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…
I hope I'm not too late to the party on this one.
I was able to find a fare originating out of SOF to SAN, with a lot of dates in June, then you can book a return ticket out of JFK/EWR in the fall in J and the total price is about $7k.
Another option you could do is book an award ticket in J on a flight that is showing F3 and see if they give you an upgrade offer at check in
The itinerary MUC-SAN-MUC has booking class A available. So I booked this return trip in Sept.for about 7000€ in Allegris First. All other destinations only have booking class F with more than double the costs.
Hi Ben,
This is a review in German.
https://travel-dealz.de/blog/bewertung-allegris-first-class-suite-plus/
"a welcome drink ... made an involuntary exit" !
Yes Please. Do it !
I’ve flown last week to Shanghai and was quite disappointed. The single suite are claustrophobic particularly 1K
The central on top too small for a couple
I have booked the new LH F for CHF 3982.--. Both leg was A open. My Travel Agent is perfect in Deal's.
@ Roli -- Any chance you could share the routing, or send me an email at [email protected] with more details? Thanks! :-)
If you use Lufthansa's website, they will show you options for your selected class of service as well as the next two highest cabins. Therefore, if you booked a round-trip in premium economy, it would give you options to select first class as well. (If I search for economy fares it only gives me economy, premium economy, and business class fares). I just did a quick search and found SOF-MUC-BLR outbound on May 6 in...
If you use Lufthansa's website, they will show you options for your selected class of service as well as the next two highest cabins. Therefore, if you booked a round-trip in premium economy, it would give you options to select first class as well. (If I search for economy fares it only gives me economy, premium economy, and business class fares). I just did a quick search and found SOF-MUC-BLR outbound on May 6 in First Class and returning a week later in Premium Economy for about $4100. I'm sure you could find better prices if you fiddled with origins and dates more as well.
Please disregard every comment that asks you to go to India.
But seriously consider "visualise yourself flying Qsuites or Air France or JAL or something of that kind! ;)" to India instead.
If you go to India, Mumbai is the spot for a first time visitor.
LH Flights to Bangalore may fill up quickly, or see higher fares, if Pakistan continues to close its airspace for all Indian owned or Indian operated airlines
For booking one way F and one way Y (or J..) I guess you would have to call LH. Not sure how good this works without status but the Senator hotline isn't so bad.
Not sure how good the upgrade opportunities are for 3 seat F, so booking outright is most likely the best chance.
Holding a business class ticket, in most cases you can do a cash upgrade to F. Had flight booked FRA-PVG-MUC in Business Basic Plus. An instant cash upgrade to Allegris F for the PVG-MUC segment was offered for 1.450 € (no Plusgrade, only regular cash upgrade). Therefore, just try to book a regular ticket in C and check for the cash upgrade after confirmation. In case it is not offered, just cancel for free within the 24 hours.
I find it extraordinary that the Germans, for whom a ‘double bed’ usually means two single beds pushed together, and always with two individual duvets, would install a product like this. They can’t seriously expect people who are used to having a crevice between two sides of a bed to share this one!?
LH always offers cash upgrades - at least if you book directly with them and if there are open seats. If you book via the LH website, you could see what they offer you. If the offer is not good, you could cancel within 24 hours and try sth else. It is probably also recommendable to book a return ticket (with throwaway PE for the return - or Y if you book in J and hope for the cash upgrade) because LH rarely has good one-way fares.
Currently no upgrades in Allegris First Class possible.
Regardeless if cash or miles/vouchers.
I don't know if it works for Americans but you can transfer Amex points to Payback, a German bonus program and then further to Miles & More to use them for Cash & Miles. However, this is probably one of the most inefficient usages for Amex points.
If you do transit through BLR, do not go into the city for your hotel unless you have hours to spare. Some of the worst traffic in the world. No issues with safety or the people in general, it's just that main circle "highway" is a complete standstill seemingly at all hours of the day.
Book a fare ex-US and then use the proactive fixed price upgrades they’re about $1000 when A is open and a bit more if only F is. If not showing or price isn’t what you expected cancel with 24h FOC.
There’s a decent fare for BLR-MUC-FRA-JNB/CPT in F ($5500?) if you’re looking to really LH fanboy ;)
There’re options where it’s a 787 for the 1hr hop between MUC and FRA.
Please fly to BLR so you can experience the new Terminal 2 at BLR
Please fly to BLR so you can experience the new Terminal 2 at BLR
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 ?
Absolutely not, currently no upgrades (even cash) are allowed to Allegris F. Only cash paid tickets. If they ever make upgrades available I assume it will only be to HONs/Senators
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. ;)
OMG CONGRATS! you discovered your first cost-cutting segment!
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.
Yeah, it'd be a "never seen before" kind of review.
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...
Lol that would actually be epic!!
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!
"but I still couldn't comprehend it lol"
I'm always curious about people's thresholds for mileage redemption. I personally won't use miles for a flight unless I'm getting at least 4 cpm domestic or 6 cpm international.
That said, I'd spend 400k or whatever for La Premiere given the chance (if I had the requisite status). I'd easily drop ~110k Emirates Skywards for a DXB-USA flight in F if the other options were mediocre biz...
"but I still couldn't comprehend it lol"
I'm always curious about people's thresholds for mileage redemption. I personally won't use miles for a flight unless I'm getting at least 4 cpm domestic or 6 cpm international.
That said, I'd spend 400k or whatever for La Premiere given the chance (if I had the requisite status). I'd easily drop ~110k Emirates Skywards for a DXB-USA flight in F if the other options were mediocre biz class itineraries through European hubs.
Add in my spouse (my kids fly Y until they can afford their first paid C flight) and you can see the mileage costs adding up. 400k for the best travel blogger in the game to get the scoop solo seems perfectly plausible to me.
E39, it's your time to shine.
YES