Introduction: A Trip Of Downgrades, Suspensions, And Delays

Awesome, really looking forward to the LH Allegris review as it will beat La Premier Inn hands down.
Will there be a review of the (slightly) refurbished LH F G-gates lounge?

Does the UK APD also apply for an overnight layover <24h?
If so could have saved a few 100$ by booking MUC-LHR-ORD on one ticket

@ Maxi — It wouldn’t apply in that case, but sadly there was no award availability for the afternoon flight.

Like you E39, one looks forward to Ben’s flight reviews.
One thing which I am absolutely sure about …. your line …. “LH Allegris review as it will beat La Premier Inn hands down”, never this century E39, no way! …. thanks for the grin.

When traveling in premium and irregular operations come about staying in premium will often mean flexibility. I got stuck in the DFW Saturday meltdown (although I think Thursday and Friday were pretty bad too) and I could have found a way from DFW to ANC in coach but that wasn't going to do for me. As a result I ended up at ANC 20 hours later.

No hotels in the DFW area Saturday night (unless I wanted to pay big $$$) so I just roughed it at the airport with a shower at the A AC early the next morning.

Ben, I'm curious about your continued patronage of Lufthansa despite extensive documentation on your own blog of their service failures. You've personally experienced multiple downgrades, questionable customer service, and reported on what you've described as "reprehensible" handling of situations like the Jewish passenger discrimination case. You couldn't ask for a more dramatic divergence in customer care philosophy between Carsten and Ben Smith at AF as well.

Given that you frequently travel to Germany and Europe, and there are viable alternatives (direct flights on other carriers, or connecting through different hubs) what keeps you booking with an airline that your own reporting suggests consistently underdelivers? Is it primarily about award availability, or are there other factors that outweigh the documented service issues you've experienced and reported on?

I ask this genuinely, as your Lufthansa coverage presents such a stark contrast between expectation and reality that it seems to warrant reconsidering the relationship entirely.

@ E39 -- I briefly stopped in, but it was crowded and not very different than before, so I won't be reviewing it (since I figured it wasn't worth sticking around for hours and waiting for it to empty out, especially when traveling with my dad). Sorry, but I hope to review it during a future trip.

@ Why Lufthansa? -- To answer your question, I flew Lufthansa's new first class on this flight because it's my job to review airlines, whether I think they're great or not. For example, last year I reviewed Kuwait Airways first class, not because I thought it would be great, but because I want to report on the experience.

I probably wouldn't pay for Allegris first class again, given that it was pricey. I do plan to try SWISS Senses first class, once it launches later this year.

You're right, there are lots of ways to travel to Europe, and there are other products I prefer more. The one circumstance under which I think Lufthansa represents a great deal is if you can redeem partner miles last minute for first class. It's one of the best value ways to get across the Atlantic in comfort. It's absolutely not the best first class in the world, but given the last minute availability and award pricing, I think it's a great way to fly.

@Ben - This is a bit unrelated, but I wanted to ask if you knew how likely it is AA would make it easy to pay me mandatory compensation for a flight delay originating in Canada?

Long story short, I was supposed to fly AA two weeks ago from YUL to MCO via PHL. Each of my flights got canceled and/or significantly delayed, to the point I didn't get home till 72 hours later. First cancellation was due to crew, so I am technically owed $1K CAD under their regulations. I sent a message via AA Customer Relations 10 days ago, but still haven't revieved a response. I was wondering if you had any tips to make the process go faster, and any tips to extract a bit more compensation than what is legally due (I had significant expenses due to the delay, some which are covered by credit card travel insurance, and some that aren't, not to mention the lost time and multiple overnights without my luggage). Not trying to unnecessarily milk them of cash, but I would like a fair compensation to the highest possible amount.

Do you have any data points if AA makes it easier to get government mandated compensation for Canada flights, compared to the obstacles you had to deal with for your EU-mandated compensation? And if AA denies my claim, how easy is it to file a claim via the CAT (Canadian government) and recieve a resolution? I can't seem to find any data points online. Any help is appreciated.

@ JB -- Unfortunately I'd expect the same runaround. I shared my experience (well, Ford's experience) with that back in 2023:
https://onemileatatime.com/insights/american-airlines-denying-compensation-claims/

I wouldn't expect the CTA to be prompt with helping (if you go that route), though I'd wait and see how American responds. I would be shocked if they give more than what's mandated by the government, and even that might be a fight. Unfortunately there's not really a way to make things go faster, so patience will be needed. Good luck!

You didn’t fly Delta because?????????

@Ben - Thanks for your reply! I appreciate your thoughts.

You’d rather sleep in the airport than fly economy?

Because:

A) He's looking to review the new Allegris sh!t show
B) He's not looking to fly on the best garbage scow American airline on this trip

All expenditures are tax deductible, right? (BLOG expenses)

If you were in London less than 24 hours, did you make the refund request on the London - Chicago flight as you would have been a through passenger, not subject to those additional taxes?

@ Tim Wing -- Unfortunately I was there for just over 24 hours, so that didn't apply to me. 🙁

Ben, I am a new reader and your insight is helpful. I do have a question regarding award miles and your ability to book an AA Business Class Suite for 75,000 miles from London to ORD. I was just looking up AA BC Suites for a quick trip to London and across to Paris and return roundtrip from NC. I'm seeing OMG miles requirements (over 425K PP roundtrip NC to London) and I would absolutely love to know your secret. I have almost given up on finding a way to use miles without the airlines extracting blood from a turnip to get anywhere.

Thanks,
KO