Questions and Answers

Hi OMAAT team: In the past, Ben has written articles predicting LH F availability with partner miles (helped us get two F tix to Europe!). I now have enough M&M miles to fly LH first class this summer, but no space available (except Mexico). I understand M&M members have better access to LH F, but haven’t found anything like Ben’s article that talks about availability and timing for M&M members. How much better is it for M&M members and when can we expect seats to become available? (Hey–that might make for a good post!). Thank you very much.

It’s much better, and is theoretically available when the schedule opens 🙂 But of course it depends on how much space revenue management releases, etc. Booking for summer will be trickier at this point — you really want to book 10+ months out if you can for peak dates.

And even then space might not open up. I, too, wanted to use my M&M miles to fly in First and visit the FCT this past October. Booked in January but only J was available. Kept my eye on the FRA-ORD route the whole time and nothing else ever opened up.

I was locked in to flying on a Monday and noticed that both the Sunday and Tuesday flights did have space available in F, just not the day I needed. So the day of the week you choose to fly will definitely make a difference.

Thanks. Tiffany and MSS. I have been looking for flights in June for FRA-LAX, SFO, ORD, IAD, DEN (we are in SF), and have only found one flight from MUN-ORD. Even looking into October, seems to be very little (and nothing for LAX/SFO). I am using the M&M website–is there a better place to check availability, like calling to the service center? Also, is it correct that the F service from MUN to ORD will be cancelled in February?

Seat maps for next spring/summer show first class in the A340 for ORD-MUC route. The only tip I can give on LH space, and that is with partners 2 weeks in advance is mid-week seems to be the best, if not only, days they open space. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This is not scientific, just anecdotal from lots of searches.

Maybe reserve business and change to first if something comes up? Same route, meaning not a rebooking, is no charge while a rebook is a reasonable $55 if you happen to find a different route.

I have now acquired enough miles to fly one-way on LH F to India. They have award space available on the dates I want to travel. Before I book my ticket, I just needed a small clarification. I intend to travel to BLR first on LH F and then fly to DEL on AI. Would I be charged just 85K miles for redemption on LH, which is the redemption rate for one-way flights between Europe and India? Or would I be charged additional 40K for the domestic flight between BLR and DEL on AI (*A partner redemption rate)? If it is the latter, I would buy a revenue ticket.

Welcome [USER=2616]@thirdfromright[/USER] – yes, if 85K is the Europe-India rate it should include both legs of the flight. Just remember it will likely cost €200+ in fuel surcharges.

[QUOTE=”MidSouth Skier, post: 24175, member: 184″]Welcome [USER=2616]@thirdfromright[/USER] – yes, if 85K is the Europe-India rate it should include both legs of the flight. Just remember it will likely cost €200+ in fuel surcharges.[/QUOTE]
Thanks. Yeah 200+ in Fuel Surcharge, but I guess I’ll just have to pay it. Nothing I can do about it. Any idea how long a stopover does LH allows. Couldn’t find anything on the website.