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]
Aug 14, 2017, 12:32 am
#2806
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Left Coast
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM, HH Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold (UA comp)
Posts: 1,352
1. *G earned with UA, flying domestic, will not get you into the UC, with or without your UA *G card because you are not flying internationally.
2A.*G earned with a non-UA *A partner, flying domestic will get you into the UC. If you are flying a UA or a non-UA *A partner, your non-UA *G status will be on your BP and that is** enough to enter the UC.
2B. *G earned with a non-UA *A partner + *G earned with UA and your UA FF# on theBP will get you into the UC flying domestic UA, but in that case, you need to present your non-UA *G card since there is no way for the Dragons to know your non-UA *G status. This is how I have done it for the last 3 years with dual *G statuses, as I like my PQM and RDM credited to UA until I hit 1K.
In gengar's case, it looks like this was a 2A situation.
Experts, please correct and I will edit accordingly; plus might wanna update wiki
** well "should be enough...
Aug 14, 2017, 12:57 am
#2807
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Just so readers understand, you can "earn" *G on UA or any *A partner but the rules for *Gs and UC's in the US as I understand them are:
1. *G earned with UA, flying domestic, will not get you into the UC, with or without your UA *G card because you are not flying internationally.
2A.*G earned with a non-UA *A partner, flying domestic will get you into the UC. If you are flying a UA or a non-UA *A partner, your non-UA *G status will be on your BP and that is** enough to enter the UC.
2B. *G earned with a non-UA *A partner + *G earned with UA and your UA FF# on theBP will get you into the UC flying domestic UA, but in that case, you need to present your non-UA *G card since there is no way for the Dragons to know your non-UA *G status. This is how I have done it for the last 3 years with dual *G statuses, as I like my PQM and RDM credited to UA until I hit 1K.
In gengar's case, it looks like this was a 2A situation.
Experts, please correct and I will edit accordingly; plus might wanna update wiki
** well "should be enough...
1. *G earned with UA, flying domestic, will not get you into the UC, with or without your UA *G card because you are not flying internationally.
2A.*G earned with a non-UA *A partner, flying domestic will get you into the UC. If you are flying a UA or a non-UA *A partner, your non-UA *G status will be on your BP and that is** enough to enter the UC.
2B. *G earned with a non-UA *A partner + *G earned with UA and your UA FF# on theBP will get you into the UC flying domestic UA, but in that case, you need to present your non-UA *G card since there is no way for the Dragons to know your non-UA *G status. This is how I have done it for the last 3 years with dual *G statuses, as I like my PQM and RDM credited to UA until I hit 1K.
In gengar's case, it looks like this was a 2A situation.
Experts, please correct and I will edit accordingly; plus might wanna update wiki
** well "should be enough...
It is also essentially what is stated in the wiki, although in a slightly different way - and whether anything is written with optimal clarity is always up for debate.
As a side note, I took zeer0's use of the phrase "*G" to indicate a non-United *G, as a *G via UA would normally be referred to on this forum as Gold or perhaps 1P.
Aug 15, 2017, 6:09 pm
#2808
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,772
...1. *G earned with UA, flying domestic, will not get you into the UC, with or without your UA *G card because you are not flying internationally.
2A.*G earned with a non-UA *A partner, flying domestic will get you into the UC. If you are flying a UA or a non-UA *A partner, your non-UA *G status will be on your BP and that is** enough to enter the UC.
2B. *G earned with a non-UA *A partner + *G earned with UA and your UA FF# on theBP will get you into the UC flying domestic UA, but in that case, you need to present your non-UA *G card since there is no way for the Dragons to know your non-UA *G status. This is how I have done it for the last 3 years with dual *G statuses, as I like my PQM and RDM credited to UA until I hit 1K.
.....
2A.*G earned with a non-UA *A partner, flying domestic will get you into the UC. If you are flying a UA or a non-UA *A partner, your non-UA *G status will be on your BP and that is** enough to enter the UC.
2B. *G earned with a non-UA *A partner + *G earned with UA and your UA FF# on theBP will get you into the UC flying domestic UA, but in that case, you need to present your non-UA *G card since there is no way for the Dragons to know your non-UA *G status. This is how I have done it for the last 3 years with dual *G statuses, as I like my PQM and RDM credited to UA until I hit 1K.
.....
Be traveling as *G member (see UA *G on domestic only itinerary limitation) with departing *A BP in any cabin
* Can guest 1 traveler with a departing *A BP.
* UA *G can not access domestic UCs unless traveling on a *A international itin (within 24 hours - can be different PNR)
* UA *G can not access domestic UCs unless traveling on a *A international itin (within 24 hours - can be different PNR)
Will add
"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" to cover 2B
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 15, 2017 at 6:20 pm Reason: suggesting a single section
Aug 17, 2017, 6:21 am
#2809
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Home Airports: CAE/CLT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, National Executive
Posts: 5,452
I've read through this thread until I am cross-eyed, sorry if I missed the answer upstream.
My daughter is flying ORD-LHR on UA metal. 7 hour stopover, then continuing on the same PNR, LHR-CPT on SAA with a UA flight number. All flights are in Y.
She has no status. Can she access the UA lounge in LHR with a Hyatt Globalist one-day United Club Pass?
My daughter is flying ORD-LHR on UA metal. 7 hour stopover, then continuing on the same PNR, LHR-CPT on SAA with a UA flight number. All flights are in Y.
She has no status. Can she access the UA lounge in LHR with a Hyatt Globalist one-day United Club Pass?
Last edited by Gamecock; Aug 17, 2017 at 7:47 am
Aug 17, 2017, 7:22 am
#2810
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: CLE (mostly)
Programs: UA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Mlife Gold, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 823
I've never heard any report of the LHR UC ever being that busy though.
Last edited by Wooglin; Aug 17, 2017 at 7:49 am
Aug 17, 2017, 7:47 am
#2811
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Home Airports: CAE/CLT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, National Executive
Posts: 5,452
(I have edited my post for clarity)
Aug 17, 2017, 7:56 am
#2812
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
7h is a long time in a lounge and I don't know how (or even if) they do in/out with the single use pass.
I'd suggest maybe spend some time in the main part of T2 (she'll be put out here when she goes through transit security before having to back track to the UC and SA gate) to kill time and then go to the lounge.
Honestly for me with 7 hours I would take the Heathrow Express to Paddington and maybe somewhere a few stops away or wander around there find a pub get some lunch etc.
I'd suggest maybe spend some time in the main part of T2 (she'll be put out here when she goes through transit security before having to back track to the UC and SA gate) to kill time and then go to the lounge.
Honestly for me with 7 hours I would take the Heathrow Express to Paddington and maybe somewhere a few stops away or wander around there find a pub get some lunch etc.
Aug 17, 2017, 2:51 pm
#2813
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 821
Do you know what beers are on tap at MCO UC?
Aug 24, 2017, 8:07 am
#2814
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,653
Just wanted to check my understand of the United Club lounge access rules. I'm flying LHR-ZRH-SFO-SEA with LX in first on a mileage ticket. I have no star alliance status. My understanding is that when I get to SFO, I will have no lounge access - is that correct?
I've got 3 hours to wait so worst case I'll pay for the Centurion lounge. Thanks in advance!
I've got 3 hours to wait so worst case I'll pay for the Centurion lounge. Thanks in advance!
Aug 24, 2017, 8:27 am
#2815
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423
Aug 24, 2017, 12:43 pm
#2816
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Just wanted to check my understand of the United Club lounge access rules. I'm flying LHR-ZRH-SFO-SEA with LX in first on a mileage ticket. I have no star alliance status. My understanding is that when I get to SFO, I will have no lounge access - is that correct?
I've got 3 hours to wait so worst case I'll pay for the Centurion lounge. Thanks in advance!
I've got 3 hours to wait so worst case I'll pay for the Centurion lounge. Thanks in advance!
Aug 24, 2017, 2:36 pm
#2817
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,614
Just wanted to check my understand of the United Club lounge access rules. I'm flying LHR-ZRH-SFO-SEA with LX in first on a mileage ticket. I have no star alliance status. My understanding is that when I get to SFO, I will have no lounge access - is that correct?
I've got 3 hours to wait so worst case I'll pay for the Centurion lounge. Thanks in advance!
I've got 3 hours to wait so worst case I'll pay for the Centurion lounge. Thanks in advance!
Aug 24, 2017, 2:45 pm
#2818
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,653
Indeed! It's very definitely on 220 ticket stock! In fact I'm only a basic member and was very lucky to get on LX in First - it was due to multiple screw ups with a change to a reservation that they didn't ticket and confirmed something breaching the MCT. However seem to have come out quite nicely from it.
Aug 24, 2017, 4:36 pm
#2819
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 87
I'll be in business class on a transcontinental arriving into SFO.
Will I have access to the UC?
The wiki says arriving and departing if you have UC membership. Premium transcons doesn't explicitly specify arriving or departing. I did a search but couldn't find an answer.
Help me you geniuses!
Will I have access to the UC?
The wiki says arriving and departing if you have UC membership. Premium transcons doesn't explicitly specify arriving or departing. I did a search but couldn't find an answer.
Help me you geniuses!
Aug 24, 2017, 4:41 pm
#2820
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,394
I'll be in business class on a transcontinental arriving into SFO.
Will I have access to the UC?
The wiki says arriving and departing if you have UC membership. Premium transcons doesn't explicitly specify arriving or departing. I did a search but couldn't find an answer.
Help me you geniuses!
Will I have access to the UC?
The wiki says arriving and departing if you have UC membership. Premium transcons doesn't explicitly specify arriving or departing. I did a search but couldn't find an answer.
Help me you geniuses!