To be clear, I don’t have the answer, I’m just hoping to crowdsource here, as I’m wondering if I’m missing anything…
In this post:
I’m hoping to fly Lufthansa Allegris first class!
Lufthansa recently launched its new Allegris first class, available exclusively on select Airbus A350-900s based in Munich. While I’ve reviewed Lufthansa’s Allegris business class, I’d really like to check out the carrier’s A350 first class.
Obviously I like to stay on top of the latest premium cabin developments, and that includes trying first class cabins from each carrier periodically. Lufthansa’s A350 first class is an unusual product, given the 1-1-1 layout, with the center suite being able to accommodate up to two people (though rather snuggly, by all accounts).
I also like to keep updated rankings of the world’s best first class, so I need to update Lufthansa’s position on that list. I’m pretty resourceful when it comes to miles & points, though unfortunately Lufthansa Allegris first class poses a unique challenge. The airline isn’t allowing award redemptions in first class, and I don’t see any practical way to upgrade, at least in a way that’s a good value.
Therefore I’m realizing that… *gasp* I’ll just have to book a first class ticket with cash.
What’s the best Lufthansa Allegris first class fare?
The cost of airline tickets can vary massively based on where you’re originating. For example, the easiest way for me to experience Lufthansa Allegris first class would be to fly one-way from Chicago to Munich for $15,508… that’s just a bit over my budget, though. 😉
So far, the best one-way fare that I’ve found that incorporates a long haul segment in Lufthansa Allegris first class is from Sofia to Bangalore via Munich for $4,820. That’s obviously much better, but still a lot of money to spend.
Now, the roundtrip fare in first class in that market is $6,450, so incrementally, you’re paying a lot less for the return. Often there’s also a possibility to fly one direction in first class and one direction in economy, and incorporate half of the roundtrip fare in each direction, so that’s potentially a better value (though I’m not sure that’s possible here).
I’d love to find a fare a bit better than the above, so I’m curious, is there anything I’m missing? Ideally it would be a ticket that’s fairly straightforward to book, so that I could use credit card points through the Amex or Chase portal to essentially make this an indirect award booking with points. But I’m also open to something more complicated.
I’m potentially ready to fly Lufthansa Allegris first class ASAP, so if anyone has anything good, you can expect a review very soon!
Bottom line
I’m hoping to try the new Lufthansa Allegris first class product, though I’m struggling to find any sort of a good value. With mileage redemptions being blocked and the limited number of routes, I’m not finding anything great. If any OMAAT readers can think of any good fares that I’m missing, please let me know…
Just wait. Old F will not be doable on points either. It's the direction they're going in. And, Marriott will drop the elite breakfast benefit at all properties. And, Hyatt will go fully dynamic.
Maybe try booking a route that has the old First Class right now but may be switched to an A350 for fall/winter schedule. I’m flying LAX to MUC in First Class on the A380 in January next year and crossing my fingers they swap to an A350 with Allegris First Class.
Book a business class ticket between CLT and MUC. It’s an easy hub for you to get to from MIA and upgrade costs were the lowest I’ve seen. I booked some tickets during the recent Lufthansa “sale” and the offer to upgrade was ~$1,000 USD. Seemed pretty reasonable considering they wanted $500 to upgrade to the business suite.
You can combine F class one way SOF-BLR with premium economy on the return and get it for $3860
Book SAN-LAX-MUC in F and hope for fog irrops at SAN that could get you rebooked. This sometimes happens for days in a row there, which surprises people
I'll be flying this in business class next week. FWIW, my fare from San Diego was significantly cheaper than Chicago or NY.
Which seat are taking ? Their are like 7 different business classes in 1 cabin.
Keep an eye on Travel Dealz. It's a great source for ex-EU fares, and LHG is quite often selling for 3000-4000 EUR RT.
Maybe now's the time to sneak in Air India, Aircalin ;)
I think Bengaluru to Cairo or Beirut is cheaper? Could hop off in Munich. Puzzles are fun!
Oh, Bengaluru to Amman, that's safe, no hopping off required.
Do United Pluspoints work for upgrade from J ?
Obviously I don't expect you to reveal too many intimate details about your finances but ~$16k does not strike me as a ridiculous outlay for you and Ford as a household. We spent $14k last summer on a new heat pump and try as I might, I couldn't finagle a way to write that off as a business expense. At least not in the opinion of my exceedingly rigid tax advisor.
I think the...
Obviously I don't expect you to reveal too many intimate details about your finances but ~$16k does not strike me as a ridiculous outlay for you and Ford as a household. We spent $14k last summer on a new heat pump and try as I might, I couldn't finagle a way to write that off as a business expense. At least not in the opinion of my exceedingly rigid tax advisor.
I think the play here is stacking to offset the actual cost, no? If you're going to pay $15k for a rev ticket, how can you maximize the tangentially accrued miles? That's usually where the points hounds and mileage gamers truly shine.
If you desire to book the center section for double occupancy you can call to get a discount on the 2nd ticket for the middle suite.
I recently saw some decent fares out of Rzezow and Gdansk. Have you also checked ARN? They often run promos especially for NA ex ARN.
Alternative is to maybe reach out to the VP Americas to ask for a cash upgrade on a booked J ticket. I am fairly certain Lufthansa will be grateful for your feedback (and global reach as a nice side perk).
I just flew Allegris First and the crew was more than happy to receive my thoughts and my feedback.
PRG-MUC-ORD-MKE one way for $8600 cash booked thru United .
Did you try Cairo?
Oh wait, oops. ;)
I heard there is usually cheap first class fares out of CAI ;)
Ben, I suggest to fly with your husband in the Suite.
All the reviews so fae focus on the "one-person-travelling-scenario", but for me-us it looks like the suite is a worst-case-scenario (one door, one screen, crawl over each other at night, ventilation noise etc.)
A honest "couple in a suite" review would me mega helpful and unique in the blogging world.
Have you checked RTW fares?
Is this LH attempt a teaser from Ben before he advises us that he has purchased the ticket for the Global inaugural flight?
If so, well played...
Not exactly fare related, but maybe you could choose an origin in a place that allows you to experience another product (i.e. position to MAD on IB to fly A321XLR).
I don't have routing option for you, but here is something that will help, no matter what routing option you choose -
1. Open a new AMEX Business Platinum that offers 250k points + $500 stmt credit on airfare spend when you spend $2,500
2. Use that AMEX card to pay for cash first class fare - whatever you end up finalizing. I am certain it will cost more than $2.5k
3....
I don't have routing option for you, but here is something that will help, no matter what routing option you choose -
1. Open a new AMEX Business Platinum that offers 250k points + $500 stmt credit on airfare spend when you spend $2,500
2. Use that AMEX card to pay for cash first class fare - whatever you end up finalizing. I am certain it will cost more than $2.5k
3. Use Pay with Points at check-out so that you can redeem points effectively at 1.54cpp.
4. This will trigger the $500 AMEX stmt credit offer I mentioned above (I have confirmed this on one of my recent bookings, and it works because AMEX pay with point bookings first charge full $ amount to the card, and then redeem points to offset that costs and then process rebate, so to AMEX's computer, it looks like you paid cash for the ticket and then redeemed points, hence triggering the $500 offer).
If you don't want to open a new card, you can use the offer on existing cards to get $250 stmt credit after the same $2,500 airfare spend.
This way, your point redemptions/out of pocket costs will sting less.
Do the round trip and review a window seat, then a center seat.
As soon as Lufthansa assigns the First Allegris cabin, the A class is automatically blocked and only the most expensive revenue class F remains available…
The only trick is to book your ticket before Lufthansa loads the Allegris configuration.
This coming winter should offer a few interesting opportunities to place a bet on that
You'd be willing to spend 400K+ Amex points for a flight in LH Allegris First?
I'd assume it would be better to just pay cash for that ticket and save the points for transfer opportunities to airline FF programs. But I guess Ben just has that many Amex points!
@ JB -- I have an Amex Business Platinum, so I can redeem points for around 1.54 cents each toward a premium cabin ticket.
Maybe worth checking the AMEX International Airline Program to see if the fares are any better! But I think that maybe has to originate in the US and be round trip
Ah, okay. That makes me feel better :)
Otherwise I was feeling some pain in my chest. I know you have a soft spot for LH F from your childhood, but I still couldn't comprehend it lol. At 1.54 cents per point, that's not as bad.
Looking forward to a review! And enjoy your trip!
E39, it's your time to shine.
YES