The Lufthansa Group – Lufthansa, Austrian and Swiss – flies out of Athens each morning practically in formation. Four flights (Lufthansa has Frankfurt and Munich) all depart in about a ten-minute window from 6:50 to 7:00. So, the far left section of the Departures level these airlines occupy is the most happening place in the airport at 5 am. Over the past few years, United's partnership with Lufthansa has deepened making it so an increasing number of United customers traveling to or within Europe are actually flying one of the Lufthansa airlines.
In Winter, United like most of the US carriers, doesn't fly to Athens at all. It's a seasonal route that swells up to having four or five flights per day to various United hubs – but not right now. As a result, the Lufthansa section of the airport sounds a lot more like a US Embassy than a German one. Only what doesn't go well is Lufthansa is much stricter with its baggage policy, if that's imaginable. As a United Chase Card holder, I get a second bag for free. As a Star Alliance Gold member, the same plus a higher weight limit per bag. Like a pushy stage mom, Lufthansa watches people's baggage weight carefully – looking for that opportunity charge an extra 100 euros. Naturally, that creates some tension among the American clientele – especially when they bought their tickets from United, but their privileges aren't necessarily honored.
To make our 7am flight to Munich, Michelle and I had to be up at 3:45 am to be on the hotel shuttle bus at 4:30 am so we would be at the Lufthansa check-in counter by 5am. Luckily, as a Star Alliance member, Lufthansa does recognize many privileges. Not only did I pull Michelle into the Star Alliance Gold/Business Class line with me, but the agent got her seated with me despite her reservation and ticket being completely separate. Then, when we boarded, to my surprise, they upgraded us both to Business Class together. The seats weren't amazing – normal economy seats only with the middle seat left empty for extra elbow room – but the food was quite nice. It's amazing how much we value certain things in different settings. On a plane, ceramic dishes and real glasses – however small – are living large. Put on our dining tables, those same dishes and glasses would look ridiculous.
Status also gets me and a guest entry into business lounges. So Michelle and I got a light breakfast at the very nice Lufthansa lounge in Athens. After arriving on a blissfully uneventful flight from Athens to Munich, I'm enjoying a much larger Lufthansa business lounge. Michelle has a different itinerary and had to go claim her bag and check-into United as part of her routing. So this time I'm enjoying my sparkling water alone.
At one time, I thought business lounges were pretentious extras airlines threw in to maintain loyalty and had no real value. That's mostly true. However, with time, age and apparently, some airline loyalty prestige I've come to see there is more value than used to meet the eye. Obviously, lounges are a more comfortable place to pass the time than seating at the gate or an airport restaurant. However, there's a significant monetary benefit in the cost of meals. Most lounges have a pretty nice selection of food and beverage – stuff I actually like. Airport food – even cheap stuff – is overpriced and usually involves a long line or poor service. When you factor in two or three travelers (ie the kids), I could well be saving at least $50 per airport and probably closer to $100. On a journey to Patmos, for example, when we usually pass through two airports and once in awhile three – the airline lounges not only save me hundreds of dollars, but they keep the kids happy with everything from nice seating and outlets to the sheer joy of checking out each lounge and comparing it every other they've experienced.
All of this to say that like a cliche – now that I've attained privilege, I've rethought the views of my more idealistic and critical twenty-something self.
On another note, "business lounge" seems like a term worth revisiting. Looking around this lounge in Munich, there's not a sole I would describe as being dressed in business attire. I'd actually be surprised if more than 20 percent of the people here are traveling on business. And certainly I rarely see business people flying business class – especially now that we live in a time when most large corporations have policies around flying their people only in economy. A large privately-held healthcare company I used to work for had a policy that everyone – executives included – fly economy and preferably Southwest. The owner, however, flew in his private jet.
Business is really the vestigial label for a privilege group driven by mileage loyalty plans. If I didn't have and maximize use of my United Quest Chase Card, I wouldn't be sitting here.
At the risk of jinxing something, the travel has thus far gone well. The catamaran ferry to Kos got us to our destination with some occasional rough waters – but overall smoothly. Our flight from Kos to Athens was ten minutes late departing, but that's great in Greek time let alone airline time in general. Our hotel was fine. Lufthansa was of course on time out of the gate and ten minutes early arriving to Munich. And so far, all seems good for my connection to LAX.
I'm fortunate and grateful.
After a little longer, an A380 will take me to Los Angeles, where I'll jump back into life. Grab groceries, get some sleep, drive to my mom's to pick up the kids, go to my aunt's for a belated Hanukkah party, head home and jump into the school and work week. I might be tired and weary at some point – most likely around day three, it's always the worst – but it's been a worthwhile several weeks. More importantly, it will be good to be back with Sennen and Ailyn – and doing life with them.
