How does one use an e-Voucher for an upgrade and check for Upgrade availability before booking a flight, do you have to book on LH direct to use this or can you book on a third party site like Expedia?

I have been looking at booking EDI-FRA-HKG for October in C and was wondering if Senator 2 e-Vouchers would be enough to upgrade to F but can't find out about upgrade availability?
Tried navigating the LH Web Site but this is a bit of a minefield (and I thought klm.com was bad).

Also if I search for an award to Hong Kong the site does not recognise HKG or Hong Kong as a destination!

pmcg

 

Sorry I didn't put question markes in the subject field.

Anyone give me any advice?

pmcg

 

as a newly minted Senator I also have a question about the new Evouchers... I can't tell from reading old information plus the updates for program changes effective August 1 what fare qualify for Evoucher upgrade... Is it from certain coach fares, all coach fares or only full coach fare? Any input on this confusing topic would be appreciated. I did seem to find the info on upgrading with miles (the two sets of upgradable coach fares and the cost in miles) but nothing specific to Evouchers for Senators and what coach fares you can upgrade to business class with.

thanks,

 

You can upgrade any class (subject to availability ) except S and W on longhaul flights. This is valid for LH and UA operated flights (you must book the code of the operating carrier).

LH upgrades are confirmable in advance, while for UA you have to request a paper voucher, which you take to the airport on the day. UA only upgrade on a standby basis (i.e. you only get the upgrade at the airport on the day of the flight).

As you probably know, you need 1 voucher to upgrade a European flight, or 2 vouchers to upgrade a long haul flight. All vouchers cover 1 flight only (i.e. they will not cover connecting flights except for certain domestic flights within Germany).

 

Anyone know the answer to this?

and this?

Can answer this one myself after calling LH. The site has been like this for some time and they don't know when it will be fixed. Can book over the phone OK. Maybe it's back to KLM then.

pmcg

 

Evouchers work on a per segment basis (i.e. you on a EDI-FRA-HKG you have to upgrade each flight separately).

You need 2 evouchers to upgrade one way from C to F, or from Y to C (valid for all fares classes except S and W). If your reservation already has your LH number in it then you should be able to see it under "My bookings" on the website. If the flights are LH operated then you can actually confirm the upgrade online (just click on the upgrade link that appears when you call up the reservation online). Alternatively you can call LH and get upgraded in advance over the phone.

I always check by phone if I upgrade online. LH IT systems are a bit useless sometimes, as you are discovering!

The evouchers will be deducted automatically as you board the plane (though occasionally there are glitches and the vouchers get deducted ahead of time - this is fine as it will clearly show up on your account).

As to checking upgrade space, this is something I have only been able to check over the phone in recent times. There used to be ways of checking online but these have gone, and LH will not show upgrade class availability on travel agent CRS systems.

 

Thanks very much for the detailed response.

pmcg