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Phantom Lufthansa First Class Award Space on StarNet

Posted on 2 Comments

I became excited today while working on a client award request when some first class availability popped up on Lufthansa–it has been very rare lately, especially more than a few days before travel. One client was using Air Canada Aeroplan points, another United Mileage Plus points. Both Aeroplan and United showed first class availability:

 lufthansa-phantom-award-space-aeroplan

lufthansa-phantom-award-space-united

But neither would ultimately book. Out of curiosity, I checked the ANA award tool (which I do not use too often anymore but may have to resume using) to see if showed as available there. It did not, and ANA typically offers the most accurate reflection of available award space.

lufthansa-phantom-award-space-ana

This has happened to me a couple times in the past–the key will be to keep watching the ANA tool. If it doesn’t show up there, it will not be bookable.

I cannot explain what causes this discrepancy, though I have to think StarNet somehow mixes up award space made available exclusively to Miles & More members (the loyalty program of Lufthansa, Austrian, LOT, and Brussels) with award space made available to other Star Alliance carriers. Why ANA always seems to get it right is a mystery.

So don’t get your hopes up if you are noticing a lot of Lufthansa First Class space now showing as available–it appears to be phantom. And if my 25 May flights do become bookable, please don’t take them! 😉

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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2 Comments

  1. BR Reply

    I recently tried to book a flight in LH F for this May to from IAD to Tokyo connecting through Frankfurt on the A380. Unfortunately, it was phantom. 🙁 I kept checking an eventually found a flight in LH F connecting through Munich and it was real! Booked it immediately.

  2. David Campbell Reply

    I find myself in a similar situation, as I have booked two LH award Bus. SEA-FRA-BER (via UA/CO)in Nov. [no F available]. Now I am resigned to checking the UA/CO site daily hoping LH will eventually release two F seats. Question: Even though I am looking for two F seats, would it be wise to upgrade one award seat should a single become availble, with the hope a 2nd will appear prior to departure? Also, is the UA/CO search engine reliable in posting newly released seats for *A carriers?
    Thank you for your help and your continuing good work assisting us amateur FF’ers with valuable recommendations and information.
    Regards, David

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