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]
May 27, 2017, 3:58 pm
#2731
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
This is why I use a mobile boarding pass... I don't know what the agent can see, but usually I just scan my mobile BP (for another carrier) and I'm all set. The gatekeeper doesn't appear to see which airline it's for. If all it displays is the same string of text that I get from decoding the BP barcode, then they'll see my name, origin, destination, and then the IATA airline code is buried in there, so I doubt they'll put in the effort to search for it since it doesn't matter.
May 30, 2017, 2:43 pm
#2732
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
EWR Club near TSA at capacity and may be denying passes
It's pretty much a mess here at EWR. As I was checking in one of the registration gals asked another if they were stopping UA Club pass holders from coming in. She replied, "Not now, but I'm going to ask if we can do that". I didn't know they could do that. I'm sure they are within their rights and it's printed somewhere. They just announced the club is at capacity and to get any personal items off the seats so everyone can sit down.
How do they know when they are at capacity as when people leave they don't check out, I'm by the bar and there seems to be seats at all the high top tables.
How do they know when they are at capacity as when people leave they don't check out, I'm by the bar and there seems to be seats at all the high top tables.
Jun 5, 2017, 10:45 am
#2733
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Scotland / New York City
Programs: United 1K, United 1MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 31
United Club Guest question?
If flying international my MileagePlus Gold gets me United Club access (specifically at EWR). Have done this many times. Will soon be travelling with my wife (although on different itineraries as she is using miles) - so am I allowed a guest into the United Club?
Jun 5, 2017, 10:51 am
#2734
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
Yes, as long as she's also departing on a *A flight.
Jun 5, 2017, 11:05 am
#2735
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Scotland / New York City
Programs: United 1K, United 1MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 31
Jun 5, 2017, 12:39 pm
#2736
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
Yep.. One guest as a *A gold
Jun 9, 2017, 8:33 pm
#2737
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 302
I have a UC membership. Can I access a UC (SFO) with a same day BP for a non *A airline (Jetblue)? UA's site is a bit ambiguous.
Jun 9, 2017, 8:43 pm
#2738
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
Jun 9, 2017, 11:08 pm
#2739
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,416
Jun 20, 2017, 2:32 pm
#2740
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist Marriott Gold AA EXP
Posts: 1,016
United/Polaris Club access on Business Class
I'm booking a United award J class ticket from BCN-FRA-IAD-IAH. The first 2 legs are Lufthansa and the 3 is obviously United metal.
The lounge access rules aren't clear. They say a StarA partner ticket can only access the club in the departure city, but United Business ticket holders can access the lounge at any point of their journey on the day of travel. Which category would I be considered when I land at IAD?
The lounge access rules aren't clear. They say a StarA partner ticket can only access the club in the departure city, but United Business ticket holders can access the lounge at any point of their journey on the day of travel. Which category would I be considered when I land at IAD?
Jun 20, 2017, 2:36 pm
#2741
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,855
I'm booking a United award J class ticket from BCN-FRA-IAD-IAH. The first 2 legs are Lufthansa and the 3 is obviously United metal.
The lounge access rules aren't clear. They say a StarA partner ticket can only access the club in the departure city, but United Business ticket holders can access the lounge at any point of their journey on the day of travel. Which category would I be considered when I land at IAD?
The lounge access rules aren't clear. They say a StarA partner ticket can only access the club in the departure city, but United Business ticket holders can access the lounge at any point of their journey on the day of travel. Which category would I be considered when I land at IAD?
There are no Polaris Lounge at IAD, only UCs (& IFL)
Jun 20, 2017, 3:13 pm
#2742
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I'm booking a United award J class ticket from BCN-FRA-IAD-IAH. The first 2 legs are Lufthansa and the 3 is obviously United metal.
The lounge access rules aren't clear. They say a StarA partner ticket can only access the club in the departure city, but United Business ticket holders can access the lounge at any point of their journey on the day of travel. Which category would I be considered when I land at IAD?
The lounge access rules aren't clear. They say a StarA partner ticket can only access the club in the departure city, but United Business ticket holders can access the lounge at any point of their journey on the day of travel. Which category would I be considered when I land at IAD?
Jun 26, 2017, 11:00 am
#2743
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I'm booking a United award J class ticket from BCN-FRA-IAD-IAH. The first 2 legs are Lufthansa and the 3 is obviously United metal.
The lounge access rules aren't clear. They say a StarA partner ticket can only access the club in the departure city, but United Business ticket holders can access the lounge at any point of their journey on the day of travel. Which category would I be considered when I land at IAD?
The lounge access rules aren't clear. They say a StarA partner ticket can only access the club in the departure city, but United Business ticket holders can access the lounge at any point of their journey on the day of travel. Which category would I be considered when I land at IAD?
Jun 26, 2017, 11:03 am
#2744
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,890
IME, the TK lounge in IAD is better - very close to the LH lounge. Though can get busy at peak times, last time I was there in mid-late afternoon, and was pretty busy before the Saudia flight, which uses it as their contract lounge.
Jun 29, 2017, 2:54 pm
#2745
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Fresno CA
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Rewards, United Mileage Plus, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 2
United Club Boston
I'm flying United BusinessFirst from BOS—SFO, I'm a little confused on if i get United Club access since it's a transconiteninal flight?