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Seat assignment on Lufthansa flight booked through united - Air Travel Forum

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Turns out that the SFO-> Frankfurt flight is on United, the remaining are on Lufthansa (codeshare). If I book it all on United.com I get a really reasonable price, and can upgrade to economy plus for minimal $$$ on the United flight and cannot get seat assignments on the remaining flights .

If I go and book on Lufthansa, I can reserve seats on the other two flights , but not the United flight , and it will cost over twice as much (the total cost of the ticket).

Buying them each on their own airline website will then cause the price to increase three times.

I have knee implants and need to get the seats with the extra legroom. Waiting until 23 hours before my flight does not give me hope of sitting anywhere except the way back middle. Plus 23 hours before our last flight we'll be in the Serengeti on safari and there's a big chance we won't be able to check in until we arrive at the airport a few hours before our flight .

I know that codeshare partners don't like to let anybody reserve seats unless you are flying their airline and booked on their website. I have read that when you reserve your flight United will give you both a United confirmation number and a Lufthansa confirmation number and you can then call Lufthansa and they will let you purchase a seat assignment for $200. Is this true? I tried calling both airlines but after waiting as long time on hold decided to ask the expert community first.

lufthansa seat selection booked through united

The biggest hassles I have had with codeshares are with LH/UA. Their systems just don't work well with each other.

You MUST book your flight using LH's flight number to be able to preselect or purchase the seats you want before the 24 hour check in time. If you book through UA and your flight shows a UA flight number, you are out-of-luck. When you book your ticket call UA and tell them what you want to do. The agents are able to book it under a LH flight number, but you won't be able to do it online.

I never had an issue either way and have done it often. You need to get your record locator number for both carriers (they are not the same). For example get your LH record locator number from UA and use it to get your LH seats.

lufthansa seat selection booked through united

Ive had this issue on occasion when using ANA/LH codeshares.

My experience is that LH will initially tell you it is not possible. I have found that I can sometimes get a seat assignment if i am persistent.

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  • Lufthansa Seat Se...

Lufthansa Seat Selection

I am currently planning a trip to Italy in spring 2022. I am booking airline tickets through United, but realized that the flight is actually operated by Lufthansa. I was planning to buy a standard economy ticket rather than a basic economy ticket to be able to choose my seat and have more flexibility with rescheduling the trip if necessary. However, it will not let me select my seat on the United website when booking my ticket because it is a Lufthansa flight. I have read other forums and know that this is sometimes a complicated issue between the two airlines. I know that I can retrieve my Lufthansa booking number from United to try and reserve the seats through Lufthansa directly.

My question is- has anyone had recent success with this? I am paying extra through United to have free seat selection as this is important to me and my travel companions. Will I have to pay additional fees through Lufthansa to reserve my seat? I know that Lufthansa seat selection is pretty pricey on flights to Europe and I want to make sure that I am not paying extra through United just to be hit with additional fees from Lufthansa.

Thanks in advance! Any information would be helpful!

I can't answer about whether you will be allowed into LH's seat purchase section. But I can tell you that over the last several years we have taken 12 legs between Philadelphia and Frankfurt, with connections either after arrival in Frankfurt or prior to FRA on our way home. We never paid for seats, and in every case (i.e all legs) we were able to select decent seating by logging in to LH as soon as check-in opened. If seat selection is important, I should think you can direct a question to United's Customer Service and ask how you would make the selection you have paid for on the code-share.

Or, have you priced the same flights directly on Lufthansa?

Why not book the flight direct with Lufthansa instead?

I recall that when I had this situation, within the last 2 or 3 years but not more recently, I was able to reserve seats for the United operated legs at the time of booking, but I was unable to book the Lufthansa legs until 23 hours before departure. I was flying in Economy, with the prepaid baggage and seat selection.

Super annoying, but I think I had ensured that my transcontinental flights were United, so it was only my shorter hops within Europe where I had delayed seat selection. And on those flights there were not a lot of pre-booked seats, so at 23 hours I still had a lot of options.

I do recall being able to reserve seats sooner than the stated 23 hours before that leg's departure - it seems like it was 23 hours before the first leg of my flight, as I recall it was a pleasant surprise. But I might be mis-remembering that.

+1 for BooksMusicTravel. It's annoying, but it has worked for me. Sometimes I've had a brief delay (up to 3 days) before the Lufthansa confirmation number was provided to me. I always put both confirmations on my typed itinerary for us to carry, in case I need to know while traveling. I find Lufthansa flights to be more comfortable and better run than comparable United-operated flights.

Using the Lufthansa booking confirmation number on the Lufthansa website, as described above, should work. I have not flown United or Lufthansa, but I have done this on Emirates, Qantas, and Japan Airline flights I booked with our Alaska miles. Alaska gives you the other airline’s booking confirmation number right away.

If that does not work, try the FlyerTalk forum for Lufthansa Airlines; people who frequent frequent FlyerTalk are generally very knowledgeable and helpful.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/lufthansa-austrian-swiss-brussels-lot-other-partners-miles-more-495/

I have flights booked through United with Lufthansa code shares for the last outbound / first inbound legs. Also unable to select seats via the web, even using the Lufthansa booking code on the Lufthansa web site. Last year I had the same situation, and was able to select seats by calling their CSR number, but they charged me $60 each way. After I cancelled last year's trip, I got fully refunded for the flights by United (my ORD->MUC flight disappeared) but ended up eating the $120.

This year I'm not playing that game, particularly since I'm only two weeks from departure and still may bag the whole thing.

I just made this same mistake in booking flights through United that are actually Lufthansa's. We're going premium economy because seat selection is key to us. I called Lufthansa and happened to get a great csr. He very efficiently walked through seat selection on all our legs and to my surprise there were still desirable choices left (our flight was three weeks away). He did at first say I would be charged for each leg, but when he finished processing it, the costs did not show up. I then told him I had booked through United and that seemed to explain the $0 charge. Maybe I just got lucky?

Call up Lufthansa and ask for the UA Booking Reference PNR Code. I have booked a mixed airline itinerary before and was able to select seats on the international portion by getting their PNR#. Generally on your E-Ticket it should show you both the UA and LH Booking Reference#s.

Also sometimes partner airlines will not allow you to book seats on airlines booked via Lufthansa or vice versa. Sometimes airlines require you to pay a seat assignment fee and others don't.

United may give you free assignments but then LH may charge you so you would be billed on the LH website. Me personally I don't mind paying for seat assignments to get the ones I want. I find its best to take care of this before you fly. Also seatmaps may only open up 100 days before the flight depending on the airline so you can ask when they will open up to get your fair share of seats.

Good luck and Happy Travels!

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

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United Airlines Seat Selection: What You Need to Know

Carissa Rawson

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Table of Contents

United Airlines seat selection

United seat selection fees, united credit cards with travel benefits, united airlines seats for elite members, united airlines seat map, how to select a seat on united airlines, final thoughts on selecting united airlines seats.

When you take to the skies one of the most important things when it comes to preparing for your flight is knowing where you'll be seated on the airplane. Like most other airlines, United gives its guests assigned seating on its flights. The majority of customers can select from a variety of seats for free, but there are also options for preferred seating and even upgrades for those who are willing to pay. Here's a look at United Airlines seat selection and United Airlines seat assignment policies.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Most United Airlines flights will have at least two cabin classes: economy and first class. Depending on where you’re going, you may also find business class and premium economy seating.

No matter your fare class, you will be able to choose a seat from the available selection, though how much you’ll pay and the associated fees will differ according to your ticket and various other factors.

How much is seat selection on United Airlines? Charges vary, but generally speaking, the longer and more in-demand your flight, the more expensive it will be for your seat selection.

Basic economy (most restrictive)

Basic economy tickets don't provide complimentary seat selection in any cabin. In exchange for cheaper tickets, you can either opt to pay for a seat assignment or wait until check-in and be randomly assigned a seat.

lufthansa seat selection booked through united

Families and groups who book basic economy tickets won't be seated together; though again, they can pay to ensure that they’re near each other.

Standard economy

You may be wondering: “How do I choose my seat on United Airlines?” Happily, those booking a regular economy class ticket will have the ability to book a seat for free, although the available options may not be desirable. In this case, customers can also choose to pay for better seats while maintaining their economy class ticket.

If you’re traveling with young children you may want to know: “Does United seat families together?” Yes, it does. If you’re booking an economy ticket or above, United’s system will automatically attempt to seat children under 15 on the same reservation together with their parents.

» Learn more: Is United Airlines good?

lufthansa seat selection booked through united

Preferred seating

Preferred seating features seats with better locations than standard United economy flights. The seats are the same, but they tend to be closer to the front of the cabin. Costs for preferred seating vary depending on the flight, but these are the cheapest paid seat upgrades you can find on United flights.

Economy Plus

Economy Plus seats are within the standard economy cabin, though they’re located just behind first class seating. They provide more legroom than regular economy seats and also offer free alcoholic beverages on premium transcontinental routes. These seats are more expensive than preferred seats.

Premium Plus

Premium Plus is United’s premium economy offering and is available on select flights. This is better than economy class but not as good as United’s international business class, Premium Plus seats are all free for those who book this cabin.

United first and business class

Like Premium Plus, those who book either first or business class can choose any seat within the cabin for free.

» Learn more: How you’ll earn United Premier Qualifying Points on flights

Regardless of where you sit, a United Airlines credit card can provide benefits that make your travel day a little less stressful, from priority boarding and free checked bags to airport lounge access. Among your options:

Chase United Airlines Mileage Plus Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase United Quest Credit Card

$0 intro for the first year, then $95 .

• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and hotels (when booked directly with hotel).

• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

• 3 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants, select streaming services and all other travel.

• 4 miles per $1 on United purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and all other travel purchases.

• First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.

• 2 United Club one-time passes each year.

• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS .

• Priority boarding .

• No foreign transaction fees.

• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.

• $125 United purchase credit per year (good on airfare).

• Two 5,000-mile award flight credits per anniversary year.

• Access to United Club airport lounges.

• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Loyal members of United’s MileagePlus program receive additional benefits when booking flights, including better seats.

Silver elite members and above have complimentary access to preferred seating at booking.

Gold elite members and above can pick an Economy Plus seat for free when booking their ticket. Silver members, meanwhile, can choose from available Economy Plus seats upon check-in.

United elite members are also entitled to complimentary upgrades on select flights starting as early as 96 hours before departure.

Wondering what the seats on your flight will look like? United provides a seat map that you can find when booking your flight. Before selecting a flight, you can view the seat map by selecting “Seats” on the search result page.

lufthansa seat selection booked through united

This will open a live preview of the seats on your aircraft that shows you the layout of the seats as well as which seats are available to select. You’ll also see the seat map during booking, when you’re prompted to select your seats.

lufthansa seat selection booked through united

After booking, it’s possible to change your seats by going to "My Trips" and selecting "Manage Trips." Once on your specific flight page, you’ll be able to view your seat and select a new one if you desire.

» Learn more: Delta vs. United vs. American

During booking

You’ll automatically be prompted to select a seat when booking your ticket online. Once you’ve selected your flight, you’ll fill out your passenger information and any frequent flyer programs.

Depending on your flight, United may also offer the ability to purchase discounted bundles during checkout. These may save you money over choosing extras individually, though you’ll want to take a look at the costs.

lufthansa seat selection booked through united

After deciding whether to add a bundle, you’ll be taken to the seat map to choose your seat. A legend on the right will show you which seats are included and the costs of any upgrades.

lufthansa seat selection booked through united

Once you’ve selected a seat, complete the check-out process and pay for your ticket.

After booking

If you’ve already booked a ticket and would like to select a seat or change your existing seat, you can do so from the “Manage My Trips” tab under the “My Trips” option.

lufthansa seat selection booked through united

Then, you’ll select “Manage Trip” from your available trips. Here you’ll find your trip information, including the option to change your seat.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of MileagePlus

United Airlines’ seating policies can be confusing, especially when you’re booking an economy class ticket. The short of it is this: If you book at least a standard economy ticket, you’ll be able to choose a seat for free during the booking process as long as you're traveling on a United-operated flight (versus a flight operated by a partner). You can also pay to have better seats, though some United elite members will receive access to these better seats for free. Basic economy customers, meanwhile, will always need to pay to select a seat.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Chase United Mileage Plus Explorer Business Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining, at gas stations, office supply stores and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75000 Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

1x-3x Earn 3x miles on United® purchases, 2x miles on dining, select streaming services & all other travel, 1x on all other purchases

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

lufthansa seat selection booked through united

United Club Infinite Card review: You get what you pay for, and then some

Photo illustration of the United Club℠ Infinite Card framed by abstract shapes.

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.  

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.  

Our take: The United Club℠ Infinite Card is ideal for those seeking to fast-track their way past United’s velvet rope with lounge access and a path to elite airline status via spending.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

Intro bonus.

lufthansa seat selection booked through united

Rewards Rates

  • 4x 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
  • 2x 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
  • 1x 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • United Club lounge membership
  • Valuable welcome bonus
  • Path to earn elite airline status by card spend
  • High annual fee
  • Mostly useful if you want lounge access
  • Additional perks: Primary rental car coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement
  • Foreign transaction fee: None

United Club℠ Infinite Card Overview

Card type: Airline

The United Club Infinite is ideal for those seeking a luxury United experience and willing to shell out the $525 annual fee. In exchange for that sum you’ll get access to the ultra-exclusive United Club lounges for you and up to two guests, as well as international access to participating Star Alliance lounges—plus, the card allows you to enjoy free first and second checked bags for you and a companion.

You also get Premier Access where available to whisk you through check-in, security screening, boarding and handling your luggage, and a personal assistant to tell you how great you look during the entire experience. OK, so that last part may be hyperbole to emphasize the luxury provided by the United Club Infinite, but if this card could magically grant you a fawning sidekick, it probably would. 

Importantly for lounge-seekers, the annual cost of holding the United Club Infinite card is less than what it costs to have a United Club membership, which will run you $600 to $650 unless you hold top-tier Premier 1K status with the airline. One thing to note: Even with this card’s included Club membership, you won’t get access to any of the six United Polaris lounges. The only way to gain entry into one of those is to have a United Polaris business class ticket, or a business or first class ticket on a Star Alliance flight. 

Those seeking even more perks will be happy to know you can spend your way to elite status with the United Club Infinite card, as it offers the ability to earn up to 10,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) per calendar year—which will help you climb the airline’s status ladder. You earn 25 PQPs for every $500 you spend on the card. Status with United includes mileage boosts, access to early boarding and flight upgrade eligibility.

This card is more than just a pathway to a high-falutin United-centric lifestyle. The United Club Infinite card earns respectable rewards on United spending and also offers elevated rewards on nearly every type of travel expense you can think of—including flights on other airlines. Plus, it comes with a rich slate of travel insurances and shopping-related protections, and other elite benefits including top-tier Avis rental car status and IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status (each of which come with their own perks too).

In other words, if $525 per year seems like a pittance in exchange for the bounty of elite benefits this card offers, the United Club Infinite card will fit you like a bespoke white glove.

Who is the United Club℠ Infinite Card good for? 

The United Club Infinite is ideal for someone seeking an elevated experience when they fly on United or Star Alliance flights or someone looking to spend (a lot) to gain elite status with the airline.

Who shouldn’t get the United Club Infinite Card? 

If United Club airport lounge access isn’t important to you, this card won’t be worth the cost of ownership. 

United Club℠ Infinite Card : How to earn rewards

The United Club Infinite card earns miles in United’s MileagePlus program at the following rates:

  • 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, including tickets, Economy Plus, in-flight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.
  • 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel purchases, including airfare, trains, local transit, cruise lines, hotels, car rentals, taxicabs, resorts, rideshare services and tolls.
  • 2 miles per $1 spent on all dining including eligible delivery services.
  • 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

The card also comes with a welcome bonus of 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

How to redeem United Club℠ Infinite Card rewards 

The United Club Infinite earns United MileagePlus miles, which can be redeemed in several ways.

Use miles to book United and partner airline award flights

The most valuable use of your miles is typically redeeming them for flights. United Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance airline group, which means you can use your MileagePlus miles to book flights on any of the 26 alliance members to over 1,200 destinations worldwide. Award flights on both United and partner airlines are dynamic, meaning the price and number of miles required for bookings will rise and fall based on factors such as seasonality and demand.

United also offers Saver Award and Everyday Award fares on some flights. Saver Awards are economy flights offered at the lowest mileage requirement available on an award flight. Everyday Award fares are often more available but, in comparison to Saver Awards, require more miles. Although Saver Awards are available on some flights to all MileagePlus members, owning a co-branded United credit card—which includes the United Club Infinite—or having Premier elite status will show “hidden” Saver award availability on some routes that other MileagePlus members cannot access. 

Another perk of the United Club Infinite card is that cardholders get an additional 10% off the Saver Award economy fare rate. So if there’s a Saver Award fare listed for 10,000 miles, United Club Infinite cardholders will have to redeem just 9,000 miles. For frequent United travelers, this card can help you really make the most of your miles if you’re willing to keep an eye out for Saver Award deals. Let’s examine how wielding this card as you redeem your MileagePlus miles could potentially help you get to where you want to go for fewer miles. For example, here’s a one-way flight from Newark to Los Angeles on Sept. 10, 2024:

Screenshot showing a flight that costs 15,000 miles as a United Saver Award.

As you can see, the flight typically costs 18,100 miles, but a select number of Saver Award seats are available in economy on the 2 p.m. flight for 15,000 miles. However, United Club Infinite cardholders would only have to redeem 13,500 miles with the 10% Saver Award discount perk.

The cash price for those same regular economy flights is $185 each plus taxes and fees. This would make the miles used to buy that Saver economy seat worth nearly 1.4 cents each. 

If you had your eye on a more premium experience, consider that the 2 p.m. flight in this example has a business class seat for 80,000 miles plus taxes and fees and a cash price of $1,334. This would make your miles worth roughly 1.7 cents per point if that extra comfort is worth the higher total cost to you.

You can book flights using just your miles or a combination of miles and cash. However, using just miles typically yields the best value. 

Ultimately, the best redemption will be different for everyone, but as a rule of thumb, it’s smart to aim to get more than a penny per point in value from your miles.

Other redemption options

United MileagePlus miles can also be redeemed to book travel including hotels, rental cars and cruises through the United site, used to upgrade or pay for seat assignments, prepay for checked bags, cover the TSA PreCheck application fee or renewal fee, pay for a United Club membership, or put toward in-flight dining, in-flight WiFi or a meal at select restaurants and bars at Newark Airport (EWR) and Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

However, most of these options typically are less valuable than redeeming your miles for flights. For example, let’s consider that it takes 11,000 miles to cover the $78 TSA PreCheck application fee, which gives you a value of about 0.7 cents per mile. 

One exception: You can also use your miles to pay yourself back for the card’s annual fee or for flights paid for with the card. Miles will generally be worth between 1 cent and 1.5 cents when used to reimburse yourself for flights and 1.75 cents when used to reimburse yourself for the annual fee. This last option is particularly valuable when you consider the welcome bonus is enough to negate the cost of the card’s annual fee in the first year and you’ll still have miles left over.

United Club℠ Infinite Card rates and fees

  • Annual fee: $525.
  • Foreign transaction fee: None.
  • Purchase APR: 21.99%–28.99% variable.

Additional benefits

  • Trusted traveler credit: Get up to a $100 reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA Precheck or NEXUS every four years.
  • Premier Access travel services: Get priority airport services where available including check-in, security screening, boarding, and expedited baggage handling.
  • Avis President’s Club: The primary cardmember is eligible for top-tier elite status with the car rental company, which means upgrades, guaranteed car availability, and expedited rental service, among other perks. 
  • IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status: IHG’s second-highest elite status tier grants perks including complimentary upgrades when available, a welcome amenity at check-in of breakfast, points or a drink and snack, discounted award nights and a bonus rate of 100% on points. Plus, you’ll get an $75 IHG resort credit on bookings.
  • Primary auto rental coverage: Decline the rental company’s coverage at the counter and charge the entire rental to your card and receive primary auto rental coverage up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for eligible rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: If your trip is cut short or canceled by a covered situation you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses such as passenger fares, tours, and hotels.
  • Baggage delay and lost luggage coverage: For baggage delays over six hours by passenger carrier, get reimbursed up to $100 a day for three days. For check-in or carry-on luggage that is damaged or lost by the carrier, you’re covered for up to $3,000 per passenger.
  • Trip delay reimbursement: If your common carrier is delayed by more than 12 hours for a covered reason, you and your family are covered up to $500 per ticket for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging.
  • Purchase, extended warranty, and return protections: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year and also extends eligible manufacturer’s warranties by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less. You can also be reimbursed for eligible items that the store won’t take back within 90 days of purchase, up to $500 per item, $1,000 per year.

Credit cards similar to the United Club℠ Infinite Card

When it comes to high-end travel cards , it’s all about the benefits and perks and less about the rewards-earning potential. Let’s see how the United Club Infinite card compares to two premium airline and travel card options.

To view rates and fees of the The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page  

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® vs. United Club℠ Infinite Card

If you’re looking to earn high-end benefits from an airline credit card, arguably the first consideration should be if that airline serves your home airport. If American Airlines is an option for you, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is a worthy competitor to United’s premium option. 

Just like the United Club Infinite card, card ownership of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard includes both a steep annual fee—in this case $595—and also lounge access, with this card offering access to American Airlines’ Admirals Club. That latter could cost you $850 without the card. 

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card offers a similar slew of upscale perks and benefits including expedited check-in and screenings at the airport, several travel protection benefits, your first checked bag free on American Airlines domestic itineraries, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement and the ability to spend your way via the card towards elite status. Both cards give you a chance to be an airport big shot so the choice between these two cards will come down to if you prefer to fly United and/or Star Alliance partners or American and/or Oneworld partner airlines. 

The Platinum Card® from American Express vs. United Club℠ Infinite Card

If exclusive airport lounge access is the main attraction in owning the United Club Infinite Card, the The Platinum Card® from American Express may hold appeal. Unlike the United Club Infinite card which only grants access to United Club lounges, the $695-annual-fee Amex Platinum gives you entry to the Global Lounge collection—which includes Centurion lounges, Escape lounges, Delta Sky Club, Lufthansa Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Priority Pass Select lounges. 

Access to over 1,400 lounges with the Amex Platinum means that it’s likely wherever you fly, you’ll be able to find an airport lounge you’re eligible for.

There’s no special treatment at the airport or checked bag perk with the Amex Platinum but it does come with an annual $200 airline incidental fee credit, which you can use on checked bag fees, and application fee reimbursements for both Global Entry/TSA PreCheck and CLEAR memberships which will expedite standing in various security lines at the airport. If you can fly exclusively on United or partner flights, the United Club Infinite Card is tailored to you. But if you aren’t loyal to a particular airline, the Amex Platinum makes more sense for most people seeking a card that provides a luxe airport experience.

Is the United Club℠ Infinite Card right for you?

The United Club Infinite Card is right for you if you love United and want to elevate your experience flying with them, from airport arrival to departure.

Frequently asked questions

Does the united club℠ infinite card have lounge access.

It sure does. Owning the card is one of the only ways to gain access to the United Club lounge network without shelling out up to $650 for an annual membership or paying $59 per person for a day pass.

What credit score do you need for a United Club℠ Infinite Card ?

Although there’s no exact credit score that will guarantee you’ll be approved for this (or any other) card, as a premium rewards card it’s likely you’ll need at least good credit for the United Club Infinite, which FICO defines as starting at 670 and higher. In addition to your credit score, issuers typically consider a number of factors including your income and any outstanding debt.

What is the minimum credit limit for the United Club℠ Infinite Card ?

In the terms and conditions for the United Club Infinite Card it states that, if approved for the card, the minimum credit limit will be $15,000.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

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IMAGES

  1. Lufthansa Seat Map

    lufthansa seat selection booked through united

  2. Lufthansa Seat Selection & Fees

    lufthansa seat selection booked through united

  3. Lufthansa Seat Map

    lufthansa seat selection booked through united

  4. 4 Pics Lufthansa Seat Selection And Review

    lufthansa seat selection booked through united

  5. Airbus A330 300 Lufthansa Seat Map

    lufthansa seat selection booked through united

  6. Definitive Guide to Lufthansa U.S. Routes [Plane Types & Seat Options]

    lufthansa seat selection booked through united

VIDEO

  1. AIRBUS A321 NEO LANDING LUFTHANSA LEFT WING VIEW SARAJEVO, BOSNIA

  2. Lufthansa a319 goes through clouds and hits rough patch💨of turbulence✈️

  3. Air Hansa's new economy seats

COMMENTS

  1. Seat assignment on Lufthansa flight booked through united

    373 reviews. 308 helpful votes. Seat assignment on Lufthansa flight booked through united. 4 years ago. Save. I haven't booked these yet, but I need to book flights from SFO -> Frankfurt -> Nairobi -> SFO. Turns out that the SFO-> Frankfurt flight is on United, the remaining are on Lufthansa (codeshare).

  2. book through United or Lufthansa?

    UA also has better IT than LH, so you can do more online. But the main reason to ticket through UA is the much more generous change policy. It's slightly advantageous to book under the operating carrier's native flight numbers, but the major disadvantages of booking codeshares have mostly faded at this point.

  3. Seat reservation for Lufthansa flight booked on United

    When booking a Lufthansa flight through United you can not pre select seats. The way around this is to call the Lufthansa number listed on United's booking site. It will cost you $200 more per ticket but you can select your seats at the time of booking. Share. Improve this answer.

  4. Selecting seats on Star Alliance partners booked on United award miles

    Yes, I booked Lufthansa seats (United award) using the procedure outlined above -- get the Lufthansa confirmation number from your reservation on the United website, go on Lufthansa and select your seat. Haven't been successful with Swiss yet. (Can't remember whether I used my Lufthansa account or not.) Posted by Darcy.

  5. United flight/Lufthansa booking: how to get a seat assignment

    UA should (probably) be able to assign a seat if you call them. They should also be able to tell you your UA record locator, which should (probably) allow you to manage it yourself. The only wildcard would be if you have a codeshare -- an LH flight number on your UA-operated flight. That can throw a wrench into the situation.

  6. seat assignment question: United operated by Lufthansa

    That is, United can typically see and allows seat selection only on their own (and maybe a few other partner carriers') flights; flying on other airlines' planes you need to access the operating airline's booking engine to choose seats. That's because despite all marketing spin, different airlines' systems are not very well integrated.

  7. Manage your bookings

    Access your booking and get started - view and manage the details, book additional services or check in directly - your booking code gives you access at any time. Check-in You can check in as early as 23 hours before your departure, select your seat and get your boarding pass - now you've got everything you need to start your travel.

  8. Advance seat reservation

    You can book your seat either right away at the time of booking or later on. You can reserve a seat via My bookings up to 52 hours prior to departure. You can also select your seat when you check-in. Reserve a seat now. Economy Class.

  9. United Airlines

    Your trip with Lufthansa and United Airlines. Lufthansa and United are working closely together to offer you an enjoyable service on your trip via the USA, Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. Passengers benefit from coordinated check-in processes, streamlined connecting flights, baggage transfers and reservations.

  10. Selecting seats on Lufthansa leg when checking in on United

    Generally, Lufthansa economy class tickets do not come with a seat reservation. Whether it's booked through LH or through a partner (like UA), economy seats are either reserved for a fee ahead of time, or if you don't want to pay, you can choose seats when you check-in. In your case, at T-23 hours (LH does 23 hours, not 24, for some reason ...

  11. United flight on Lufthansa......upgrade and seat selection

    I have a flight MCO-PRG first 2 weeks of this coming March booked through United, flying Lufthansa. I went to United site to upgrade and was referred to Lufthansa where I was given the option to bid on upgrade. Then told...not available. ... Lufthansa Changed Aircraft Type on Booking. Seat Selection Refund Only Possible If I Spend More Money?

  12. Seat selection on a United flight operated by Lufthansa?

    I booked a flight through United from EWR-FRA for later this month. It says it's operated by Lufthansa. This is my first time dealing with this type of ticket outside of 1 short flight operated by Air Canada. It didn't allow me to pick seats and when I tried picking them through the Lufthansa website, they want to charge me to pick a seat.

  13. Booking Lufthansa flight through United

    Star Alliance - Booking Lufthansa flight through United - I am a mileage plus member and booking a trip to Germany on a Lufthansa flight. I hate that if I book through United I can't select my seat when booking so am considering just booking on Lufthansa with my mileage plus frequent flier number. Is there any

  14. Lufthansa Seat Selection

    304 posts. I have flights booked through United with Lufthansa code shares for the last outbound / first inbound legs. Also unable to select seats via the web, even using the Lufthansa booking code on the Lufthansa web site. Last year I had the same situation, and was able to select seats by calling their CSR number, but they charged me $60 ...

  15. Conditions for advance seat reservations

    The following requirements must be fulfilled: You have booked an Economy Light fare on a continental flight. You check in for a flight operated by Lufthansa, SWISS or Austrian Airlines. You would like to change the seat offered at check-in at your own request. There are still seats available on the flight you are checking in on.

  16. Seat selection on Lufthansa flights

    Air Travel - Seat selection on Lufthansa flights - In looking to book a flight using United FF miles on United.com I see that the Lufthansa flights do not allow seat selection. How does one pick ...

  17. Why can't I choose seats on Lufthansa? : r/unitedairlines

    I won't be able to select seats until check in 23 hours prior to flight. It can take up to a few days after booking for the Lufthansa site to allow you to book seats if the itinerary is booked through United. This is true even if you use the Lufthansa booking code (that United gives you) on the Lufthansa website.

  18. United Airlines Seat Selection: What to Know

    United provides a seat map that you can find when booking your flight. Before selecting a flight, you can view the seat map by selecting "Seats" on the search result page. This will open a ...

  19. View and manage flight

    Manage individual bookings. Using your booking code you have access to all your flights. You can make an advance seat reservation, rebook or cancel a flight, request special meals and book a Rail&Fly ticket at any time. You can also book a hotel or a rental car directly, or even take out travel insurance. In addition, you can enter passport and ...

  20. United Club Infinite Card review: Airport lounge access ...

    As you can see, the flight typically costs 18,100 miles, but a select number of Saver Award seats are available in economy on the 2 p.m. flight for 15,000 miles.

  21. Seat selection fees when booked through United (economy seat ...

    Booked tickets through United, flight will be operated through Lufthansa. I'm flying from FRA to EWR solo with my 2 young (age 3 and under) children. I chose United economy booking since it includes seat selection to ensure I'm with my kids. I now can not select seats on United and Lufthansa wants to charge me an additional $39 pp for seat ...

  22. FAQs Advance seat reservation and seat maps

    My booking; Discover Lufthansa; Main content. Your subject isn't listed here? Get further help here: Do you require further assistance? Please get in contact with us by phone or via the feedback form. We will take care of your request. Back to Help & Contact Footer. Search the page.