I don't think we could make our connecting flight, and it would defeat a large part of the reason to book Z - the 50% EQM bonus. If I'm going to spend that much money, I want a tangible benefit like that, but that means UA and LH are the only TATL options.

On the SAS website, you can either fly UA via LHR connecting to CPH on SK in UA C for $3150 June/July or SAS via SEA for $3400 r/t.

Worth looking in to?

How about splitting B/C? I did a dummy booking in June which had outbound available for options B/C, while the return only allowed option B. Thus LH outbound (with the chance for SWU) and UA Z on return.

On .BOMB one must ask for the Lowest business fare to see the Z fare option...

That's my choice too - Z on UA for one seg and 'Z' on LH on the other

If possible, this sounds good--especially if you have some time to enjoy the FCT on the return.

In which case I'd probably try and get UA 900 from SFO to FRA (for better sleeping) and LH on the way back to the US when you're likely planning to be awake most of the way anyway.

Not sure why you think there is a low chance of a swap to the old config, but if your analysis of the probabilities is correct, then Z on UA. SFO/FRA is a long trip in LH's slanted, albeit flat C. I don't sleep very well in it; I spent a lot of time creeping down and climbing back up. Especially since you mentioned you were going to take a cruise shortly after getting to FRA. I'd want to be semi-awake to enjoy it, and I can sleep well in the new UA C configuration.

Assuming you don't have anything pressing waiting for you when you return to SFO, if you'd like to play to paper SWU lottery, then book UA for outbound in Z, and LH for the return in Z.

If they keep converting 2 planes per month, the entire 747 fleet will be done by the time of our trip.

Option B is a reasonable choice, as you will at least have a lie-flat bed, and may be able to UFC to the F-cabin (~$800).

Option C isn't bad either, as you'll be in BIZ, with the possibility of upgrading to F using a SWU.

Maybe split, and go UA E-bound, and LH W-bound?

I did this route last September, to connect to a boat in Norway. Have a great trip!

OK - my 2 cents.

1) I don't know if you consider it, but if I'm going on an international cruise, I arrive at least one day early both to recover and to avoid any problems en route.

2) The possibility of LH F is very tempting. I had the chanch to upgrade 4 long haul segments last fall and had the best time on those flights that I've had in years - not to mention the three times I got to go to the FCT.

As long as I'm flying 10K per quarter on UA (and 40K year year that way), I don't mind forgoing some e500's (most of which expire for me anyway) and I still get my SWU's, etc. Only drawback to flying LH is that the miles don't count toward MM status, but you still get the COS bonus and the double EQM for the transatlantic segments.

If I could find flights on UA that had upgrade space available (doubtful from what I've read), then I'd pick option (1) and save the money and upgrade now. You just never know - last year I found 5 award business class seats on the same set of flights to/from SFO-LHR bought in Feb for travel in July. Not the direct flights, but flights through IAD but 5 at once. So, like I say, if you can find upgrade space on any routing on UA, that's what I'd do.

Billy

If I had more vacation time, I'd love to do it. I have to depend on no problems enroute to the cruise.

[QUOTE=mahasamatman;11010594]If I had more vacation time, I'd love to do it. I have to depend on no problems enroute to the cruise.[/QUOTE

I just want to say good luck and I hope my feeling of "this is gonna end badly" is a wrong one. I'd buy great trip insurance. And take as few of connections as possible and avoid ORD and LHR.

If it's impossible, it's impossible, but Delta3MM is spot on.

Go to a frequent cruiser board and ask about the advisabilty of scheduling your flight to arrive on embarkation day, even domestically. The response will similar to asking about a 60 minute international-domestic turnover at ORD as a foreign national.

I would choose option C because of the following reasons:

-Upgrade to F potential
-Book on LH website and you may get UA 901/900 on one of the legs if price does not change
-For a person to be even considering a $3500 plane ticket, money is not the *primary* obstacle here.
-$3500 is a great Z fare to Europe any time of year, but in the summer, it's awesome
-50% EQM bonus
-$1500 is a *very* expensive coach fare. I saw that fare myself, and it would pain me to sit in economy for 10 hours after dropping $1500
-The biggest reason: no anxiety for the next 6 months thinking, "Am I gonna be in 10 hours of misery or 10 hours of comfort?"
-Guarantee seating next to your sig. other, SWU's on economy may put you apart in C because of close upgrade.
-I would not worry about BIS on UA metal for MM because by the time that happens, UA may not be around anymore...
-Life is short, live it up!

I'm with you, doing the exact samething 50EQM'S premium fares with UA to keep my GS status.

To the OP: Do whatever make you feel happy either UA or LH.