Anyone flown Lufthansa, Frankfurt-Miami

[Snapper]

Hi Peeps,

Has anyone ever flown the direct Lufthansa flight between Frankfurt and Miami?

I'm thinking about flying with Lufthansa in November. I've flown with them a ton the last 2 years around Europe but have never flown internationally with them.

The reason for chosing Lufthansa is mostly because I have a couple of Star Alliance upgrade vouchers that I need to use before next February that should upgrade an economy ticket to club. This is a standby upgrade type process (only available if club isn't full) so any info on which days the flight is less full would be really useful if anyone knows.

I would also be interested in any other Star Alliance options that anyone has experience with. Both United and US Airways fly out of London; which is an option too.

For the avoidance of any doubt, Virgin are not a Star Alliance member, so could I politely ask for no comments about Virgin (or BA or AA or Delta or any other non-Star Alliance airlines).

Ta for any info.

Steve,

BMI are Star Alliance, but you would have to go via Manchester then Chicago/Washington, but their Business class is very good, they even have a Chef![msnsmile]

[domster]

I have a diamond club card with BMI and use the lounge at heathrow quite often. I know that they are very good when it comes to star alliance and upgrades etc.

I have not flown with them to Chicago or washington, but would if the price was right. (I think it only adds 1.5 hour to the direct flight time).

They are currently using new airbus, so the service and ent is good. Midweek flights are always not as busy (judging by european routes).

DOM

[Snapper]

Thanks for the tips Lucy and Dom. I've done a bit more research here and you know what? It's a minefield.

If it wasn't for talking to BMI today I wouldn't have known that only certain fare classes are eligible for upgrade using the voucher. I kind of expected this and remember actively studying the vouchers (and accompanying terms and conditions) in great detail looking for the catch. I didn't find it so I can only assume that it is well hidden. Anyway, BMI have confirmed me that H class economy fares are upgradeable and don't cost much more than fully restricted economy. Hurrah. [msnsmile]

BMI have another trick up their sleeve though by way of 'New Economy' class. So one upgrades from economy to new economy instead of economy to club, even though new economy is a kind of free upgrade anyway for frequent flyers. [msnsad]

The idea of booking into new economy and then using the voucher to upgrade to club occurred to me; until I found out from the BMI call centre and the website that new economy kind of doesn't exist as something you can book.

So back to Lufthansa, who today have given me a different answer on 5 different occasions. I've been told that class V is upgrade friendly. That class W and C are definitely not. That class W and C are. That all classes are. That only full flexible economy tickets are. That class Y is - but when I said that I was sure class Y wasn't they changed their mind and decided it wasn't. I've been quoted fares from £420 through to £650 for the same flights in the same fare classes, some even on days where the website online booking swears blind that no such flight exists on that day. And vice versa, where I was within one click of buying a flight that the agent on the phone at the same time was telling me didn't exist. [msncry][msncry]

In the end today I gave up. I am going to try doing the same all over again tomorrow and not believe anything I hear until I've heard the same story at least twice.

I tell you. It's enough to drive you to drink!

The idea of booking into new economy and then using the voucher to upgrade to club occurred to me; until I found out from the BMI call centre and the website that new economy kind of doesn't exist as something you can book.

Steve,

I have booked New Econ many times for my hubby, I know if you book online there is sometimes a prob but I have done it and on the times when it did not work online I have booked over the phone?

[Snapper]

I will give it another go tomorrow Lucy and will let you know how I get on.