Getting a seat upgrade on Lufthansa in 2026 is most effectively achieved through their "Bid for Upgrade" system. After booking a ticket, you can log into "My Bookings" on the Lufthansa website or app to see if your flight is eligible; you then submit a monetary offer for what you think the upgrade is worth, and the airline notifies you roughly 24 to 48 hours before departure if you were successful. Alternatively, you can use Miles & More miles for a fixed-price upgrade, though this depends on the "booking class" of your original ticket—cheaper economy fares (like K, L, and T) are often ineligible. For those with elite status in United's MileagePlus program, PlusPoints can also be used for upgrades on Lufthansa-operated flights. Lastly, last-minute "fixed-price" upgrades are frequently offered during the online check-in process (23 hours before flight) at a lower rate than the standard fare difference, making it the best time to snag a Business Class seat for a bargain.