Lufthansa discontuing "Buy Miles" option

[Moishebatchy]

http://boardingarea.com/onemileatatime/2014/05/31/lufthansa-buy-miles-option-being-discontinued/

I can see some people getting royally screwed by this one...

Unless it truly is just a translation issue.

[Drago]

Why so bad? Cuz it's the only way to add in miles to an account since SPG won't transfer to non-matching names?

[MEIR613]

Why so bad? Cuz it's the only way to add in miles to an account since SPG won't transfer to non-matching names?

You hit it on the money.

[Moishebatchy]

Why so bad? Cuz it's the only way to add in miles to an account since SPG won't transfer to non-matching names?

That, and also SPG transfers aren't instant. If you need to book a ticket NOW and are just 3k short, for example... you're screwed.

[MEIR613]

That, and also SPG transfers aren't instant. If you need to book a ticket NOW and are just 3k short, for example... you're screwed.

You could put on hold and they take less than a day to transfer, but still this really sucks.

[Moishebatchy]

they take less than a day to transfer

Not guaranteed... would you take a chance with a $15k ticket?

[MEIR613]

Not guaranteed

Matching names? In the past couple months?

Please prove me wrong.

Remember, there's nothing 100% guaranteed.

[PlatinumGuy]

they take less than a day to transfer

What are you talking about

[MEIR613]

What are you talking about

SPG-LH.

They've been transferring overnight.

[Moishebatchy]

Matching names? In the past couple months?

Please prove me wrong.

Remember, there's nothing 100% guaranteed.

Not guaranteed that it will transfer overnight. Even if it usually works, on that random occasion that it doesn't, you have no back-up plan.

And not every LH account has a matching SPG account with it.

[MEIR613]

Not guaranteed that it will transfer overnight. Even if it usually works, on that random occasion that it doesn't, you have no back-up plan.

And not every LH account has a matching SPG account with it.

Let me explain.

I'm very upset that this option is going away.

Most of the time there is no spg in the AH name, which makes this a great option to top off an account.

But, when there is matching spg, almost always I would transfer it instead of buying if I can put the ticket on hold or there are a bunch of seats open.

Makes sense?

[Moishebatchy]

Let me explain.

I'm very upset that this option is going away.

Most of the time there is no spg in the AH name, which makes this a great option to top off an account.

But, when there is matching spg, almost always I would transfer it instead of buying if I can put the ticket on hold or there are a bunch of seats open.

Makes sense?

Not sure what the chiddush is, then...

[jaywhy]

From the comments on that article. Accuracy is unknown of course.

This is because LH has outsourced their mileage program to a separate company where LH rules the status side of Miles&more and the subsidy runs the bonus side. So from July on (date of registry of the outsourced company) LH can’t sell bonus miles any more – but probably the new company will