Once again I'm posting on Fodors regarding airfare. I finally placed two tickets on hold (one R/T and the other open-jaw). I have until Sunday to decide. Both tickets are on United. I've put the infor below. I have a few questions for those of you that travel United.

R/T:
IAD to FRA (non-stop) on "lufthansa" a 747 plane
FRA to IAD (non-stop) on 'united' a 767 plane
Total: $1,153.99
**my husband is 6'7" and loves the idea of a 7hr/45min flight**

Open-Jaw:
IAD to FRA (non-stop) on "lufthansa" a 747 plane
CDG to IAD (non-stop) on 'united' a 777 plane
Total: $1,159.91

I've been on www.seatguru.com and realize that the United 777 is a nice plane. I've also found that the Lufthansa 747 is a 3-4-3 configuration.

I called United last week and was quoted a price of $1386.00 for the R/T and about the same for the open-jaw ... prices have gone down a bit since then. (oh let me say this is for July/August travel)

1. Does United offer Vouchers in case I find a cheaper fare? I forgot to ask and thought I would check on here first

2. Do I/Don't I purchase? The non-stop and short flight time may just be worth the price.

3. Do they offer the Economy Plus seats that I have been reading about on here for Lufthansa or is this just United? Not sure how this codeshare thing works

4. I don't see any 'great' exit rows on the Lufthansa 747 for my tall husband .. anyone have any experience with this? Obviously, we will get there early and ask for better seats. Is it possible to purchase business (couple hundred or is it thousands?)

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

you may have better luck posting this on the airlines forum:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=126

Thanks, I've posted under the Airlines section as well.

As a 1K member of United Airlines, I travel with them frequently to/from Europe. I am constantly disappointed to have to use Lufthansa as the code share airline as their amenities are not as good as United's. However, one does not have a choice as United cut back on a lot of its hubs/destinations in Europe (Milan, for example in Jan 2003), so one has to fly Lufthansa into Germany first, then another flight into Italy.

That said, United claims that they cannot regulate nor determine seating on Lufthansa, even if the flight is listed doubly as an UA/Lufthansa code share flight. I usually secure a seat based on what the United Airlines agent is able to view as "available" on the screen, then call Lufthansa directly afterwards to see if more availability shows up on their screens. I usually get a better, more forward seat that way. I have found though, that Lufthansa gives preference to THEIR frequent flyer members, not just United's so be aware that your United status doesn't always take precedence.

The Economy Plus seats are only offered on United. I would recommend requesting either bulkhead row seats or exit row seats for your tall husband on both the United and Lufthansa flights.

Dependent on how many miles you have accrued or your status with United, you could use upgrade certificates to move from Coach class (W, V, H, Q type fares only) to the next class up (Business or First). Alternatively, you could pay extra for the upgrade and they could give you the amount (varies per city, destination, etc.)

United does guarantee their fares. I have cancelled a flight reservation/itinerary a couple times (even after paid) and they've allowed me to use that towards another flight within a 12 or 14 month period afterwards. I would double-check this with them to be sure on your tickets.

Agree with Huitres re: seating for United customers on Lufthansa. I almost always end up with lousy seats in the back of the plane. Calling LH directly to change seats sometimes does help.

One point of clarification -- it's Y, B, M & H fares that are are upgradeable with miles (the first two, 15K each way; the latter two, 30K each way). The only way to upgrade lower fares is with a systemwide upgrade certificate, which are only given to United's 1Ks. Take a look at the fare basis on your ticket; however, I'm willing to bet that an $1,150 ticket in July is not in those categories (my experience with upgradeable, summer-season tickets from Chicago is that they are usually in the $1,500 or up range). Mileage upgrades are also capacity controlled and not always easy to get on the international routes. It is possible to use United miles to upgrade on LH, but the process is even more difficult than for upgrading on UA, itself.

Economy Plus is only on United planes. Unless one of you has United or Star Alliance elite status or you purchase a very high fare (M or above), you will not be eligible to pre-reserve seats in Economy Plus. Also, United will only pre-reserve exit rows to those with Premier Exec status or higher. For $299, you can buy E+ Access for one of you, it is good for a year and covers the 'purchaser' plus one other person traveling on the same PNR. From your posting though, I can't tell if you are traveling together on the return - one RT, one open jaw - so you may not be on the same PNR. If not; then only the E+ Access member would be able to use it.

If you don't have elite status, you might be offered the opportunity to buy up to E+ at check-in, subject to availability. Don't know what the price would be, but from what I've read I'd guess that to be in the $125-$150 range per segment. United also has been known to offer paid upgrades to business class at check-in; again, subject to availability, so no guarantees this will happen on a particular flight. Otherwise, 'buying up' will cost the difference between the economy fare and the business fare - $$$$$.

Looking at http://www.itasoftware.com/ I have found IAD-FRA RTs for less than $1000 on Lufthansa. But I assumed a mid-week flight in July. Am I missing something?

Last March when we flew to Italy from the West Coast, Lufthansa said they don't release exit rows or bulkhead rows until 24 hrs. before the flight and you must be present at the Lufthansa counter at the airport.

On our way home from Florence our flight was late and so we missed our connection and had to spend a night in Frankfurt. The good news was that when we did arrive in Frankfurt we were within the 24 hr. limit so were able to change our seats to the exit row, which on our plane was also the bulkhead - we had more leg room than we could ever want - it was glorious! Even the flight attendant said we were really lucky to get those seats. My husband is 6'1" so not as tall as yours, but he was in heaven.

If it is convenient to stop at the airport the day before it might be worth it.

I fly United and Lufthansa a lot and I am a Star Alliance Gold member.

I like flying Lufthansa but I think United may be a bit better. Lufthansa 747 are great planes but the seating is 3-4-3 which means someone will be in the middle if you want to sit together. United 777 is 2-5-2 seating and you should try to get a seat with 2 together. The 767 is actually a great plane and has good seats.

On United, Economy Plus seats are only reserved for perferred customers. You have to have Premire or Premier Executive status to get one.

On Lufthansa it is unlikey that you will get and exit row, bulkhead or any seat with extra room unless you are a frequent flyer with United or Lufthansa. United may not be able to get you a good seat but if you call Lufthansa direct they will take care of you if you have status. Lufthansa has always been great with the treatment of me when I fly because I have Star Alliance Gold status.

The best part is that if you hold Gold status on United you can also reserve exit row seats and use the international lounges.

You other good bet is to get to the airport early and try to land a exit row. One problem with exit rows on 747 flights is that they are usually near the bathroom or galley so people will gather there and the kitchen is always noisy and lighted.

Has you husband considered checking his legs?

ms_go: For clarification, I meant that I can use my 6 free systemwide certificate upgrades as a 1K (100,000 miles flown each year) member to move from Coach to Business or First. This is allowable if 1) there is availability and 2) if the Coach ticket was purchased in either W, V, H, Q fare class. Not knowing katzen's status with United, that may not be an available option for her. It sounds like if she wants to upgrade, she would have to pay the difference.

Regardless of my high standing with United, I still feel Lufthansa does not always give the same regard to United customers and I really detest flying with them. While I get over 72 hours advance preference on seats with United, Lufthansa still does recommend getting seats within 24 hours of or at check-in (as the others have said). This does not often leave one with very good seats. I am urging United to pick up more cities in Europe again so these Lufthansa flights (connecting or otherwise) can be eliminated. However, they have indicated the trend towards Asian travel as the reason for cutting out European destinations....alas!

On 747 flights, don't forget to ask about the outside seats on the last 2-3 rows, which are 2-4-2. A little more spacious.

Thanks for the advice!!

richardab, ha ha .. I would love to chop them off sometimes ... He doesn't exactly fit in my car either which I've had since before I met him.

Michael, our flight depart out of IAD on July 27. I haven't been on that website before. I will have to check it out. I was trying to keep tickets under $1000 each.

My gut is telling me airfare will get cheaper ... not sure the reasoning behind it .. just my gut.

katzen,

Just a suggtestion. Without knowing the exact dates, it would be impossible to know if any flights would be cheaper.

Huitres,

I am surprises that you said that Lufthansa doesn't give you as much attention. Are your Star Gold or Silver? Lufthansa has always treated me with the highest regard concerning seat reservations and treatment. I was even on a flight where the pursar spoke with me personnaly by name to make sure I was comfortable.

I checked http://www.itasoftware.com/ and found $1084 R/T from IAD to FRA.

Sorry Michael... the R/T departure date is 7/27 and return is 8/12. the open-jaw is depart 7/27 and return 8/19 (IAD to FRA; CDG to IAD).

katzen:
Before purchasing on United, try checking out these other airline sites to compare ticket prices:

1) pricegrabber.com (Look at bottom R of screen and click on Travel icon. Enter your cities and dates of travel and it will pull up all airlines going there and prices for comparison).

2) economytravel.com (often $200-$500 less than United Airlines tickets for the same flights. I use this site frequently)

3) airfare.com (another site for great budget prices on intl travel tickets)

richardab-I believe my status is gold as well. I go to the Red Carpet lounges, etc. when overseas. United Airlines couldn't be better about accommodating their frequent 1K flyers. While I get assistance from Lufthansa in either First or Business class on flights, I still do not find their service as equal to United's overall. Just call it my prejudice against the German style of "customer service" (I can say that as my sister lives in Berlin and experiences first-hand the lack of customer service as compared to that in the U.S.) She got the flu last year and we missed our LH flight from Berlin's Tegel airport to Munich. Despite paying for it in advance, LH refused to honor the monies spent on the forfeited ticket and we had to re-buy brand new tickets for the same flight, different day. They got their money twice and didn't blink an eye - unbelievable! UA would never do that as they try to assist their customers in every way possible. This is just one of several unpleasant experiences and the reason I wish that United would pick up more hubs in Europe again - without having to default to Lufthansa to cover the routes. Glad you have had a better experience with them than we have!

Thanks Huitres for the additional sites. I will add them to the list I've started checking daily. The price is hovering around $1,100 ... about $50 cheaper than United quoted us (non-stop).

I think we are going to wait to purchase. I did some math (not my strong point) and I find it amazing that they (being United and Lufthansa) could possibly fill 1600 seats for 4 flights from 4:30pm on .. on a single day. The plane (747 I believe) I was looking at had 400 seats ... the agent I spoke to on the phone said they had 4 flights departing Dulles beginning at 4:30 and on (they have earlier as well but I was looking for late afternoon/early evening flights) .... so I'm going to gamble and wait to see if prices go under $1000. and if I'm wrong .. I could be paying $1500. Yikes!

Yes prices will probably drop at around the 90 day point.

Don't underestinate the number of seats. I think United is even adding an additional flight to cover capacity.

Don't forget that Frankfurt is the 2nd largest hub in Europe. Many people use it as a transfer point.

Huitres,

I always thought that Lufthansa was better than United, and indeed I find Lufthansa flight attendants to be far more professional. Have you seen some of the gals on those United international flights?

Last year I flew first class to Australia on United and on a later in the year I flew first class to Paris on Lufthansa. I will say that the United product on their 747 was far more superior than Lufthansa;s. Lufthansa service was excellent and their food was absolutely delicious. I had venison on my trip to Europe and on my return I had Goose! Imagine, goose on an airliner! Well regardless that Lufthansa food was superior, United really had the most comfortable seats and best inflight entertainment. Lufthansa's seats in first class were downright hard and painful. One thing that I love about Lufthansa is that they really strive for an ontime departure. I will also say that some of United lounges are pathetic. Lufthansa first class international lounge in Frankfurt was amazing.

Regardless, I still remain dedicated to both.

Just my 2 cents:

- I doubt fares will drop that much. At least not less than $1000. If it's worth waiting for that, you can risk it. They probably won't rise that much more, so the only thing you risk is the flight filling up.

- I'd forget about business class. The difference in price is exorbitant (usually about 3x as much). The best way to take advantage of business class is to use Miles to upgrade.

The H ticket is about $1420. You can upgrade that for 15,000 miles each way. There are three seats available to do that on the first two of the three UA flights on your departure date.