With airlines desperately looking for revenue wherever possible, we’ve seen a fair number of new airline lounges added to Priority Pass, which is great for those with premium credit cards.
It’s worth noting that a few Lufthansa lounges in the United States have joined Priority Pass, which could be useful during your next layover.
Which Lufthansa lounges belong to Priority Pass?
Four Lufthansa lounges in the United States now belong to Priority Pass, though with limited hours. Specifically:
- The Lufthansa Business Lounge Detroit (DTW) is open to Priority Pass members from 6AM until 5PM Mondays and Thursdays, from 9AM until 5PM on Tuesdays, from 8AM until 5PM Wednesdays, and from 6AM until 6:30PM on Fridays
- The Lufthansa Business Lounge New York (JFK) is open to Priority Pass members from 11:45AM until 3:30PM daily, except on Wednesdays and Sundays
- The Lufthansa Business Lounge Newark (EWR) is open to Priority Pass members from 2:30PM until 5:30PM Mondays and Wednesdays, and 2:30PM until 9PM Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
- The Lufthansa Business Lounge Washington Dulles (IAD) is open to Priority Pass members from 2PM until 5:30PM daily
The only Lufthansa Business Lounge in the USA that doesn’t belong to Priority Pass is in Boston. For context, the Detroit lounge has belonged to Priority Pass for quite a while, while the other additions are new.
Are these lounges only joining temporarily?
We don’t officially know one way or another if Lufthansa lounges joining Priority Pass will be temporary or permanent (similar to how more Alaska lounges recently joined Priority Pass).
My guess is that:
- This is a temporary effort to increase revenue and reduce losses for lounges, given the limited international travel demand right now
- I do think there’s a long term business model for extending the hours of these lounges and opening them up to Priority Pass members outside of hours where Star Alliance passengers use them
- However, in this case some lounges are opening to Priority Pass members the same hours where Lufthansa passengers would have access, but then again, Lufthansa is operating a severely reduced schedule
- In the long run there’s no denying that admitting Priority Pass members would water down the experience for actual Lufthansa passengers, both in terms of crowding, and in terms of the incentive to cut food & drinks when Lufthansa is being reimbursed the same no matter what is being offered
Bottom line
It’s great to see that four Lufthansa lounges in the United States now belong to Priority Pass. This is a logical move on Lufthansa’s part — it gives the company extra revenue while keeping lounges open during a period of low demand.
Once international travel recovers, I imagine Lufthansa will either end its agreement with Priority Pass, or otherwise simply extend lounge hours, and allow Priority Pass members in when Star Alliance passengers aren’t using the lounge.
Will anyone be able to take advantage of these new Priority Pass additions?
(Tip of the hat to Mike)
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