This is an awesome development. In the US lately we’ve seen a couple dozen airport restaurants added to Priority Pass. Now we’re seeing a pretty solid lounge added at an airport that doesn’t currently have a Priority Pass location.
The Lufthansa Business Lounge Detroit Airport has been added to the Priority Pass network. This will be the first Priority Pass location at the airport. Priority Pass members have access to the lounge during the following hours:
- Monday through Saturday: 5AM until 1PM and 4PM until 6:30PM
- Sunday: 11AM until 1PM and 4:00PM until 6:30PM
The break in the middle of the day is because that’s when the Lufthansa flight departs, so clearly the intent is that they’re expanding access to the lounge to accommodate Priority Pass members, without diminishing the experience for Lufthansa passengers, which is a smart strategy.
The Lufthansa Lounge is located airside in the North Terminal, next to gate D8. The North Terminal is used by just about all airlines except SkyTeam airlines, as you might expect.
Travis reviewed this lounge a while back, so take a look for a sense of what you can expect.
As a reminder, the following are some of the most popular US credit cards to come with Priority Pass memberships:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
To my knowledge this is the first Lufthansa Lounge to join Priority Pass, so I hope that this is a trend we see continue, because it seems like a win-win. The airline can generate more revenue during periods when it otherwise wouldn’t be used (or at least not widely used), and Priority Pass members have access to more lounges.
I would guess that the lounge will feature watered down food and drinks during the hours where Priority Pass members have access, just as you’ll find at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse LAX during Priority Pass hours, for example. That’s fair enough, since Priority Pass doesn’t give lounges much of an incentive to offer a superior experience, since as far as I know that doesn’t impact how much lounges are compensated.
However, that’s still better than nothing.
Will anyone benefit from the addition of the Lufthansa Lounge DTW to Priority Pass?
(Tip of the hat to Doctor Of Credit)
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees).
Thank you for the information. I am happy to see Detroit finally has a Priority Pass Lounge. I hope they open one in the McNamara Terminal soon! With that said, my biggest question would be: can a traveler with a Priority Pass Membership that is flying out of the McNamara Terminal use the Lufthansa Priority Pass Lounge? How would I go about that logistically? I understand there is a terminal transfer shuttle that goes between...
Thank you for the information. I am happy to see Detroit finally has a Priority Pass Lounge. I hope they open one in the McNamara Terminal soon! With that said, my biggest question would be: can a traveler with a Priority Pass Membership that is flying out of the McNamara Terminal use the Lufthansa Priority Pass Lounge? How would I go about that logistically? I understand there is a terminal transfer shuttle that goes between the two terminals, but can I go through security in the North Terminal if I have a boarding pass for a flight that leaves out of the McNamara Terminal? If yes, does that mean I would check in for my flight in the McNamara Terminal, check my luggage, and then hop the shuttle over to the North Terminal, go through security to get to the Lounge, then shuttle back, go through security again in the McNamara Terminal and get to my gate on time? Thanks!
If I have a Priority Pass Card through the American Express Platinum Card offering, can I use this Lufthansa Lounge in the Detroit North Terminal if I am flying on American Airlines in the AM ? My flight is at 7 AM and it would be nice to kill some time before boarding but I don't want to get there and be turned away since I am flying AA and not an Lufthansa Alliance member. Any info anyone can provide on this ? Thanks.
I was there as PP last week. Senator lounge was sealed off (though I am a Senator, I was not allowed in). About 6 people in Business section.
Us star gold members love the lounge. DTW still has a good size UA and AC amount of passengers. No international ticket needed for *G members.
I had lived in Detroit for years prior to moving to Dallas. I've used the lounge a few times, mostly on connecting international United flights. I've always been surprised that they keep it open for so many hours as it is unlikely anyone would visit it outside of LH a330 flight hours.
I was there a few weeks ago on a Priority Pass and was pleasantly surprised. Would rather of been here than at the DL SkyClub. Better food and drink by far.
I can’t give you a sure-fire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time.
Surprised LH even has a lounge there. For one flight??
I never understood how it cant pay off for LH to maintain a lounge at DTW. It´s a decent lounge I think but with the time restrictions it´s basically useless for transatlantic travel.
@Lucky, do you think they'll keep the Senator side open for UA/AC flyers with their standard offerings? If they do downgrade the F&B in the Business Lounge, I guess it would only really impact the AC J pax (and UC members)...
I visited last Wednesday using my Priority Pass. When I arrived around 11a, the lounge had maybe a half dozen other guests. I arrived very early for my 3p flight to get some work done and used one of the available study carrels. Food was basic, but available. (No pretzels!) Full self-serve bar was also available with plenty of liquor and some beer and wine. I stayed well into the prohibited hours, and indeed the...
I visited last Wednesday using my Priority Pass. When I arrived around 11a, the lounge had maybe a half dozen other guests. I arrived very early for my 3p flight to get some work done and used one of the available study carrels. Food was basic, but available. (No pretzels!) Full self-serve bar was also available with plenty of liquor and some beer and wine. I stayed well into the prohibited hours, and indeed the lounge did completely fill in advance of the LH flight. I did not see any difference in the food and bev selections during that time though. It's a small lounge, but definitely a great pitstop for anyone flying out of DTW on a non-SkyTeam flight.
I have a feeling they will restrict PP access more than Alaska does in its lounges. With that much passenger traffic passing through those terminals, it will only be a matter of days.
They need a restaurant to be added too!
Thank heavens they finally looked at Detroit. Still a pity its in the North Terminal and not the McNamara terminal where all the long haul Delta and Air france flights leave from. But hopefully, this will be a start.