I want to stow a headrest, too!
June 29, 2011 5:23 AM Subscribe
Is there any way I can get an upgrade on this upcoming flight?
I've got a ton of United frequent flier miles, and due to my work I'm bound by the Fly America Act. I am traveling to Munich on business in a couple weeks, and the flight is a code-share between United and Lufthansa (purchased as a United flight, operated by Lufthansa). The company will only pay for economy tickets, so I wanted to use my miles to upgrade.
United claims (both on their website and by phone) that they don't upgrade code shares, but I've heard rumors otherwise. Has anyone been successful with this? Is there a secret phone number I need to call or something, or am I just screwed? I have Premier status on United, if it matters.
I've got a ton of United frequent flier miles, and due to my work I'm bound by the Fly America Act. I am traveling to Munich on business in a couple weeks, and the flight is a code-share between United and Lufthansa (purchased as a United flight, operated by Lufthansa). The company will only pay for economy tickets, so I wanted to use my miles to upgrade.
United claims (both on their website and by phone) that they don't upgrade code shares, but I've heard rumors otherwise. Has anyone been successful with this? Is there a secret phone number I need to call or something, or am I just screwed? I have Premier status on United, if it matters.
I think what you're looking for is the United Star Alliance upgrade. On Lufthansa, only full-fare (Y,B) tickets are upgradeable, so if you've bought a discount economy ticket you are likely out of luck.
I believe that you can't upgrade the codeshare until 24 hours before departure, and getting the upgrade is contingent on award inventory (XY class) being available.
There are other procedures for 1K's with systemwide upgrades, but it looks like you wouldn't have any of those as a 1P on United (unless you were 1K last year).
Flyertalk's United forum is an excellent resource.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 6:24 AM on June 29, 2011
I believe that you can't upgrade the codeshare until 24 hours before departure, and getting the upgrade is contingent on award inventory (XY class) being available.
There are other procedures for 1K's with systemwide upgrades, but it looks like you wouldn't have any of those as a 1P on United (unless you were 1K last year).
Flyertalk's United forum is an excellent resource.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 6:24 AM on June 29, 2011
Best answer: Oops, that's what I get for posting without fully researching. The 24-hour upgrade window is for using a SWU, but in any event, after searching a bit more on Flyertalk, I found this (fairly definitive) statement:
Put simply, *A mileage upgrades CANNOT be codeshares. Must be LH metal/LH flight number, for example. If a codeshare you cannot upgrade, not at booking, not at checkin and not at the gate. If you use a SWU on LH it does not matter if it's a codeshare, you upgrade at checkin in any case.
You may still be offered the opportunity to purchase an upgrade (with cash) when you check in, if there is availability.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 6:30 AM on June 29, 2011
Put simply, *A mileage upgrades CANNOT be codeshares. Must be LH metal/LH flight number, for example. If a codeshare you cannot upgrade, not at booking, not at checkin and not at the gate. If you use a SWU on LH it does not matter if it's a codeshare, you upgrade at checkin in any case.
You may still be offered the opportunity to purchase an upgrade (with cash) when you check in, if there is availability.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 6:30 AM on June 29, 2011
Response by poster: Well, that's a bummer. Thanks for the info.
posted by backseatpilot at 7:29 AM on June 29, 2011
posted by backseatpilot at 7:29 AM on June 29, 2011
There are other procedures for 1K's with systemwide upgrades, but it looks like you wouldn't have any of those as a 1P on United (unless you were 1K last year).
No, from what was said, backseat pilot is 2P not 1P (Premier Executive). That's a shame as 1P is Star Alliance Gold, which would help with Lufthansa.
posted by w0mbat at 9:14 AM on June 29, 2011
No, from what was said, backseat pilot is 2P not 1P (Premier Executive). That's a shame as 1P is Star Alliance Gold, which would help with Lufthansa.
posted by w0mbat at 9:14 AM on June 29, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Failing that, try Lufthansa customer service?
posted by charmcityblues at 5:50 AM on June 29, 2011