Does anybody have any advice for traveling nonrev on Lufthansa? For example: Is there a preferred city to fly out of the U.S. to Germany? Are there certain times of the year that are better than others? Any horror stories? Any good stories? Thanks.
Printable View
Does anybody have any advice for traveling nonrev on Lufthansa? For example: Is there a preferred city to fly out of the U.S. to Germany? Are there certain times of the year that are better than others? Any horror stories? Any good stories? Thanks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (fredgrvnmp @ Sep 22 2009, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>For lufthansa you have to list on the www.flyzed.com website.Quote:
Does anybody have any advice for traveling nonrev on Lufthansa? For example: Is there a preferred city to fly out of the U.S. to Germany? Are there certain times of the year that are better than others? Any horror stories? Any good stories? Thanks.[/b]
I have flown sometimes with them. They are OK. they know perfectly all the nonrev system, so no scary faces when you show up with a ZED tkt.
Also I have called them several times to check loads, and all of them were very very friendly.
I suppose that FRA and MUC are both ok for nonreving on them as they have there the hubs. Also Dusseldorf they have many flights.
A pure dream. I fly with them the most - certainly more than my own carrier being based in Europe.
If you're flying ' point ot point ', it really depends on the route.
Personally, if I'm flying to the Far East for example, I will use MUC instead of FRA.
FRA is a little like LHR - old, not user friendly and lots of walking. MUC I guess was designed as a hub airport and is a breeze.
In addition, there are lots of onward connections from FRA - less for MUC.
At MUC they have screens where your name appears on the departure management list, if you stand in a strategic position, you can see your name being cleared ( or not, if you're unlucky ).
I flew LH MUC-TXL in 3/08 when DL still had ID95 w/them(now ZED). Every single agent I dealt with was very very friendly and they seemed to take care of Nonrevs. The gate agent was one of the best I've had on any airline and called me up to the podium just to discuss with me how the flight looked. The flight I was listed for was full but not oversold. I was the only nonrev and there was 1 no-show. I was in a middle seat in coach, but it was a short flight and I was just happy to be on, and I'd always wanted to fly LH because I think it's pretty cool to be able to say you've flown LH.
Of course, I couldn't help but ask about the availability in Business. The gate agent told me that there are no seats, but if there would've been any, or if any J pax no-shows, she'd put me up front. BTW, I've put every single nonrev up front(when available) on every flight I've ever worked(I'm a gate agent), whether they were "eligible" or not. I supposed it's "breaking the rules," but I feel it is a common courtesy. I really hope for and very much appreciate the same treatment from OAL gate agents.
I was very pleased with all aspects of flying LH.
Since the airline I work for has recently been bought by LH (which I think is a good thing BTW), it's a given I'll be using them for my future long haul holidays...
I have a few questions however:
1- does LH check your luggage through to the final destination, or do you need to pick it up at FRA or MUC and check it in again?
2- do they have deciated standby check-in desks at FRA or MUC (in case I need to check in there), or do you just use the 'ordinary' counters like the rest of the pax?
3- if you hold a ZED ticket with a forseen routing through FRA, can you just swap it for a connection via MUC if the flights show wider open there? Or do you need to change your ticket first then?
4- The flyZED.com website also shows an appreciation of the load of the flight of your choice; is that an appreciation based on the current booking levels of your flight, or based on statistical data from the past?
5- finally, what's that story with the screen you have to keep an eye on in MUC? Is that a screen displayed above/next to the gate, or is it something you'll find behind the gate agent's counter?
5- Oh and how easy is it to get an upgrade to C class with LH? With LX we are entitled to an automatic upgrade if there's a seat available, but I haven't read anything like that in relation to LH...
Sorry for all those questions...
1-yes and no, PRG-MUC-JFK and HEL-FRA-PRG without any problems, my bags were checked to my final destination, but on route EWR-FRA-PRG I had to pick up my bags in FRA and check-in again.
2.didn't notice special counters for sby pad in FRA/MUC, I went to normal economy/business cl. counter
3.If your ticket is routed via FRA and zones are same (or lower), it should be OK. Airport taxes in FRA are the highest in Germany, so they should accept your FRA-ticket in DUS,MUC,TXL,... as well.
4.Usually red smile means the flight is almost full, BUT the colour of smile is depending on booking classes availability (not real loads) - example: flight is oversold, but all booking classes are still open and tickets to this flight available = green smile on flyzed! The best way is contact Lufthansa office about checking loads.
5.Maybe you mean sby-waitlist screen. In FRA it is situated in the gate area, very easy to find it, there is info about number of standby pad, your position in the waitlist and your seat (if you are accepted) and information "flight is fully booked or flight is not fully booked".
6.It's all about airport staff. In case Y-class is full and J-class free, some frequent flyers (Miles and More card holders) will be upgraded to business and sby pad will be seated in economy - but if you are nice to gate agents and well dressed, you can by lucky and enjoy J-class. (btw. Lufthansa offer ZED business class to some airline employees)
Thank you for your reply, much appreciated.
Looks like its hastle-free indeed.
I hope we'll be entitled to ZED tickets in C class on LH... we have them on LX and its a great way to fly with stby tickets. ;-)