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]
May 17, 2018, 8:53 pm
#3211
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,839
IME, shouldn’t matter which BP you use - all should be marked INTL, and scanning either one at club entrance should show eligible. At least I’ve never had a problem with this.
Also, as a plat, or *G really, metal doesn’t matter for lounge access after the international leg - only thing that matters is you are flying *A on an international itinerary that day. Where Lounge access requires UA metal on the international segment is for non*G flying in business.
when i asked if puerto rico flights were always counted as INTL i was told i dont know its a difficult question(!)
i have the same flight coming up again-so are puerto rico flights considered as INTL ?(allowing lounge access as a 1k?)
thanks
May 17, 2018, 9:18 pm
#3212
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: 66,743
As was your previous experience, This had been true in the past but some recent experiences have created uncertainty -- so impossible to predict at this point for UCs.
May 17, 2018, 9:33 pm
#3213
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,876
question on this-my flight from sfo via newark to sju san juan was marked INTL and i was able to access the lounges..
when i asked if puerto rico flights were always counted as INTL i was told i dont know its a difficult question(!)
i have the same flight coming up again-so are puerto rico flights considered as INTL ?(allowing lounge access as a 1k?)
thanks
when i asked if puerto rico flights were always counted as INTL i was told i dont know its a difficult question(!)
i have the same flight coming up again-so are puerto rico flights considered as INTL ?(allowing lounge access as a 1k?)
thanks
May 17, 2018, 10:22 pm
#3214
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,839
but the boarding pass had INTL printed on it-I dont see why this can be open to uncertainty as it must be system controlled?
May 17, 2018, 10:40 pm
#3215
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: 66,743
There has been one other similar report a few months ago. It may be an IAH thing or ????
May 17, 2018, 11:17 pm
#3216
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,839
interesting indeed..
i will give it a whirl and report back
thanks
i will give it a whirl and report back
thanks
May 18, 2018, 4:43 am
#3217
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,340
United won't let facts and logic get in the way if they feel like it.
May 18, 2018, 10:43 am
#3218
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SYD+TYO+GFK
Programs: UA 1K, QF Plat, VA Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Coles FlyBuys
Posts: 2,805
I've been following this thread off and on for years, so apologies if this has already been covered. I didn't see much on search.
Some background: I've been UA 1K for a LONG time (nearly ten years) but I've had a UC membership for much of it, so I haven't paid too much attention as to WHY I've been allowed into United Clubs (whether due to paid biz, UA club membership, or *G). I'm based outside the US so very little of my flying is domestic, and I often fly DL in the US anyway since I get lounge access with my Virgin Australia Gold status. I've recently downgraded my Chase United Club card to a normal Chase United Explorer card (I was seeing very little benefit) so I have a few lounge passes.
I've just completed a trip SYD-(UA Hub 1) on Day 1, followed by (UA Hub 1)-(UA Hub 2)-(Destination) on Day 2. I upgraded SYD-(UA Hub 1) with a GPU, which never cleared on the second two legs. After 15 years as a United MP member, this is the first time I've ever NOT found a way to travel up front. [First world problems!]
Anyway, on Day 2 my son (no status) and I checked in to the UA Club at (UA Hub #1 ) expecting to use a pass to get in, but the nice agent said we qualified to get in. I asked her if my UC membership was still valid but she said it had expired, but we had access since we'd connected internationally. I didn't mention to her that our Int'l flight was the previous day.
Thinking this was just a fluke/nice agent, we took our first flight and landed at (UA Hub #2 ) where the agent there let us in as well, no questions asked.
Another few data points:
I know I'm supposed get access as a *G on a same-day int'l itinerary, but these two domestic legs were on the next calendar day. So did I just get lucky or is this within policy?
Some background: I've been UA 1K for a LONG time (nearly ten years) but I've had a UC membership for much of it, so I haven't paid too much attention as to WHY I've been allowed into United Clubs (whether due to paid biz, UA club membership, or *G). I'm based outside the US so very little of my flying is domestic, and I often fly DL in the US anyway since I get lounge access with my Virgin Australia Gold status. I've recently downgraded my Chase United Club card to a normal Chase United Explorer card (I was seeing very little benefit) so I have a few lounge passes.
I've just completed a trip SYD-(UA Hub 1) on Day 1, followed by (UA Hub 1)-(UA Hub 2)-(Destination) on Day 2. I upgraded SYD-(UA Hub 1) with a GPU, which never cleared on the second two legs. After 15 years as a United MP member, this is the first time I've ever NOT found a way to travel up front. [First world problems!]
Anyway, on Day 2 my son (no status) and I checked in to the UA Club at (UA Hub #1 ) expecting to use a pass to get in, but the nice agent said we qualified to get in. I asked her if my UC membership was still valid but she said it had expired, but we had access since we'd connected internationally. I didn't mention to her that our Int'l flight was the previous day.
Thinking this was just a fluke/nice agent, we took our first flight and landed at (UA Hub #2 ) where the agent there let us in as well, no questions asked.
Another few data points:
- I didn't get paper BPs on this trip, and I can't find the INT'L designation anywhere on the electronic BPs (but not sure if these usually show it anyway).
- These int'l connections were on the next calendar day but my connection was ~22 hrs so this was technically a LAYOVER not a STOPOVER
I know I'm supposed get access as a *G on a same-day int'l itinerary, but these two domestic legs were on the next calendar day. So did I just get lucky or is this within policy?
May 18, 2018, 11:32 am
#3219
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,404
I think it would technically be called a connection. The layover is literally the time in between flights.
May 18, 2018, 11:18 pm
#3220
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SYD+TYO+GFK
Programs: UA 1K, QF Plat, VA Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Coles FlyBuys
Posts: 2,805
Thanks Kacee, that’s my assumption, that the <24-hr cxn kept the lounge access alive but if I would’ve had a >24-hr con we would not have been granted access.
i imagine if the second two flights (the domestic legs) had been on a separate PNR they wouldn’t have qualified?
i imagine if the second two flights (the domestic legs) had been on a separate PNR they wouldn’t have qualified?
May 19, 2018, 12:02 am
#3221
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,404
May 19, 2018, 8:36 am
#3222
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,646
which ORD lounge for a 5 hour layover from ET biz class arrival?
I have award tix from UA to fly business class on UA/ET to and from MCI to JRO in late August. There has been a schedule change on the return, having us sitting at ORD for 5 hours before the flight back to MCI. Since we will have arrived at ORD on ET in business class, what lounges will we have access to for the 5 hour wait? Is it only the United Club? I know we will need a shower and breakfast then li
lunch. We arrive ORD at 7:55 am and depart for Kansas City at 1:00pm. This segment is in economy as there are no F award seats available.
lunch. We arrive ORD at 7:55 am and depart for Kansas City at 1:00pm. This segment is in economy as there are no F award seats available.
May 19, 2018, 9:00 am
#3223
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,751
I would see if you can extend to a longer connection and go into the city b
May 19, 2018, 9:13 am
#3224
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,404
May 19, 2018, 10:25 am
#3225
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
You can purchase passes to the UC. Free UC access for *A premium cabin customers is limited to the departure airport of their business class flight (so not the arrival/connecting airport(s)).
*A Gold status holders can access UC lounges while traveling on same-day international itineraries (regardless of class of travel).
You may be able to SDC to an earlier ORD-MCI flight. You'd want to do that prior to or at baggage re-check when you arrive at ORD if traveling with luggage.
*A Gold status holders can access UC lounges while traveling on same-day international itineraries (regardless of class of travel).
You may be able to SDC to an earlier ORD-MCI flight. You'd want to do that prior to or at baggage re-check when you arrive at ORD if traveling with luggage.
