- Introduction: A Trip Of Downgrades, Suspensions, And Delays
- Review: Lufthansa Lounge Newark Airport (EWR), Including First Dining
- Review: Lufthansa Allegris First Class Airbus A350 (EWR-MUC)
- Review: Koenigshof Munich, Marriott Luxury Collection (I’d Return!)
- Review: Airport Lounge World Munich Airport (MUC)
- Review: British Airways Club Europe Business Class Airbus A320neo (MUC-LHR)
- Review: Park Hyatt London River Thames (Solid Generic Luxury Hotel)
- Review: American Flagship Suite Business Class Boeing 787 (LHR-ORD)
Welcome to my next trip report series, covering a recent journey I took to Europe, which didn’t at all work out the way I planned. From a downgrade, to a frequent flyer account suspension, to a missed connection, I improvised as I went along.
This wasn’t a pure review trip, since I actually spent a bit of time on the ground, and my dad came along as well (he joined me for the outbound portion of the trip, and then stayed in Europe for a while longer).
In this series, you can expect flight reviews of Lufthansa’s A350 Allegris first class, British Airways’ A320neo business class, and American’s 787 Flagship Suite business class. You can also expect reviews of the Koenigshof Munich and the Park Hyatt London River Thames, plus some airport lounge reviews.
In this post:
Why I took this trip, and why it went sideways
This trip was primarily motivated by a couple of factors. For one, I identified an opportunity to review Lufthansa’s new Allegris A350 first class. I of course like to stay on top of the latest first class products out there, and this is an experience that has been on my list since it launched.
Next, I wanted to take a trip with my dad. My parents aren’t together anymore, but due to my mom’s cancer battle over the past several years, I haven’t done much traveling with my dad, so I want to make a habit of doing that again, as we always have a good time together.
So my plan was essentially to fly with him to Germany, spend a couple of days with him there, and then continue my review trip, prior to heading back home. Right now my ability to be away from home for long periods is pretty limited, given that our second son was born over the summer, so we have our hands full.
Often my trips go super smoothly and exactly as planned, while other times they don’t work out as planned, and I just have to roll with the punches. This one fit in the latter category:
- On the outbound, my dad and I were supposed to fly Lufthansa’s Allegris A350 first class, but due to an inoperable seat, one of us had to be downgraded
- My plan was then to fly to Abu Dhabi in Etihad’s 787 business class and return to Europe in Etihad’s A380 The Residence, but there was a plane swap on my flight to Abu Dhabi, and then the return didn’t work out because my Etihad Guest account was suspended
- My return flight on American from London to Chicago ended up being delayed, causing me to miss my connection back to Miami; this was an issue I didn’t mind, since I was eligible for UK261 compensation (though actually getting paid took some fighting)
So while I had planned for the routing for this trip to look like the below…
…in the end it just looked like this.
The airlines I flew on this trip
On the outbound, I flew Lufthansa’ Airbus A350 Allegris first class from Newark (EWR) to Munich (MUC). It’s not possible to redeem miles (with Miles & More or any partner program) for travel in Allegris first class, so I had to get creative.
Short of outright booking a first class fare, the only other option is to confirm a paid upgrade, which is potentially available at the time of booking. In this particular case, I found an attractive Lufthansa business class fare (that an OMAAT reader shared with me), and then I upgraded to first class for $1,990 per person. That’s way more than I’d ideally spend, but hey, this is a product I really wanted to review, and there was no better option.
I ended up booking the following flight for my dad and me:
7/23 LH413 Newark to Munich departing 8:30PM arriving 10:15AM (+1 day)
Then I spent a few nights in Munich with my dad, and after the Abu Dhabi portion of the trip was no longer possible, I ended up flying British Airways’ A320neo business class from Munich (MUC) to London (LHR). I booked the following for 16,250 British Airways Club Avios plus $25 in taxes & fees:
7/27 BA947 Munich to London departing 7:20AM arriving 8:30AM
Then after a night in London, I booked American’s Boeing 787-9 Flagship Suite business class from London (LHR) to Chicago (ORD), with a connection to Miami (MIA). I booked the following for 75,000 American AAdvantage miles plus $382.31 in taxes & fees (the fees are so high due to the UK Air Passenger Duty):
7/28 AA91 London to Chicago departing 2:25PM arriving 5:00PM
7/28 AA1277 Chicago to Miami departing 6:57PM arriving 11:19PM
In addition to flight reviews, you can expect reviews of the following lounges:
The hotels I stayed at on this trip
Unlike some of my pure review trips (where I sometimes don’t even leave the airport), on this trip I was able to check out a couple of properties that have been on my radar.
In Munich, my dad and I spent a couple of nights at Koenigshof Munich, a Marriott Luxury Collection property. This hotel recently opened, and is now the most luxurious points property in the city, so it’s a nice addition to the German hotel market.
I had an extra night in Munich (due to not going to Abu Dhabi), and with an early morning flight, I decided to stay at the Hilton Munich Airport. I won’t be reviewing this hotel, since I only recently reviewed it. Furthermore, I was at the hotel for a total of under eight hours, so I hardly had enough time to actually experience the hotel.
One of the primary reasons I wanted to spend a night in London was to check out the new Park Hyatt London River Thames. I don’t visit London that often, and I figured this was the perfect opportunity to check out this new hotel, since I was wanting to fly American’s new business class product the following day.
Bottom line
I’m happy I was able to take a quick trip with my dad, which will be the first of many in the coming months and years. I had the chance to check out two of the premium airline products that I’ve been most interested in flying — Lufthansa’s A350 Allegris first class and American’s 787 Flagship Suite business class. On top of that, I was able to check out a couple of luxury points hotels that I’ve also been meaning to visit.
While the trip didn’t go as I had planned, I still had an amazing time. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!
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. :-(
All expenditures are tax deductible, right? (BLOG expenses)
You didn’t fly Delta because?????????
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
@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...
@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...
@ 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!
@Ben - Thanks for your reply! I appreciate your thoughts.
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,...
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.
@ 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...
@ 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.
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...
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.
You’d rather sleep in the airport than fly economy?
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.
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?
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.
@ 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.