I recently visited the LH Lounge (T1) and the Varig Lounge (T4) at JFK. Both lounges are pre-security, so that anyone with the proper credentials can access it regardless of booked Star Alliance flight.
LH Lounge Report
"Soon you won't be able to do this!" was the welcoming reply from the LH warden as I presented my UA C class ticket and my UA 1K card.
"Why?" I asked.
I was told rather tersely that they were reconfiguring the lounge "soon" so that entrance will be after security screening-- and given that security lines can be long entering the finger pier at T1, I can see this as a benefit for those flying out of T1. For those of us not flying from T1 that day, this will be a loss.
With that the LH warden waved me towards the Business Class Lounge.
Later, I decided to relax in the more comfortable and better stocked Senator Lounge which involves passing by the Warden's desk again.
"May I help you?" the Warden called out after me. This was a sure sign that no help was actually being proffered.
"No, I'm fine" as I strode to the Senator Lounge.
"You can't go there!" was the penetrating reply.
This resulted in a rather long conversation where I was told that since I had a C class ticket, I could only use the Business Class Lounge. I reminded Madam Warden that I also had a Star Alliance Gold Card which I had shown her.
To which she replied, "you're not even flying LH!" I did console her with the fact that my return flight was via LH.
She then claimed that "an exception" has been made that because of the small size of the JFK lounge, the Senator Lounge is limited to First Class pax only. Having checked LH's website the night before for any rules changes or exceptions, and finding none, I mentioned to her that she was simply making up the rules as she went along, and that if all Star Alliance members did the same, there would be anarchy.
But that if she could show me this new unpublished policy in writing, I would abide by them.
"Have a seat (in the Business Class Lounge), and if I have time, I'll print it out. I'm very busy now" was her reply. Ah, the classic brush off. There was no one else near her desk.
Eventually she relented and I was allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the Senator Lounge.
I think a letter to LH management about this is in order.
___
Varig Lounge
The welcome at the Varig Lounge was no better.
"You must be on a Varig flight to use this lounge" was the reply when I presented my documentation.
When I mentioned that a benefit of the Star Alliance was that any Star Alliance flight counted, she replied that she had to check whether my United Airlines flight was a Star Alliance member. While she was rummaging in some book, fervently flipping pages to research this information, I pointed out the United airlines name and logo on the Star Alliance totem pole which was perched right on the counter top.
I refrained from mentioning that United was a founding member of the Alliance.
"Your terminal is very far from this lounge!" was the last volley as she finally relented and I was allowed to enter the Varig Lounge.
Sheesh.
Two different airline lounges. Two difficult times entering the lounge.
