickets in booking code L and T for intra-Europe flights
http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,53477,00.html
Although it seemed the MP agents were not informed of the change yet, they told me I could still use it on my upcoming L fare LH flights next week. However it says clearly on the voucher that L is not valid, we will see how it goes.
The following Lufthansa tickets are not eligible for a Systemwide Upgrade:
•
Tickets in booking codes X, I, R, N, W, S, L, and E
•
Tickets in booking code L and T for intra-Europe flights
http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,53477,00.html
Although it seemed the MP agents were not informed of the change yet, they told me I could still use it on my upcoming L fare LH flights next week. However it says clearly on the voucher that L is not valid, we will see how it goes.
Last edited by zapyiu; May 12, 2011 at 7:39 am
#381
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Harrisonburg, VA
Programs: UA 1K: since 2010
Posts: 234
A UA ticket with a LH flight # that is really UA metal. Can I upgrade using a SWU?
I am trying to book a rather complicated multi-city trip that includes 8 segments and three continents. I've given up trying to find that itinerary using .bomb. Web Support was useless, quoting me a fare of more than $6,000. Kayak.com couldn't put together all of the segments that I needed. However, I finally found what I was looking for at Vayama.com.
The entire ticket is labeled as being purchased from UA with all segments of the proposed ticket are in "V" Fare Code. "V" is OK for upgrading from economy to business, correct?
The flight from IAD-BRU is on UA 950 (UA metal) and is listed as such in the ticket. So that should not be a problem to upgrade using a SWU (space-permitting, of course).
However, the return home (FRA-IAD) is listed as being flight LH*9050 (* Operated by United Airlines). That means that it is the UA 917 metal flight.
So, since it is a UA metal flight and the ticket is being purchased from UA will I be able to upgrade using my UA SWU (space permitting) even though the ticket lists a LH flight number? If not, might I be able to use a paper SWU? Or, must I keep digging to find a ticket that lists this as a UA flight 917 on the ticket?
Thanks!
The entire ticket is labeled as being purchased from UA with all segments of the proposed ticket are in "V" Fare Code. "V" is OK for upgrading from economy to business, correct?
The flight from IAD-BRU is on UA 950 (UA metal) and is listed as such in the ticket. So that should not be a problem to upgrade using a SWU (space-permitting, of course).
However, the return home (FRA-IAD) is listed as being flight LH*9050 (* Operated by United Airlines). That means that it is the UA 917 metal flight.
So, since it is a UA metal flight and the ticket is being purchased from UA will I be able to upgrade using my UA SWU (space permitting) even though the ticket lists a LH flight number? If not, might I be able to use a paper SWU? Or, must I keep digging to find a ticket that lists this as a UA flight 917 on the ticket?
Thanks!
#383
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,110
#384
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Harrisonburg, VA
Programs: UA 1K: since 2010
Posts: 234
May I also ask if the entire itinerary will automatically show up in my .bomb account since it is being listed as being a "UA ticket" purchase?
#385
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sacramento
Programs: UA 2MM/GS; SPG Lifetime Plat; MHC Lifetime; Tar Heel forever; and I "Dig the Pig" at Piggly Wiggly
Posts: 12,152
#387
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,689
Called up UA to get a SWU for LH. They will fedex me the paper cert and I should have it by monday.
hopefully Ill be able to use it for my DUS-ORD Z fare flight
hopefully Ill be able to use it for my DUS-ORD Z fare flight
#388
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
Confused about something. Looking to book a LH operated leg but it is a UA codeshare booking into code Q. Would this be an issue for using the upgrade? UA.com doesn't list UA booking codes, just LH ones.
#389
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,001
UA and LH codeshares are 1:1, so Q on UA will be Q in LH.
#390
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745