Star alliance award booking. What would you do?

[Monsey]

Im planning to book a one way going from nyc/phl-tlv on 10/26. I want to fly co j but obviously its not available now. I would book a lh j flight and hope the co opens up right before departure but the problem is if it doesnt open up i would wanna fly lh f not j. Should i book the lh j and hope the co opens up or should i just book the lh f? Or i can book virgin upper class to lhr then lh j lhr-fra-tlv? Is virgin upper so much better than lh j that its worth stopping twice?

[Monsey]

Also if i book a j ticket with co miles then i want to switch it to a f ticket will i have to pay a fee or because im not redepositing any miles just adding its free? Thanks

[SuperFlyer]

I think any switch will cost money.

If you seem pressed to have an almost non-stop via phl, I guess you aren't the type for 2 stops. (I assume that CO allows you to combine VS and LH on a ticket).
I believe VS is more of an interesting experience, just inquire whether you could use their LHR lounge or not.

[Bp]

What would you do?
Im booking a CO award booking in BC, on the outbound im flying with LH connecting in FRA
on the return these are my two best options

option#1
Depart:
11:00 a.m.
Thu., Apr. 26, 2012
Budapest, Hungary (BUD)
Arrive:
12:40 p.m.
Thu., Apr. 26, 2012
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
Flight Time:
1 hr 40 mn   
Flight: LH1337
Operated by Lufthansa.
Aircraft: Airbus A319
Change Planes. Connect time in Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) is 4 hours 25 minutes.
Depart:
5:05 p.m.
Thu., Apr. 26, 2012
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
Arrive:
7:40 p.m.
Thu., Apr. 26, 2012
New York, NY (JFK)
Flight Time:
8 hr 35 mn
Flight: LH404
Operated by Lufthansa.
Aircraft: Boeing 747-400
Travel Time:
14 hr 40 mn   

option#2
Depart:
11:25 a.m.
Thu., Apr. 26, 2012
Budapest, Hungary (BUD)
Arrive:
12:15 p.m.
Thu., Apr. 26, 2012
Vienna, Austria (VIE)
Flight Time:
50 mn   
Flight: OS714
Operated by Tyrolean Air (Austrian Arrows).
Aircraft: Bombardier Q400
Change Planes. Connect time in Vienna, Austria (VIE) is 50 minutes.
Depart:
1:05 p.m.
Thu., Apr. 26, 2012
Vienna, Austria (VIE)
Arrive:
2:35 p.m.
Thu., Apr. 26, 2012
London, England (LHR - Heathrow)
Flight Time:
2 hr 30 mn   
Flight: OS461
Operated by Austrian Airlines.
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Change Planes. Connect time in London, England (LHR - Heathrow) is 2 hours 40 minutes.
Depart:
5:15 p.m.
Thu., Apr. 26, 2012
London, England (LHR - Heathrow)
Arrive:
8:10 p.m.
Flight: CO9745
Operated by Virgin Atlantic Airways.
Aircraft: Airbus A340-600
Thu., Apr. 26, 2012
New York, NY (JFK)
Flight Time:
7 hr 55 mn
Travel Time:
14 hr 45 mn

So my Question is, is it worth the shlep to do two connections for VS upper class? or i should just seat in FRA for 4 !/2 hours and go with LH,   time of travel is the same,

[SuperFlyer]

If you are just adults travelling, and you are Dan/SF*, you might want to give VS a shot.


*crazy

[Bp]

@SF
LoL, I qualify, thanks

[chuchem]

Vs is nice, but LH business for a day flight is very nice as well. Taxes will be a extra 100+ to travel via London. Stay with LH

[SuperFlyer]

Departing from FRA in Biz is worse than coach from other airports (I'm talking about the actual transit, incl lounge, etc, not the LH flight).

VS lounge in LHR is supposed to be quite an experience.

[Dan]

Vs is nice, but LH business for a day flight is very nice as well. Taxes will be a extra 100+ to travel via London. Stay with LH

LH business is very nice?  Never flew it (or VS for that matter) but afaik it's not lie-flat, what's very nice about it?

[aussiebochur]

LH business is very nice?  Never flew it (or VS for that matter) but afaik it's not lie-flat, what's very nice about it?

Even the A380 isn't lie flat.
My sis flew and wasn't impressed at all.

But then again, when comparing to CX, SQ and QF J (the others we routinely fly) not many will come close.

[Bp]

@chuchem
The taxes are only $10 more for VS and its not even a lhr airport tax its the vie airport tax,
So I guess if lhr is only connection they don't charge the airport tax 

[aussiebochur]

@chuchem
The taxes are only $10 more for VS and its not even a lhr airport tax its the vie airport tax,
So I guess if lhr is only connection they don't charge the airport tax 

Correct. Additional charges will only be incurred with a 24 stop or longer.

[Dan]

Even the A380 isn't lie flat.
My sis flew and wasn't impressed at all.

But then again, when comparing to CX, SQ and QF J (the others we routinely fly) not many will come close.

Sure, but LH doesn't even compete with the CO or US J seat, which is kind've sad.

[aussiebochur]

Sure, but LH doesn't even compete with the CO or US J seat, which is kind've sad.

Yup, CO is great.
Want to try out the new Envoy. Paris for 60k off peak sounds good.