Update 10/17/19: Partnership has been extended until March 31st, 2020.
Update 3/15/19: This partnership was due to expire on March 31st, 2019 for Frankfurt and May 31st, 2019 for Munich. This deal has now been extended until October 31st, 2019 for both lounges. Hat tip to OMaaT
Original post: The American Express app is showing some Lufthansa lounges in Munich are now available for Platinum & Centurion cardholders. The catch is that the lounges are only accepting cardholders when they are also flying Lufthansa, Swiss or Austrian. It works as follows:
- Lufthansa Business Lounges in Terminal 2 Satellite are available to Platinum cardholders when flying Lufthansa, Swiss or Austrian in any class of service
- Lufthansa Senator Lounges in Terminal 2 Satellite are available to Platinum cardholders when flying Lufthansa, Swiss or Austrian in business class
- Lufthansa First Class Lounge in Terminal 2 Satellite are available to Centurion cardholders when flying Lufthansa, Swiss or Austrian in any class of service
You need to show a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same day travel and guests are not free. It’s nice to see Centurion cardholders actually get some additional benefits for a change, but I suspect that won’t affect many readers. LoungeBuddy has more information and reviews of the lounges available (just scroll down and make sure you have non purchasable selected). Earlier this year American Express added the U.S. escape lounges to their lounge portfolio and they have been trying to expand and upgrade their Centurion lounge offerings. It hasn’t been all good news though as they also restricted guest access to two people for Centurion lounges.
I wonder if this is a sign that American Express are keen to sign their own exclusive lounges to their network and do away with offering Priority Pass? It seems like there is an arms race currently going on with Priority Pass adding restaurants and other non typical lounges of their portfolio as well. What are your thoughts on American Express adding lounges that require a ticket with a specific airline to be accessed?
Hat tip to One Mile At A Time
I got to use this once while flying Lufthansa business through Frankfurt in May. The senator lounge was very nice, good food and good sleeping areas for a long layover.
That “hate tip” though. lol. =)
Lol, my bad let me fix
Would I need to have my actual Platinum card with me or just provide the number if I don’t have it on me?
They will sometimes accept card number, but better to take physical card to be sure as it’s very YMMV.
I’m assuming this doesn’t apply to Arriving flights? Guessing we are forced to clear customs right away?
(I have a Lufthansa flight next month into MUC, but am departing on United. Hoping to take advantage of the lounge!)
If you haven’t flown through MUC before, make sure you allow enough time to clear customs and go through security before your US leg.
Smart move by Amex. I think Lufthansa’s lounges in Munich and Frankfurt are some of the best lounges available. I used to visit them in my pre-retirement days when I had United elite status and flew in business class. I wonder if this deal will expand to include Frankfurt.
I also wonder if this move foreshadows Lufthansa possibly becoming a transfer partner for Amex Membership Rewards (hope hope hope).
TPG mentions that I order to access the first class lounge it requires $5k sign up fee with annual fees of $2.5k
No the $5k and $2.5k is for the Centurion card, not the Lufthansa lounge access (though you need to be flying Lufthansa to get in still).
Oh but yes you need the Centurion card to get into the first class lounge so that’s why he mentioned those dollar amounts
That’s a Centurion card requirement rather than a lounge based one.
>I wonder if this is a sign that American Express are keen to sign their own exclusive lounges to their network and do away with offering Priority Pass?
Sounds fine to me! I’m sure a bunch of us have like 5 Priority Passes by now.
The other day was the first time I wished I carried more than 1 of my Priority Pass cards. I typically only keep my CSR PP card with me as it covers unlimited guests, so it’s “better” than my AMEX Plat PP.
Landed in PDX and was pleasantly surprised a decent restaurant / take out place listed in Lounge Buddy that offered $28 worth of food. It was 10 min before they closed, so I just picked up two to-go salads / cheese boxes and two cookies. If I also had my other PP I could’ve doubled everything!
(I then tried the Whiskey bar at PDX which offers free tastings with PP, but they were too close to closing to let me taste. No go on take out there 🙂 )
PSA: carry all your PP cards!
Is Priority Pass one-time-use-at-one-airport?? I thought you could use it once at all the locations w/in an airport that takes Priority Pass but maybe I’m wrong =/
FYI CSR PP limits to 2 guests now. Only Ritz PP is still unlimited
UBS Visa Infinite is still unlimited.
Is it OK for the restaurant to add multiple PP cards to the bill? I.e. when having 2 cards and bringing 1 guest, would they really discount 4x$28?