Last edit by: Rus925
Why does this lounge have its own thread?
Unlike most non–United Club Star Alliance (*A) lounges in the United States, the Lufthansa lounge at IAD is physically accessible to domestic UA passengers. This means:
There are two floors to the lounge: the concourse level, where you enter and check in, which also has the Senator lounge with ample windows; and the lower level, which has the Business lounge and showers. (The showers are very nice; on par with Senator lounge showers in Lufthansa's Frankfurt hub.)
The Senator lounge offers a complimentary buffet throughout the day. In the morning, there's a continental breakfast; at 1:30 p.m., they put out a hot buffet. Bottled beer and wine (including champagne) are available all day, with draught beer and spirits additionally available after 1 p.m.
[Need description of FTL offering. Include photos?]
How do I get there?
The lounge is located at the center of the B concourse, from where non-US airlines depart, to the right of the Aerotrain escalators as you enter the concourse from the train.
Hours have changed seasonally, but, as of June 2015, are 8:20 to 22:00. Some report the lounge opening earlier on occasion and some report it closing earlier on occasion.
From TSA/check-in, the B concourse is one stop away by Aerotrain, but in the opposite direction of the C concourse from where most United flights depart. When proceeding from the lounge to most UA flights, allow 20 minutes to get to the center of the C concourse, 25 if going to the far end of the D concourse.
To go to the C concourse, walk back to the Aerotrain stop and take it back to the main terminal; stay on it there and at the A concourse stop, then exit at the C stop. The walk from there to your gate may take more time than the rest of the commute.
To get to the D concourse if you're traveling light (or if you need to walk off the food you just ate), stroll briskly all the way down the B concourse and then go up the skybridge over to the A concourse. Bear right as you get off the stairs or escalators and you'll be at the mobile-lounge stop. Take that to the D concourse; enjoy the view of airplanes along the way.
Weighed down by luggage? Take the Aerotrain back to the main terminal, then head upstairs and take a mobile lounge to the D concourse.
How do I get inside?
With...
In all cases, each guest must also present a same-day *A boarding pass for admission.
Lounge access for travel in a domestic premium cabin is not regulated by *A; as such, UA F domestic passengers (without other credentials) do not have access to the LH Lounge according to *A.com, just as they do not have access to the United Clubs. However, the international requirement for C/F tickets is conspicuously absent from Lufthansa's own lounge access sheet (see below), and domestic UA F passengers have reported admission. (Senator lounge, 1 guest)
[If we get (semi-)official confirmation of this policy, we'll add this to the bullets.]
Provided the lounge does not get overcrowded, as is often the case on US-based LH lounges, you may exit and re-enter the lounge as often as you wish. Note that if you are entering on a lounge pass, re-entry might not be allowed.
If your access question wasn't addressed by the above, first check the *A access policy and LH's official access policy, generally relying on the least restrictive policy of the two if they appear to conflict. If they answer a question that this wiki couldn't, update this wiki to help others! And if they don't, ask in the thread!
So, can I use the lounge upon arrival in IAD?
Only LH/LX SEN/HON (on any *A carrier) and LH/LX F passengers have access to the lounge upon arrival at IAD without regard to onward travel. See the list above for more details. There are reports, however, of passengers not meeting this criteria presenting their arriving boarding pass and still being admitted.
If you are connecting from an international flight in business class to a flight in economy and do not otherwise have lounge access, you might choose to fly United on your international segment, instead of another carrier, as United will admit its own arriving international BusinessFirst passengers to its United Clubs without regard to onward travel. If this is MileagePlus award travel, and the onward segment is on United and in economy because of a lack of award availability, you may also want to consider waitlisting for business class.
Furthermore, note that international passengers whose journey ends at IAD will be ferried by mobile lounge to the International Arrivals Building, which deposits passengers landside, to claim their bags and clear customs. [Can pax without checked bags choose to clear CBP in concourse C regardless?]
How does the Senator lounge compare to the newest Senator lounges in FRA?
Not favorably. The Senator lounge is like the old FRA lounges: cramped, and before a LH flight departure, crowded. There is a seating area set aside for first class passengers, which is less crowded. Perhaps due to the crowding, LH offers its departing F pax preboarding from the Senator lounge, something which the FRA/MUC FCT/FCL does not offer but is common among LH's outstation lounges. So, enjoying champagne and macadamias at the nose or upper deck while waiting is a nice feature of the IAD Senator lounge. [Still true?]
How does it compare to the United Clubs?
[Somebody write a succinct answer to this. Please discuss SEN vs. FTL areas, too, or at least mention if there's no difference anymore.]
How does the Senator lounge compare to the United GFL?
Apparently the GFL now has better champagne and food than the Senator lounge. However, there may be superior, "first class" champagne available for visitors traveling in first class. [Somebody please write more about this.]
This sounds too good to be true!
Lufthansa agrees! There were rumors that, effective January 1, 2015, LH's Business Lounges would become its *G lounges, which would mean non-LH *Gs would be directed downstairs to the Business lounge after that date; as of May 2015, however, this has not happened. There was some discussion of exceptions, most notable being that *G traveling in longhaul business class would still be admitted to the SEN lounge.
Lufthansa has been more generous than most *A airlines in admitting *Gs to its designated *A First class lounges—not even UA's own 1Ks get to visit United's first class lounges without a first class ticket—so this change would have brought Lufthansa somewhat more in line with the rest of the alliance.
Original thread: Consolidated "Access to Lufthansa Lounge at IAD" Thread [Merged]
Unlike most non–United Club Star Alliance (*A) lounges in the United States, the Lufthansa lounge at IAD is physically accessible to domestic UA passengers. This means:
- United *G members may access the lounge on domestic itineraries, even though they wouldn't be allowed free access to the United Clubs on such itineraries.
- Passengers who otherwise have United Club access, whether due to a paid membership, premium cabin ticket, or a foreign *G card, have a nicer option in IAD.
There are two floors to the lounge: the concourse level, where you enter and check in, which also has the Senator lounge with ample windows; and the lower level, which has the Business lounge and showers. (The showers are very nice; on par with Senator lounge showers in Lufthansa's Frankfurt hub.)
The Senator lounge offers a complimentary buffet throughout the day. In the morning, there's a continental breakfast; at 1:30 p.m., they put out a hot buffet. Bottled beer and wine (including champagne) are available all day, with draught beer and spirits additionally available after 1 p.m.
[Need description of FTL offering. Include photos?]
How do I get there?
The lounge is located at the center of the B concourse, from where non-US airlines depart, to the right of the Aerotrain escalators as you enter the concourse from the train.
Hours have changed seasonally, but, as of June 2015, are 8:20 to 22:00. Some report the lounge opening earlier on occasion and some report it closing earlier on occasion.
From TSA/check-in, the B concourse is one stop away by Aerotrain, but in the opposite direction of the C concourse from where most United flights depart. When proceeding from the lounge to most UA flights, allow 20 minutes to get to the center of the C concourse, 25 if going to the far end of the D concourse.
To go to the C concourse, walk back to the Aerotrain stop and take it back to the main terminal; stay on it there and at the A concourse stop, then exit at the C stop. The walk from there to your gate may take more time than the rest of the commute.
To get to the D concourse if you're traveling light (or if you need to walk off the food you just ate), stroll briskly all the way down the B concourse and then go up the skybridge over to the A concourse. Bear right as you get off the stairs or escalators and you'll be at the mobile-lounge stop. Take that to the D concourse; enjoy the view of airplanes along the way.
Weighed down by luggage? Take the Aerotrain back to the main terminal, then head upstairs and take a mobile lounge to the D concourse.
How do I get inside?
With...
- Any Star Gold (*G) card (including UA Premier Gold and higher) and a same-day departing *A boarding pass in any class to any destination, domestic or international. There are reports (April 2014) that the physical card is no longer necessary; a *G designation on the boarding pass reflected in the barcode may be sufficient. (Senator lounge, 1 guest)
- A LH/LX HON/SEN card and a same-day departing or arriving *A boarding pass to/from any destination, domestic or international. (Senator lounge, 1 guest [plus spouse if HON] plus children under 18)
- A LH/LX FTL card and a same-day departing *A boarding pass in any class to any destination, domestic or international. (Business lounge, no guests)
- A LH Premium Economy boarding pass with ($35 adult/$20 2-12yo child) lounge pass purchased at the ticket counter. [Can it be paid at the entrance?] (Business lounge, no guests)
- A United Club or Maple Leaf Lounge Worldwide membership card and a same-day departing *A boarding pass in any class to any destination, domestic or international. (Business lounge, 1 guest)
- A same-day international departing *A First (Senator lounge, 1 guest) or Business (Business lounge, no guests) boarding pass
- A same-day arriving LH/LX First boarding pass. (Senator lounge, 1 guest)
In all cases, each guest must also present a same-day *A boarding pass for admission.
Lounge access for travel in a domestic premium cabin is not regulated by *A; as such, UA F domestic passengers (without other credentials) do not have access to the LH Lounge according to *A.com, just as they do not have access to the United Clubs. However, the international requirement for C/F tickets is conspicuously absent from Lufthansa's own lounge access sheet (see below), and domestic UA F passengers have reported admission. (Senator lounge, 1 guest)
[If we get (semi-)official confirmation of this policy, we'll add this to the bullets.]
Provided the lounge does not get overcrowded, as is often the case on US-based LH lounges, you may exit and re-enter the lounge as often as you wish. Note that if you are entering on a lounge pass, re-entry might not be allowed.
If your access question wasn't addressed by the above, first check the *A access policy and LH's official access policy, generally relying on the least restrictive policy of the two if they appear to conflict. If they answer a question that this wiki couldn't, update this wiki to help others! And if they don't, ask in the thread!
So, can I use the lounge upon arrival in IAD?
Only LH/LX SEN/HON (on any *A carrier) and LH/LX F passengers have access to the lounge upon arrival at IAD without regard to onward travel. See the list above for more details. There are reports, however, of passengers not meeting this criteria presenting their arriving boarding pass and still being admitted.
If you are connecting from an international flight in business class to a flight in economy and do not otherwise have lounge access, you might choose to fly United on your international segment, instead of another carrier, as United will admit its own arriving international BusinessFirst passengers to its United Clubs without regard to onward travel. If this is MileagePlus award travel, and the onward segment is on United and in economy because of a lack of award availability, you may also want to consider waitlisting for business class.
Furthermore, note that international passengers whose journey ends at IAD will be ferried by mobile lounge to the International Arrivals Building, which deposits passengers landside, to claim their bags and clear customs. [Can pax without checked bags choose to clear CBP in concourse C regardless?]
How does the Senator lounge compare to the newest Senator lounges in FRA?
Not favorably. The Senator lounge is like the old FRA lounges: cramped, and before a LH flight departure, crowded. There is a seating area set aside for first class passengers, which is less crowded. Perhaps due to the crowding, LH offers its departing F pax preboarding from the Senator lounge, something which the FRA/MUC FCT/FCL does not offer but is common among LH's outstation lounges. So, enjoying champagne and macadamias at the nose or upper deck while waiting is a nice feature of the IAD Senator lounge. [Still true?]
How does it compare to the United Clubs?
[Somebody write a succinct answer to this. Please discuss SEN vs. FTL areas, too, or at least mention if there's no difference anymore.]
How does the Senator lounge compare to the United GFL?
Apparently the GFL now has better champagne and food than the Senator lounge. However, there may be superior, "first class" champagne available for visitors traveling in first class. [Somebody please write more about this.]
This sounds too good to be true!
Lufthansa agrees! There were rumors that, effective January 1, 2015, LH's Business Lounges would become its *G lounges, which would mean non-LH *Gs would be directed downstairs to the Business lounge after that date; as of May 2015, however, this has not happened. There was some discussion of exceptions, most notable being that *G traveling in longhaul business class would still be admitted to the SEN lounge.
Lufthansa has been more generous than most *A airlines in admitting *Gs to its designated *A First class lounges—not even UA's own 1Ks get to visit United's first class lounges without a first class ticket—so this change would have brought Lufthansa somewhat more in line with the rest of the alliance.
Original thread: Consolidated "Access to Lufthansa Lounge at IAD" Thread [Merged]
Consolidated "Access to Lufthansa Lounge at IAD" Thread [2014 forward]
#166
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,240
#167
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
I dont know the Operating Times, however, I would normally schedule a 4-5 Hour layover in IAD when UA flew to EZE from there. I had enjoyed my time (LH) well spent. Email and Work. Drink and Eat.. Rinse and Repeat.. Never was Dull (even after 6 or 7 times in a 24 month period.. Enjoy and Safe Travels..
Does the closing time of the lounge vary daily? Reading through some of the thread, I see multiple winter closing times.
I'll be flying PHL-IAD-DXB in early feb. The latest departure from PHL gets me to IAD at 8:46p for a 10:15 departure to DXB. PHL + IAD + UAX + Winter weather makes me want to take an earlier flight to prevent a possible 24hrs delay. However, the next earlier one gets me in at 3:50pm. I figure a 6hr wait may be more tolerable in the LH lounge. Maybe even get a shower before my flight.
I'll be flying PHL-IAD-DXB in early feb. The latest departure from PHL gets me to IAD at 8:46p for a 10:15 departure to DXB. PHL + IAD + UAX + Winter weather makes me want to take an earlier flight to prevent a possible 24hrs delay. However, the next earlier one gets me in at 3:50pm. I figure a 6hr wait may be more tolerable in the LH lounge. Maybe even get a shower before my flight.
#168
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
Here now. The food is really good (for a club). Mexican wedding soup, pork sliders, roasted wings w chimichurri sauce, mac-n-cheese, sandwiches, salads and some excellent chocolate tarts. And a big bowl of gummy bears (weird!)
There is a bartender so no serve yourself liquor. It opened about 1:40PM with a small line already formed out the door. (sign said 1:30) Very easy to get to from C, although looking at the map I can see it would be a hassle from the other terminals.
I just showed my BP (*G, intl biz) and was shown the door to The Senator's Lounge. Others were directed downstairs. There is a roped off FC section (empty).
Well worth the 12 minutes it took me to get here from C.
But once you've pigged out there is really no reason to stay (unless you plan on drinking). I think the atmosphere in the UA C club is much nicer and without the annoying elevator music.
There is a bartender so no serve yourself liquor. It opened about 1:40PM with a small line already formed out the door. (sign said 1:30) Very easy to get to from C, although looking at the map I can see it would be a hassle from the other terminals.
I just showed my BP (*G, intl biz) and was shown the door to The Senator's Lounge. Others were directed downstairs. There is a roped off FC section (empty).
Well worth the 12 minutes it took me to get here from C.
But once you've pigged out there is really no reason to stay (unless you plan on drinking). I think the atmosphere in the UA C club is much nicer and without the annoying elevator music.
#169
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 18
Visited today.
*G via United Plat + 1 guest with no status
Flying domestic coach on UA
Showed boarding passes, welcomed to the Senator's Lounge with no hassle.
Arrived around 8:30. Food is so-so...nothing hot, some fruit, yogurt, cereal, ham and cheese, etc...and definitely a bowl of gummy bears (I think they're actual Haribo Gold Bears from Germany and that's the tie-in for the seemingly out-of-place bowl of candy on the bar).
I like that they have name-brand liquor on a complimentary basis rather than the random plastic bottle rotgut in most of the UCs.
From reading other replies, it seems like the lunch food selection is a sight better than the breakfast. Regardless, well worth the 20 minute trip to the C gates rather than spending money on guest passes for the UC.
*G via United Plat + 1 guest with no status
Flying domestic coach on UA
Showed boarding passes, welcomed to the Senator's Lounge with no hassle.
Arrived around 8:30. Food is so-so...nothing hot, some fruit, yogurt, cereal, ham and cheese, etc...and definitely a bowl of gummy bears (I think they're actual Haribo Gold Bears from Germany and that's the tie-in for the seemingly out-of-place bowl of candy on the bar).
I like that they have name-brand liquor on a complimentary basis rather than the random plastic bottle rotgut in most of the UCs.
From reading other replies, it seems like the lunch food selection is a sight better than the breakfast. Regardless, well worth the 20 minute trip to the C gates rather than spending money on guest passes for the UC.
#170
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
I'm in there now. Closes at 545. Fairly crowded by less than UA. Emptying out now with the LH flights leaving.
Nice spread of foods
Edit: and now in the only one left. I guess that's my cue to leave for the UC
Nice spread of foods
Edit: and now in the only one left. I guess that's my cue to leave for the UC
Last edited by eng3; Feb 3, 2015 at 3:36 pm
#171
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Programs: UA 1K; Hilton: Diamond;Kimpton: ?? ; Omni: Black; Avis: First; Hertz: Five Star
Posts: 656
#172
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
I could have but I was full and theres not much reason to stick around after you stuff your face. I just headed over to the UC (further away) from my gate for some piece and quiet to attempt to get some sleep before my flight.
The LH lounge is pretty nice though compared to the DXB one. Not as good as in FRA ofcourse
The LH lounge is pretty nice though compared to the DXB one. Not as good as in FRA ofcourse
#173
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K, 1.1MM
Posts: 300
Lufthansa lounge at IAD flying domestic as S* Gold
I'm flying IAD-AUS. I'm United Gold, hence S* Gold. From. What I understand, even though I'm traveling domestic, I should be able to get in the Lufthansa lounge. Right?
My flight is leaving from gate C24R at 2pm. Can I physically get to to Lufthansa lounge? (I rarely travel through IAD so forgive my ignorance on this). If so, how long is the walk? I just want to prepare the timing.
Thanks in advance!
My flight is leaving from gate C24R at 2pm. Can I physically get to to Lufthansa lounge? (I rarely travel through IAD so forgive my ignorance on this). If so, how long is the walk? I just want to prepare the timing.
Thanks in advance!
#174
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,975
#175
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, TP Silver
Posts: 888
I'm flying IAD-AUS. I'm United Gold, hence S* Gold. From. What I understand, even though I'm traveling domestic, I should be able to get in the Lufthansa lounge. Right?
My flight is leaving from gate C24R at 2pm. Can I physically get to to Lufthansa lounge? (I rarely travel through IAD so forgive my ignorance on this). If so, how long is the walk? I just want to prepare the timing.
Thanks in advance!
My flight is leaving from gate C24R at 2pm. Can I physically get to to Lufthansa lounge? (I rarely travel through IAD so forgive my ignorance on this). If so, how long is the walk? I just want to prepare the timing.
Thanks in advance!
#177
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BWI, PHL, IAD
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; Mileage Plus 1K, 1 MM; Global Entry
Posts: 1,516
I'm flying IAD-AUS. I'm United Gold, hence S* Gold. From. What I understand, even though I'm traveling domestic, I should be able to get in the Lufthansa lounge. Right?
My flight is leaving from gate C24R at 2pm. Can I physically get to to Lufthansa lounge? (I rarely travel through IAD so forgive my ignorance on this). If so, how long is the walk? I just want to prepare the timing.
Thanks in advance!
My flight is leaving from gate C24R at 2pm. Can I physically get to to Lufthansa lounge? (I rarely travel through IAD so forgive my ignorance on this). If so, how long is the walk? I just want to prepare the timing.
Thanks in advance!
#178
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
LH Lounge closes after the last M&M flight boards. I was there Mar. 13 and the Lounge closed around 6:50 PM after the OS IAD-VIE flight boarded. It'll be nice when the IAD-MUC flight resumes for the summer so the Lounge will stay open later.
#179
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 677
We do this all the time. You can actually walk to B from the main terminal, or take the train. Just leave some time to get to the C gate, as there is no quick way to get there, but you can take the train or a moonbuggy. Since you are leaving from C I assume you are on a Star Alliance flight. You have to be departing the airport on a Star Alliance flight to get into the lounge.
Just in case one wants to get creative with the use of fully refundable tickets and such.
#180
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480