First time traveling out of Istanbul on Lufthansa. Had a paid First Class ticket. Upon check-in, was given an invitation and directed to the Millenium Lounge, a cheesy little runt of a lounge on the other side of the terminal from the CIP lounge. There was no place to sit and the F&B was terrible.

Luckily I knew about the existence of the CIP lounge. I eventually found my way there and was inside and enjoying it in no time.

It seems truly absurd that Lufthansa is directing its First and Business class passengers to an inferior lounge when clearly we were eligible to use the wonderful CIP lounge.

Why would LH do this? It seems so inconsistent with its otherwise marvelous premium class travel program. Do they pay a much higher user fee if they send someone to CIP?