Dec 3, 2016, 9:22 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Access to Polaris lounges (source):
Hour 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily
A la carte dining, last seating 8 p. m.
United flights with the premium cabin class listed as 'Polaris Business' qualify for deaparture, connecting and arrival of a United Polaris flight.
UA premium cabin flights not marketed as Polaris, such as Domestic First or International Business (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, northern South America, ... ) are not eligible for Polaris lounge access.
For partner, Business or International First, access only at departure airport and same destination restrictions as UA (roughly at least 8+ hours long haul international - TATL, TPAC, yes any UA Polaris destination but no trans-border).
No Guests (except 1 guest for International First partner flights)
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International T5 ORD partner *G lounges
Hour 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily
A la carte dining, last seating 8 p. m.
United flights with the premium cabin class listed as 'Polaris Business' qualify for deaparture, connecting and arrival of a United Polaris flight.
UA premium cabin flights not marketed as Polaris, such as Domestic First or International Business (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, northern South America, ... ) are not eligible for Polaris lounge access.
For partner, Business or International First, access only at departure airport and same destination restrictions as UA (roughly at least 8+ hours long haul international - TATL, TPAC, yes any UA Polaris destination but no trans-border).
No Guests (except 1 guest for International First partner flights)
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAH Polaris lounge (E11/12 - top fl) -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
SFO Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
LAX Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges (wiki) (thread)}
Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
International T5 ORD partner *G lounges
ORD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
May 23, 2017, 10:43 am
#436
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,393
My fourth visit to the ORD PL, and second time taking a shower (first time was two weeks ago). In the shower room there is now a plastic bucket, with a hand-written note in magic marker on it, "Tipping is appreciated. Thank you."
The United GFLs and Clubs never encouraged tipping to the shower staff. I asked a UA club employee about it, and she said, "Those staff are outsourced, so they can do what they want. That's not true in the legacy United Clubs."
The United GFLs and Clubs never encouraged tipping to the shower staff. I asked a UA club employee about it, and she said, "Those staff are outsourced, so they can do what they want. That's not true in the legacy United Clubs."
Jun 1, 2017, 9:51 am
#437
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Scandinavia
Programs: Eurobonus EBD, BW Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, IHG Plat Amb, HH Diamond
Posts: 352
Is it possible to gain access to the Lounge in Terminal 1 if I have a flight departing terminal 5?
I'm thinking I could join a friend thats flying LH F from ORD. Myself I'm flying C from T5.
( I have a looong wait at the airport so time is not an issue)
I'm thinking I could join a friend thats flying LH F from ORD. Myself I'm flying C from T5.
( I have a looong wait at the airport so time is not an issue)
Jun 2, 2017, 4:33 am
#438
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Scandinavia
Programs: Eurobonus EBD, BW Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, IHG Plat Amb, HH Diamond
Posts: 352
I'm flying Austrian out of ORD around 5:00 p.m. Arriving the night before and staying at the airport and working. Has anyone with a terminal 5 departure tried to use the Polaris lounge? I have plenty of time so I was thinking maybe going down earlier in the day for lunch/brunch and then going back to get my stuff and checking in at terminal 5. Would this work? Can I get into T1 with my Austrian boarding pass?
Jun 3, 2017, 5:57 am
#441
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
should not be an issue. Have done this many times and usually tell the TSA agent when I hand over my BP that I want to visit a lounge here. Rarely are there any questions or pushback.
Jun 9, 2017, 9:19 am
#442
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
I havent read through all 30 pages, but I have a quick question.
Family and I travelling polaris business coming home from CDG with a 6 hour layover in ORD. We booked a long layover to clear customs with slow moving kids and also to enjoy the polaris lounge. My mom lives in Chicago and would love to see the grand kids since we're there.
Can I exit the airport, visit my mom a few hours, and then still gain entrance into the lounge?
Family and I travelling polaris business coming home from CDG with a 6 hour layover in ORD. We booked a long layover to clear customs with slow moving kids and also to enjoy the polaris lounge. My mom lives in Chicago and would love to see the grand kids since we're there.
Can I exit the airport, visit my mom a few hours, and then still gain entrance into the lounge?
Jun 9, 2017, 10:08 am
#443
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,437
t? Visiting on a connection after arrival in Polaris Business certainly qualifies for entry. The side trip into town doesn't change that at all.
Jun 9, 2017, 10:54 am
#444
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Jun 9, 2017, 11:02 am
#445
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
6 hours is plenty long with 2 younger teens after a long flight and 2 week vacation. If anything, I will probably be ready to leave all 3 in chicago lol.
I did book the flights to give me the maximum time available in ORD and still making it home to SNA that evening.
I did book the flights to give me the maximum time available in ORD and still making it home to SNA that evening.
Jun 11, 2017, 11:24 pm
#446
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DCA, IAD (not BWI if I can help it)
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, status-free on AA, AS, B6, DL, WN, Amtrak, etc.
Posts: 1,481
I finally got to check out the place Friday on my way home from PVG. Notes:
• It's a mind-bending experience compared to any domestic United Club, and it even makes the LHR UC look a little downmarket. In a word: amazeballs.
• I waited longer than I expected to get a shower because the attendant asked so many questions about what I'd need: deodorant? toothpaste? comb? Me: I'm good for all that, I just want to stop feeling like I spent 14 hours in a pressurized metal tube (albeit in a lie-flat seat up front). No tip bucket was in sight in the enormous shower suite.
• From 4:15 to 5 p.m., it was crowded with people waiting to board TATL flights, then it quickly cleared out. Still better than the usual routine at IAD.
• The "Paper Plane" cocktail did not come with a little paper plane clipped to the glass that I've seen in some photos, which set back my Instagram game a little. Still delicious.
• I didn't have time or an appetite to order dinner, but the buffet options--most in miniature skillets, all labeled--were fantastic.
• I can't believe there's been so little discussion here about the self-serve bourbon selection. Other guests had drank all the Angel's Envy, a $50 bottle near me, but they still had Rieger's, Journeyman, and Few (plus one other I didn't try, with a label obscured in my photo). That is a strong and well-curated selection, and it took serious effort to limit myself to one glass before heading to my gate.
• It's a mind-bending experience compared to any domestic United Club, and it even makes the LHR UC look a little downmarket. In a word: amazeballs.
• I waited longer than I expected to get a shower because the attendant asked so many questions about what I'd need: deodorant? toothpaste? comb? Me: I'm good for all that, I just want to stop feeling like I spent 14 hours in a pressurized metal tube (albeit in a lie-flat seat up front). No tip bucket was in sight in the enormous shower suite.
• From 4:15 to 5 p.m., it was crowded with people waiting to board TATL flights, then it quickly cleared out. Still better than the usual routine at IAD.
• The "Paper Plane" cocktail did not come with a little paper plane clipped to the glass that I've seen in some photos, which set back my Instagram game a little. Still delicious.
• I didn't have time or an appetite to order dinner, but the buffet options--most in miniature skillets, all labeled--were fantastic.
• I can't believe there's been so little discussion here about the self-serve bourbon selection. Other guests had drank all the Angel's Envy, a $50 bottle near me, but they still had Rieger's, Journeyman, and Few (plus one other I didn't try, with a label obscured in my photo). That is a strong and well-curated selection, and it took serious effort to limit myself to one glass before heading to my gate.
Last edited by DCA writer; Jun 20, 2017 at 8:17 pm Reason: Forgot to attach a photo I took
Jun 12, 2017, 12:47 am
#447
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
I had the chance to visit the Polaris Lounge twice in May as I had a couple of weeks in the US. Here's some feedback and I hope UA is listening:
PROS:
- Restaurant-style sit-down food options
- Bar cocktails are fantastic. I had the "<something> Smash" and while I heard both bartenders who made my drinks complaining about it the drinks were fantastic. Bartenders complain because they literally have to smash the ice. Hey United: just get a little machine that shreds ice from larger cubes. I'd be fine with that and the bartenders wouldn't be complaining in plain ear shot of the patrons.
- Arranged in a way so that you can enjoy some private time without having to be seen by 500 wandering eyes
CONS:
- The shower room was 80F. I walked into the shower check-in area from my HKG inbound flight and was already hot from walking through the airport (I walk very fast). I thought it was just me but then I looked on the wall and the thermostat said 76F. I asked why it was so hot and the attendant shrugged and said it's been that way since the opening and no one has fixed it. Then I went into the shower room to take a shower and the room itself was 80F. I tried to turn down the thermostat to the lowest setting, etc. and absolutely nothing made a difference. So I was sweating again after my shower which defeated the purpose.
- The burger tastes fantastic but has WAY too much salt. Please, please, please lower the salt on this otherwise fantastic burger.
Things I haven't enjoyed yet:
- The sleeper lounges
- The bourbon selection
Overall, a fantastic lounge.
I do wonder if UA is catering less food on their aircraft because of how many people will get to use the Polaris Lounge(s) now? I declined an entree on ORD-HKG on my return trip because I had had the burger just an hour before.
-RM
PROS:
- Restaurant-style sit-down food options
- Bar cocktails are fantastic. I had the "<something> Smash" and while I heard both bartenders who made my drinks complaining about it the drinks were fantastic. Bartenders complain because they literally have to smash the ice. Hey United: just get a little machine that shreds ice from larger cubes. I'd be fine with that and the bartenders wouldn't be complaining in plain ear shot of the patrons.
- Arranged in a way so that you can enjoy some private time without having to be seen by 500 wandering eyes
CONS:
- The shower room was 80F. I walked into the shower check-in area from my HKG inbound flight and was already hot from walking through the airport (I walk very fast). I thought it was just me but then I looked on the wall and the thermostat said 76F. I asked why it was so hot and the attendant shrugged and said it's been that way since the opening and no one has fixed it. Then I went into the shower room to take a shower and the room itself was 80F. I tried to turn down the thermostat to the lowest setting, etc. and absolutely nothing made a difference. So I was sweating again after my shower which defeated the purpose.
- The burger tastes fantastic but has WAY too much salt. Please, please, please lower the salt on this otherwise fantastic burger.
Things I haven't enjoyed yet:
- The sleeper lounges
- The bourbon selection
Overall, a fantastic lounge.
I do wonder if UA is catering less food on their aircraft because of how many people will get to use the Polaris Lounge(s) now? I declined an entree on ORD-HKG on my return trip because I had had the burger just an hour before.
-RM
Jun 20, 2017, 2:38 pm
#448
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,484
No United Club access at IAD on that itinerary. Only if FRA-IAD were operated by UA. The LH or TK lounge might let you in though.
Jun 20, 2017, 6:43 pm
#449
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,098
They supposedly make everything in the back, I'm sure you can ask for no salt. I asked for a double order of fries and got it so they should be able to not put salt on your burger patty.
Jun 20, 2017, 7:54 pm
#450
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: 1K 1MM; Bonvoy Ambassador; Nat'l EE; Hertz PC; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,465
Six months in on the first lounge, they seemed to have worked out some kinks (save for overcrowding at peak times), i really an excited to see the additional clubs open at SFO and EWR (my two main intl gateways).