AC vs United - is it just me?
Jan 7, 2019, 4:55 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2014
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I believe the crux of the question revolves around the "I have a place in SFO and sometimes fly SFO to xxx on UA metal." comment.
Jan 8, 2019, 6:02 am
#18
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Jan 8, 2019, 6:37 am
#19
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Polaris lounges have limited entry criteria - usually one has to be flying long-haul Polaris on UA metal. AC*G and UA tickets to places that aren't far enough away don't qualify. So unless connecting in SFO to UA TPACs, I doubt that most of us will have that option.
Jan 8, 2019, 11:09 am
#21
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IF the OP is in SFO, clearly he can use the lounge flying many airlines, if hes upgraded to J class. The Polaris lounge took over both SQ and EVA's lounges in SFO and its a monster of a lounge.
Jan 16, 2019, 10:41 am
#22
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AC SE100, Bonvoy Platinum Elite
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When flying from SFO to YYZ the only lounge is the international United lounge, only for tickets biz class. They won't allow SE's in even if on the upgrade list? Tried to go in a few months ago and they said I wasn't eligible unless ticketed for biz class.
Jan 16, 2019, 11:56 am
#23
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There is a United Club down by gate 98 you have access to as *G. There are 3 more United Clubs in Terminal 3 (accessible airside) that are all better than the international one.
Jan 16, 2019, 2:34 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
Last time I was admitted, in November, I was flying on an Aeroplan J reward ticket between AC and OZ flights. My AC-issued boarding pass displayed my Aeroplan number, not my UA MP number. Was it my winning personality that got me through the doors, or perhaps a criteria that doesn't fit with the comment above?
Jan 16, 2019, 2:47 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
Last time I was admitted, in November, I was flying on an Aeroplan J reward ticket between AC and OZ flights. My AC-issued boarding pass displayed my Aeroplan number, not my UA MP number. Was it my winning personality that got me through the doors, or perhaps a criteria that doesn't fit with the comment above?
Jan 16, 2019, 3:03 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
AC J passengers will qualify for access into the LHR Polaris lounge when it opens, and I'm absolutely certain the most fervent "AC is SO much better than UA" crowd will stampede to it at first opportunity.
Jan 16, 2019, 3:21 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
AC to OZ outbound to ICN. Regardless, I think the claim of "AC passengers are never eligible" is a bit misleading, as AC doesn't fly internationally from SFO or indeed any location that houses a Polaris lounge. The eligibility criteria includes international business or first class, and I believe we all understand the distinction between international and transborder in airline terms.
AC J passengers will qualify for access into the LHR Polaris lounge when it opens, and I'm absolutely certain the most fervent "AC is SO much better than UA" crowd will stampede to it at first opportunity.
AC J passengers will qualify for access into the LHR Polaris lounge when it opens, and I'm absolutely certain the most fervent "AC is SO much better than UA" crowd will stampede to it at first opportunity.
Jan 16, 2019, 3:32 pm
#28
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And as always, context is key. In this sub-thread, an AC passenger is someone departing SFO for YYZ on AC.
You can take out two of the three contextual references (departure, arrival, airline), and you're still never allowed in Polaris.
Will any AC pax be eligible for any Polaris lounge at any point in four-dimensional space? Absolutely. They were eligible in ORD at the start, and they'll be eligible in LHR, NRT, HKG, or wherever else they build lounges on other continents, once those open.
But as it stands right now. AC passengers are not allowed in Polaris lounges, but there are several other options in SFO.
You can take out two of the three contextual references (departure, arrival, airline), and you're still never allowed in Polaris.
Will any AC pax be eligible for any Polaris lounge at any point in four-dimensional space? Absolutely. They were eligible in ORD at the start, and they'll be eligible in LHR, NRT, HKG, or wherever else they build lounges on other continents, once those open.
But as it stands right now. AC passengers are not allowed in Polaris lounges, but there are several other options in SFO.
Jan 22, 2019, 10:22 am
#30
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Programs: UA Plat; *A Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 351
To the OP: your comments seem to be mostly about the seating layout. Like most airlines, United has many different seating configurations on many different airplanes and you can see which aircraft you’ll be on when booking. The new “real” Polaris 787 1-2-1 seat layout is basically the same as AC Business on 787’s, but only exists on planes delivered or refurbed since last year. Otherwise you’ll have a layout picked at some point over the past 15 years or so by two different airlines, CO or UA.
SeatGuru is a helpful (if not always accurate) guide. If you don’t like a particular configuration or plane look for a different flight.
SeatGuru is a helpful (if not always accurate) guide. If you don’t like a particular configuration or plane look for a different flight.