The Shocking Changes in Lufthansa's First-Class Ticketing

Overview of Lufthansa's First-Class Ticketing Situation

Over the past nine days, Lufthansa has suspended all first-class seat availability for partners within the Star Alliance. This situation is not just about halting seat allocations for Miles & More program members; it has become even more complex when we consider the various factors influencing this status.

Comparing First-Class Availability Between Miles & More and Partners

Lufthansa has not officially announced whether the suspension of first-class tickets for partners such as Air Canada Aeroplan or United MileagePlus is permanent. This could be related to the peak summer travel season or other factors within the airline industry.

Another complicating factor is that Lufthansa has transitioned to a fully dynamic pricing model for flights operated by Austrian, Lufthansa, and SWISS. This means that there are no longer “saver” or “standard” fare categories; instead, ticket prices (and change fees) resemble those of commercial fares, with many tickets carrying very high cancellation fees.

The Current State of Lufthansa's First-Class Tickets

When I accessed my Miles & More account (without any special status), I discovered that while first-class seats are available, they are extremely limited and come with exorbitant prices. For instance, the Boston (BOS) – Munich (MUC) route on the A380-800, which used to be one of the easiest routes to book first-class, now has no availability.

I found availability from Chicago (ORD) to Frankfurt (FRA) on several different days, priced at 179,011 miles plus $1,529.00 per ticket (along with a $697 fee to cancel a “basic” first-class ticket)... This is a significant “markup” compared to before when Miles & More transitioned to a revenue-based model.

The High Cost of First-Class Living

Notably, there are no seats available between Los Angeles and Frankfurt or Munich, even though the schedule shows availability priced at 199,000 miles for a one-way trip. Clearly, the days of finding cheap first-class seats through partner miles are over. Instead, current ticket availability is much stricter, which may explain why Miles & More isn't offering anything to its partners.

Conclusion on the Current Situation

For many years, the beauty of Lufthansa's first-class awards was the ability to find seats close to departure through partners like Aeroplan or LifeMiles. While not cheap, it was accessible and often provided good value. However, with the current state of Miles & More, requiring 180,000 miles for a one-way ticket along with over $1,500 in fees and high cancellation charges is quite disheartening.

Many still hope that this is just a temporary change and that partner access will return. However, after nine days, this situation no longer feels like a short-term glitch. The era of booking Lufthansa first-class tickets using partner miles may not be officially over, but it is clearly facing significant challenges.

Helpful Information for Vietnamese Travelers
To fly to Europe, such as Germany, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa and prepare a considerable amount of financial documentation. The visa processing time can range from 15 days to several weeks, so plan ahead. Ticket prices from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Frankfurt range from approximately 15 million to 25 million VND, depending on the timing and airline. It is advisable to book tickets at least 2-3 months in advance for the best prices. Additionally, note that the cost of living in Frankfurt is quite high; a simple meal at a restaurant can cost around 300,000 VND.

Article referenced from: Live and Let's Fly