Jan 4, 2015, 2:25 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United operates its own United Clubs worldwide; for a detailed list, see this FT thread: United Club and Other United Lounges.
Official lounge access policy on UA's website: Club access policy
Older archived FT thread: Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread [ARCHIVE]
For UA partner and Star Alliance lounges, reference the *A website: *A Lounge Finder and *A Lounge Access Policies. Note that some airports have "contract" lounges with varying access rules. Also see Non-UA Lounge Access Rules for United Club members?
United also operates Polaris Lounges and Arrival Lounges and previously operated International Global First Lounges (respective FT threads linked).
GS2021 news
resent GS status extended to Jan2022, domestic UC access, additional PP
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.
Why no United Lounge access with UA domestic first class tickets?
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 itinerary (Also you will need to able to access to the UC location)
As of 1 Nov 2019 - all will be required to will need to provide a same-day boarding pass for travel on United, Star Alliance™ or a contracted partner for entry into all United Club location. Other airline BPs will not qualify
Club member/one-time pass access changes Nov 1, 2019 (same day BP on UA or partner)
Partner lounges
USA Lounges with UA *G / UC membership Access When Flying Domestic
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 "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
Non-UA Lounge Access Rules for United Club members?
The United Club Meet-Up Thread
Official lounge access policy on UA's website: Club access policy
Older archived FT thread: Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread [ARCHIVE]
For UA partner and Star Alliance lounges, reference the *A website: *A Lounge Finder and *A Lounge Access Policies. Note that some airports have "contract" lounges with varying access rules. Also see Non-UA Lounge Access Rules for United Club members?
United also operates Polaris Lounges and Arrival Lounges and previously operated International Global First Lounges (respective FT threads linked).
GS2021 news
resent GS status extended to Jan2022, domestic UC access, additional PPTo have access to the UCs, you will need to fit into one of the following:
- UC member with same-day UA, *A, or contracted partner BP* 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)
* Since 1 Nov 2019, a same-day BP on a UA, *A, or contracted partner flight is required for entry
* Actual UC membership card is generally not required at UCs if presenting a UA BP with member's UA FF# as the UC membership is tied to the MP account - UA *G member with international *A BP, for any class of travel, showing status
* 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 - some agents use same calendar day) - can be different PNR - non-UA *G member with same-day *A BP for a flight departing from the same airport, showing status
* Can guest 1 traveler with a departing *A BP from same airport.
* 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 - passenger with same-day *A BP for international travel in business or first class, departing same airport
* International First passengers can guest 1 traveler with a departing *A BP
* No guests for International Business. - 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 GS status with a same day BP (UA/partner carrier)
- No guests
- Have or purchase a UC one-time access pass with same day BP
* No guests Have Amtrak Select Plus or Select Executive status.
* 1 guest and/or dependent childern under 21
* Same day BP on ANY airline (arriving or departing)- Active U.S. military personnelActive duty military members with a valid military ID, boarding pass for travel within 24 hours on a United- or United Express-operated flight and one of the following:
Dressed in uniform
Leave orders
Rest and recuperation papers
Access is subject to United Club seating availability.
Allowed Guest -- Family members with gate passes or traveling on the same flight as the military member - Air Canada Maple Leaf™ Club membership with a departing *A BP from that airportMaple Leaf Club North America members can access United Club locations in the U.S. only. no Guest.
Maple Leaf Club Worldwide members can access all United Club locations. 1 guest.
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.
Why no United Lounge access with UA domestic first class tickets?
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 itinerary (Also you will need to able to access to the UC location)
As of 1 Nov 2019 - all will be required to will need to provide a same-day boarding pass for travel on United, Star Alliance™ or a contracted partner for entry into all United Club location. Other airline BPs will not qualify
Club member/one-time pass access changes Nov 1, 2019 (same day BP on UA or partner)
Partner lounges
USA Lounges with UA *G / UC membership Access When Flying Domestic
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 "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
Non-UA Lounge Access Rules for United Club members?
The United Club Meet-Up Thread
Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread
Mar 20, 2024, 9:58 pm
#631
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: YEG
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 323
That's my thought as well after seeing what sparse rules I could find. But then again I'm (almost) sure that I was in Economy when flying YEG-DEN-LGA and I was admitted then with no problems.
Mar 20, 2024, 10:50 pm
#632
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,470
Apologies but I can't find the appropriate thread for this. It's a question about United Club access.
I have United Gold and am flying YEG (Edmonton) -DEN-EWR-SDQ (Santo Domingo) on United, all the way. Note that the DEN-EWR departs at 23:57.
I'm travelling on an Economy ticket but I was upgraded to United First on YEG-DEN and EWR-SDQ.
I was initially denied access to the United Club in Denver. The automatic gates and the scanner said no. I asked why - I'm United Gold on an international flight. The guy let me in.
I asked upstairs at the desk what was going on. She said "the computer is always right" and she said it was probably because my international leg is the next day.
Later on I remembered that just a few weeks ago I flew a very similar YEG-DEN-LGA itinerary and I wasn't denied access. So there goes that theory. I was always under the impression that United Gold and above (I used to be 1K) gets United Club access in the US if the flight is part of a United itinerary including international - departing or arriving. I've never been denied access before (I don't usually fly solely within the US). But when I tried to look up the rules I couldn't find them. Have they changed?
Thank you for any thoughts.
I have United Gold and am flying YEG (Edmonton) -DEN-EWR-SDQ (Santo Domingo) on United, all the way. Note that the DEN-EWR departs at 23:57.
I'm travelling on an Economy ticket but I was upgraded to United First on YEG-DEN and EWR-SDQ.
I was initially denied access to the United Club in Denver. The automatic gates and the scanner said no. I asked why - I'm United Gold on an international flight. The guy let me in.
I asked upstairs at the desk what was going on. She said "the computer is always right" and she said it was probably because my international leg is the next day.
Later on I remembered that just a few weeks ago I flew a very similar YEG-DEN-LGA itinerary and I wasn't denied access. So there goes that theory. I was always under the impression that United Gold and above (I used to be 1K) gets United Club access in the US if the flight is part of a United itinerary including international - departing or arriving. I've never been denied access before (I don't usually fly solely within the US). But when I tried to look up the rules I couldn't find them. Have they changed?
Thank you for any thoughts.
Here are the access rules for reference:
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/tra...ge-access.html
Mar 20, 2024, 11:19 pm
#634
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: 66,859
If you belong to United’s frequent flyer program, a valid Star Alliance Gold membership card and a same-day boarding pass for travel on an international flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline, or a same-day boarding pass showing Star Alliance Gold status for travel on an international3 flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline, are needed to access United Club locations at the departure airport of their international itinerary
Mar 21, 2024, 9:04 am
#636
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Amazing how all these airlines complicate access questions and fail to educate the folks at the entry. A simple chart would work. Given technology, they could plug in exact route information with status and give access information.
Mar 21, 2024, 9:55 am
#637
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Gold and international gets you access at DEN. The computer was wrong, although I've no idea why.
Here are the access rules for reference:
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/tra...ge-access.html
Here are the access rules for reference:
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/tra...ge-access.html
Mar 21, 2024, 10:17 am
#638
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,220
The Star Alliance lounge finder allows you to input route, status, and paid lounge membership in order to check available lounges. But I’m not sure how accurate it is.
Mar 21, 2024, 10:36 am
#639
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,384
But it doesn't handle UA's exceptions
*G gets departure access unless they're UA domestic (can be handled by calculator if you put in arrival airport plus which airline elite
UA *G still gets departure access on domestic route if having a same-day intl (not handled by calculator)
Mar 21, 2024, 10:24 pm
#640
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
The real issue isn't determining access by the rules, it is the agents. It seems the check-in agents make their own determination of rules. And they are wrong quite often.
Mar 21, 2024, 10:46 pm
#641
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: 66,859
The decision at UCs are now made by computer and on the whole I suspect errors are uncommon. I have been in UCs many hundreds of times, probably close to thousand and never have been refused . Occasional but rare issues at partners lounges that have always worked out. That's not to say there are not occasional problems in some corner cases as the rules are vague about certain aspects but "often wrong", nope. The biggest issue is enter using a different program than what's on the BP, that is likely an uncommon issue agents are not for. What can easily be noticed in this thread is those that think they are right, but many times are not, is far more common
Mar 22, 2024, 9:16 am
#643
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
It is certainly possible to interpret the most recent rule changes as disallowing UA*G passengers from the United Club at airports other than the international gateway (on departure only) if said international flight is not UA in Business/Polaris.
Mar 22, 2024, 3:38 pm
#644
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: YEG
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 323
I am not 100% sure that I went through the auto gate but it was at the same airport (DEN) and very likely the exact same United Club. I don't remember there being any problem with the gates such that I would have been directed to walk around them - it was only last month. I have sent off a complaint to United, I'll let everyone know what they say.
Mar 23, 2024, 3:37 am
#645
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Ottawa, Canada + Edinburgh, Scotland
Programs: AC SE, Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 815
Trying to decide whether upgrading to J is worth it for a YOW-ORD-MCI return trip. Passenger has no status with any airline.
Do I understand correctly that there would be access to a lounge in ORD on the return itinerary, because the departing flight is international, but no lounge access in ORD on the outbound because although the entire itinerary is international, the ORD-MCI segment is domestic?
I should say what has me confused is the United Club access page, which says: "A same-day boarding pass for an international or transcontinental flight", but also that this includes "Access at departure, connecting* and arrival airports" with the footnote on 'connecting' saying "United Business access to clubs at connecting airports is only available to customers on international flights." Not really sure how to read that.
Do I understand correctly that there would be access to a lounge in ORD on the return itinerary, because the departing flight is international, but no lounge access in ORD on the outbound because although the entire itinerary is international, the ORD-MCI segment is domestic?
I should say what has me confused is the United Club access page, which says: "A same-day boarding pass for an international or transcontinental flight", but also that this includes "Access at departure, connecting* and arrival airports" with the footnote on 'connecting' saying "United Business access to clubs at connecting airports is only available to customers on international flights." Not really sure how to read that.