UA F v LH F v LX F
#32
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,148
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,055
well, it might be more expensive, but it usually isn't. Try with Google flights.
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
#35
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
I honestly can't see how LX (or any *A for that matter) could deny you entry into their F lounge if you're flying F with any *A airline. The general principle with airline lounges is that you're entitled to the lounge that corresponds to your class of service (or FFP status level) when flying on an airline that is part of the lounge operator's alliance. Last I checked LX and UA are part of *A.
That's kind of the whole point of airline alliances and lounges in the first place. Imagine the uproar that would occur with LX passengers if AC wouldn't allow LX F/J passengers to use the MLL in YUL for the flight to ZRH on LX or were to deny A3 *G members access to the MLL (even though they should ). In fact if you plug UA F and ZRH into the *A lounge finder it says you have access to the LX F lounges. Using their logic, you could argue that since you're F on a UA flight that is reason enough for entry.
That being said, I'm not surprised by that, which is why I carry my physical UA Gold card in case they require it for inspection. The LX lounge in ZRH is arguably one of the best *A lounges I've been to (they had a chef with omelette station and a patio area where you can see planes take off/land) and totally knocks the socks off the LH Senator lounge I was in at FRA a few months ago. If I were to give a ranking of the (limited) *A lounges by airline I'd say it's LX then LH then AC then UA. I couldn't believe that UA doesn't have showers in their lounges at EWR which after a long haul flight is totally needed before making the connection. The only redeeming feature of UA lounges is you can order red bull from the bar for free (haven't seen that at other lounges).
That's kind of the whole point of airline alliances and lounges in the first place. Imagine the uproar that would occur with LX passengers if AC wouldn't allow LX F/J passengers to use the MLL in YUL for the flight to ZRH on LX or were to deny A3 *G members access to the MLL (even though they should ). In fact if you plug UA F and ZRH into the *A lounge finder it says you have access to the LX F lounges. Using their logic, you could argue that since you're F on a UA flight that is reason enough for entry.
That being said, I'm not surprised by that, which is why I carry my physical UA Gold card in case they require it for inspection. The LX lounge in ZRH is arguably one of the best *A lounges I've been to (they had a chef with omelette station and a patio area where you can see planes take off/land) and totally knocks the socks off the LH Senator lounge I was in at FRA a few months ago. If I were to give a ranking of the (limited) *A lounges by airline I'd say it's LX then LH then AC then UA. I couldn't believe that UA doesn't have showers in their lounges at EWR which after a long haul flight is totally needed before making the connection. The only redeeming feature of UA lounges is you can order red bull from the bar for free (haven't seen that at other lounges).
#36
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
You might not "see" it but it's happened. To numerous people on this forum. Repeatedly.
Anywho, to me it comes down to how you plan to spend your time across the flights. The DXB-FRAor DXB-ZRH flights leave at times when allyou'll want to do is likely to sleep. In which case C is adequate so I'd pick LH for FCT, A380, and no additional domestic flight. If you plan to stay up and bask, then go for LX F to try a new product.
Anywho, to me it comes down to how you plan to spend your time across the flights. The DXB-FRAor DXB-ZRH flights leave at times when allyou'll want to do is likely to sleep. In which case C is adequate so I'd pick LH for FCT, A380, and no additional domestic flight. If you plan to stay up and bask, then go for LX F to try a new product.
I honestly can't see how LX (or any *A for that matter) could deny you entry into their F lounge if you're flying F with any *A airline. The general principle with airline lounges is that you're entitled to the lounge that corresponds to your class of service (or FFP status level) when flying on an airline that is part of the lounge operator's alliance. Last I checked LX and UA are part of *A.
That's kind of the whole point of airline alliances and lounges in the first place. Imagine the uproar that would occur with LX passengers if AC wouldn't allow LX F/J passengers to use the MLL in YUL for the flight to ZRH on LX or were to deny A3 *G members access to the MLL (even though they should ). In fact if you plug UA F and ZRH into the *A lounge finder it says you have access to the LX F lounges. Using their logic, you could argue that since you're F on a UA flight that is reason enough for entry.
That being said, I'm not surprised by that, which is why I carry my physical UA Gold card in case they require it for inspection. The LX lounge in ZRH is arguably one of the best *A lounges I've been to (they had a chef with omelette station and a patio area where you can see planes take off/land) and totally knocks the socks off the LH Senator lounge I was in at FRA a few months ago. If I were to give a ranking of the (limited) *A lounges by airline I'd say it's LX then LH then AC then UA. I couldn't believe that UA doesn't have showers in their lounges at EWR which after a long haul flight is totally needed before making the connection. The only redeeming feature of UA lounges is you can order red bull from the bar for free (haven't seen that at other lounges).
That's kind of the whole point of airline alliances and lounges in the first place. Imagine the uproar that would occur with LX passengers if AC wouldn't allow LX F/J passengers to use the MLL in YUL for the flight to ZRH on LX or were to deny A3 *G members access to the MLL (even though they should ). In fact if you plug UA F and ZRH into the *A lounge finder it says you have access to the LX F lounges. Using their logic, you could argue that since you're F on a UA flight that is reason enough for entry.
That being said, I'm not surprised by that, which is why I carry my physical UA Gold card in case they require it for inspection. The LX lounge in ZRH is arguably one of the best *A lounges I've been to (they had a chef with omelette station and a patio area where you can see planes take off/land) and totally knocks the socks off the LH Senator lounge I was in at FRA a few months ago. If I were to give a ranking of the (limited) *A lounges by airline I'd say it's LX then LH then AC then UA. I couldn't believe that UA doesn't have showers in their lounges at EWR which after a long haul flight is totally needed before making the connection. The only redeeming feature of UA lounges is you can order red bull from the bar for free (haven't seen that at other lounges).
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
I honestly can't see how LX (or any *A for that matter) could deny you entry into their F lounge if you're flying F with any *A airline. The general principle with airline lounges is that you're entitled to the lounge that corresponds to your class of service (or FFP status level) when flying on an airline that is part of the lounge operator's alliance. Last I checked LX and UA are part of *A.
That's kind of the whole point of airline alliances and lounges in the first place. Imagine the uproar that would occur with LX passengers if AC wouldn't allow LX F/J passengers to use the MLL in YUL for the flight to ZRH on LX or were to deny A3 *G members access to the MLL (even though they should ). In fact if you plug UA F and ZRH into the *A lounge finder it says you have access to the LX F lounges. Using their logic, you could argue that since you're F on a UA flight that is reason enough for entry.
That being said, I'm not surprised by that, which is why I carry my physical UA Gold card in case they require it for inspection. The LX lounge in ZRH is arguably one of the best *A lounges I've been to (they had a chef with omelette station and a patio area where you can see planes take off/land) and totally knocks the socks off the LH Senator lounge I was in at FRA a few months ago. If I were to give a ranking of the (limited) *A lounges by airline I'd say it's LX then LH then AC then UA. I couldn't believe that UA doesn't have showers in their lounges at EWR which after a long haul flight is totally needed before making the connection. The only redeeming feature of UA lounges is you can order red bull from the bar for free (haven't seen that at other lounges).
That's kind of the whole point of airline alliances and lounges in the first place. Imagine the uproar that would occur with LX passengers if AC wouldn't allow LX F/J passengers to use the MLL in YUL for the flight to ZRH on LX or were to deny A3 *G members access to the MLL (even though they should ). In fact if you plug UA F and ZRH into the *A lounge finder it says you have access to the LX F lounges. Using their logic, you could argue that since you're F on a UA flight that is reason enough for entry.
That being said, I'm not surprised by that, which is why I carry my physical UA Gold card in case they require it for inspection. The LX lounge in ZRH is arguably one of the best *A lounges I've been to (they had a chef with omelette station and a patio area where you can see planes take off/land) and totally knocks the socks off the LH Senator lounge I was in at FRA a few months ago. If I were to give a ranking of the (limited) *A lounges by airline I'd say it's LX then LH then AC then UA. I couldn't believe that UA doesn't have showers in their lounges at EWR which after a long haul flight is totally needed before making the connection. The only redeeming feature of UA lounges is you can order red bull from the bar for free (haven't seen that at other lounges).
First, this is fully consistent with *A policy:
Originally Posted by Star Alliance Lounge Access Policy
Exceptions are: LH HON/First Class Lounges in FRA/MUC; LX HON/First Class Lounges in ZRH/GVA; OS HON/First Class Lounges in VIE; TG Spa Lounge in BKK (subject to change).
As for the M&M lounges, not sure which LX lounge you refer to but most are not nearly as good as LH ones. I'd much sooner take the FCT followed by FRA/MUC F lounges over the ZRH F lounges. And the LX Senator lounges, both Schengen and E gates, are no great shakes. Big thread about that in the LX sub-forum.
#38
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,459
Not sure whose "general principle" you are referring to, because that is not the *A rule. LH and LX designate the SEN lounge as their F lounge for *A purposes. So if you are flying F on any *A airline other than LH/LX (for example, UA or SQ), you will not have access to the First Class Lounge or First Class Terminal in FRA, MUC, or ZRH.
#39
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,148
Yea so I tried that when I was in this situation and after like 5 calls made to UA, it was obvious that the agents were really confused by my request, and the ones who understood said it would be an extra $3K to make it happen. It’s probably just a more expensive fare to book LX flight numbers thru UA.
#40
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,459