While you can mark this story as “developing,” it appears as if Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is blocking some transatlantic Lufthansa first class award space.
For example, both the ANA and United websites show Lufthansa first class award space between Detroit and Frankfurt every single day for the next week:
ANA website
United website
However, Aeroplan’s website doesn’t show any first class award space on any of those flights for the entire week:
Aeroplan website
Displayed another way, here are the dates that Award Nexus shows Lufthansa first class award space when pulling space from the ANA website:
While here are the dates (or lack thereof) they show Lufthansa first class award space when pulling from the Aeroplan website:
I called Aeroplan and they didn’t see the space by phone either, so it’s not just a website glitch.
I then had a look at non-transatlantic routes, and interestingly Aeroplan’s website seems to accurately display first class award space for flights to Asia, the Middle East, India, etc.
After doing some more digging I also noticed Aeroplan isn’t actually blocking all transatlantic Lufthansa first class award space. For example, between Boston and Frankfurt, ANA shows first class award space on October 24, 26, 28, and 29, while Aeroplan only shows space on October 26 and 28.
I’ve sent a request to Aeroplan for clarification, so will report back as soon as I hear from them. Ultimately redeeming Aeroplan miles for Lufthansa first class wasn’t a great value to begin with given that they impose fuel surcharges for redemptions on Lufthansa. That being said, if this is indeed intentional blocking and not a glitch then I think Lufthansa first class awards may be on the way out soon, much like what’s happening with Swiss.
US Airways already completely blocks Lufthansa first class awards. First they started blocking transatlantic first class awards on Lufthansa, and later they started blocking all Lufthansa first class flights.
I’ll update when I know more!
@ Eager Traveler -- I would guess they added that just to manage expectations, since Swiss hasn't released first class award space to partner airlines for quite a while now.
Just noticed tonight this on Aeroplan's new reward chart " SWISS First Class is not available for reward travel."
For the record we tried 4 LCC agents, all said something about how people were complaining that they're not having luck on lufthansa.
@lucky, yes. unfortunately for my buddy. Had to push him one day back and route him via YYZ on AC. I think it's a better routing to get to thailand (both connect to TG from CDG) but we lost a day of his trip as a result. I'll be checking inventory close in to see if i can improve the route...
@janyyc
When calling Aeroplan, perhaps it might help to give the agent the departure time of the LH flight you want? I think they have the ability to specify time of day in their availability request (which is suspiciously missing in their consumer web based interface).
While I think it's possible that LH is blocking F I don't think it's likely. Aeroplan only shows three F options and the call center has a similar interface. You have to get Aeroplan to book segment by segment. I think F is still available for the moment.
@ jjjaw -- Haven't had any luck doing that lately unfortunately.
Seems to be lots of availability on Aeroplan both ways close in.
YVR-FRA,
FRA-SEA, FRA-DEN, FRA-YVR
Nov 4/5/6/7.
Who needs points?
Everyone knows Lufthansa First Class is the holiest of holies and worth every penny.
All 1.5 MILLION of them.
I've also has issues booking Economy and Business class flights from LAX-FRA for next week on United's site. ANA, United, as well as Expertflyer show availability on LAX-FRA non-stop on a few days next week in Business and Economy. However when I went to hold the reservation (for 10/27 or 10/28) on the United site, I kept getting an error message. I called United and they said they couldn't see any availability. Any idea what the problem might be?
@ Raf -- Coach on Lufthansa?
Us airways doing the same. Tried flights in Y from both BOS and IAD. Agents couldn't see it but both were on Ana and ua
Lucky, You were able to book LH F by manual sell with DM right??
Is this still available or dead??
Have you tried searching DTW-TXL, DTW-MUC etc.?
Sometimes when you search for just DTW-FRA it would appear as if there are now LH F awards.
The screenshot from the Aeroplan website only shows up to 3 First Class options at a time (as mentioned in my post on FT http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20994701-post12.html).
Perhaps the Aeroplan agents now have a even more dumbed down version of the graphical interface? I have a suspicion that agents who have access...
Have you tried searching DTW-TXL, DTW-MUC etc.?
Sometimes when you search for just DTW-FRA it would appear as if there are now LH F awards.
The screenshot from the Aeroplan website only shows up to 3 First Class options at a time (as mentioned in my post on FT http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20994701-post12.html).
Perhaps the Aeroplan agents now have a even more dumbed down version of the graphical interface? I have a suspicion that agents who have access to the "text/command based" reservation interface may be able to see the flights you want.
Aeroplan has had the capability to block or hide flights from agents since they introduced a new booking platform for agents a couple of years ago. I've never been sure whether intentional blocking was in place or IT incompetence was at work. Many Aeroplan agents are willing to direct book flights for you, so even though Aeroplan is not showing these flights, and agents can't see them either...a direct booking request should still get you the seat.
well...colour me pink...Just found Oct 28 NRT-MUC LH715 in First.
It's hard to get any from going west either. I have tried NRT to any where in Europe but no luck. Or even AKL to Europe. Very difficult, but intra Europe seems to be aplenty.
sorry Lucky, but i think Lufthansa F awards are a thing of the past, hell it was good while it lasted. Another reason to earn and burn, not only do miles and points depreciate, but some awards just go away. At least you got your rubber duckies on the last trip :-)
Hope it's a glitch or not spreading to their *A partner neighbor south.