Review: the Lufthansa First Class Lounge at Munich Airport (New York Stories #4)

This is my review of the Lufthansa First Class lounge at Munich Airport.

Lufthansa is an odd airline in many ways.  There is nothing in the least bit exciting about its economy or business class offering – it is only in recent months that they have introduced fully flat beds in business.  Their main lounges are also unexciting, albeit perfectly acceptable.

In First Class, though, they really push the boat out on the ground.

The best example of this is at Frankfurt where Lufthansa operates a separate First Class Terminal.  After a few hours spent enjoying their high quality food and drink, you pass through a private passport check and are driven directly to the steps of your plane.  I did this twice last year and wrote about it here and here.  (There is also a First Class Lounge in the main terminal if you are transferring.)

Lufthansa’s other hub is Munich.  With a smaller number of flights, there was no need for a stand-alone building.  There is however a dedicated First Class lounge in the terminal.  This is the equivalent of the Concorde Room at Heathrow.

I was here once before, about 4 years ago, but it was interesting to go back.  I will let the photos tell the story:

Here’s the bar – you won’t go thirsty here (the staff follow you around ensuring that you are never without a drink!):

This is the buffet:

But why bother with the buffet when there is a full restaurant menu to choose from!

This is swordfish and lemon infused gnocchi:

This was not to be eaten, but it was a nice touch.  They had even set up a ‘fan area’ by reception with a TV, chairs, bar and modest buffet for watching the games:

This is the rather utilitarian general seating.  There are also a few private offices if you want to work and some showers – but no spa.  What you don’t get in Munich is any daylight as there are no external windows apart from into the corridor.

To be honest, it is not as good as the Frankfurt First Class Terminal.  Part of that is because it is not a self contained building, part of it is because it is a smaller lounge.  The food also didn’t quite hit the spot.

In Frankfurt last year, you really felt that everything you tried, either from the buffet or main menu, was ‘special’.  I didn’t get that feeling from the food in Munich.  Initially I thought it was my fault – that my taste buds were having an off day – but when I tried the food on the plane an hour later it was great.

There was one more odd thing.  When you enter the lounge, your passport is taken from you.  On leaving the lounge, you get your passport back from a dedicated border official who is based in an office in the lounge.

However, when you leave the lounge (by the back door) you are deposited into the main departure area.  I walked about a quarter of a mile to my gate where there was the usual passport check.  So what was the point of the border control official in the lounge, and why did he want my passport for two hours?

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How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (June 2025)

Here are the six options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.

Your best value option (but no points):

The cheapest route to a Priority Pass airport lounge card is via the Lloyds Bank World Elite Mastercard.

The credit card has a fee of £15 per month, and comes with a Priority Pass which gives unlimited free access for the cardholder. If you add a free supplementary cardholder, they will also receive unlimited free access.

Unlike the version of Priority Pass you receive with American Express, the Lloyds Bank version also lets you access £18 airport restaurant credits.

Even better, the credit card has 0% FX fees and comes with 0.5% cashback. Full details are in my Lloyds Bank World Elite Mastercard review.

Lloyds Bank World Elite Mastercard

A Priority Pass, 0% FX fees and up to 1% cashback for £15 per month Read our full review

Lounge access via American Express cards:

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,500 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.

You also get access to Eurostar, Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines lounges.  Our in-depth review of The Platinum Card from American Express is here.

You can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.

Additional lounge visits are charged at £24.  You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card review here.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

Lounge access via HSBC Premier credit cards (Premier account holders only):

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network.  Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £290 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

A good package, but only available to HSBC Premier clients Read our full review

Got a small business?

If you have a small business, consider The American Express Business Platinum Card which has the same lounge benefits as the personal Platinum card:

The American Express Business Platinum Card

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

You should also consider the Capital on Tap Pro Visa credit card which has a lower fee and, as well as a Priority Pass for airport lounge access, also comes with Radison Rewards VIP hotel status:

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.