Dec 7, 2014, 12:30 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive of older posts, the active thread is Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread
United operates United Clubs in the USA and many international locations -- see United Club and Other United Lounges for a detailed list.
UA's partners and the Star Alliance operates lounges in some of the same airports and many others. See the *A Lounge Finder and *A Lounge Access Policies . Additionally, some airports have "contract" lounges, admission is airport dependent.
United also operates International Global First Lounges and Arrival Lounges. These lounges have different access policy, see the linked threads for more.
To have access to the UCs, you will need to fit into one of the following
When BP/ticket is required, it can be either a paid or award ticket.
United Club T&Cs
Common questions
Children -- Are they counted as a guest?
Anyone with an individual ticket is counted as a guest. Lap children (below 2 years of age) are not counted as a guest. UC members can guest their dependent family at UCs (but this will not work at other *A lounges).
Is Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Puerto Rico (San Juan), .... international for UC access?
Yes
What about Domestic First Class?
Domestic First Class is not provided with UC access. Unless you qualify based on some other reason, there is no access for paid or award domestic FC.
Can my guest stay if I leave the lounge?
Strictly speaking, no. Guests only have access when the sponsor is in the lounge. You have "responsibility" for the guest when they are in the lounge. Realistically, however, there is usually no problem with leaving a guest behind.
Can access to the UC be further restricted?
UA reserves the right to limit access including the number of guests at times of crowding.
Can I bring food into the UC?
Strictly speaking no. There may be local health & safety codes against this.
Can I guest 3 co-workers by using multiple access methods? Such as 2 via UC membership and 1 as *G international?
No -- you cannot stack access methods.
Can I access the UC on arrival and no forward *A travel or if departing on a non-*A carrier?
Maybe if UC member or UA *G on international itinerary or arriving on UC operated Polaris cabin itinarary (Alsoyou qill need to able to access to the UC location)
Starting 18 Aug 2016: United Club Access (including members) Only w/ Same-Day BP
Partner lounges
Access / reviews for TK's IAD *A lounge
Consolidated "Access to Lufthansa Lounge at IAD" Thread [2014 forward]
Best IAD Lounge
Lufthansa Lounge Access in DTW/Detroit
Accessing the *A Lounge at LAX/TBIT as a UA flyer
United operates United Clubs in the USA and many international locations -- see United Club and Other United Lounges for a detailed list.
UA's partners and the Star Alliance operates lounges in some of the same airports and many others. See the *A Lounge Finder and *A Lounge Access Policies . Additionally, some airports have "contract" lounges, admission is airport dependent.
United also operates International Global First Lounges and Arrival Lounges. These lounges have different access policy, see the linked threads for more.
To have access to the UCs, you will need to fit into one of the following
- Be a UC member -- either directly purchased or combined with a credit card (such as Chase MP Club card)* UC members can have 2 guests or guest their spouse and dependent children under 21 years - Note at non-UA *A lounges UC members are allowed only 1 guest.
* The actual UC membership card @ UCs is generally not required if you have a UA BP -- since the UC membership is tied to the MP account
* Same day BP on ANY airline (arriving or departing)
* Spousal memberships are available as an extra cost option - Be traveling as *G member (see UA *G on domestic-only itinerary limitation) with departing *A BP showing your status while in any cabin* Can guest 1 traveler with a departing *A BP.
* UA *G cannot access domestic UCs unless traveling on a *A international itin (within 24 hours - can be different PNR)
* If non-UA *G but crediting to UA MP, you will need to present your non-UA *G card. There have been some reports of refused entry -- agents claiming you have to be crediting to the same program as you are requesting entry
- Be departing that airport in *A International Business or International First (with BP)* International First passengers can guest 1 traveler with a departing *A BP. No guests for International Business.
* UA has an expanded access policy that those traveling same day International Business or International First on UA operated flights can access UCs at any same day connecting airport
- Premium transcontinental non-stop (EWR-SFO/LAX & BOS-SFO) business class traveler* Limited to origin and destination airports of the premium transcontinental flight -- does not include connecting cities
* No guests - Have or purchase a UC one-time access pass* No guests
- Have Amtrak Select Plus or Select Executive status.* 1 guest
* Same day BP on ANY airline (arriving or departing)
When BP/ticket is required, it can be either a paid or award ticket.
United Club T&Cs
Common questions
Children -- Are they counted as a guest?
Anyone with an individual ticket is counted as a guest. Lap children (below 2 years of age) are not counted as a guest. UC members can guest their dependent family at UCs (but this will not work at other *A lounges).
Is Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Puerto Rico (San Juan), .... international for UC access?
Yes
Travel to or from Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Guam and Mexico are considered international itineraries for the purposes of United Club access.
Domestic First Class is not provided with UC access. Unless you qualify based on some other reason, there is no access for paid or award domestic FC.
Can my guest stay if I leave the lounge?
Strictly speaking, no. Guests only have access when the sponsor is in the lounge. You have "responsibility" for the guest when they are in the lounge. Realistically, however, there is usually no problem with leaving a guest behind.
Can access to the UC be further restricted?
UA reserves the right to limit access including the number of guests at times of crowding.
Can I bring food into the UC?
Strictly speaking no. There may be local health & safety codes against this.
Can I guest 3 co-workers by using multiple access methods? Such as 2 via UC membership and 1 as *G international?
No -- you cannot stack access methods.
Can I access the UC on arrival and no forward *A travel or if departing on a non-*A carrier?
Maybe if UC member or UA *G on international itinerary or arriving on UC operated Polaris cabin itinarary (Alsoyou qill need to able to access to the UC location)
Starting 18 Aug 2016: United Club Access (including members) Only w/ Same-Day BP
Partner lounges
Access / reviews for TK's IAD *A lounge
Consolidated "Access to Lufthansa Lounge at IAD" Thread [2014 forward]
Best IAD Lounge
Lufthansa Lounge Access in DTW/Detroit
Accessing the *A Lounge at LAX/TBIT as a UA flyer
Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread [ARCHIVE]
Apr 16, 2015, 12:15 am
#1591
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,861
Apr 16, 2015, 7:50 am
#1592
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
Yes and This is what you are asking about - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ub-access.html
Apr 20, 2015, 7:12 pm
#1593
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 355
which UA clubs can I use as UA gold? (IAD-ORD-SFO-NRT-SIN and back)
which of these UA clubs can I use as UA gold member?
I flying coach IAD-ORD-SFO-NRT-SIN and SIN-NRT-ORD-IAD. (all on UA metal)
Thanks!
I flying coach IAD-ORD-SFO-NRT-SIN and SIN-NRT-ORD-IAD. (all on UA metal)
Thanks!
Apr 20, 2015, 7:18 pm
#1594
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, AS MVP, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 1,848
If there are no stopovers here, you can use UA and *G clubs at IAD, ORD, SFO and NRT on the way out, and similarly at everyplace but your final destination on the return.
If you have the time to get to B at IAD and it's open, the LH lounge is much nicer than the UCs. Similarly, the ANA lounge at NRT is much nicer.
If you have the time to get to B at IAD and it's open, the LH lounge is much nicer than the UCs. Similarly, the ANA lounge at NRT is much nicer.
Apr 20, 2015, 7:52 pm
#1595
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 355
If there are no stopovers here, you can use UA and *G clubs at IAD, ORD, SFO and NRT on the way out, and similarly at everyplace but your final destination on the return.
If you have the time to get to B at IAD and it's open, the LH lounge is much nicer than the UCs. Similarly, the ANA lounge at NRT is much nicer.
If you have the time to get to B at IAD and it's open, the LH lounge is much nicer than the UCs. Similarly, the ANA lounge at NRT is much nicer.
I didn't feel like arguing with someone who was older than my great-grandmother, so I gave up and went to the crappy UA Club. 
Direct quote: "you're suppose to use the Star Alliance lounge closest to your departing gate...."
Apr 20, 2015, 8:29 pm
#1596
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,861
Apr 21, 2015, 7:54 pm
#1597
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,904
Admit or deny - my scenario at UA club
UA 1K (so *G)
Purchased all on one A fare basis ticket
Day 1 HNL-SFO (arrival 9:30pm) on UA
Day 2 (next day) SFO-FRA (departure 2:55pm) on LH
Agent at HNL UC denied me admission saying that while yes - Star Gold/Intl First - should get UC access - the flight had to be all UA. The exception would be if my *G was not though UA. I do know I'll get into the IFL at SFO tomorrow. I did show the below to the HNL UC rep who politely informed me that she knew it had to be all UA and that the website changed all the time but they dealt with this daily and were positive about the rules. She was so nice about it and I had only 20 minutes that I really didn't think it was worth the stink.
I thought I would get in based on this from the website.
United
A valid Star Alliance Gold membership card and a boarding pass for travel within 24 hours on an international1 flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline (does not have to be the same itinerary)
OR
A boarding pass showing Star Alliance Gold status, for travel within 24 hours on an international1 flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline (does not have to be the same itinerary)
On a much more important and positive note, my last 6 UA flights have all been on-time or within 20-30 minutes of schedule.
Purchased all on one A fare basis ticket
Day 1 HNL-SFO (arrival 9:30pm) on UA
Day 2 (next day) SFO-FRA (departure 2:55pm) on LH
Agent at HNL UC denied me admission saying that while yes - Star Gold/Intl First - should get UC access - the flight had to be all UA. The exception would be if my *G was not though UA. I do know I'll get into the IFL at SFO tomorrow. I did show the below to the HNL UC rep who politely informed me that she knew it had to be all UA and that the website changed all the time but they dealt with this daily and were positive about the rules. She was so nice about it and I had only 20 minutes that I really didn't think it was worth the stink.
I thought I would get in based on this from the website.
United
A valid Star Alliance Gold membership card and a boarding pass for travel within 24 hours on an international1 flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline (does not have to be the same itinerary)
OR
A boarding pass showing Star Alliance Gold status, for travel within 24 hours on an international1 flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline (does not have to be the same itinerary)
On a much more important and positive note, my last 6 UA flights have all been on-time or within 20-30 minutes of schedule.
Apr 21, 2015, 7:58 pm
#1598
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
I think she was wrong in denying you access...
Apr 21, 2015, 8:07 pm
#1599
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Here is the rule from the UA site:
All eligible customers must be traveling on an international1 itinerary or on a p.s.® Premium Service flight between New York JFK and Los Angeles or San Francisco. Customers can access United Club locations throughout their itinerary, within 24 hours of arrival or departure. Please present a United boarding pass for travel within 24 hours.
Was your departure from HNL within 24 hours of your departure from SFO? Don't know how they would account for time zones. But if I did my math right you would have been so should have been allowed access.
All eligible customers must be traveling on an international1 itinerary or on a p.s.® Premium Service flight between New York JFK and Los Angeles or San Francisco. Customers can access United Club locations throughout their itinerary, within 24 hours of arrival or departure. Please present a United boarding pass for travel within 24 hours.
Was your departure from HNL within 24 hours of your departure from SFO? Don't know how they would account for time zones. But if I did my math right you would have been so should have been allowed access.
Apr 21, 2015, 8:15 pm
#1600
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
Do you still have the HNL-SFO boarding pass? If it says INTL, you are supposed to have access.
Apr 21, 2015, 8:21 pm
#1601
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: BDL/NYC/BOS
Programs: UA/*A Gold, Global Entry, Marriott Plat, Hilton+IHG Gold, Hertz PC, DL
Posts: 1,752
that being said, ORD UC (whether they were right or wrong) pulled up my reservation, saw that it was international, apologized profusely for the hold up, and let me in.
Apr 21, 2015, 8:26 pm
#1602
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,904
My HNL departure was 12:55pm (or 3:55pm SFO). My flight the next day from SFO was 2:55pm. I thought of that too and figured I should I have gotten in after 11:56am HNL time. Again - not that big a deal considering I would only have time for 20 minutes and she was exceedingly polite.
However, to just say the website changes all the time and the onward flight had to be UA only is strange. She wasn't doing it to be ugly or make things up. She was really couldn't understand the rules even after I showed them to her. The concept of 24 hours never even came up nor did the next day. It was a connection on to LH and that I was departing UA from HNL and I was a UA *G. I didn't register to her I was on a *A within 24 hours in international F.
They almost need to have a UC resolution desk staffed with agents who have passed a stringent exam on admittance policies.
She did offer to see my Priority Pass (don't have) or charge me a day pass (which we both agreed was a rip off).
However, to just say the website changes all the time and the onward flight had to be UA only is strange. She wasn't doing it to be ugly or make things up. She was really couldn't understand the rules even after I showed them to her. The concept of 24 hours never even came up nor did the next day. It was a connection on to LH and that I was departing UA from HNL and I was a UA *G. I didn't register to her I was on a *A within 24 hours in international F.
They almost need to have a UC resolution desk staffed with agents who have passed a stringent exam on admittance policies.
She did offer to see my Priority Pass (don't have) or charge me a day pass (which we both agreed was a rip off).
Apr 21, 2015, 8:28 pm
#1603
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,861
... Agent at HNL UC denied me admission saying that while yes - Star Gold/Intl First - should get UC access - the flight had to be all UA. The exception would be if my *G was not though UA. I do know I'll get into the IFL at SFO tomorrow. I did show the below to the HNL UC rep who politely informed me that she knew it had to be all UA and that the website changed all the time but they dealt with this daily and were positive about the rules. She was so nice about it and I had only 20 minutes that I really didn't think it was worth the stink. ....
Apr 21, 2015, 8:37 pm
#1605
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,904
Is it worth a complaint or a tweet?
I just think it's one thing they could get right.
Any idea where I should send it?
The HNL gates are pretty dismal and I wouldn't be pleased if I had arrived at the airport early or had a long connection.
I just think it's one thing they could get right.
Any idea where I should send it?
The HNL gates are pretty dismal and I wouldn't be pleased if I had arrived at the airport early or had a long connection.