Jun 3, 2018, 2:29 pm
Last edit by: narvik
2025 ongoing construction:
there are a few seats currently blocked off at the far end of the bar area due to Polaris Lounge expansion utilizing the old Classified Restaurant space.
Expansion will see an increase in the current dining area, and 'other enhancements'.
Access to Polaris lounges (source):
update 29 Sept 2017, effective 1 Oct, 2017
Departure: The airport you are leaving on an international J/F flight* from, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT
Connecting: The airport to or from which you have a short-haul flight to connect to a longer flight, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT or NRT-ORD-EWR
Arrival: The airport you arrive at after your long-haul flight, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT
Hours- 5:00a - 10:30p
*Currently it appears that any departing international flight on an *A partner qualifies (except AC operated transborder flights ), but only United flights with the premium cabin class listed as 'Polaris Business' or 'Polaris First' will qualify for entrance after arriving off a United Polaris flight.
UA premium cabin flights not marketed as Polaris, such as Domestic First or International Business (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean ... ) are not eligible for Polaris lounge access.
Similar / Related Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
IAD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
ORD 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
Status of new permanent EWR United Clubs?
there are a few seats currently blocked off at the far end of the bar area due to Polaris Lounge expansion utilizing the old Classified Restaurant space.
Expansion will see an increase in the current dining area, and 'other enhancements'.
Access to Polaris lounges (source):
update 29 Sept 2017, effective 1 Oct, 2017
Departure: The airport you are leaving on an international J/F flight* from, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT
Connecting: The airport to or from which you have a short-haul flight to connect to a longer flight, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT or NRT-ORD-EWR
Arrival: The airport you arrive at after your long-haul flight, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT
Hours- 5:00a - 10:30p
*Currently it appears that any departing international flight on an *A partner qualifies (except AC operated transborder flights ), but only United flights with the premium cabin class listed as 'Polaris Business' or 'Polaris First' will qualify for entrance after arriving off a United Polaris flight.
UA premium cabin flights not marketed as Polaris, such as Domestic First or International Business (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean ... ) are not eligible for Polaris lounge access.
Similar / Related Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
IAD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
ORD 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
Status of new permanent EWR United Clubs?
EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
May 26, 2023 | 5:56 pm
#661
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 72,946
Update, recent info
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 27, 2023 at 10:41 am Reason: UA has plans to increase the size of ORD PL , has not yet occured
Jun 1, 2023 | 1:57 pm
#662
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-Silver
Posts: 3,274
Champagne was Charles de Fre. They had Aperol though, so got Aperol spritz instead with Bollicini prosecco.
Dining room
Appetizer - asparagus salad
Main - chicken
Buffet
Food was not bad. Arrived at the lounge at around 650pm, they had a waitlist of around 25min. I put my name on the waitlist and got a message that table was ready after 7min.
Lounge was quite packed still, around 80% full.
Another observation, a middle-aged NJ couple next to me tipped $30. They sounded like they were in the hospitality industry so they were eager to reward server for good service.
Dining room
Appetizer - asparagus salad
Main - chicken
Buffet
Food was not bad. Arrived at the lounge at around 650pm, they had a waitlist of around 25min. I put my name on the waitlist and got a message that table was ready after 7min.
Lounge was quite packed still, around 80% full.
Another observation, a middle-aged NJ couple next to me tipped $30. They sounded like they were in the hospitality industry so they were eager to reward server for good service.
Jun 2, 2023 | 10:57 am
#663
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 3MM & LT UC, Qantas Platinum, HA Pualani Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 9,834
Jun 2, 2023 | 11:03 am
#664
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 12,039
Are you supposed to tip? I don't do a lot of INTL travels; even when I do, I am usually traveling in coach anyway, or on *A airport w/o fancy dining lounges, or non *A, sometimes I don't even visit lounges despite being eligible. I just don't care too much about it, and usually arrive to the airport very close to departure.
I think I have been to PL twice in my lifetime (EWR and SFO on separate trips) and had sit down dining once, and did not leave any tips.
I think I have been to PL twice in my lifetime (EWR and SFO on separate trips) and had sit down dining once, and did not leave any tips.
Jun 2, 2023 | 11:25 am
#665
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,778
Are you supposed to tip? I don't do a lot of INTL travels; even when I do, I am usually traveling in coach anyway, or on *A airport w/o fancy dining lounges, or non *A, sometimes I don't even visit lounges despite being eligible. I just don't care too much about it, and usually arrive to the airport very close to departure.
I think I have been to PL twice in my lifetime (EWR and SFO on separate trips) and had sit down dining once, and did not leave any tips.
I think I have been to PL twice in my lifetime (EWR and SFO on separate trips) and had sit down dining once, and did not leave any tips.
the topic always generates a lot of discussion.
short answer: up to you, as it should be.
Jun 2, 2023 | 11:27 am
#666
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,778
Champagne was Charles de Fre. They had Aperol though, so got Aperol spritz instead with Bollicini prosecco.
Dining room
img
Appetizer - asparagus salad
Main - chicken
img
Buffet
img
Food was not bad. Arrived at the lounge at around 650pm, they had a waitlist of around 25min. I put my name on the waitlist and got a message that table was ready after 7min.
Lounge was quite packed still, around 80% full.
Another observation, a middle-aged NJ couple next to me tipped $30. They sounded like they were in the hospitality industry so they were eager to reward server for good service.
Dining room
img
Appetizer - asparagus salad
Main - chicken
img
Buffet
img
Food was not bad. Arrived at the lounge at around 650pm, they had a waitlist of around 25min. I put my name on the waitlist and got a message that table was ready after 7min.
Lounge was quite packed still, around 80% full.
Another observation, a middle-aged NJ couple next to me tipped $30. They sounded like they were in the hospitality industry so they were eager to reward server for good service.
Jun 4, 2023 | 2:12 pm
#668
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,308
Visited on 6/3. Extremely busy when I arrived (didn't help that we landed 20 minutes ahead of schedule and didn't get to the gate until 40 minutes past arrival time). Immediately put my name down for the restaurant (was quoted 30 minutes, took closer to an hour) and then had to do 3-4 laps before a seat opened up at the bar.
Champagne was Lanson and they had a ton of bottles -- I saw them cycle through a bunch while sitting at the bar. Same menu as posted above -- I had the cheese plate, chicken, and skillet cookie for dinner all accompanied by a nice glass of The Prisoner. All very tasty, the chicken was especially delightful. Lounge cleared out a decent amount by the time I finished my meal (thanks for the 5-6pm departures) so was able to grab a solo "Polaris" seat for the rest of my stay.
Champagne was Lanson and they had a ton of bottles -- I saw them cycle through a bunch while sitting at the bar. Same menu as posted above -- I had the cheese plate, chicken, and skillet cookie for dinner all accompanied by a nice glass of The Prisoner. All very tasty, the chicken was especially delightful. Lounge cleared out a decent amount by the time I finished my meal (thanks for the 5-6pm departures) so was able to grab a solo "Polaris" seat for the rest of my stay.
Jun 5, 2023 | 4:49 pm
#669
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2.4MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium LTG
Posts: 2,440
6/5 6:00 PM
Completely packed. So many little kids in here too. Its hard to believe that families of 5 or 6 are flying Polaris but I guess they are. Two travelers and we couldnt find two seats somewhat near each other for 15 min. People are eating off plates balanced on their laps on the benches in the lobby or standing and eating. This is my least favorite lounge in the system. The previous occupant of my chair left a huge pile of plates, food and glasses on the little table and theyre still there 45 min later. Uniteds Premium Experience indeed.
Completely packed. So many little kids in here too. Its hard to believe that families of 5 or 6 are flying Polaris but I guess they are. Two travelers and we couldnt find two seats somewhat near each other for 15 min. People are eating off plates balanced on their laps on the benches in the lobby or standing and eating. This is my least favorite lounge in the system. The previous occupant of my chair left a huge pile of plates, food and glasses on the little table and theyre still there 45 min later. Uniteds Premium Experience indeed.
Jun 5, 2023 | 4:57 pm
#670
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 2MM 1K
Posts: 16,539
Polaris flights out of LAX, SFO, IAH are still probably below pre-pandemic. W/all the new destinations ex-EWR, looks like the PL there will be strained. And with more families and fewer business travelers, the experience not optimal.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jun 11, 2023 at 11:37 am Reason: speling
Jun 5, 2023 | 5:18 pm
#671
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2.4MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium LTG
Posts: 2,440
long line for the restroom, line at the bar, line at the buffet, at least 90 min for the restaurant, dishes STILL not cleared. Stay classy United. I may fly west to LAXor south to IAH next time I head to Europe. This reminds me of the contract lounge in PTY.
Jun 11, 2023 | 8:34 am
#672
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,308
Was here yesterday albeit a little earlier than last week on my outbound (got there about 3pm vs 4pm). Was able to get a table straight away and had same meal as pictured above last week.
Was then able to find a place to sit pretty quickly until my EWR - RDU flight left. By the time I left the lounge it was completely packed.
It did not appear that they were serving Lanson yesterday although I only got a glass of Prisoner and wasnt looking for any bubbles so they may have had some in a different part of the bar they do seem to differentiate between some specifically asking for champagne and just asking for bubbles in general or a mixed drink (like a mimosa) where they use Prosecco. I observed the latter at the UC in London as well
Was then able to find a place to sit pretty quickly until my EWR - RDU flight left. By the time I left the lounge it was completely packed.
It did not appear that they were serving Lanson yesterday although I only got a glass of Prisoner and wasnt looking for any bubbles so they may have had some in a different part of the bar they do seem to differentiate between some specifically asking for champagne and just asking for bubbles in general or a mixed drink (like a mimosa) where they use Prosecco. I observed the latter at the UC in London as well
Jun 12, 2023 | 6:18 am
#673
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 11,353
....
It did not appear that they were serving Lanson yesterday although I only got a glass of Prisoner and wasnt looking for any bubbles so they may have had some in a different part of the bar they do seem to differentiate between some specifically asking for champagne and just asking for bubbles in general or a mixed drink (like a mimosa) where they use Prosecco. I observed the latter at the UC in London as well
It did not appear that they were serving Lanson yesterday although I only got a glass of Prisoner and wasnt looking for any bubbles so they may have had some in a different part of the bar they do seem to differentiate between some specifically asking for champagne and just asking for bubbles in general or a mixed drink (like a mimosa) where they use Prosecco. I observed the latter at the UC in London as well
Jun 12, 2023 | 9:19 am
#674
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,778
Last edited by fumje; Jun 12, 2023 at 11:57 am Reason: see below
Jun 12, 2023 | 11:43 am
#675
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-Silver
Posts: 3,274
I had Bollicini prosecco with my Aperol Spritz. I refuse to drink Charles de Fere.