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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 Dec 20, 2013, 5:40 am
  #2746  
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Originally Posted by michaelpowell44
The wiki above gives me hope of entry to the FCT.
However reading the rules stated on the LH lounge types and access rules page which are below makes me think not.

Here is my routing.
ORD-FRA LH F
9 Hour Connection time.
FRA-CPH LH C

Traveling on the 22/23rd of december and very excited.
If ORD-FRA departs on 22DEC and arrives 23DEC, as long as your FRA-CPH flight departs on 23DEC, you will be able to access the FCT.
SFO777 is offline  
Old Dec 20, 2013, 7:44 am
  #2747  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
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Great. Thanks SFO777 for the confirm. Is it an enjoyable experience?
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Old Dec 20, 2013, 11:28 am
  #2748  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Originally Posted by michaelpowell44
Great. Thanks SFO777 for the confirm. Is it an enjoyable experience?
Not for 9 hours .
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Old Dec 21, 2013, 1:58 pm
  #2749  
 
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My DH and I are arriving from JFK on LH in F. We have a nine hour layover before our J class flt to TXL.

We would like to do the following and just want to verify this can be done.

Arrive in FRA. Go thru immigration. Can we then walk to the FCT? We would then like to freshen up, shower and rest. Then we would like to go to FRA and walk around a bit.

Here is where it gets tricky, I think. Can we come back to the FCT to hang out before our LH flight in J to TXL? If so, do we just once again show our arrival BP? If not, can we use the airside F lounge and get a car transfer to the plane?
I have had this experience and I wanted my DH to get it if possible. He's not yet flown INTL F and I'm looking forward to him enjoying it.

Thanks
cruisr is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2013, 2:03 pm
  #2750  
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Originally Posted by cruisr
My DH and I are arriving from JFK on LH in F. We have a nine hour layover before our J class flt to TXL.

We would like to do the following and just want to verify this can be done.

Arrive in FRA. Go thru immigration. Can we then walk to the FCT? We would then like to freshen up, shower and rest. Then we would like to go to FRA and walk around a bit.

Here is where it gets tricky, I think. Can we come back to the FCT to hang out before our LH flight in J to TXL? If so, do we just once again show our arrival BP? If not, can we use the airside F lounge and get a car transfer to the plane?
I have had this experience and I wanted my DH to get it if possible. He's not yet flown INTL F and I'm looking forward to him enjoying it.

Thanks
A better option would be to go to one of the FCLs in the main terminal on arrival for shower, rest, etc., go into Frankfurt, return to FRA and go to the FCT. Your arriving BP should get you into the latter.
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Old Dec 21, 2013, 2:11 pm
  #2751  
 
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Originally Posted by cruisr
My DH and I are arriving from JFK on LH in F. We have a nine hour layover before our J class flt to TXL.

We would like to do the following and just want to verify this can be done.

Arrive in FRA. Go thru immigration. Can we then walk to the FCT? We would then like to freshen up, shower and rest. Then we would like to go to FRA and walk around a bit.

Here is where it gets tricky, I think. Can we come back to the FCT to hang out before our LH flight in J to TXL? If so, do we just once again show our arrival BP? If not, can we use the airside F lounge and get a car transfer to the plane?
I have had this experience and I wanted my DH to get it if possible. He's not yet flown INTL F and I'm looking forward to him enjoying it.

Thanks
Yes, you can walk to the FCT, but there has been conflicting information as to whether you will be allowed in.

However, either way, I would recommend that you first go to the Schengen FCL A13 instead. It will be much easier to reach upon landing than the FCT (I believe the sleeping rooms are better than at the FCT in case you want to rest a little like you say). Anyway, while at the FCL A13, ask about access to the FCT. If they say you don't have access to the FCT, just come back to FCL A13. Chances are that the TXL flight will require a car transfer even from the FCL. If you do have FCT access, I'd recommend taking a taxi to get back from town and having the taxi drop of you off directly at the FCT.

Yes, you can leave and re-enter the FCT, but it'd be a little weird honestly. With the FCL it will be normal.

Make sure to go to the JFK LH FCL as well.
FlyingXplorer is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2013, 2:22 pm
  #2752  
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Originally Posted by FlyingExplorer
Anyway, while at the FCL A13, ask about access to the FCT. If they say you don't have access to the FCT, just come back to FCL A13.
I suggest cruisr does not ask about access at the FCL as they are likely to give the official answer that connecting pax do not have access to the FCT.
NewbieRunner is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2013, 4:27 pm
  #2753  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: southUSA
Posts: 398
So the official answer is arriving f on lh but departing same day in j lh does not have access to FCT?
michaelpowell44 is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2013, 5:00 pm
  #2754  
 
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Originally Posted by michaelpowell44
So the official answer is arriving f on lh but departing same day in j lh does not have access to FCT?
The "official" answer is very different from what has happened for years in practice.
jasonvr is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2013, 5:17 pm
  #2755  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: southUSA
Posts: 398
Originally Posted by jasonvr
The "official" answer is very different from what has happened for years in practice.
Hahaha. Ok well I am sure going to try.

Thanks for all of you fter's help.
michaelpowell44 is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2013, 6:55 pm
  #2756  
 
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Originally Posted by jasonvr
The "official" answer is very different from what has happened for years in practice.
Well, the official answer used to be different, so years of experience doesn't really mean that much in this case.
FlyingXplorer is offline  
Old Dec 22, 2013, 2:52 am
  #2757  
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
 
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Originally Posted by FlyingExplorer
Well, the official answer used to be different, so years of experience doesn't really mean that much in this case.
What was the official answer?
NewbieRunner is offline  
Old Dec 22, 2013, 8:08 am
  #2758  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
+1 - 9 hours in a lounge is a just a 'wee bit' too long since you can be in FRA city centre within 20 minutes. In the past I've dropped off my carry on bags at FCT and went about going to FRA or doing other things at the airport with LH, then return to FCT for my onward flight. I imagine that you should have no problem doing this.


Originally Posted by NewbieRunner
A better option would be to go to one of the FCLs in the main terminal on arrival for shower, rest, etc., go into Frankfurt, return to FRA and go to the FCT. Your arriving BP should get you into the latter.
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Old Dec 22, 2013, 8:14 am
  #2759  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
Originally Posted by FlyingExplorer
Yes, you can walk to the FCT, but there has been conflicting information as to whether you will be allowed in.

However, either way, I would recommend that you first go to the Schengen FCL A13 instead. It will be much easier to reach upon landing than the FCT (I believe the sleeping rooms are better than at the FCT in case you want to rest a little like you say). Anyway, while at the FCL A13, ask about access to the FCT. If they say you don't have access to the FCT, just come back to FCL A13. Chances are that the TXL flight will require a car transfer even from the FCL. If you do have FCT access, I'd recommend taking a taxi to get back from town and having the taxi drop of you off directly at the FCT.

Yes, you can leave and re-enter the FCT, but it'd be a little weird honestly. With the FCL it will be normal.

Make sure to go to the JFK LH FCL as well.
As long as you have a same day connecting flight on LH group metal, and you came off of an F flight earlier in the day, there is no problem with access to FCT. The key is the F and connection flight happening the same day. Have done that many many times.

I agree with hitting the FCL instead of FCT initially since it is easier and less conspicuous if you leave, but perfectly OK to go to FCT to drop off bags if spending time in FRA etc.
LufthansaFlyer is offline  
Old Dec 22, 2013, 8:19 am
  #2760  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
Originally Posted by michaelpowell44
The wiki above gives me hope of entry to the FCT.

However reading the rules stated on the LH lounge types and access rules page which are below makes me think not.

Here is my routing.

ORD-FRA LH F
9 Hour Connection time.
FRA-CPH LH C

1) 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.

(2) The following passengers may also access the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge at Frankfurt Airport:
- Passengers of United Airlines (First and Business Class and Global Services cardholders) and Continental Airlines (Business Class) arriving in Frankfurt
- Passengers arriving in Frankfurt after a Lufthansa intercontinental flight (First and Business Class) via Dusseldorf or Munich


Does this mean I do not have access?
Star gold if that changes anything.

Traveling on the 22/23rd of december and very excited.
WIKI should never be taken as policy...EVER!

Based on your itinerary you can access FCT
LufthansaFlyer is offline  


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