Originally Posted by
IAH-OIL-TRASH
Premium transcon prices not much different than the domestic example provided (and is often much cheaper).
Premium t-con is actually quite pricey these days if you can't get a P fare - typically well over $2k. And if you're buying within a week of departure, it's going to be over $3k. There are plenty of intercontinental routes that are less than that on dollars per hour of flight basis.
The answer to "why doesn't premium t-con get Polaris lounge is access" is "because UA has not granted it." No need for explanations beyond that.