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Questions Regarding the United Club one-time pass ( OTP )

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Old Jan 4, 2015, 9:53 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: pseudoswede
Chase in conjunction with UA, as a renewal benefit for certain UA MP-branded Chase credit cards, offer one-time United Club (UC) access passes. {Hyatt also offers similar passes for their top elites.} These passes offer one-time access to the UC (with any airline same day BP) on a space-available basis. No guest privileges. The pass is only for UA operated clubs, cannot be used at non-UA operated lounges.
Note: Club member/one-time pass access changes Nov 1, 2019 (same day BP on UA or partner) BP requirements change to just UA/*A

Use of passes at a particular UC / airport can be suspended due to capacity / crowding issues. This issue seems to be most common at DEN and EWR due to United Club closures/renovations going on right now; however, all United Clubs can and have denied entry to one-time pass holders due to capacity constraints.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a boarding pass required to use a one-time pass at a United Club?
Yes, you must present a same-day United, Star Alliance, or contracted partner airline's boarding pass.

Can I use these one-time passes at partner/contract/*A lounges?
No. These one-time passes are only used at actual United Club lounges world-wide. Any lounge identified on this page as being operated by "United Club" are eligible for use with one-time passes.

Can I use one-time passes at the new United Club Fly in Denver?
Yes. Whether it's worth it to use it for a glorified grab-n-go food/drink stop is up to you.

Can I use a single one-time pass at multiple United Clubs on the same day?
No. You must surrender your day pass upon entering the club. If you plan to visit multiple United Clubs on the same day, you will need multiple day passes or purchase a United Club Day Pass which is sometimes offered through your reservation. There is anecdotal evidence of pass holders being able to use different UA Clubs at same airport -- inquire at the entry desk (it typically involves a stamp on your boarding pass and it will be very YMMV). However, no way to use the same pass at a different airports.

Are in/out privileges allowed when using the one-time pass?
Technically, no. However, it is not out of the realm of possibility if you ask the lounge attendant nicely. YMMV, though.

How many people can enter the United Club with one-time access pass?
One person per pass. Exception - UC policy is all children under 2 are not considered a formal guest.
A one-time pass admits one person, with no guests, to a United Club location. Exception: children under 2 years of age may accompany someone accessing a United Club location with a one-time pass.
Are minors allowed?
Yes, as long as they are accompanied by another person 18 or older (21 or older if the UA Club offers a self-service bar). Remember, one day pass per person (lap child excluded).

Can I be denied entry into the United Club?
Yes. If an United Club is near full capacity, it will no longer sell day passes. It will also deny entry to those with one-time passes initially and other eligible travelers ( UC member, *G, premier cabin,...) could be delayed on entering once capacity reaches local limits.

Are expired one-time passes still usable?
Expired one-time passes can be used for 50% off admission, up to 30 days after the expiration date.

Can I give my pass to a family member or friend? How?
Yes. Now you can e-mail passes (or generate a PDF) directly from the app to whomever you want. You can also take a screenshot of the pass in the United App and email/message that to your family member. Worst case scenario, you can also e-mail/text the 16-digit code to the one-time pass to your friend/family, and the United Club attendant should be able to key it in manually. The pass will remain in your United App until it is used by someone else at a club, so it remains available for your use (unlike a physical pass).

Can I upload/store the one-time pass in the United app?
As of Summer 2017, all new passes issued by the Chase United Explorer card are now loaded directly into the United app (or accessible on the website). You have the option of either e-mailing or generating a PDF of the pass to send to whomever you want. However, if you receive a pass from someone, you cannot save that to your United account.

I see these passes available for sell on eBay/Craigslist/etc? Are they valid? Is this safe?
It should be noted UA frowns on the third party trading, selling, or bartering of their coupons. As with any transaction of this type, it's always buyer beware; however, reports of issues are very rare.
The current going rate on eBay is $30-45 each for passes with a lengthy expiration date. Passes that expire in a few weeks can be had in the $20-30 range, sometimes even less, as the expiration date approaches.

I cancelled my Chase United Explorer card. Are my passes still valid?
Maybe? A user reported on 10/16/2019 that his passes remained on the United app after their UA Explorer credit card was cancelled weeks ago, and the passes worked without issue at the United Club at MCO. This goes against an earlier finding that... any unused one-time passes will be forfeited from your account--even if you printed out the barcode from the United app for later use. The time between card cancellation to pass invalidation is unknown; however, it is suggested that the passes aren't invalid until they disappear from your UA app. This is now an additional risk one needs to be wary about when buying one-time pass barcodes from eBay/Craigslist. Until there is additional proof, it's best to say: proceed with caution.

Entry is also available for $59 (as of 02/2016) at the UC itself or by purchasing within the United mobile app.

Club member/one-time pass access changes Nov 1, 2019 (same day BP on UA or partner)

Archive thread: Questions Regarding the United Club one-time pass {Archive}
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Questions Regarding the United Club one-time pass ( OTP )

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Old Jun 2, 2022, 12:04 pm
  #16  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 765
Are United lounge passes from the credit card transferable

My dad and I have the United Explorer credit card which gives 2 passes to the United Club lounge a year. I used mine already and my dad is retired and doesn’t fly anymore. He used to fly almost every week for work until 2020. Now I travel every month for work.
He sent me a screenshot of his two lounge passes that expire this month. Could I use those before an upcoming flight next week?
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Old Jun 2, 2022, 12:06 pm
  #17  
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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Originally Posted by nd2010
My dad and I have the United Explorer credit card which gives 2 passes to the United Club lounge a year. I used mine already and my dad is retired and doesn’t fly anymore. He used to fly almost every week for work until 2020. Now I travel every month for work.
He sent me a screenshot of his two lounge passes that expire this month. Could I use those before an upcoming flight next week?
Yes, this is expressly allowed.
SPN Lifer likes this.
Kacee is offline  
Old Jun 2, 2022, 12:06 pm
  #18  
Moderator: United Airlines
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Originally Posted by nd2010
Are United lounge passes from the credit card transferable?
...
Could I use those before an upcoming flight next week?
Yes
WineCountryUA is offline  
Old Jun 5, 2022, 5:58 pm
  #19  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA Silver, other ones I don't use often
Posts: 40
Can I use a one-time Club pass on a trip from SFO-Dublin on Aer Lingus? I know EI isn't Star Alliance, but it's unclear to me if it falls into the 'contracted partner' part of the club access boarding pass wording.

Thank you in advance!
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Old Jun 5, 2022, 6:48 pm
  #20  
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Join Date: Sep 2003
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Originally Posted by CrazedZooChimp
Can I use a one-time Club pass on a trip from SFO-Dublin on Aer Lingus? I know EI isn't Star Alliance...
No - sorry...
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Old Jun 10, 2022, 7:00 pm
  #21  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 307
United Club 1x pass

Ms Infrequent wo checking w me just bought 4 UC 1x passes for friends and now I’m tasked with passing them along as a gift.

how do I accomplish this?

Thank you in advance!!!!
InfrequentFlyer2018 is offline  
Old Jun 10, 2022, 7:05 pm
  #22  
Moderator: United Airlines
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Originally Posted by InfrequentFlyer2018
Ms Infrequent wo checking w me just bought 4 UC 1x passes for friends and now I’m tasked with passing them along as a gift.

how do I accomplish this?

Thank you in advance!!!!
What form is the pass, just provide the individual credentials to whoever
WineCountryUA is offline  
Old Jun 10, 2022, 7:14 pm
  #23  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 307
Digital. But I do not see a “share” or similar feature. Seems to be stuck in her United account
InfrequentFlyer2018 is offline  
Old Jun 10, 2022, 8:13 pm
  #24  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
Originally Posted by InfrequentFlyer2018
Digital. But I do not see a “share” or similar feature. Seems to be stuck in her United account
I make a screenshot, then text it to the gift recipient
Flying Machine is offline  
Old Jun 11, 2022, 11:31 am
  #25  
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Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Originally Posted by InfrequentFlyer2018
Digital. But I do not see a “share” or similar feature. Seems to be stuck in her United account
On United.com, there is an option for you to either print out the pass, which you can save as PDF, or email the pass to someone else.
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Old Jun 14, 2022, 9:15 am
  #26  
 
Join Date: Jun 2022
Programs: United, Chase
Posts: 2
One time pass vs. Trip pass

What is the difference between a one time pass vs. a trip pass purchased via a bundle? I know a one time pass does not allow re-entry, but the trip pass says you can access all United Clubs during your day of travel. Does this mean it allows for re-entry? I have a long layover in EWR this Sunday, so might want to leave and re-enter.
taub99 is offline  
Old Jun 18, 2022, 5:31 am
  #27  
 
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 2
No Lounge Access for One Time Passes

What’s the deal with the no United Airlines lounge access for one pass holders? I have an Explorer card which gives me two one time passes annually but for the past two years they have been unusable. Do I contact my credit card company about this or United? So wrong!!!!
Ddalcard is offline  
Old Jun 18, 2022, 5:34 am
  #28  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: No. California
Programs: UA MP HH LTD
Posts: 2,040
Why were you denied? Crowding? See: United Devalues Clubs - Makes sure they are packed beyond capacity.
BlueZebra is offline  
Old Jun 18, 2022, 7:07 am
  #29  
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Join Date: May 2000
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One time pass holders should file a class action lawsuit for this scam that United is running.
porciuscato likes this.
Doppy is offline  
Old Jun 18, 2022, 7:32 am
  #30  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
Originally Posted by Ddalcard
What’s the deal with the no United Airlines lounge access for one pass holders? I have an Explorer card which gives me two one time passes annually but for the past two years they have been unusable. Do I contact my credit card company about this or United? So wrong!!!!
Welcome to FT. It is capacity controlled: Questions Regarding the United Club one-time pass ( OTP )
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