Aug 2, 2013, 9:15 am
Last edit by: nacho
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, 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 lounges—not even UA's own 1Ks get to visit United's first class lounges without a first class ticket—so 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 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 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 lounges—not even UA's own 1Ks get to visit United's first class lounges without a first class ticket—so 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]
Dec 5, 2010, 9:17 pm
#602
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 760
I went there around 4pm on Thursday 12/2 and entered as a 1K flying domestic UA. Lounge was pretty busy - took a seat by the window. When I left about an hour later, there were about 25 people in the lobby waiting to get in.
Dec 5, 2010, 11:27 pm
#603
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,628
Sigh, I wish this lounge were open later. Flight from DEN-IAD was 1.5 hours late today and I missed the connection to BDL by a few minutes. Had to wait around for 5 hours for the next flight. Unfortunately, the LH lounge was already closed.
Hey, United, here's a great idea. When you strand your 1Ks at the airport because you can't manage your fleet, how about a free RCC pass?
(yes, I know I sound a little snippy, but a transcon shouldn't take 14.5 hours)
Hey, United, here's a great idea. When you strand your 1Ks at the airport because you can't manage your fleet, how about a free RCC pass?
(yes, I know I sound a little snippy, but a transcon shouldn't take 14.5 hours)
Dec 6, 2010, 2:13 pm
#604
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9650/5.0.0.975 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)
Just about to leave the SEN Lounge, which I had no problem accessing on a domestic itin. No lines, no signs indicating restrictions, no fuss from the attendant. ^
I did note that it now closes at 530p, about three hours earlier than before. Seasonal, perhaps?
Just about to leave the SEN Lounge, which I had no problem accessing on a domestic itin. No lines, no signs indicating restrictions, no fuss from the attendant. ^
I did note that it now closes at 530p, about three hours earlier than before. Seasonal, perhaps?
Dec 6, 2010, 5:15 pm
#605
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: PVD/BOS, PIT
Programs: UA 1K/1MM ★G, DL Silver, Amtrak ES, Hilton Diamond,Nexus
Posts: 247
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9650/5.0.0.975 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)
Just about to leave the SEN Lounge, which I had no problem accessing on a domestic itin. No lines, no signs indicating restrictions, no fuss from the attendant. ^
I did note that it now closes at 530p, about three hours earlier than before. Seasonal, perhaps?
Just about to leave the SEN Lounge, which I had no problem accessing on a domestic itin. No lines, no signs indicating restrictions, no fuss from the attendant. ^
I did note that it now closes at 530p, about three hours earlier than before. Seasonal, perhaps?
droopy
Jan 3, 2011, 12:38 pm
#606
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,041
Tried to gain access on 12/4 around ~3PM, was DENIED being a UA 1K..
Said they were 'full', there was a printout sign on the desk saying only passengers on the *A airlines flying out of B could be allowed it.
Guess it was part of the delays going back to the EU, as there were two LH flights to Frankfurt that day on the board.
Said they were 'full', there was a printout sign on the desk saying only passengers on the *A airlines flying out of B could be allowed it.
Guess it was part of the delays going back to the EU, as there were two LH flights to Frankfurt that day on the board.
Jan 7, 2011, 12:51 pm
#607
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: PVD/BOS, PIT
Programs: UA 1K/1MM ★G, DL Silver, Amtrak ES, Hilton Diamond,Nexus
Posts: 247
Unfortunately, the staff confirmed to me today that the lack of cheesecake recently is a permanent removal. :-(
droopy
droopy
Jan 22, 2011, 9:28 am
#609
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,135
As a new 1P who has followed this thread with interest, I felt compelled to make a pilgrimage Wednesday to the B terminal. Getting into the SEN lounge with my UA card & same-day outbound BP was no sweat.
The food offerings were OK, but nothing breathtaking: mostly cold cuts, cheese cubes, and various salads (including a nice cold curried rice dish). The hot potato slices in cream sauce were good, but the other hot dishes didn't do it for me (esp the cubed wurst). German pretzels were good, but the cheesecake does seem to have gone away, as noted above.
Service was prompt & attentive. I had to wait all of 10 seconds to get an attendant to pull me a Beck's. Bonus points for her proper use of the tap & pour technique.
Club chairs were comfy & had plentiful electrical outlets. TV sound was on, but at an appropriately low level. Men's room was immaculate.
In sum, I agree with the consensus above that the LH lounge is worth an extra ride on the Aerotrain, which stops conveniently close by. This is one perk of 1P that I could definitely get used to.
The food offerings were OK, but nothing breathtaking: mostly cold cuts, cheese cubes, and various salads (including a nice cold curried rice dish). The hot potato slices in cream sauce were good, but the other hot dishes didn't do it for me (esp the cubed wurst). German pretzels were good, but the cheesecake does seem to have gone away, as noted above.
Service was prompt & attentive. I had to wait all of 10 seconds to get an attendant to pull me a Beck's. Bonus points for her proper use of the tap & pour technique.
Club chairs were comfy & had plentiful electrical outlets. TV sound was on, but at an appropriately low level. Men's room was immaculate.
In sum, I agree with the consensus above that the LH lounge is worth an extra ride on the Aerotrain, which stops conveniently close by. This is one perk of 1P that I could definitely get used to.
Jan 22, 2011, 11:38 am
#610
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,967
Someone upthread said that they were still decent in November, so I don't know if they changed recently, but overall it was disappointing to see the downgrade.
Jan 22, 2011, 11:46 am
#611
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: PVD/BOS, PIT
Programs: UA 1K/1MM ★G, DL Silver, Amtrak ES, Hilton Diamond,Nexus
Posts: 247
I was very disappointed with what was passing for Brezn recently, and I think that the off yellow coloured item nearby was supposed to be Obatzda but that too was very very sad.
Someone upthread said that they were still decent in November, so I don't know if they changed recently, but overall it was disappointing to see the downgrade.
Someone upthread said that they were still decent in November, so I don't know if they changed recently, but overall it was disappointing to see the downgrade.
I spoke with the manager last week and she said a number of food changes were handed down recently. She encouraged me to write my comments in the black bound book they have on the long counter across from the food. She said those comments will be copied and provided to management. I wrote mine and encourage you to write yours on your next visit.
droopy
Jan 22, 2011, 11:51 am
#612
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,967
Thanks for the information; I will definitely do that next time. I will admit that the Brezn are typically what will make the trip worthwhile from the UA gates if I am on a UA trip; I can usually 'find' a paper at the B18 ORD RCC these days so if I don't have a lot of time and the food isn't great anymore, then I won't necessarily trek over there.
I was actually quite excited to see what I thought was Obatzda because that seems to be quite a bit more rare in the US. (I've managed to source out some decent places for Laugengebäck or 'pretzel bread' in the US, but Obatzda is definitely more difficult to find)
I was actually quite excited to see what I thought was Obatzda because that seems to be quite a bit more rare in the US. (I've managed to source out some decent places for Laugengebäck or 'pretzel bread' in the US, but Obatzda is definitely more difficult to find)
Jan 22, 2011, 12:00 pm
#613
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 183
Pardon me for not knowing all the nuances of Star Alliance Gold, etc and if this has already been answered before.
I'm a United 1K member and have a paid RCC membership. My wife is a United 1P and also has a paid RCC membership.
Can we use the LH lounge at IAD?
If my son is with either of us (no status or RCC membership) can he come along?
We mostly fly DOMESTIC routes, so this is within that context.
I'm a United 1K member and have a paid RCC membership. My wife is a United 1P and also has a paid RCC membership.
Can we use the LH lounge at IAD?
If my son is with either of us (no status or RCC membership) can he come along?
We mostly fly DOMESTIC routes, so this is within that context.
Jan 22, 2011, 12:26 pm
#614
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: PVD/BOS, PIT
Programs: UA 1K/1MM ★G, DL Silver, Amtrak ES, Hilton Diamond,Nexus
Posts: 247
Pardon me for not knowing all the nuances of Star Alliance Gold, etc and if this has already been answered before.
I'm a United 1K member and have a paid RCC membership. My wife is a United 1P and also has a paid RCC membership.
Can we use the LH lounge at IAD?
If my son is with either of us (no status or RCC membership) can he come along?
I'm a United 1K member and have a paid RCC membership. My wife is a United 1P and also has a paid RCC membership.
Can we use the LH lounge at IAD?
If my son is with either of us (no status or RCC membership) can he come along?
droopy
Jan 22, 2011, 3:27 pm
#615
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 183
Does this (*G = senator access) apply to domestic *A flights?
What's the difference between the upstairs "senator" lounge and the other section?
Thanks!
What's the difference between the upstairs "senator" lounge and the other section?
Thanks!