Community
Wiki Posts
Search
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.

Print Wikipost

The FRA F/HON First Class Terminal FCT FAQ

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 22, 2022, 5:24 am
  #5386  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,006
Originally Posted by Sunriser
Sorry, I am confused now

so free is:

wife + Children under 18
1 additional guest

charge of 130 Euro for further additional guests..

did I get that right?
Yes. I defer in the question of additional guests to Chris63. I am neither a HON nor an F flyer, I am working from official info and FT discussions.
Fabo.sk is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 6:56 am
  #5387  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Originally Posted by Fabo.sk
Sounds like FCL A. I'm not a huge fan either.
Originally Posted by Fabo.sk
Food and wine wise, yes, but for general ambiance (and the whisky bar) I prefer SEN E to FCL A. Of course if you are deciding between FCL A and SEN E, then you can just go to FCL E and get the best of both worlds.



That should be possible, as spouse and children get access in addition to the companion. If it was two friends, it would not be possible. Of course as long as all three of you are on the same flight.
Access can be bought to Business and SEN lounges for extra guests. I don't believe it's an option for any FCL in LH group system.
Originally Posted by Fabo.sk
Yes. I defer in the question of additional guests to Chris63. I am neither a HON nor an F flyer, I am working from official info and FT discussions.
What is the motive to reply regarding LX lounges in FCT thread and respond at all in FCT thread without having F and FCT experience and/or HON status? I am sure that frequent F flyers and HONs can reply by themselves without need to defer from anyone. Readers would need to know responses regarding the knowledge and experience, not what someone believes.
Sort of reminds me another member who overfload threads with mostly useless responses, b...t and with a few useful responses during the eighteen months at minimum average sixteen posts per each single day to get the Evangelist status in profile and then slowing the responses down.
Jaenks is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 7:38 am
  #5388  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,581
Originally Posted by Sunriser
Sorry, I am confused now

so free is:

wife + Children under 18
1 additional guest

charge of 130 Euro for further additional guests..

did I get that right?
Yes but it might be more than 130 EUR for additional guests over and above the 1 you are allowed to guest
chris63 is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 7:54 am
  #5389  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,006
Originally Posted by Jaenks
What is the motive to reply regarding LX lounges in FCT thread and respond at all in FCT thread without having F and FCT experience and/or HON status? I am sure that frequent F flyers and HONs can reply by themselves without need to defer from anyone. Readers would need to know responses regarding the knowledge and experience, not what someone believes.
Sort of reminds me another member who overfload threads with mostly useless responses, b...t and with a few useful responses during the eighteen months at minimum average sixteen posts per each single day to get the Evangelist status in profile and then slowing the responses down.
FCL A was brought up by SuperFlyBoy. I commented on ZRH FCL A vs E lounge because these are the lounges I have experience with. I am also familiar with the entry rules re. family and guests so I see no reason not to respond to that.

I defer to chris63 in question of unpublished benefits. You'll note he's not sure about the price either, so maybe he should not reply either, neither should you and Sunrise should be left to his own devices?
Fabo.sk is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 8:34 am
  #5390  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Originally Posted by Fabo.sk
FCL A was brought up by SuperFlyBoy. I commented on ZRH FCL A vs E lounge because these are the lounges I have experience with. I am also familiar with the entry rules re. family and guests so I see no reason not to respond to that.

I defer to chris63 in question of unpublished benefits. You'll note he's not sure about the price either, so maybe he should not reply either, neither should you and Sunrise should be left to his own devices?
I am sure that you can provide the proper thread for ZRH lounge to be moved, which should be a case since those who need information about lounge's in ZRH can find all necessary information in a proper thread.
Why to comment your experience in ZRH airport when the thread is about FCT???
I don't remember that I replied to the price request. Neither should you reply in the thread when you don't have any kind of experience and/or knowledge. Everyone should stick with own experience and knowledge.
Sunrise question was about FCL access in FCT thread. He could wait until someone who has paid before FCL access answers or even better, visiting shortly FCL and can ask about the feei. There is a thread about FCL lounge and the question should be moved to there. Not read the answers" I don't know", "I don't have experience" etc. If I want to read about someone's ZRH lounge's preferences, I am certainly would not search it in FCT thread nor sharing mine.
Jaenks is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 9:12 am
  #5391  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 75
Guys… relax..

And no, my question was in reference to FCT since this is a FCT thread, or not?

However. I assume it does not matter since the rules should be the same for FCL or FCT?

so first question is answered? I can get my wife plus 1 additional guest into the FCT for no fee

thank you!
Sunriser is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 9:37 am
  #5392  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,581
Originally Posted by Sunriser

And no, my question was in reference to FCT since this is a FCT thread, or not?

However. I assume it does not matter since the rules should be the same for FCL or FCT?

so first question is answered? I can get my wife plus 1 additional guest into the FCT for no fee

thank you!
Yes, rules are same across all F lounges & FCT

Congratulations on your new HON status, enjoy
Sunriser likes this.
chris63 is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 10:15 am
  #5393  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Originally Posted by Sunriser
Guys… relax..

And no, my question was in reference to FCT since this is a FCT thread, or not?

However. I assume it does not matter since the rules should be the same for FCL or FCT?

so first question is answered? I can get my wife plus 1 additional guest into the FCT for no fee

thank you!
Originally Posted by chris63
Yes, rules are same across all F lounges & FCT

Congratulations on your new HON status, enjoy
There is one difference in guesting rules between FCL and FCT. While F passenger guesting someone(+1) into FCT requires to be on the same flight, to guest into FCL doesn't have same flight requirement. Confirmed personally by FCT and FCL assistants two days ago when asked about guesting a friend who arrived to FRA from OU flight J and continued with LH flight in J different than mine. By the rules, guest cannot stay longer than host in FCL but it depends the decision of lounge assistant on that day.
Jaenks is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 2:02 pm
  #5394  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,610
Originally Posted by Jaenks
There is one difference in guesting rules between FCL and FCT. While F passenger guesting someone(+1) into FCT requires to be on the same flight, to guest into FCL doesn't have same flight requirement. Confirmed personally by FCT and FCL assistants two days ago when asked about guesting a friend who arrived to FRA from OU flight J and continued with LH flight in J different than mine. By the rules, guest cannot stay longer than host in FCL but it depends the decision of lounge assistant on that day.
Note that the guest does not get a van/limo transfer (where applicable) but has to walk to the gate from the FCL.
MichielR is online now  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 2:20 pm
  #5395  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Originally Posted by MichielR
Note that the guest does not get a van/limo transfer (where applicable) but has to walk to the gate from the FCL.
Yes. That is the reason why guest must be on the same flight at FCT, transfer will be on same car/van. Short walk from FCL A when gate is A1x or A5x.
Jaenks is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 2:26 pm
  #5396  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,581
Originally Posted by Jaenks
There is one difference in guesting rules between FCL and FCT. While F passenger guesting someone(+1) into FCT requires to be on the same flight, to guest into FCL doesn't have same flight requirement. Confirmed personally by FCT and FCL assistants two days ago when asked about guesting a friend who arrived to FRA from OU flight J and continued with LH flight in J different than mine. By the rules, guest cannot stay longer than host in FCL but it depends the decision of lounge assistant on that day.
Wow, so now they PA’s are making it up as it goes, the rules are clear, guests of HON pax need to be on the same flight, good for you but the confusion continues
Fabo.sk likes this.
chris63 is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 3:09 pm
  #5397  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Originally Posted by chris63
Wow, so now they PA’s are making it up as it goes, the rules are clear, guests of HON pax need to be on the same flight, good for you but the confusion continues
I was F passenger, not HON. Honestly, I was confused because I am aware about the same flight rule and asked twice from FCT PA before going to FCL. Btw. the suggestion of using FCL for guesting came pro-actively from PA during our conversation. At FCL entrance there was no issue at all about the guest.
Jaenks is offline  
Old Jun 23, 2022, 1:15 am
  #5398  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,581
Originally Posted by Jaenks
I was F passenger, not HON. Honestly, I was confused because I am aware about the same flight rule and asked twice from FCT PA before going to FCL. Btw. the suggestion of using FCL for guesting came pro-actively from PA during our conversation. At FCL entrance there was no issue at all about the guest.
The same flight is actually a *A rule now, anyway LH are being cheap using that rule for F & HON pax, nice to see you received genuine hospitality
chris63 is offline  
Old Jun 23, 2022, 1:19 am
  #5399  
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,132
Originally Posted by chris63
Wow, so now they PA’s are making it up as it goes, the rules are clear, guests of HON pax need to be on the same flight, good for you but the confusion continues
You have to be on the same flight, either arriving or departing, so the PA acted correctly.
oliver2002 is offline  
Old Jun 23, 2022, 2:28 am
  #5400  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 3,414
Originally Posted by oliver2002
You have to be on the same flight, either arriving or departing, so the PA acted correctly.
this.

the walking to the plane therefore applies if you arrive on the same but depart on separate flights
MichielR likes this.
daumueller is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.