In a previous installment, I covered how I booked a last minute Lufthansa economy ticket with points from Frankfurt (FRA) to Copenhagen (CPH), after my Scandinavian Airlines flight was canceled. I had an interesting experience with upgrading this Lufthansa flight, which I’d like to share.
In this post:
My experience upgrading my Lufthansa flight with cash
As mentioned above, at the very last minute I booked a Lufthansa economy ticket with a partner points currency from Frankfurt to Copenhagen. This flight was very full in economy, and when I checked in online, I couldn’t select a seat, but instead, ended up on the waitlist for a seat assignment.
I headed to the Lufthansa Business Lounge (which I could access thanks to the Amex Platinum benefit), and I went to the customer service desk there. Out of curiosity, I asked about the cost of upgrading to business class with cash. I wasn’t even sure if that was possible on a partner award ticket, so I viewed it as an experiment, if nothing else.
Under normal circumstances I have no issue with intra-Europe economy. However:
- I was less than enthused at the prospect of ending up in a middle seat in the back of the plane, especially if it could be avoided
- I was honestly just really exhausted, as I had been flying for almost three days straight, and that was starting to take a toll (I’m a terrible airplane sleeper)
- I had fairly large carry-on bags, and I knew I was likely to have more issues with those if flying in economy
The agent in the lounge indicated that upgrades for cash are only available at the gate, and I should ask there. But then she said something else interesting — she claimed I wasn’t actually confirmed on the flight, but instead, was only waitlisted.
I followed up on that — I explained that I had a confirmed ticket I booked on this flight, and that maybe just my seat assignment was “waitlisted?” She insisted I wasn’t confirmed, which I found to be really strange, since clearly that wasn’t accurate. Anyway, that’s neither here nor there, but you’d think agents would be better informed.
I then headed to the gate, and asked the very friendly gate agent about the possibility of a cash upgrade. She said it was possible, and said the cost depends on the ticket type.
After a few key strokes, she said the cost would be 150 EUR (it’s good to know that partner award tickets can be upgraded with cash!). Okay, I was hoping the cost would be 100 EUR or less, given that it was a short flight, but I ultimately decided to go for it, just to avoid the uncertainty of possibly ending up in a very bad seat.
To be honest, as soon as I paid, I sort of regretted it, and said I probably shouldn’t have done it, just on principle, since it’s beyond the rate at which I value premium cabins. However, my opinion on that changed very quickly…
A major Lufthansa flight delay made the upgrade worth it
The flight boarded on-time at 9:50AM (for a scheduled 10:20AM departure), with the aircraft departing from a remote stand. So I was onboard the plane by 10AM, ready for the short hop to Copenhagen.
By around 10:20AM, everyone was onboard, though there was no indication of an imminent departure. In the meantime, the Lufthansa app updated to show an 11AM departure.
A few moments later, the captain made an announcement, explaining that none of the bags had been loaded yet, and that it would take around 40 minutes for that process to happen. He didn’t understand why there were no ground handlers for the flight, but talk about a mess…
Around 20 minutes after that initial announcement, the purser went into the cockpit, then came back to relay something to another flight attendant, and then they called the flight attendants in the rear. They had rather frustrated looks on their faces, so I was wondering what was going on.
A minute later, the captain announced that due to the delayed loading of bags, we had missed our takeoff slot. And because Copenhagen was experiencing high winds, they were limiting arrivals, and our new takeoff slot was… in two hours.
Side note — it’s nice when pilots try to make the best of things, but I couldn’t help but almost chuckle when he announced “I hope this information does not cause you too much inconvenience, please make yourself comfortable onboard.” Yes, these intra-Europe planes are super comfortable, right? 😉
The flight attendants on this flight were definitely not the most charming that I’ve had on Lufthansa, but they did their best with the little they had to work with. In business class, they offered to serve passengers the meal either in the air or on the ground, as there wasn’t much more to offer. Meanwhile those in economy got a free coffee or soda.
Another random point — Lufthansa’s intra-Europe catering is actually half decent now, after they dumped the “Tasting Heimat” concept.
Fortunately our delay was cut down a little, so we were actually airborne by 12PM, “only” 1hr40min after our initial scheduled departure. Then we landed around 1:10PM, and got to the gate around 1:20PM. So in the end, I spent around 3hr20min in the seat, and ultimately I was very grateful to be in business class.
Not that it’s terribly comfortable, but at least it’s not uncomfortable! And thanks to at least having shoulder space, I was able to stay productive on my laptop for the entire ground delay and most of the flight.
Bottom line
I’m happy to confirm that Lufthansa lets you upgrade partner award tickets with cash at the departure gate. I ended up paying cash to upgrade my Frankfurt to Copenhagen flight, at the cost of 150 EUR. While that was more than I ideally would’ve paid, my lack of a seat assignment in economy made me value a guaranteed non-middle seat more.
While I wasn’t too happy about the deal at first, an extended ground delay once onboard changed my opinion on that, and made me very happy that I spent the money on the upgrade. Now, I still can’t wrap my head around how Lufthansa decided to just not load bags onto a plane at its hub ahead of the scheduled departure time, but that’s a different story…
There is no such thing as an "overpriced gate upgrade". It is an offer made by the airline - take it or leave it.
"I had fairly large carry-on bags". So your are "one of them". Shame on you.
are you ok bro? why full of hate today?
But why did the agent say you were waitlisted? This is total inefficiency and adds further stress
Reading this and the previous post, I'm just glad I don't fly for business anymore; status apparently no longer matters.
Good post. Reminds me again of why I prefer flying Ryan Air when in Europe.
You probably regret not keeping your original delayed SAS flight? And avoiding using points and cash.
A premium cabin never feels better than when there’s a delay and you’re stuck on board longer than you thought you’d be.
Failing to see how that was worth 150EUR.
Over paying and then trying to spin it as positive is making you look soft Ben.
Would you even make a post to call out yourself as a bad decision if you paid this and the flight arrived 20 mins early?
This is like saying winning the lottery is worth it.
Not sure what you mean by waitlisted. Do you mean confirmed but not ticketed?
I recently had a revenue ticket on LH where I changed the date. It was confirmed by the agent by never ticketed. I had to go to the check in support desk with a waiting time of about an hour before I was able to get a ticket - despite having called over half a dozen times. No one could help...
Not sure what you mean by waitlisted. Do you mean confirmed but not ticketed?
I recently had a revenue ticket on LH where I changed the date. It was confirmed by the agent by never ticketed. I had to go to the check in support desk with a waiting time of about an hour before I was able to get a ticket - despite having called over half a dozen times. No one could help me over the phone. They claimed there was a ticketing "department" but declined to reach out to them. Awful experience.
is that a whole piece of raw salmon sashimi?
At least you didn't have to spend the whole night on a Lufthansa plane cause the ground staff had gone home :), please run this through google translate: https://ekstrabladet.dk/nyheder/samfund/dansk-familie-i-mareridt-tvunget-til-at-overnatte-i-fly/11102505
What used to represent German efficiency and precision has just become an absolute laughing stock of an airline with outdated hard products, 'new' seats that are now already a generation behind and continual delays and operational issues.
Even a one hour flight can turn into a 2.5 hour flight. Delay at the gate. Weather delay and plane can't take off. Always better waiting it out upfront.
Ben, which “partner points” did you use and how many? So cryptic… ;)
For what it's worth, the Lounge Agent was not entirely wrong: If you don't have a seat, you can't fly and at that point there wouldn't have been any seats left, not even bad ones, otherwise they would have assigned one to you. So yes, technically I'd also say you were on standby. This sheds an entirely different light on your upgrade too, as you might have been upgraded to C for free anyway with...
For what it's worth, the Lounge Agent was not entirely wrong: If you don't have a seat, you can't fly and at that point there wouldn't have been any seats left, not even bad ones, otherwise they would have assigned one to you. So yes, technically I'd also say you were on standby. This sheds an entirely different light on your upgrade too, as you might have been upgraded to C for free anyway with Y being completely full. In case you have no status with *A, they might have upgraded someone else and you would have been given their seat, which in turn would have been the (former) seat of an HON or SEN, in all likelihood not a middle seat... Nevertheless, I concede that you did get your money's worth with this upgrade in the end.
I had 6 short-haul flights with LH last October, and the food was actually pretty good. No complaints.
Say what you will about LH, there intra-Europe flights are well catered. I do have to laugh at what Ben was served. If you leave Malta at 5PM, like I have done my last three flights, I was served the same smoked salmon meal. And going to London from FRA, it was the same. Boring, but good. As an aside, some of the very best in pastry comes out of their kitchen in FRA.
p.s. And to 1990, the very best goose dinners in December. May you finally get to try it.
I would never fly in economy, no matter what.
Then you'll never get to see some amazing places
Not true! I only fly First (Business if no first class is available). I’m not poor!!!
There are literally hundreds of airports around the world that see no business or first class service- there must be dozens of them in Brazil alone. Do you go to these places by private jet or surface transport?
Throwawayname- the places that you mentioned are more than likely poor areas. I don’t go to those places!
Thanks for showing us what a narrow-minded elitist is like, Mr. Stuffieford.
Alright alright alright
You are my God.
@Lucky, Was your booking class changed and would it make the flight miles-eligible?
If you upgrade during check-in or later (like in this case), the upgrade is treated like a chargeable seat assignment and doesn't affect your booking class. If you do a fixed-price upgrade before check-in is open, this is different and the ticket will be re-issued with the new booking class.
I think it does affect the booking class, but might only change to I class if original ticket was X, so still ineligible, but would love to hear from Ben how it went for him.
It doesn’t in this case. I explained how it works above.
Meh. I still wouldn’t have upgraded. I’ve been stuck in the economy middle seat in between two svelte blonde women. A flight delay gives me more time to flirt. You might be eating on the ground on business class, while I would be looking to eat out after the flight, if you know what I mean.
Sweet Jesus
I do not know what you mean. Given Ben is gay, what would be the point of him flirting with the two svelte blonde women?
we have commenters like this allowed yet people seem to get mad at Tim Dunn...
Of this were the case, then yes I’d rather sit in economy.
For sure. If I was in coach between two hot men, I've be taking meeting them one at a time in the back lav. That would make the time fly by and put a smile on my face sitting in coach. woof!
Todd S , you’re disgusting.
Not done this but I have met some nice men by being on the middle seat.
@Oskiboski
You need to clarify "met some nice men by being on the middle seat."
Is that nice man in the middle seat and you're sitting on him?
High class American, you say?
2 svelte blond women and lil 'ol you?
I bet they were not thinking that was their lucky day!
Also bet they were cursing themselves they passed on an upgrade!
Ah, never mind, its not as if it really happened, eh, Walter Mtty?