There are four key methods by which to upgrade to Lufthansa Business Class – either by using the Miles & More system, by offering an upgrade with MyOffer, paying extra for the upgrade when booking or at the airport, or by earning it as a free upgrade as part of elite status. Prices generally vary from as low as $200 for a last minute deal to $2,500 for a booked paid upgrade, or 30,000+ Miles & More points for a long haul flight.
An upgrade from economy or premium economy to Lufthansa Business Class will turn a long haul flight that you have to endure into one you look forward to. With lie-flat seats, lounge access, and priority service, the difference is huge – particularly on overnight transatlantic flights. Understanding how to best get your upgrade at the right price will be crucial. This is the complete guide to Lufthansa upgrades.
Why Go for the Upgrade to Lufthansa Business Class?
Lufthansa Business Class comes with amenities such as a seat that can recline to a bed-like position based on the type of plane used, Lufthansa Business Lounges pre-flight, priority check-in and boarding, increased luggage allowance, and better dining options on board the flight. In case you are flying on one of the planes equipped with the new Allegris cabin, Lufthansa’s business class seats will give you extra privacy and direct aisle access.
In case of short hauls of less than three hours, there are no real benefits from upgrading to Lufthansa Business Class. However, for flights of longer duration, e.g., New York to Frankfurt, Los Angeles to Munich, or any other transatlantic sector, it may pay off since you can sleep flat and arrive at your destination well-rested.
Methods for Upgrading Your Seat on Lufthansa Flights
1. Fixed Rate Upgrade (Booking through Website or at Check-In)
Upgrades can be made up to 24 hours before the flight, from 360 days before the date of travel using the My Bookings option available on the lufthansa website. Pricing of such services will depend on the route, the price class, and length of the flight. However, this method is the least expensive one, even though it will cost more than any other because you will have the exact amount of money to pay. The fare conditions on your original ticket will remain valid after the upgrade.
2. MyOffer Bidding System
Instead of paying a set price, you can also make an offer for how much you are willing to pay for a Business Class seat. Lufthansa analyzes offers in relation to demand and inventory, and informs you whether your offer has been accepted or declined no later than 48 hours before departure. The offer will be debited from your account only when accepted, and usually you may change or withdraw your offer until 60 hours before departure. This is usually a good way to find the best value among travelers who enjoy some degree of flexibility in their bookings, because empty flights have more chances to accept a lower price offer.
3. Miles & More Redemption
For those of you who are members of the Miles & More Frequent Flyer Program of Lufthansa, it is possible to use the mileage which you have earned to upgrade your existing economy or premium economy seat to business class. It should be noted that the prices for this service vary from route to route and according to the particular booking class, but typically transatlantic upgrades usually cost 30,000+ miles. However, not all reduced-fare tickets are eligible for such an upgrade – only flexible booking classes are easy to upgrade with the help of miles.
4. Status-Based and Last-Minute Upgrades
Upgrades to Business Class can be complimentary or discounted for members of the elite HON Circle and Senator categories within Miles & More, in addition to some members of Star Alliance Gold. In addition, last-minute upgrades can be available at the airport if there are any available seats in Business Class just prior to departure. Passengers should inquire at the check-in desk, service desk, or boarding gate and could be put on a standby list for any seats opening up after boarding commences.
How Should You Choose Your Upgrade Route?
| Method | Approximate Cost | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| MyOffer Bid | Variable, depends on bids | Travelers seeking flexibility and best value |
| Miles & More Redemption | ~30,000+ miles | Travelers who have accumulated enough miles |
| Fixed Price Upgrade | Higher, based on route | Travelers who plan ahead for maximum flexibility |
| Last-Minute Airport | Lower, opportunistic | Travelers looking for spontaneity and availability |
| Elite Status Upgrade | Complimentary or discounted | Senator, HON Circle, and top tier Star Alliance members |
Tip: Reservations in classes such as Y, B, M, U, H, X, Q, and V tend to have fewer restrictions and thus are considered the best choice when seeking an upgrade through either miles or vouchers because they do not have restrictive terms. Checking your reservations under the “My Bookings” section before traveling is the way to see which upgrades are offered through offers or at a certain price for your flight.
Also Read: Air Dolomiti Business Class Seats Upgrade
Things to Expect Once Upgraded
Once you have successfully booked the upgrade to business class, your ticket continues with the same conditions of the original except where the new class offers them by default. Earning the status and awarding miles is done based on your new class of Business Class fare. Unless the upgrade was made on the Internet, you need to upgrade all members of your booking at once.
FAQs
The cost varies greatly depending on the means used. Upgrading at the last moment from the airport could be as cheap as $200-$400 on transatlantic routes if there are available Business Class seats. Pre-booked fixed price upgrades might cost $800-$2,500 according to the route and the fare class. MyOffer bids tend to fall between these two prices, and mile upgrades usually start from 30,000+ Miles & More miles for a long haul trip.
Yes. Members of the Miles & More program can use miles to upgrade a current economy class or premium economy class ticket to business class through the account that they have at lufthansa.com.
With MyOffer, you can make an offer about the maximum amount of money you are ready to pay for a Business Class upgrade rather than pay a fixed price. Lufthansa evaluates offers based on demand and availability and informs you about acceptance as late as 48 hours before departure. You will only be charged for your offer if Lufthansa accepts it.
Both fixed-price upgrades and offers can normally be made up to 24 hours before the departure via “My Bookings”. Upgrades can also be asked for at the airport check-in, ticket counter, or gate depending on seat availability.
It depends on the flight duration and ticket cost. Upgrade is worth its price if you fly long or overnight when a lie-flat seat and lounge access will really help you to get some sleep – particularly, when using MyOffer or mile pricing. Short European flights within three hours have no benefit from such upgrades.