My wife and I will be flying out of Frankfurt in a couple weeks and I noticed that the AAdmirals Club is pre-security. I also noticed that there are BA, CX, JL and IB lounges post security. Anyone have a suggestion for which to use, based both on proximity to AA gates and quality of lounge?

The AC (in my opinion) is rather dismal; reminds me of the old FL at Heathrow (pre-remodeling which I gather is now nearly done?) However, security for AA flights is a dedicated unit right at the departure gates, so there's not a lot of time spent waiting in the queue for security once you leave the AC en route to the gate.

I can't comment on the other lounges; haven't had the occasion.

We will move this thread to the oneworld forum for participants who have most likely experienced the other lounges

The CX and BA lounges are in the other terminal, and if your AA flight isn't leaving from that side, it's about a 20 minute walk/ride to get over there. Not worth it.

BA -- Absolutely dingiest most unappealing lounge ever. It's in the basement, serves the minimum cookies and crackers, and smells funny. Avoid at all costs.

CX -- Not much better than the Admiral's Club, which I prefer because the service is significantly better. Showers are dodgy, the decor is circa 1970s chain hotel, and the food is nothing to write home about.

Your best bet is to stay in the Admiral's Club until you have to get up, go through security, and spend your time browsing at the shopping (just okay IMHO).

Enjoy.

Agree....done the BA and AA lounges. While neither is "top shelf" in my opinion, the folks at the AA lounge seem nicer and more willing to assist. My experience in the BA left much to be desired. YMMV.

I've only been to the IB lounge, which is in T-2, not practical. It is airy, pretty nice but not as nice as the IB lounges in Madrid.

I happen to think the AC is OK. The staff is nice. It has a cell phone/non-cell phone section. IMHO it has a nice intimate feel about it. Showers are good. Just be careful about getting through passport control. Sometime the you can waltz right through, other times there is a wait.

The big problem is that most OW flights depart from T2 while you will be departing from T1.
The BA and CX lounges are nothing to write home about as others have said, but I don't think they are bad either. They are furnished rooms to hang out with some drinks and some food. CX has better food that BA.
I actually prefer the JL lounge. The agents will give you this funny look when you want to come in but it is usually quite nice. Again, nothing to write home about.
The other problem you will phase are opening hours. Those lounges are only open for certain flights and act as contract lounges for other carriers during other times. So depending on your departure you might not get any access.

Thanks for all the replies. I guess we'll just stick with the AAdmiral's Club and leave for the gate early. One last question, is there food or adult beverages in the AC?

Self-serve adult beverages (beer and liquor).

In the morning they have German rolls and jam. Last Sunday early afternoon they had a very good potato soup with the above mentioned rolls.

Oh, if you don't need to check luggage, you can check-in in the club.

Frankly all the OW lounges at FRA at pretty grim IMHO, amazing for such a big important hub

And don't forget that many "adult beverages" are perfectly legal and fine to drink for children in Germany and other European countries.

Indeed.

For at least on FA on AA FLT 71 (J) departing FRA it was just fine to serve my 17 year old daughter wine. I asked and he said no problem.

Another comment, I am sitting in the BA lounge and it is OK. Not in the basement as someone else said, but onlevel three. Gates and security are both on level 3.

That being said, there is more natural lighting here than in the AC. The BA lounge is behind passport control, but before securuty, close to the JAL lounge.

Open bar, 5 or 6 liquors, 5 wines, 1 beer, small sandwiches, sweets, free wireless with 4 PCs.

The carpet is a bit worn, as are some of the chairs.

The lounge dragon was actually quite nice when I entered, just looked at my boarding pass and at his monitor. Didn't even ask to see my card, though the CA did ask if I had my card before asking if I would be visitng the lounge.

So far I would put the IB lounge first, then the BA/ACs as neck and neck.

Maybe I'll wander up and see what the JAL lounge has going for it.

The negative about the AC is that it is outside of security. The positive is that the agents in the AC are great. They've solved several booking problems for me over the years.

1. Is the BA lounge at FRA still exist? ba.com says it is now a partner lounge with chargeable WiFi.

2. Is there really a separate F section in CX FRA lounge?

3. If I depart on the JAL flight out of FRA, will I be able to access ALL of IB, CX (provided if I arrive early), AA and JL lounges? I believe all are post security except for AA?

4. Is there any lounge from where I can conveniently take bottles of water onto the JL plane? Is there any lounge that is post security for the JAL flight yet provides small size bottled water?