Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Access to Polaris lounges (source):
Hour 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily
A la carte dining, last seating 8 p. m.
United flights with the premium cabin class listed as 'Polaris Business' qualify for deaparture, connecting and arrival of a United Polaris flight.
UA premium cabin flights not marketed as Polaris, such as Domestic First or International Business (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, northern South America, ... ) are not eligible for Polaris lounge access.
For partner, Business or International First, access only at departure airport and same destination restrictions as UA (roughly at least 8+ hours long haul international - TATL, TPAC, yes any UA Polaris destination but no trans-border).
No Guests (except 1 guest for International First partner flights)
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAH Polaris lounge (E11/12 - top fl) -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
SFO Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
LAX Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges (wiki) (thread)}
Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
International T5 ORD partner *G lounges
Hour 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily
A la carte dining, last seating 8 p. m.
United flights with the premium cabin class listed as 'Polaris Business' qualify for deaparture, connecting and arrival of a United Polaris flight.
UA premium cabin flights not marketed as Polaris, such as Domestic First or International Business (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, northern South America, ... ) are not eligible for Polaris lounge access.
For partner, Business or International First, access only at departure airport and same destination restrictions as UA (roughly at least 8+ hours long haul international - TATL, TPAC, yes any UA Polaris destination but no trans-border).
No Guests (except 1 guest for International First partner flights)
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAH Polaris lounge (E11/12 - top fl) -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
SFO Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
LAX Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges (wiki) (thread)}
Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
International T5 ORD partner *G lounges
ORD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
#541
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 139
Got off a flight from PEK to ORD (had upgraded to 1st) and was surprised that a United rep was at the end of the jetway holding a sign with about 10 names. Mine was one, and she handed me a boarding pass that had a little sticker inviting me to try the Polaris lounge. I had a long layover, so I headed straight for the lounge. It was very busy when I got there around 5PM, but i found a seat next to a table with dirty glasses. Cleanup seemed to be very slow for the first hour or so. The crowd rapidly thinned out, and by 6PM the club was mostly empty.
Quick observations:
- Food was fairly good, particularly if you are used to United Clubs. On a par with a typical international lounge. Didn't try the table service but the menu looked good.
- I liked the full service bar with the self-pour whiskey table. The latter included a Balvenie Doublewood, one of my favorite Scotches. 6 taps for draft beer, but they were all non-functional ("waiting for gas").
- Variety of seating is good
- For a new club, surprisingly limited power outlets. Most are lamps with one 120 plug and one USB connection. Often, the lamp is shared by multiple seats. I usually use 2 120v outlets - one for my Mac, one for a USB adapter that charges up to 4 devices. At least the majority of seats have one nearby.
- Bizarre rest rooms. A long, dark hallway has about 10 or 12 individual gender-neutral bathrooms. The only way to tell if one is occupied is to try the handle or look for a tiny "occupied/vacant" indicator by the handle. This is almost impossible to see in the dark hallway. When I arrived, all were occupied. I don't think they thought through this design very well.
Overall, for a US lounge, it's not bad. I use Amex Centurion lounges, usually SFO & IAH, and I'd say this comes close to the IAH experience but not quite as good as SFO with visible chefs and the wine tasting wall.
Quick observations:
- Food was fairly good, particularly if you are used to United Clubs. On a par with a typical international lounge. Didn't try the table service but the menu looked good.
- I liked the full service bar with the self-pour whiskey table. The latter included a Balvenie Doublewood, one of my favorite Scotches. 6 taps for draft beer, but they were all non-functional ("waiting for gas").
- Variety of seating is good
- For a new club, surprisingly limited power outlets. Most are lamps with one 120 plug and one USB connection. Often, the lamp is shared by multiple seats. I usually use 2 120v outlets - one for my Mac, one for a USB adapter that charges up to 4 devices. At least the majority of seats have one nearby.
- Bizarre rest rooms. A long, dark hallway has about 10 or 12 individual gender-neutral bathrooms. The only way to tell if one is occupied is to try the handle or look for a tiny "occupied/vacant" indicator by the handle. This is almost impossible to see in the dark hallway. When I arrived, all were occupied. I don't think they thought through this design very well.
Overall, for a US lounge, it's not bad. I use Amex Centurion lounges, usually SFO & IAH, and I'd say this comes close to the IAH experience but not quite as good as SFO with visible chefs and the wine tasting wall.
#542
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: PHL, EWR
Programs: UA Gold; AA; Amtrak Select Plus;HH Diamond;Hyatt Disc;Hertz PC; Total Wine Grand Reserve!
Posts: 2,399
When I was there a few weeks ago in the morning, there was a waiter with a beard who gave good service in the dining area. He did tell the guy seated at the the table next to me that "service wasn't included." He only had a few singles on him, so left that as the tip. I left $5. However, on my second visit, there was a diner next to me who only had one drink and an appetizer and then left (wasn't there more than 20 minutes). He left a $20 tip! I thought that was crazy!!
Last edited by rittenhousesq; Sep 22, 2017 at 6:21 pm
#543
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: dark side of the moon
Programs: papa card, UA 1K
Posts: 707
Polaris access policy change
I cant get the direct link (maybe an internal memo?) but I was sent a text of a screen shot. Basically this closes the loop for short haul AC access to polaris lounges where you could buy a business class AC ticket, use the polaris lounge etc etc.... I was told about this loop a long time ago but could never be bothered to use it. I try to avoid ORD like the plague anyway.
Last edited by ermintrude; Sep 29, 2017 at 2:34 pm Reason: screenshot change
#544
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,413
Bummer for Lucky. My $305 Ticket that Gets Me Access to United's Polaris Lounge
#545
Moderator: United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,757
Bummer for Lucky. My $305 Ticket that Gets Me Access to United's Polaris Lounge
United Cuts Polaris Lounge Access For Air Canada Passengers
Also covered in AC FT forum http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...ge-access.html
Appears this is effective 1 Oct, 2017
#546
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Carolina
Programs: UA LT Gold, American Kettle, Hertz #1 Presidents Circle, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 927
Got off a flight from PEK to ORD (had upgraded to 1st) and was surprised that a
- Bizarre rest rooms. A long, dark hallway has about 10 or 12 individual gender-neutral bathrooms. The only way to tell if one is occupied is to try the handle or look for a tiny "occupied/vacant" indicator by the handle. This is almost impossible to see in the dark hallway.
- Bizarre rest rooms. A long, dark hallway has about 10 or 12 individual gender-neutral bathrooms. The only way to tell if one is occupied is to try the handle or look for a tiny "occupied/vacant" indicator by the handle. This is almost impossible to see in the dark hallway.
#547
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,991
I cant get the direct link (maybe an internal memo?) but I was sent a text of a screen shot. Basically this closes the loop for short haul AC access to polaris lounges where you could buy a business class AC ticket, use the polaris lounge etc etc.... I was told about this loop a long time ago but could never be bothered to use it. I try to avoid ORD like the plague anyway.
#548
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,993
More than fine with this change being implemented. Only flights with the Polaris soft product should get access (which is basically what this change does, at least for UA metal flights).
#549
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,384
Note that this was already true for UA metal flights, the only change is deny access for non-UA transborder flights who previously had a loophole.
#550
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: ORD, DUS
Programs: OW Emerald(RJ), SA Gold(Turkish Elite)
Posts: 47
Flying Lufthansa Business out of ORD. Can i access Polaris lounge ?
Flying Lufthansa Business out of ORD-FRA. Can i access Polaris lounge before heading over to terminal 5?
#551
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,413
#553
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,156