RTW via Star Alliance handed to Lufthansa - no communication with 'Star Alliance'

[Worldly GT]

I used the Star Alliance RTW feature to book my journey. The trip includes carriers Singapore Airlines (4 legs) , United Airlines (3 legs) and Lufthansa (2 legs). When making a booking direct via the Star Alliance website I was unaware it just 'goes to an airline as a booking'. My luck landed with the airline having the least to do with the trip - Lufthansa. Question 1. Is this always? Question 2. Is this because *A is HQ'd in Germany?

Ok, so I have my trip. I want to look at upgrading my cabin class on long-haul legs Singapore to SF, and CDG to Singapore - both with Singapore Airlines. And so begins my merry-go-round. I called Singapore Airlines first, they were unable to do anything as 'the ticket was made with an agent'. Other calls to them they say the ticket is with Lufthansa, unable to do anything. I call Lufthansa (call centre?) they tell me they are unable to change a different carrier. I do this cycle 4 times before I lose the plot. Yes... Call SingaporeA, Call Lufthansa etc etc. Same result - None can make a change to MY booking. Question 3. WHY is there no contact information or correspondence with *A? Question 4. WHY does my multiple carrier ticket, which is 'called' an agent booking have no actual agent?

To be clear. I booked direct via the *A website. I have been able to access via carrier websites using my booking ref their particular 'manage booking' options = seat selection, extra baggage etc etc. What I am not able to do is upgrade cabin class - because noone is apparently 'the agent'.

Does anyone have experience with this scenario?
Does anyone know how to get a hold of Star Alliance? (they only have a webform on site which is 'robot answered')

 

[Cynicor]

Star alliance isn’t a carrier and doesn’t issue tickets. It’s also not a travel agent.
So yes, this happens with all around the world tickets. Usually you just need the ticketing desk that deals with round the world tickets, but many agents have no idea.

Are you certain the fare is upgradable in the rules? I know the oneworld equivalents very well but not the *A so much.

Either way, it’s nothing unusual. Your agent will be Lufthansa

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @Worldly GT

The Star Alliance booking tool is just a convenience to allow people to sew together an itinerary involving multiple carriers. Else a travel agent could do it.

Some airline however has to issue the ticket and the system for whatever reason has chosen Lufthansa. Your ticket number will start with 220- I believe.

You would have to read the rules of a star alliance round the world ticket carefully to see if an individual legs are upgradable after the ticket has been issued. I guess you’re talking money not points?

Be aware that if you do manage to upgrade certain sectors, it’s likely the whole ticket will need to be review shoes and that will come at a cost. For instance, if the sectors you are not trying to upgrade no longer have the same fare available as when you bought it, you’ll be charged the fare difference to the one available.

If you want to pursue it, you will need to keep calling Lufthansa, making sure you describe your ticket as a Lufthansa ticket (not a Star Alliance ticket) and be very precise about what you want to do, if necessary quoting the rules of the ticket.