Dec 7, 2014, 12:30 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive of older posts, the active thread is Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread
United operates United Clubs in the USA and many international locations -- see United Club and Other United Lounges for a detailed list.
UA's partners and the Star Alliance operates lounges in some of the same airports and many others. See the *A Lounge Finder and *A Lounge Access Policies . Additionally, some airports have "contract" lounges, admission is airport dependent.
United also operates International Global First Lounges and Arrival Lounges. These lounges have different access policy, see the linked threads for more.
To have access to the UCs, you will need to fit into one of the following
When BP/ticket is required, it can be either a paid or award ticket.
United Club T&Cs
Common questions
Children -- Are they counted as a guest?
Anyone with an individual ticket is counted as a guest. Lap children (below 2 years of age) are not counted as a guest. UC members can guest their dependent family at UCs (but this will not work at other *A lounges).
Is Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Puerto Rico (San Juan), .... international for UC access?
Yes
What about Domestic First Class?
Domestic First Class is not provided with UC access. Unless you qualify based on some other reason, there is no access for paid or award domestic FC.
Can my guest stay if I leave the lounge?
Strictly speaking, no. Guests only have access when the sponsor is in the lounge. You have "responsibility" for the guest when they are in the lounge. Realistically, however, there is usually no problem with leaving a guest behind.
Can access to the UC be further restricted?
UA reserves the right to limit access including the number of guests at times of crowding.
Can I bring food into the UC?
Strictly speaking no. There may be local health & safety codes against this.
Can I guest 3 co-workers by using multiple access methods? Such as 2 via UC membership and 1 as *G international?
No -- you cannot stack access methods.
Can I access the UC on arrival and no forward *A travel or if departing on a non-*A carrier?
Maybe if UC member or UA *G on international itinerary or arriving on UC operated Polaris cabin itinarary (Alsoyou qill need to able to access to the UC location)
Starting 18 Aug 2016: United Club Access (including members) Only w/ Same-Day BP
Partner lounges
Access / reviews for TK's IAD *A lounge
Consolidated "Access to Lufthansa Lounge at IAD" Thread [2014 forward]
Best IAD Lounge
Lufthansa Lounge Access in DTW/Detroit
Accessing the *A Lounge at LAX/TBIT as a UA flyer
United operates United Clubs in the USA and many international locations -- see United Club and Other United Lounges for a detailed list.
UA's partners and the Star Alliance operates lounges in some of the same airports and many others. See the *A Lounge Finder and *A Lounge Access Policies . Additionally, some airports have "contract" lounges, admission is airport dependent.
United also operates International Global First Lounges and Arrival Lounges. These lounges have different access policy, see the linked threads for more.
To have access to the UCs, you will need to fit into one of the following
- Be a UC member -- either directly purchased or combined with a credit card (such as Chase MP Club card)* UC members can have 2 guests or guest their spouse and dependent children under 21 years - Note at non-UA *A lounges UC members are allowed only 1 guest.
* The actual UC membership card @ UCs is generally not required if you have a UA BP -- since the UC membership is tied to the MP account
* Same day BP on ANY airline (arriving or departing)
* Spousal memberships are available as an extra cost option - Be traveling as *G member (see UA *G on domestic-only itinerary limitation) with departing *A BP showing your status while in any cabin* Can guest 1 traveler with a departing *A BP.
* UA *G cannot access domestic UCs unless traveling on a *A international itin (within 24 hours - can be different PNR)
* If non-UA *G but crediting to UA MP, you will need to present your non-UA *G card. There have been some reports of refused entry -- agents claiming you have to be crediting to the same program as you are requesting entry
- Be departing that airport in *A International Business or International First (with BP)* International First passengers can guest 1 traveler with a departing *A BP. No guests for International Business.
* UA has an expanded access policy that those traveling same day International Business or International First on UA operated flights can access UCs at any same day connecting airport
- Premium transcontinental non-stop (EWR-SFO/LAX & BOS-SFO) business class traveler* Limited to origin and destination airports of the premium transcontinental flight -- does not include connecting cities
* No guests - Have or purchase a UC one-time access pass* No guests
- Have Amtrak Select Plus or Select Executive status.* 1 guest
* Same day BP on ANY airline (arriving or departing)
When BP/ticket is required, it can be either a paid or award ticket.
United Club T&Cs
Common questions
Children -- Are they counted as a guest?
Anyone with an individual ticket is counted as a guest. Lap children (below 2 years of age) are not counted as a guest. UC members can guest their dependent family at UCs (but this will not work at other *A lounges).
Is Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Puerto Rico (San Juan), .... international for UC access?
Yes
Travel to or from Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Guam and Mexico are considered international itineraries for the purposes of United Club access.
Domestic First Class is not provided with UC access. Unless you qualify based on some other reason, there is no access for paid or award domestic FC.
Can my guest stay if I leave the lounge?
Strictly speaking, no. Guests only have access when the sponsor is in the lounge. You have "responsibility" for the guest when they are in the lounge. Realistically, however, there is usually no problem with leaving a guest behind.
Can access to the UC be further restricted?
UA reserves the right to limit access including the number of guests at times of crowding.
Can I bring food into the UC?
Strictly speaking no. There may be local health & safety codes against this.
Can I guest 3 co-workers by using multiple access methods? Such as 2 via UC membership and 1 as *G international?
No -- you cannot stack access methods.
Can I access the UC on arrival and no forward *A travel or if departing on a non-*A carrier?
Maybe if UC member or UA *G on international itinerary or arriving on UC operated Polaris cabin itinarary (Alsoyou qill need to able to access to the UC location)
Starting 18 Aug 2016: United Club Access (including members) Only w/ Same-Day BP
Partner lounges
Access / reviews for TK's IAD *A lounge
Consolidated "Access to Lufthansa Lounge at IAD" Thread [2014 forward]
Best IAD Lounge
Lufthansa Lounge Access in DTW/Detroit
Accessing the *A Lounge at LAX/TBIT as a UA flyer
Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread [ARCHIVE]
Oct 9, 2014, 1:36 am
#1291
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,416
Yes this is fundamental. You technically need a *A departure for *A access. For instance, I was (properly) turned down at LAX with a CM arrival from PTY and a WN departure to OAK.
Oct 9, 2014, 7:36 am
#1292
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wembley, Middx, England
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 775
I know that on a Global First ticket, I can access any lounge on the day of my flight. I am now connecting via ORD from DCA, but with a “long layover” – ie – my flight from DCA to ORD is Monday afternoon, but my international flight in Global first is Tuesday afternoon from ORD to LHR.
Can I still access the Club in DCA on the Monday, or only the Global First lounge at ORD on the Tuesday?
Thanks !
Can I still access the Club in DCA on the Monday, or only the Global First lounge at ORD on the Tuesday?
Thanks !
Oct 9, 2014, 9:03 am
#1293
Join Date: Oct 2003
Programs: MP, 1K 1MM
Posts: 1,255
Not my experience
Oct 9, 2014, 9:45 am
#1294
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
I know that on a Global First ticket, I can access any lounge on the day of my flight. I am now connecting via ORD from DCA, but with a “long layover” – ie – my flight from DCA to ORD is Monday afternoon, but my international flight in Global first is Tuesday afternoon from ORD to LHR.
Can I still access the Club in DCA on the Monday, or only the Global First lounge at ORD on the Tuesday?
Thanks !
Can I still access the Club in DCA on the Monday, or only the Global First lounge at ORD on the Tuesday?
Thanks !
You are now allowed 1st class lounge access only at the airport from which you are departing on an international, three-class of service, first class flight.
United treats its own passengers a bit better. If you are on UA on both legs, and your connection at ORD is less than 24-hours (so a connection and not a stopover), you allowed access to the UC at DCA as well.
Note that you may have to convince the agent at the lounge it is a connection.
Oct 9, 2014, 9:51 am
#1295
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wembley, Middx, England
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 775
That is no longer the Star Alliance rule. Hasn't been in a few years.
You are now allowed 1st class lounge access only at the airport from which you are departing on an international, three-class of service, first class flight.
United treats its own passengers a bit better. If you are on UA on both legs, and your connection at ORD is less than 24-hours (so a connection and not a stopover), you allowed access to the UC at DCA as well.
Note that you may have to convince the agent at the lounge it is a connection.
You are now allowed 1st class lounge access only at the airport from which you are departing on an international, three-class of service, first class flight.
United treats its own passengers a bit better. If you are on UA on both legs, and your connection at ORD is less than 24-hours (so a connection and not a stopover), you allowed access to the UC at DCA as well.
Note that you may have to convince the agent at the lounge it is a connection.
Thanks - all UA connecting flights ... I will bring my Priority Pass card if there is a problem ...
Oct 9, 2014, 10:15 am
#1296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,376
u'll find similar success at that desk in LAX.
Oct 10, 2014, 8:57 am
#1297
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Hoboken, NJ
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 19
Hello friends-
Read through about 20-25% of the posts in this thread, and still slightly confused. I'm United Gold and flying EWR-OSL. (Economy...for now) My research leads me to believe I should be able to get into the United lounge at EWR and the SAS lounge at OSL. Does that sound correct?
Thanks in advance!
Read through about 20-25% of the posts in this thread, and still slightly confused. I'm United Gold and flying EWR-OSL. (Economy...for now) My research leads me to believe I should be able to get into the United lounge at EWR and the SAS lounge at OSL. Does that sound correct?
Thanks in advance!
Oct 10, 2014, 9:01 am
#1298
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,416
Oct 25, 2014, 7:49 pm
#1300
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YXU/YYZ
Programs: AC SE, AMEX Plat, Marriott Gold, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 598
Looked through a lot of this thread, and couldn't find an answer. For a number of reasons, I will likely be switching to MP from AC Altitude. I will easily always be able to obtain Gold or Plat status with MP. All of my itineraries begin and end in Canada (YXU).
I understand that United *G members have access to a domestic UC if they are on an international itinerary. Does this apply to the entire routing? For example, if I am *G with United and I am flying YXU-ORD-IAH-SAT, would I get UC access in ORD and IAH? I think the answer is yes, but would like to check.
Thanks,
I understand that United *G members have access to a domestic UC if they are on an international itinerary. Does this apply to the entire routing? For example, if I am *G with United and I am flying YXU-ORD-IAH-SAT, would I get UC access in ORD and IAH? I think the answer is yes, but would like to check.
Thanks,
Oct 25, 2014, 7:53 pm
#1301
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,560
Looked through a lot of this thread, and couldn't find an answer. For a number of reasons, I will likely be switching to MP from AC Altitude. I will easily always be able to obtain Gold or Plat status with MP. All of my itineraries begin and end in Canada (YXU).
I understand that United *G members have access to a domestic UC if they are on an international itinerary. Does this apply to the entire routing? For example, if I am *G with United and I am flying YXU-ORD-IAH-SAT, would I get UC access in ORD and IAH? I think the answer is yes, but would like to check.
Thanks,
I understand that United *G members have access to a domestic UC if they are on an international itinerary. Does this apply to the entire routing? For example, if I am *G with United and I am flying YXU-ORD-IAH-SAT, would I get UC access in ORD and IAH? I think the answer is yes, but would like to check.
Thanks,
Oct 25, 2014, 8:21 pm
#1302
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YXU/YYZ
Programs: AC SE, AMEX Plat, Marriott Gold, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 598
Oct 27, 2014, 7:29 am
#1303
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: San Juan, PR
Programs: MR AMB/LT, AA EP, TK EP, DL D, B6 M4, F9 100K, IHG AMB/D, HH D, CZR D, FndCd, Sixt D, NTL E, Hz PC
Posts: 427
United Club at SAN denies Star Golds access?
I just tried to visit the United Club at SAN as a Star Alliance Gold (from another airline) and was denied entry by [the agent] at the door.
She said "it is only for Star Alliance Gold on international itineraries".
I believe this is in contravention of UA and Star Alliance policy for lounge access, but what recourse do I have, really?
(Waiting until Centurion Lounges open in the airports I care about, and switching my spend off Star Alliance.)
She said "it is only for Star Alliance Gold on international itineraries".
I believe this is in contravention of UA and Star Alliance policy for lounge access, but what recourse do I have, really?
(Waiting until Centurion Lounges open in the airports I care about, and switching my spend off Star Alliance.)
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Oct 27, 2014 at 7:49 am Reason: Name removed
Oct 27, 2014, 7:31 am
#1304
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,121
Oct 27, 2014, 7:38 am
#1305
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: San Juan, PR
Programs: MR AMB/LT, AA EP, TK EP, DL D, B6 M4, F9 100K, IHG AMB/D, HH D, CZR D, FndCd, Sixt D, NTL E, Hz PC
Posts: 427
Yeah, exactly what I want to do at 0630 in the morning, training someone else's employees to comply with policy. 
I called the United Club Lounge number, which claimed her interpretation of the policy is correct What I really need to do is get a metal printed card, like the 4th amendment TSA cards, to present at the lounge along with *G credential.
I called the United Club Lounge number, which claimed her interpretation of the policy is correct What I really need to do is get a metal printed card, like the 4th amendment TSA cards, to present at the lounge along with *G credential.