Dec 3, 2016, 9:22 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

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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Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread

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Jul 10, 2017, 1:08 am

#481

RobOnLI

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2003

Location: Floating around

Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT

Posts: 10,346

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAaronT

Either they're expanding into new space, doing something really elaborate, or dealing with Chicago unions if it's going to take another 6+ months to finish the United Club.

If I had to guess in order of what's likely the reason for 6+ months:
1. Chicago unions
2. Expanding into existing space
3. Unique & interesting (least likely)

I, too, am glad to see them expand the lounge. While I've never been there during peak hour and had a problem finding a seat, I can see how that could happen very quickly for the evening bank of intl flights.

-RM

Jul 10, 2017, 10:25 am

#482

zombietooth

Join Date: Oct 2009

Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.

Posts: 5,001

Busiest Times?

I have to book several J tix in the next few weeks for flights later in the year and am wondering if there is any better time to transit through ORD and have a reasonable chance of getting a seat? E.g. is it busiest in the morning and early afternoon for all of the Asia flights? Or later for the Europe flights?

Thanks.

Jul 10, 2017, 5:27 pm

#483

frankmu

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: PDX (wish I was in HNL)

Programs: Platinum

Posts: 1,687

Currently in the Polaris Club, enjoying a cocktail. About half full at 6:30 pm. According to the gatekeeper in front of the entrance, many of the early afternoon flights left around 5-6. No issues with using boarding passes for tomorrows flight.

Jul 10, 2017, 6:08 pm

#484

thejaredhuang

Join Date: May 2012

Programs: UA

Posts: 1,098

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankmu

No issues with using boarding passes for tomorrows flight.

Long layover same itinerary?

Jul 10, 2017, 6:38 pm

#485

Boraxo

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2002

Location: Danville, CA, USA;

Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat

Posts: 15,722

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCA writer

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 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.

Very similar to my impression. I was simply stunned that UA had created such a nice product. ^^^ Now I finally understand what all the hype is about!! We can only hope that SFO is finished ahead of schedule (I was told possibly Q4-2017 as opposed to Q1-2018).

Quote:

Originally Posted by milepig

We were through Sunday when it wasn't very busy. I can see how the dining area can get crowded as we occupied a table for over an hour before my chicken sandwich came!

Agree that the drinks list is great. But, no one wants to wait an hour for food in an airport lounge!

Even worse you can't order food unless you are able to snag a seat at one of the few special tables. This is completely the opposite of my experience a few years ago in the Qantas and BA F lounges where there are plenty of empty tables and the service is fast. You kind of wonder about UA management: is it ignorance, incompetence or just that they don't care if the product doesn't measure up to international standards? Sadly I lean towards option 3...

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwb007

Just arrived at ORD Polaris for my trip to Paris on a Sunday. Yet again, no seats available. Sadly it's the new norm. Whatever United was attempting to accomplish with the Polaris lounge is failing miserably. This place looks more like the Newark United club at 4pm on a Thursday than an international lounge. Not relaxing. Not satisfying. Not a wonderful experience.....even more depressing is the memory of the First/Global lounge that died so this piece of mediocrity could open. This is NOT enhancing my travel experience.

The continued downward march of United's travel experience for heavy fliers is truly sad.

Unfortunately the loads are extremely time sensitive. In my one experience, we found plenty of seats between 2-3pm. But then things started to fill up and by 4-5pm it was SRO due to all the impending European departures. This probably is the norm unless UA decides to stop hub/banking flights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombietooth

Arrived at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon and found the lounge to be sparsely populated. However it gradually began to fill up and was packed by 5pm with more visitors than seats. And you can forget about ordering a meal at this time unless you spot someone leaving one of the few special tables.

Jul 10, 2017, 10:04 pm

#486

frankmu

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: PDX (wish I was in HNL)

Programs: Platinum

Posts: 1,687

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejaredhuang

Long layover same itinerary?

Correct. Flying out on UA 958 tomorrow, flew in this evening. The CS person scanned in our (card stock!) bp's , no hesitations. If it's not too busy, will try the lounge tomorrow.

One of my teenage son felt the tortellini portions were smaller than he liked. The other teen enjoyed his burger.

If anyone orders the bread pudding, remember it takes 10-15 minutes to prepare. The family thought it was worth the wait.

Jul 11, 2017, 10:34 am

#487

wxguy

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

Another datapoint:

Flew BOS-ORD on 10July. Onward connection ORD-HKG in F on 11July, same PNR and same ticket. As the layover was <24 hours, I was happily admitted to the P-Lounge after arriving in ORD on 10July.

Now I'm back for my second visit on this itin before the HKG flight.

Jul 11, 2017, 2:16 pm

#488

frankmu

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: PDX (wish I was in HNL)

Programs: Platinum

Posts: 1,687

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxguy

I just missed you 😄

Jul 13, 2017, 4:41 pm

#489

LangerhansCellHistiocytosis

Join Date: Dec 2015

Posts: 183

Is the full menu available from open to close? If I were to be on a morning flight (before 10AM), can I still have all of the food options?

Jul 14, 2017, 5:35 am

#490

LIH

Join Date: Feb 2016

Location: ORD | LGA | 2E

Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC

Posts: 1,054

I tried to find this up-thread (and I am sure it exists, but my search skills are lacking). If I am flying ORD>IAH in Polaris First but the IAH>International leg is on a separate itinerary (and in steerage at the moment) I don't get access at ORD correct? Sorry for the rudimentary question.

Jul 14, 2017, 5:43 am

#491

RobOnLI

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2003

Location: Floating around

Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT

Posts: 10,346

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIH

You do not. The international segment has to be in confirmed business while you're in ORD to access the Polaris Lounge (e.g. waitlisted IAH-intl and it hasn't cleared yet would not get you in). Separate tickets would also technically disqualify you but unless you get a very grumpy agent I think you'd get in.

-RM

Jul 14, 2017, 5:45 am

#492

LIH

Join Date: Feb 2016

Location: ORD | LGA | 2E

Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC

Posts: 1,054

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobOnLI

That's what I thought, much appreciated. Yet more angst for my GPU to clear.

Jul 14, 2017, 3:12 pm

#493

physioprof

Join Date: Apr 2015

Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive

Posts: 4,098

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIH

That's what I thought, much appreciated. Yet more angst for my GPU to clear.

And just to be clear, your ORD-IAH flight is not "Polaris First".

Jul 15, 2017, 7:42 am

#494

EpsilonZer0

Join Date: Jun 2016

Location: ORD

Programs: United Premier 1K , Marriot Titanium, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum

Posts: 114

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomBaritone

"A United spokeswoman said today the Polaris lounge expansion at O'Hare is scheduled to done by the end of 2017, with the adjacent, reconfigured United Club near Gate C16 expected to open 'in early 2018.'"

https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/...-at-ohare.html

Another 6 months?!?!
JESUS WEPT..... The C16 UC has been closed since January and they need a whole year to get it running? Unbelievable.
2 months ago I spoke to the bartender and he said nothing had been touched in there, then I took a peek myself and he was right...