Booking LH first with United miles.

[MeirS]

I'm trying to book LH401 (A380) First Class on April 10 with United miles.

On the LH website it says only 8 seats remaining, (there are only 8 seats). How can it be that NONE of them are available for United mileage?

While I'm at it, I'm doing this for the first time as a thrill, I have to get to London for Pesach and I thought this would be the best way to do it.
Any Tips? Is First that much better than Business? Is the A380 that much better than B747?

[AJK]

LH does not open up F to partners until ~two weeks before departure.

And, just generally, the fact that there are 8 seats available does not automatically mean revenue management will release award seats.

Often times some airlines (like LX) will let the plane go without a soul booked in F.

[MeirS]

Can I avoid the $75 late booking fee?
Is it risky to wait until then?
Any other suggestions?

What I meant by the 8 seats is that the aircraft only has 8 first class seats, one of them must be up for mileage customers.

[AJK]

Definitionally, yes, it's risky. And only you can decide how risk prone or risk averse you are.

It's quite possible no F award will open on that flight.

And I meant what I said:

the fact that there are 8 seats available does not automatically mean revenue management will release award seats.

[PlatinumGuy]

What I meant by the 8 seats is that the aircraft only has 8 first class seats, one of them must be up for mileage customers.

Says who?