Berlin (dpa/tmn)
The train has been delayed or a connection has a long transfer time. Comfortable if you can then spend the waiting time in the DB lounge. But from March the access conditions will change.
Sit in a warm place, read the newspaper, have a free drink and eat a small snack. The Deutsche Bahn lounges offer such opportunities to certain 1st class travelers and customers of the Bahnbonus program.
In order to be able to use the comfortable waiting rooms, however, access authorizations apply, some of which will change from March 1st.
Like the train on hers Page informs, a general ticket obligation for the lounges then also applies to rail bonus customers (silver, gold, platinum). Until now, they were allowed in without, but now they need a 1st or 2nd class long-distance ticket (including saver fare and super saver fare).
In addition, the railway is eliminating the possibility of taking guests to the premium area. Drinks and snacks are served there.
An exception for taking along still applies to severely disabled people in all areas. According to Bahn, the child regulation also remains unchanged.
High attendance – limited access
When asked about the reasons for the changes, a spokesman for Deutsche Bahn refers to the currently high occupancy of the lounges: “The atmosphere, the service and the availability of seats suffer as a result.”
Travelers with a first-class flex-price ticket still have access to the lounges and premium areas.
The premium areas are also accessible to bonus customers with platinum status in connection with a long-distance ticket and holders of a Bahncard 100 (1st class). Deutsche Bahn offers the premium area with on-site service in half a dozen stations.
