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Old Jul 29, 2013, 5:44 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: supine
Do I have entitlement to access the First Class Terminal (FCT) in FRA?
- Yes, if you are departing from FRA on a flight operated by LH/LX/OS, and at least one of the following is true:
  • The class of service on your departing flight from FRA is F.
  • You have arrived on a confirmed F segment on LH or LX metal, on the same day, even if the ticket of that F segment is different from the ticket of the segment from FRA.
  • You will be departing on a confirmed F segment on LH or LX metal, on the same day from a connecting station, and the ticket of that F segment is the same ticket as the segment from FRA. Separate tickets means you are not entitled to FCT access.
  • You hold HON status.
  • You are invited as a guest by someone who meets the above criteria, and you meet the requirements of a guest as discussed later in this FAQ.


But the LH website contradicts the above:"Access to the First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport is only possible with a confirmed same-day departing First Class flight on Lufthansa or SWISS. HON Circle Members may access the First Class Terminal with a same-day departing flight on Lufthansa, SWISS or Austrian Airlines. Access to the First Class Terminal is not permitted for arriving passengers."

- The above has been on the web site for some time, and does not appear to be the actual policy, as many here attest from personal experience.

What are the opening times of the FCT?
- 0530 to 2200 daily

Where is it located?
- About 200 metres to the west of Terminal 1

If arriving in FRA on a LH operated flight in F, will I get a car transfer from the arriving flight?
- Ordinarily, no. However, if you hold HON status, you're arriving / departing from an apron position and your onward flight is operated by LH / LX / OS, LH aims to send a car to meet you from your arriving aircraft. See for more info. NB If you do get the car service on arrival, you will be driven to the main arrivals area and not the FCT, as this does not offer immigration and customs facilities for inbound passengers.

How do I get to the FCT in FRA?
- The First Class Terminal at Frankfurt is located close to Terminal 1. You can reach it by car via the access road to Terminal 1: the entrance to the First Class Terminal is off this road, approximately 200 metres before you get to Terminal 1. When arriving on public transport, the First Class Terminal is only a few minutes’ walk from Terminal 1.

Locations of Lufthansa lounges at Frankfurt Airport

The FCT is a departure terminal/lounge and is not meant for transfer pax. Transfer pax can use the FCLs located in the main terminal building which offer the same amenities as the FCT. There is no transfer or shuttle to the FCT. You can walk to the FCT, though.

If on departure level take the escalator down to arrival, walk out of the terminal and turn left. You will pass the bus shuttles to the airport hotels and taxis. Cross the street - whilst waking under the access road above to departures - you will see taxi divers' coffee shop to the right - and more taxis parked to your left. You will see the First Class Terminal across the street. Cross the street in front of the coffee shop, turn right and the First Class Terminal is on your left. Go through the automatic doors and take the elevator to the main reception area.

Pictorial guide may be found here.

If the FCT is not meant to be a transfer lounge then why do some people use it as such?
- Aside from the experience, there are practical reasons for you to consider using the FCT for a connection:
  • If you have a long layover, the FCT will be less crowded than the FCL B (but more crowded than the even newer FCL A by A13).
  • If your connection requires clearing passport controls, it is faster to do it at the FCT where you will surrender your passport upon admittance and get it back moments before you are driven to your plane. Presumably if immigration has questions they will deal with it while you are lounging in the FCT versus waiting until you depart for your plane. Note that permanent residents of the USA who are heading back to the USA from FRA or a connecting airport should also surrender their green card, but gently but firmly request it be returned quickly. The German immigration people don't need your green card, and LH only needs it to enter into the passenger record, so there is no reason why your personal assistant cannot return it to you soon after.
  • You do not have to waste time walking from the FCL to a gate position that is potentially more distant from the lounge than your arriving gate, or worse yet, is actually a bus to a plane parked at an apron position in the middle of the tarmac. You will leave the FCT after boarding starts and a driver will take you to the plane wherever it is.
  • If your plane is parked at a jetway, you will be whisked to the front of the line of pax boarding in the jetway, saving even more time.
  • If your connection requires going through security, you are guaranteed to have a much faster and gentler screening at the FCT than going through security in the main terminals, and if you are carrying valuables, the FCT checkpoint eliminates all angst about theft or forgetting them.


How many guests am I permitted in the FCT?
- One, assuming a lower cabin class and that they will be travelling on the same flight as you. If they also are confirmed to travel in F, they too will be entitled to a guest, meeting the same criteria
- Anyone with a confirmed segment in F is also entitled to bring in their spouse/partner and/or children, provided they are departing on the same flight, irrespective of the cabin class they are travelling in

I’m arriving on LH/LX/OS C and departing TG/SQ/etc. F, do I get in to the F terminal?
- No, but you will have access LH Senator (Star Alliance Gold) Lounges which are designated as First Class Lounges for Star Alliance carriers.

I'm arriving on TG/SQ/etc. F and departing on LH, Swiss, Austrian C do I get in to the FCT?
- Not unless you hold HON status, otherwise you will have access LH Business Lounges unlesss you hold Star Alliance Gold status and access to LH Senator (Star Alliance Gold) Lounges. Certain airlines (e.g. SQ) have arrangements for arriving F passengers to access LH Senator Lounges regardless of their status.

I’m arriving on any carrier in any cabin class and departing same day on LH/LX F do I get in to the FCT?
- Yes.

I'm arriving on LH / LX F and departing same day on another carrier in any cabin class, will I have access to the FCT?
- Yes, if your onward flight is operated by LH, Swiss or Austrian Airlines Group. Otherwise, you will only have access to the LH First Class Lounges or (if eligible) the lounge of the airline operating your onward flight.

What is the minimum connect time between flights in order to use the FCT?
- 90 mins is recommended, however some have observed that 60 mins is acceptable, while others still have got away with just 20 mins. Bear in mind, if in transit, that you will need to factor in the time between arrival and departure

Do I need to tip the staff in the FCT?
- According to LH policy, FCT staff are not allowed to accept gratuities.

What's the food like in the FCT?
- Well above the standard of anything you might expect from any airline in the air, a cut above lounge food of any other airline and equivalent to a smart restaurant in any major city

VAT Refund
- Yes, but there is a $75 trip fee and CC refund only.

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The FRA F/HON First Class Terminal FCT FAQ

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Old Jun 21, 2016, 12:11 am
  #3571  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Originally Posted by PetzLUX
Everytime I was there, I got my passport back downstairs at the border control desk before stepping into the limo. This was also the case yesterday.
What I get returned from my PA when I found a seat is normally my HON card and a new boarding pass.

A little surprise for first timers? A rubber ducky?

Glad you enjoyed the FCT.
Oops, yes the passport was held and the BP was returned at my seat.
Don't want to ruin the surprise though
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Old Jul 8, 2016, 1:46 am
  #3572  
S.R
 
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While I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, I just wanna make sure that I have FCT access.

I'm flying DEL-FRA-JFK, with DEL-FRA in F and FRA-JFK in J, since my UA GPU is still on a wait list for this flight.
In the chance that the JFK flight doesn't clear (which looks likely since there's only 1 seat left for sale and the flight is in 4 days) do I still have FCT access since I'm arriving same day in F?
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Old Jul 8, 2016, 2:09 am
  #3573  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,141
Yep, you do.
klausa is offline  
Old Jul 9, 2016, 9:46 pm
  #3574  
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
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Lufthansa First Class Terminal Access Question

Hi there,

I looked around and couldn't find an answer to my specific situation. Hope one of you peeps could help.

I have a flight scheduled as such:

HND-FRA (arrives July 17 at 7pm) in F
FRA-MUC (departs July 18 at 8am) in J (no F)
MUC-YUL (departs July 19 at 9pm) in F

In this case, would I have access to the First Class TERMINAL in Frankfurt? Because I have a same day on-ward flight to Montreal from Munich in First Class?

Thx.
thelister is offline  
Old Jul 9, 2016, 11:10 pm
  #3575  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Posts: 3,421
If it is same day: yes
If it is the day before (as posted): no
daumueller is offline  
Old Jul 10, 2016, 3:06 am
  #3576  
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Originally Posted by thelister
Hi there,

I looked around and couldn't find an answer to my specific situation. Hope one of you peeps could help.

I have a flight scheduled as such:

HND-FRA (arrives July 17 at 7pm) in F
FRA-MUC (departs July 18 at 8am) in J (no F)
MUC-YUL (departs July 19 at 9pm) in F

In this case, would I have access to the First Class TERMINAL in Frankfurt? Because I have a same day on-ward flight to Montreal from Munich in First Class?

Thx.
Are these dates correct? If you are flying FRA-MUC on July 18 and MUC-YUL on July 19, it will not be a same day departure in F.

According to the itinerary above you will have access to the First Class LOUNGE in Frankfurt on July 17 on arrival and the First Class Lounge in Munich on July 19.
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Old Jul 10, 2016, 12:16 pm
  #3577  
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 185
Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
Are these dates correct? If you are flying FRA-MUC on July 18 and MUC-YUL on July 19, it will not be a same day departure in F.

According to the itinerary above you will have access to the First Class LOUNGE in Frankfurt on July 17 on arrival and the First Class Lounge in Munich on July 19.
Thanks for the replies. The dates are correct, the times are a lil off. However, I did call Lufthansa and asked. If a First Class flight is on your itinerary on the same day as a business class flight (e.g. FRA-MUC, MUC-YUL), you are allowed access to the First Class TERMINAL, even if your first leg is not First Class.
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Old Jul 10, 2016, 12:52 pm
  #3578  
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
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Originally Posted by thelister
Thanks for the replies. The dates are correct, the times are a lil off. However, I did call Lufthansa and asked. If a First Class flight is on your itinerary on the same day as a business class flight (e.g. FRA-MUC, MUC-YUL), you are allowed access to the First Class TERMINAL, even if your first leg is not First Class.
If you asked the question that you did, the answer is of course yes.

However your itinerary according to the first post is:

FRA-MUC (departs July 18 at 8am) in J (no F)
MUC-YUL (departs July 19 at 9pm) in F

Your Business flight and the First flight are not on the same day. I'm sorry but I don't understand why you say the flights are on the same day.
NewbieRunner is online now  
Old Jul 10, 2016, 1:16 pm
  #3579  
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 185
Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
If you asked the question that you did, the answer is of course yes.

However your itinerary according to the first post is:

FRA-MUC (departs July 18 at 8am) in J (no F)
MUC-YUL (departs July 19 at 9pm) in F

Your Business flight and the First flight are not on the same day. I'm sorry but I don't understand why you say the flights are on the same day.
Oh wow, I totally missed my typo. Yes, it is on the day on the 18th! Thanks for the clarification nonetheless ^
thelister is offline  
Old Jul 10, 2016, 2:40 pm
  #3580  
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
 
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Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,514
Originally Posted by thelister
Oh wow, I totally missed my typo. Yes, it is on the day on the 18th! Thanks for the clarification nonetheless ^
In that case you will of course have access to the FCT. All you needed was to check this thread where similar questions have been asked ad nauseam. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/lufth...-fct-faqs.html

Personally I would have selected a later FRA-MUC flight to spend more time in the FCT unless you need to spend the whole day in Munich.
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Old Jul 14, 2016, 4:06 am
  #3581  
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
Having never arrived and terminated in FRA on LH F, just a quick question regarding accessing the FCL on arrival:

I know that I can just head over to either of the two FCLs and present my boarding pass to enter. But what happens to the checked bag?

Do I just leave it going around the carousel and locate it when I am entering the city? Or do they get taken to a different place after a certain amount of time?

TIA
stargold is offline  
Old Jul 14, 2016, 6:03 am
  #3582  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,455
Usually bags not claimed will go to "Lost&Found" where you can pick them up. Now, if you really spend a long time in the lounge, it might already have been moved to a long-term storage.

With the system in FRA (bags coming out "landside" with a simple "do not enter" sign, and very infrequent bag tag checks) I never felt very secure to leave the bags on the belt for some time, to be honest..
YuropFlyer is offline  
Old Jul 15, 2016, 3:50 am
  #3583  
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
Thanks for that. I might have to think about squeezing my carry-on a bit more to avoid checking luggage if I opt for this.
stargold is offline  
Old Jul 20, 2016, 2:40 am
  #3584  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
I have a few hours to kill here soon, any great ideas
about specific single malts or anything else - rare and great -
to try? Anything good for lunch?
Big_Foot is offline  
Old Jul 20, 2016, 3:40 am
  #3585  
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
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Originally Posted by Big_Foot
I have a few hours to kill here soon, any great ideas
about specific single malts or anything else - rare and great -
to try? Anything good for lunch?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/lufth...ce-thread.html
NewbieRunner is online now  


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