Aug 2, 2013, 9:15 am
Last edit by: nacho
Why does this lounge have its own thread?
Unlike most nonUnited 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, including hot dishes, salads, and dry snacks, and has draught beer and a full open bar including champagne, available upon request.
[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 April 2014, are 8:20 to 21:30 except Mondays, when the lounge closes at 17:30. It also closes daily from 12:00 to 13:30. 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. Allow 20 minutes between the center of the C concourse and the Lufthansa Lounge. The longest part of the trip is the walk between the C concourse proper and its Aerotrain stop. Between concourses B and C, the Aerotrain makes two stops: one at concourse A and one at the main terminal/TSA/baggage claim.
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, which are issued by Lufthansa to their own elites for various reasons, 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], and 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.
Furthermore, note that, by virtue of not having access to the terminal, no international passenger whose journey ends at IAD has access to the lounge; they will be ferried by mobile lounge to the International Arrivals Building, which deposits passengers landside. [Can pax without checked bags choose to clear CBP in concourse C regardless? Also, do arriving passengers on LH/LX/*A F/C connecting at IAD to Y-class flights have access? According to LH.com, pax arriving in C on LH/LX can use the lounges in Germany and at JFK upon arrival to freshen up. Is the same courtesy extended at IAD?]
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). 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.
This sounds too good to be true!
Lufthansa agrees!
If the rumors are true, as of January 1, 2015, LH's Business Lounges will become its *G lounges, which means non-LH *Gs will be directed downstairs to the Business lounge after that date. There's some discussion of exceptions, most notable being that *G traveling in longhaul business class will 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 loungesnot even UA's own 1Ks get to visit United's first class lounges without a first class ticketso this change will bring Lufthansa somewhat more in line with the rest of the alliance. Went to the LH IAD lounge in June 2016 with TK G and SK BP flying Y, we were directed into the Senator lounge.
Unlike most nonUnited 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 or a foreign *G card, have the option of a vastly superior lounge 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, including hot dishes, salads, and dry snacks, and has draught beer and a full open bar including champagne, available upon request.
[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 April 2014, are 8:20 to 21:30 except Mondays, when the lounge closes at 17:30. It also closes daily from 12:00 to 13:30. 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. Allow 20 minutes between the center of the C concourse and the Lufthansa Lounge. The longest part of the trip is the walk between the C concourse proper and its Aerotrain stop. Between concourses B and C, the Aerotrain makes two stops: one at concourse A and one at the main terminal/TSA/baggage claim.
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, which are issued by Lufthansa to their own elites for various reasons, 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], and 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.
Furthermore, note that, by virtue of not having access to the terminal, no international passenger whose journey ends at IAD has access to the lounge; they will be ferried by mobile lounge to the International Arrivals Building, which deposits passengers landside. [Can pax without checked bags choose to clear CBP in concourse C regardless? Also, do arriving passengers on LH/LX/*A F/C connecting at IAD to Y-class flights have access? According to LH.com, pax arriving in C on LH/LX can use the lounges in Germany and at JFK upon arrival to freshen up. Is the same courtesy extended at IAD?]
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). 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.
This sounds too good to be true!
Lufthansa agrees!
If the rumors are true, as of January 1, 2015, LH's Business Lounges will become its *G lounges, which means non-LH *Gs will be directed downstairs to the Business lounge after that date. There's some discussion of exceptions, most notable being that *G traveling in longhaul business class will 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 loungesnot even UA's own 1Ks get to visit United's first class lounges without a first class ticketso this change will bring Lufthansa somewhat more in line with the rest of the alliance. Went to the LH IAD lounge in June 2016 with TK G and SK BP flying Y, we were directed into the Senator lounge.
Consolidated "Access to Lufthansa Lounge at IAD" Thread [Merged]
Aug 14, 2009, 11:16 am
#271
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA - Kettle
Posts: 181
The *G card is key. I've been denied entry in MUC because UA took their sweet time getting me a new card and the previous card had just expired. Even though my boarding pass listed my current status, the LH matrons would not budge.
Aug 17, 2009, 9:21 pm
#272
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,191
Finally had a flight scheduled at a time which let me visit the LH lounge at IAD (had had one a few weeks ago where I'd planned to stop by, but ended up running so late I had to rush to the gate)... and IMHO, it's well worth it if you don't mind the trek!
As expected, showed my 1P card and BP, and the agent jotted down the info and directed me to the Senator lounge, but warned me to keep an eye on my boarding time as they wouldn't be announcing my flight. (Not that it's that long, time-wise, to make the transit to C/D; I made it to my gate in 15 minutes or so, and did so via the moving walkway back to the main terminal + shuttle to C from there--surely, the direct C shuttle is easier, but I had time to kill.)
100x better than the RCC. ^
Decent food options; I had some tea sandwiches, a bowl of vegetable soup, some cheesecake, and a few more tidbits. Far superior to the stuff in the RCC from when I had a membership (and I'm sure far better than today!)
The lounge was quiet, clean, and bright, unlike the tired, noisy RCCs. Helpful staff were on hand to take away plates, serve the booze, etc. Better reading materials on-hand, too.
I noticed the hours are now posted as 12:00-8:00 (or something like that; opening at noon, anyway).
Why can't the RCC get things even half right? I'd renew my RCC membership if they could get just better food, much less any of the other ways the LH lounge tops the RCC.
As expected, showed my 1P card and BP, and the agent jotted down the info and directed me to the Senator lounge, but warned me to keep an eye on my boarding time as they wouldn't be announcing my flight.
(Not that it's that long, time-wise, to make the transit to C/D; I made it to my gate in 15 minutes or so, and did so via the moving walkway back to the main terminal + shuttle to C from there--surely, the direct C shuttle is easier, but I had time to kill.)100x better than the RCC. ^
Decent food options; I had some tea sandwiches, a bowl of vegetable soup, some cheesecake, and a few more tidbits. Far superior to the stuff in the RCC from when I had a membership (and I'm sure far better than today!)
The lounge was quiet, clean, and bright, unlike the tired, noisy RCCs. Helpful staff were on hand to take away plates, serve the booze, etc. Better reading materials on-hand, too.
I noticed the hours are now posted as 12:00-8:00 (or something like that; opening at noon, anyway).
Why can't the RCC get things even half right? I'd renew my RCC membership if they could get just better food, much less any of the other ways the LH lounge tops the RCC.
Aug 18, 2009, 3:09 am
#273
Join Date: May 2004
Location: near FRA
Programs: UA 1K 2MM (*G)
Posts: 1,459
The RCC membership will get you into the LH lounge. It worked for me there recently though I didn't bring a guest. They sent me to the downstairs poriton of the lounge. I was a bit unimpressed - it felt like a high end College lunch room. Maybe I can get into the upstairs portion next time...
F.R.
Aug 18, 2009, 8:15 am
#274
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
So I called the MP and they emailed me a letter atesting to the fact that I was indeed a 1P and entitled to enter the LH Lounges. I showed that letter at a couple of LH lounges along with my BP for UAs flight/s and had no problem being admitted
No prob as I now have my 1K card
Aug 18, 2009, 9:27 am
#275
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ANP
Programs: UA 1k, Marriott Plat, HH gold, Avis/Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,408
1st time in there last week, I didnt have my *G card yet (thanks MP, ya bums) so I was sent downstairs sicne my friend is RCC.
They said they only need the card cause of the exp. date....oh well, next flight out.
def 100% better, lots of beer drank, thanks to the superb staff there who kept on top and served everyone, nice salad and soup.
on the way back, hit up the MLL in YYZ....JUST AWESOME! SOny tv room, tons of liqour options in self serve, salad, soup, and cookies......i would get RCC memberships again if we could ever be like these other lounges!
They said they only need the card cause of the exp. date....oh well, next flight out.
def 100% better, lots of beer drank, thanks to the superb staff there who kept on top and served everyone, nice salad and soup.
on the way back, hit up the MLL in YYZ....JUST AWESOME! SOny tv room, tons of liqour options in self serve, salad, soup, and cookies......i would get RCC memberships again if we could ever be like these other lounges!
Aug 22, 2009, 10:54 pm
#276
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: UA Pleb, HH Gold, PWP General Secretary
Posts: 23,199
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A341 Safari/528.16)
I know this has been discussed at lenght before, but I mobile and I cannot search fo the answer. So please forgive.
Any UA *Gs have any luck getting in on a domestic ticket?
TYIA
I know this has been discussed at lenght before, but I mobile and I cannot search fo the answer. So please forgive.
Any UA *Gs have any luck getting in on a domestic ticket?
TYIA
Aug 22, 2009, 11:08 pm
#277
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,854
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A341 Safari/528.16)
I know this has been discussed at lenght before, but I mobile and I cannot search fo the answer. So please forgive.
Any UA *Gs have any luck getting in on a domestic ticket?
TYIA
I know this has been discussed at lenght before, but I mobile and I cannot search fo the answer. So please forgive.
Any UA *Gs have any luck getting in on a domestic ticket?
TYIA
Aug 23, 2009, 7:40 am
#278
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,763
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A341 Safari/528.16)
I know this has been discussed at lenght before, but I mobile and I cannot search fo the answer. So please forgive.
Any UA *Gs have any luck getting in on a domestic ticket?
TYIA
I know this has been discussed at lenght before, but I mobile and I cannot search fo the answer. So please forgive.
Any UA *Gs have any luck getting in on a domestic ticket?
TYIA
Aug 23, 2009, 7:41 am
#279
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,763
The SEN lounge is much nicer, but the bus lounge is fine. It's in the basement, or seems so anyway.
Sep 7, 2009, 10:02 am
#280
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP, lowly UA 1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold; National EC, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,215
As a newly minted 1P what is your success of entering without your *G card and just a boarding pass?
Sep 7, 2009, 11:51 am
#281
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,038
The SEN lounge is much nicer than the biz lounge and I'll be back next time I'm at IAD ^
Sep 7, 2009, 2:40 pm
#283
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,854
I had a nice time in the SEN lounge a week back, good food, drank some bubbly, had a pretzel, few cold dishes and checked my email.. Topped if off going downstairs for a shower.. All in all a nice time. One thing I forgot to do. Should you tip the lady in white by the showers? Thought of it once I left and walking back to go to the C gates, I felt a little bit off that I did not. Just wanted to know the protocol for next time.. Thanks..
Sep 7, 2009, 5:40 pm
#284
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 4,045
i'll be hitting it up again in a few weeks...but haven't been since they got booz. what beer do they have on draft?
Sep 7, 2009, 6:02 pm
#285
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: RIC
Programs: AA, IHG
Posts: 239
I had a nice time in the SEN lounge a week back, good food, drank some bubbly, had a pretzel, few cold dishes and checked my email.. Topped if off going downstairs for a shower.. All in all a nice time. One thing I forgot to do. Should you tip the lady in white by the showers? Thought of it once I left and walking back to go to the C gates, I felt a little bit off that I did not. Just wanted to know the protocol for next time.. Thanks..
I tipped the attendant on my way out, but she seemed to indicate that it really wasn't necessary. I chose to because the whole place really was impeccably clean and in order and I thought she deserved it. My guess is that she didn't (and probably doesn't normally) expect one. She did seem to appreciate it though.
As I recall, Becks and Bud Light.