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]
Jul 23, 2015, 4:18 pm
#1711
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
Jul 24, 2015, 11:29 pm
#1712
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
Flying SVG-IAH-SLC on SK J connecting to UA domestic F with overnight in IAH - any lounge access in IAH?
Cheers
Cheers
Jul 24, 2015, 11:31 pm
#1713
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,485
Jul 24, 2015, 11:36 pm
#1714
Jul 26, 2015, 9:36 am
#1715
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: between Albuquerque and Santa Fe
Programs: Kimpton Inner Circle; IHG Spire elite; Marriott & SPG Gold, r
Posts: 838
UA Lounge Pass and UA Award tkt for LH fligts...
Hope this isn't too confusing --
We have 2 United Club Passes that I got with my Chase UA Business credit card.
The passes say -
1. Pass is valid for entry to any United Club airport location worldwide
2. Valid only in United Club, excluded - United Arrivals Louge, United Global First and Star Alliance clubs.
[I also have a United Mileage Plus Premier Gold card that I have for a 90 day challenge and the flights I am asking about fall withing the 90 day period; my husband has a Premier Silver under the same conditions]
Thanks sooooo much for staying with me!
Our flights:
#1) October: We have 2 UA Award tickets on LH metal. The flight is IAH - FRA - LYS.
We have a 6 hour layover in IAH [from our re-positioning flight in early a.m.] and then a 4 hour layover in FRA.
#2) November: We have 2 UA Award tickets [from SAS points and AC points] flights from CDG - SFO While there is no layover, we'd like to be able to use Lounge while waiting for departure since we like to get to CDG quite early. I see there are no United Lounges at CDG.
What I want to be able to do -
Use lounge in IAH, FRA and CDG for the 2 of us.
The questions - YAY, finally! Glad you are still with me
1. I see there are several UA lounges in IAH. Will we be able to use the United Club Pass? It seems that we can. Will it be a problem that we have LH boarding passes?
Now we need to figure out how to get into lounges in FRA and CDG.
2. I know that my Gold Mileageplus card should get us both in to a lounge - but do I need to go to LH lounge since that is what show on my BP or do I go to UA lounge and show my proof of my Gold status [I won't have a card as I know that with a challenge, you don't get actual card till you complete the challenge].
We have 2 United Club Passes that I got with my Chase UA Business credit card.
The passes say -
1. Pass is valid for entry to any United Club airport location worldwide
2. Valid only in United Club, excluded - United Arrivals Louge, United Global First and Star Alliance clubs.
[I also have a United Mileage Plus Premier Gold card that I have for a 90 day challenge and the flights I am asking about fall withing the 90 day period; my husband has a Premier Silver under the same conditions]
Thanks sooooo much for staying with me!
Our flights:
#1) October: We have 2 UA Award tickets on LH metal. The flight is IAH - FRA - LYS.
We have a 6 hour layover in IAH [from our re-positioning flight in early a.m.] and then a 4 hour layover in FRA.
#2) November: We have 2 UA Award tickets [from SAS points and AC points] flights from CDG - SFO While there is no layover, we'd like to be able to use Lounge while waiting for departure since we like to get to CDG quite early. I see there are no United Lounges at CDG.
What I want to be able to do -
Use lounge in IAH, FRA and CDG for the 2 of us.
The questions - YAY, finally! Glad you are still with me
1. I see there are several UA lounges in IAH. Will we be able to use the United Club Pass? It seems that we can. Will it be a problem that we have LH boarding passes?
Now we need to figure out how to get into lounges in FRA and CDG.
2. I know that my Gold Mileageplus card should get us both in to a lounge - but do I need to go to LH lounge since that is what show on my BP or do I go to UA lounge and show my proof of my Gold status [I won't have a card as I know that with a challenge, you don't get actual card till you complete the challenge].
Jul 26, 2015, 10:02 am
#1716
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,969
You will be able to go to any Star Alliance lounge since you are United Gold, presuming you have a same-day departing international Star Alliance flight.
You can save your passes for another time.
There are Star alliance lounges in IAH, CDG, and FRA.
use the star-alliance website lounge finder to locate.
EDIT - sorry I missed that you do not have the actual *Gold card - may cause a problem in FRA and CDG
You can save your passes for another time.
There are Star alliance lounges in IAH, CDG, and FRA.
use the star-alliance website lounge finder to locate.
EDIT - sorry I missed that you do not have the actual *Gold card - may cause a problem in FRA and CDG
Last edited by nachosdelux; Jul 26, 2015 at 8:04 pm
Jul 26, 2015, 10:07 am
#1717
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,485
During the 90-day Offer Period, you may not have access to all reciprocal Premier benefits with United's partner airlines, including access to Star Alliance lounges.
Jul 26, 2015, 11:02 am
#1718
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: between Albuquerque and Santa Fe
Programs: Kimpton Inner Circle; IHG Spire elite; Marriott & SPG Gold, r
Posts: 838
"Do you actually have a physical card with the Star Alliance Gold logo? Temporary status on challenges usually does NOT include *A benefits."
No, I mentioned that we wont have cards; I had read that about the Challenge.
"show my proof of my Gold status [I won't have a card as I know that with a challenge, you don't get actual card till you complete the challenge]."
you may not have access to all reciprocal Premier benefits with United's partner airlines, including access to Star Alliance lounges.
But I could still use UA lounges, right??
We both have Silver on SK, but that's not going to get us in lounge.
No, I mentioned that we wont have cards; I had read that about the Challenge.
"show my proof of my Gold status [I won't have a card as I know that with a challenge, you don't get actual card till you complete the challenge]."
you may not have access to all reciprocal Premier benefits with United's partner airlines, including access to Star Alliance lounges.
But I could still use UA lounges, right??
We both have Silver on SK, but that's not going to get us in lounge.
Jul 26, 2015, 12:09 pm
#1719
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,485
The only UA lounge on your itinerary is at IAH. You can access that based on Premier Gold status.
You can try at the LH (FRA) and *A (CDG) lounges using your BP, but that probably won't work.
You can buy day passes to the LH Bus lounge for 25 euro if lounge access is critical.
You can try at the LH (FRA) and *A (CDG) lounges using your BP, but that probably won't work.
You can buy day passes to the LH Bus lounge for 25 euro if lounge access is critical.
Jul 26, 2015, 1:12 pm
#1720
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: between Albuquerque and Santa Fe
Programs: Kimpton Inner Circle; IHG Spire elite; Marriott & SPG Gold, r
Posts: 838
The layover at IAH is the longest, so I guess that's where the passes will be used. Thanks, Kacee
Jul 26, 2015, 3:06 pm
#1721
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,485
Jul 26, 2015, 3:55 pm
#1722
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: between Albuquerque and Santa Fe
Programs: Kimpton Inner Circle; IHG Spire elite; Marriott & SPG Gold, r
Posts: 838
^^ Thanks again, kacee
Jul 27, 2015, 7:42 am
#1723
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 17
United Club one-time passes - teens and toddlers
My wife and I will be passing through ORD with a 5+ hour domestic connection out of F. We're travelling with 2 teens and a 12m-old. I'm looking for someplace to sit and recharge electronics without having waves of departing and arriving passengers jostling us.
My wife and I both have 2 one-time United Club passes from our Mileage Plus Explorer cards (no status). Will these 4 passes allow us entry into a United Club lounge there? It reads like Club members can bring in teens but teens can't enter on one-time passes? Is that enforced or at the discretion? Experiences?
Will they require a separate pass for our (very well behaved) 1-yr old? Are we likely to be turned away because of the 1-yr old? Thoughts/opinions?
My wife and I both have 2 one-time United Club passes from our Mileage Plus Explorer cards (no status). Will these 4 passes allow us entry into a United Club lounge there? It reads like Club members can bring in teens but teens can't enter on one-time passes? Is that enforced or at the discretion? Experiences?
Will they require a separate pass for our (very well behaved) 1-yr old? Are we likely to be turned away because of the 1-yr old? Thoughts/opinions?
Jul 27, 2015, 8:13 am
#1724
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
Programs: UA Aluminum 0.6MM, Bonvoy Life Sentence, Hyatt Eliteist, AA Super Plutonium
Posts: 2,878
With those passes, everyone who enters the lounge must have a pass. There are no guest privileges. If the agent wants to be by the book, he/she will require your 12-mo old to have a pass as well -- although you may get lucky and find one willing to bend the rules. If not, worst case scenario is that you pay $50 for a day pass for the 5th person.
You're not going to get turned away just because you have a baby with you. Several UCs actually have children's play rooms in them.
You're not going to get turned away just because you have a baby with you. Several UCs actually have children's play rooms in them.
Jul 27, 2015, 8:55 am
#1725
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Former 1KMM now free as UA Gold MM, former HH D, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,121
Pick up a fifth pass on craigslist or ebay before you go for much less if you want to ensure they won't give you a hard time.