Originally Posted by
threeoh
OP had a ticket and could prove who they were. If there is a purpose to requiring a passport, it's not this.
Actually I'm also perplexed as to why EWR Polaris lounge requires passport for entry. Last week I flew MEL-LAX-EWR and used the EWR Polaris Lounge on ARRIVAL and was asked for my passport... I just showed the agent my passport because I was hungry and didn't bother asking why.