UA F v LH F v LX F
 

Have an 016-booked segment operated by LH: DXB-FRA-IAH Looking to move from C to F. Options are LH C to FRA, then UA F to ORD/IAH, or LH C to FRA then LH F to IAH, or LX F to ZRH/ORD then UA F to IAH. Obviously UA is not a real contender (price for all three itineraries is the same). That leaves me debating the LH nonstop FRA-IAH (4-hour layover in FRA to enjoy the FCT) or LX which has the extra stop in ORD but also has F on both segments (DXB-ZRH-ORD) whereas the DXB-FRA segment on LH is C only. I've done the LH F experience several times but never LX F. Will the ground experience at ZRH be similar to the ground experience at FRA on LH with the limo ride to aircraft, etc? Is LX F worth it just to try, despite the extra leg (and of course the F on the DXB-Europe segment, which I can't get on LH). Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

I'm not sure why UA isn't a contender, especially if you need the UA metal towards your GS status or if you're heading towards 3MM.

That being said, if it's irrelevant, I'd give the nod to LH here. Even though the DXB-FRA is a 7 hour redeye in a coach seat, the FCT and the nonstop in LH F to IAH are arguably a better choice than LX, even with the DXB-ZRH leg in F. While the F lounge in ZRH is great, the ground experience can't compete w/LH.

Something to note about LX F booked on 016 tickets: they’ve been known to deny F lounge access at ZRH/GVA even for paid tickets in LX F when it is booked through UA. Their reasoning is that they only offer the F lounge to F pax who booked directly through them. It’s a really dumb rule.
There are some workarounds like having a mobile BP, because the paper one will say the also UA flight number. But sometimes they look into it further to see who you booked through even when you scan the mobile BP. You could get lucky like I did when flying BOM-ZRH-JFK in LX F, I had the mobile BP ready but when I arrived at the lounge their systems were down, so the agent just looked at my mobile BP to confirm I was in F, and copied my details down. I was nervous that I would get kicked out when they realized (which has actually happened to some people believe it or not). But nothing of the sort happened and I enjoyed the lounge.
But to be honest, Swiss F service onboard is better then LH, and LH is also very good for the most part in F service wise. But it’s not worth all these issues to fly LX, so I would stick with LH if I was you.

I fear that any potential issues with ORD/IAH will just ruin the previous LX F experience. I think it's tough to enjoy any international flight followed by a domestic USA flight can be such a downer, esp for Ord-iah (since iah is intl airport)

My vote is for LH.

It's especially bizarre because my understanding is that LX does allow FCL access @ ZRH if you're traveling in LH F on the same PNR later in the day -- even though your ZRH>FRA segment will by necessity be in crappy intra-European J. And that works for award tickets too.

The only thing they seem to turn up their noses at is tix plated on OAL stock.

I've never understood the unwillingness to take a domestic tag flight after crossing an ocean, so I'm a little more biased toward the LX option. While both are acceptable, LX F is a huge upgrade over LH J for the first segment.. the stories of ZRH lounge troubles make it a bit more complicated. Either way though, sounds like you'll have a good flight :)

UA F gets you Polaris access in ORD on arrival, LH and LX won't.

LH 380 to IAH.

LX F lounge restrictions are ridiculous, and enforced with some rigor.

no issue getting into LX F lounge on 016 ticket. As long as it is coded as an LX flight. They look for the flight # and balk at codeshares.
Very nice new F lounge in ZRH as well. LX F all the way would be my recommendation if you can get it on LX code or you are willing to slum in the SEN lounge in ZRH

There are multiple reports in the LX forum of entry refused based on 016 ticket stock. That's the gray area. The black and white is if you have a UA flight number, they definitely will not let you in.

While LH service is definitely better. If I'm on a paid ticket traveling through ORD I'll fly United First over LH.

UA F will also get you LH F Lounge access in FRA.

that's correct. Not FCT but FCL access in FRA. If the layover is lengthy ... an important aspect.

Only because OP is GS. Everyone else gets the SEN lounge.