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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 Jan 27, 2024, 3:25 pm
  #181  
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 51
Originally Posted by MHively
Yes, you can buy in person at the UC. Another option is to buy a UC trip pass. I believe if you do this, it's not considered a OTP and you can't be denied access. It would be listed as a trip option during checkout or even after purchase.
Thank you, that's very helpful and even better. Is United the last carrier to provide this?
Too bad there are no lounges at BUR as this is not an option.
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Old Jan 27, 2024, 8:01 pm
  #182  
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Originally Posted by cwis
Thank you, that's very helpful and even better. Is United the last carrier to provide this?
Too bad there are no lounges at BUR as this is not an option.
I cannot imagine anything inside a United Club that I'd pay even $20 to access, which is the usual going rate for one-time passes on eBay. $59, the retail price? Never in a million years...

Adding to that -- if BUR is the most convenient airport for you, there's also nothing in the United Club that would make me venture across LA traffic to LAX or SNA, and during the lunch rush no less.
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Old Feb 15, 2024, 12:49 pm
  #183  
 
Join Date: May 2015
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One day United Club pass?

Don't usually fly United much anymore but have an upcoming trip in April through Denver. We have a 3+ hour layover and would like to maybe buy a day pass to access the lounge. I cannot seem to find out if that is possible and if so, how to do it?
Thanks for any tips.
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Old Feb 15, 2024, 12:52 pm
  #184  
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One-time pass can be purchased for $59 at lounge entrance.

https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/tra...hip-rates.html

It is not a day pass, just a one-time visit pass.

Not sold/offered when lounge is full.
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Old Feb 15, 2024, 1:30 pm
  #185  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Originally Posted by sdjen
Don't usually fly United much anymore but have an upcoming trip in April through Denver. We have a 3+ hour layover and would like to maybe buy a day pass to access the lounge. I cannot seem to find out if that is possible and if so, how to do it?
Thanks for any tips.
Do you have a Priority Pass? There is a restaurant in each concourse. $59 for a one-time United Club pass can be spent elsewhere for better food.

You can post a request at The United Club Meet-Up Thread and see.
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Old Mar 4, 2024, 7:49 am
  #186  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: D/FW
Programs: DL MM/Silver; UA 1K ; Hilton Gold; Marriott Titanium; Avis Pref+,Hertz PC
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I have ONE one-day pass left before expiring next month. I have a flight coming up connecting at EWR. Usually the flight would arrive at Term A while my connection at Term C. Could I use it on the UC at A and C?
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Old Mar 4, 2024, 8:18 am
  #187  
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Originally Posted by DFWFairy
I have ONE one-day pass left before expiring next month. I have a flight coming up connecting at EWR. Usually the flight would arrive at Term A while my connection at Term C. Could I use it on the UC at A and C?
It will be valid at either, but not both. I doubt it is a one-day pass. It is more likely a one-time pass and it will be considered used once you enter a lounge.

To maximize time in lounge, just head straight to C after arrival and use lounge there.
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Old Mar 4, 2024, 8:22 am
  #188  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Originally Posted by DFWFairy
I have ONE one-day pass left before expiring next month. I have a flight coming up connecting at EWR. Usually the flight would arrive at Term A while my connection at Term C. Could I use it on the UC at A and C?
If it is a pass from the Chase card... it is NOT a one day pass; rather it is a one TIME pass. It gets scanned and used... then goes "poof". So use it at the club closest to your departure gate.

There is a "day pass" that is selectively sold in a bundle, but I am assuming since you mentioned expiration date: that is not the product you have.
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Old Mar 4, 2024, 8:37 am
  #189  
 
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Yes, it is indeed a Chase-issued pass. Thanks!
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Old Mar 4, 2024, 5:26 pm
  #190  
 
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In the old days, you could ask the lounge rep to call the other club and give them your name, so they could admit you. Don't know if that will work anymore.
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Old Mar 4, 2024, 5:29 pm
  #191  
 
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Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH
It will be valid at either, but not both. I doubt it is a one-day pass. It is more likely a one-time pass and it will be considered used once you enter a lounge.

To maximize time in lounge, just head straight to C after arrival and use lounge there.
I guess the question for OP would be, which UC at EWR is more likely to deny entry to one-time pass holders, terminal A or C?
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Old Mar 4, 2024, 5:35 pm
  #192  
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Originally Posted by DFWFairy
Yes, it is indeed a Chase-issued pass. Thanks!
Originally Posted by joeyday
In the old days, you could ask the lounge rep to call the other club and give them your name, so they could admit you. Don't know if that will work anymore.
DFWFairy , maybe you can be a guinea pig for us? Obviously ask at the A Club before scanning.
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Old Mar 4, 2024, 5:59 pm
  #193  
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Originally Posted by VRFast
I guess the question for OP would be, which UC at EWR is more likely to deny entry to one-time pass holders, terminal A or C?
Have there been reports of restrictions w/ both new UCs now open at C?
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Old Mar 4, 2024, 9:00 pm
  #194  
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Originally Posted by DFWFairy
I have ONE one-day pass left before expiring next month. I have a flight coming up connecting at EWR. Usually the flight would arrive at Term A while my connection at Term C. Could I use it on the UC at A and C?
Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH
It will be valid at either, but not both. I doubt it is a one-day pass. It is more likely a one-time pass and it will be considered used once you enter a lounge.

To maximize time in lounge, just head straight to C after arrival and use lounge there.
Originally Posted by jhayes_1780
If it is a pass from the Chase card... it is NOT a one day pass; rather it is a one TIME pass. It gets scanned and used... then goes "poof". So use it at the club closest to your departure gate.

There is a "day pass" that is selectively sold in a bundle, but I am assuming since you mentioned expiration date: that is not the product you have.
I'm not sure that's true, actually, regarding no in/out or transfer privilege. I am almost certain I've heard an agent tell someone using a day pass to just scan in at the other club location, and that they didn't need to do anything special. I think once the pass is used, it now activates access for that airport and that day.

Originally Posted by joeyday
In the old days, you could ask the lounge rep to call the other club and give them your name, so they could admit you. Don't know if that will work anymore.
Yep, or they sometimes had a stamp they'd use on your BP if you asked.
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Old Mar 4, 2024, 9:15 pm
  #195  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
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Posts: 9,630
Originally Posted by fumje
I'm not sure that's true, actually, regarding no in/out or transfer privilege. I am almost certain I've heard an agent tell someone using a day pass to just scan in at the other club location, and that they didn't need to do anything special. I think once the pass is used, it now activates access for that airport and that day. ]
Ive seen re-admittance occasionally too, but I’ve seen far more denials. I don’t want to set the OP up for an unrealistic expectation. Especially with more automated entrances.

Yep, or they sometimes had a stamp they'd use on your BP if you asked.
IIRC, the stamp was used when you got your drink chits.
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