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, ..
Aug 31, 2018, 11:10 am
#811
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 710
ORD Excellent
Just finished a very enjoyable lunch in the ORD Polaris Lounge. Much improved since my previous pre-expansion visit. Not overcrowded, and the hamburger and tuna plate were both fabulous. Great place to crash for a few hours.
Aug 31, 2018, 11:15 am
#812
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: West
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 221
I personally prefer the a-la-carte food items at the ORD lounge vs SFO
Aug 31, 2018, 7:05 pm
#813
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Sep 3, 2018, 2:14 pm
#814
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
What is the buffet selection like these days?
Sep 3, 2018, 2:43 pm
#815
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Last time I was there was in mid-July. I would say the buffet menu has been the same every time since I first went in May 2017. I have been 8 times this year. For breakfast, I like the smoked salmon (it's better quality than the one I can find in my supermarkets). For lunch to dinner, it's hard to describe but they have a lot of little dishes (different salads) and a lot of warm things in little pans (my favorite is the teriyaki salmon). I like that way of presenting things as from big pots after some people serve themselves the food does not look enticing anymore. Then on another side of the Lounge, they have in-house made chips (or at least that's what one of the persons working there told me, I mean that they are made in-house). I have never done the a la carte dining. Maybe I should try it next time. The only problem is that they enhanced the Vosges mint chocolates. They were addictive.......
Sep 3, 2018, 6:02 pm
#816
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: West
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 221
Last time I was there was in mid-July. I would say the buffet menu has been the same every time since I first went in May 2017. I have been 8 times this year. For breakfast, I like the smoked salmon (it's better quality than the one I can find in my supermarkets). For lunch to dinner, it's hard to describe but they have a lot of little dishes (different salads) and a lot of warm things in little pans (my favorite is the teriyaki salmon). I like that way of presenting things as from big pots after some people serve themselves the food does not look enticing anymore. Then on another side of the Lounge, they have in-house made chips (or at least that's what one of the persons working there told me, I mean that they are made in-house). I have never done the a la carte dining. Maybe I should try it next time. The only problem is that they enhanced the Vosges mint chocolates. They were addictive.......
Sep 30, 2018, 5:30 am
#817
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KSU (Kristiansund N, Norway)
Programs: SAS EBD/ *G
Posts: 2,163
Flying Lufthansa business next Sunday evening. Will probably be at the airport around 6PM. How busy will the al la carte dining section be then? Can I expect to get a seat/table?
Sep 30, 2018, 5:51 am
#818
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,460
Oct 1, 2018, 5:04 pm
#819
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 26
Flying ANA First class from Narita into ORD January 5th with my wife. Connecting to YYZ Toronto on Air Canada Business class (same rewards booking, first class not offered).
We have a 5 hour layover. I guess there’s nothing I can do to get into the lounge as it seems as though we don’t qualify ?
We have a 5 hour layover. I guess there’s nothing I can do to get into the lounge as it seems as though we don’t qualify ?
Oct 1, 2018, 5:30 pm
#820
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Flying ANA First class from Narita into ORD January 5th with my wife. Connecting to YYZ Toronto on Air Canada Business class (same rewards booking, first class not offered).
We have a 5 hour layover. I guess there’s nothing I can do to get into the lounge as it seems as though we don’t qualify ?
We have a 5 hour layover. I guess there’s nothing I can do to get into the lounge as it seems as though we don’t qualify ?
Fly United from Narita in Polaris to qualify to go to the ORD Polaris Lounge while waiting for your connection to YYZ.
Oct 8, 2018, 4:46 pm
#821
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KSU (Kristiansund N, Norway)
Programs: SAS EBD/ *G
Posts: 2,163
Oct 8, 2018, 5:08 pm
#822
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I think you wanted to write the UC at C16. That is the worst UC in ORD as it does not have hot food (no kitchen). I made the mistake twice to go there when I was flying domestic. Never again. But when I'm flying in Polaris Business I would never think of stopping there.
Oct 9, 2018, 8:16 am
#823
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KSU (Kristiansund N, Norway)
Programs: SAS EBD/ *G
Posts: 2,163
I think you wanted to write the UC at C16. That is the worst UC in ORD as it does not have hot food (no kitchen). I made the mistake twice to go there when I was flying domestic. Never again. But when I'm flying in Polaris Business I would never think of stopping there.
Oct 9, 2018, 10:18 am
#824
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
No, the one across from my Lufthansa gate, which was B16. But I see that the official location is "Terminal 1, Concourse B, near Gate B18". I had already eaten and drunk well at the Polaris lounge, so I just went in to wait for my delayed boarding. Not worth a trek back to the Polaris lounge, and better than waiting in the gate area.
If you are returning to ORD on Lufthansa in Business Class on another trip (since you are based in Europe), you will not have access to the Polaris Lounge. My order of preference for the ORD UCs is B6, F8, B18 and then C16
Oct 10, 2018, 8:05 pm
#825
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
I visited the SFO Polaris a few months back. My review and photos are here
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29891763-post327.html
I was in the UA ORD Polaris the other day. As expected, it had a different feel and space.
I found the service in the Dining Room to be much better at ORD, but I would say it was due to the excellent staff person who served me.
Here are my photos and some comments.
Some great views out the window.
My day was looking much better.
Very nice (ordered it without the egg)
OUTSTANDING.
Yum!
Some snack items.
Items at the main buffet stations
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29891763-post327.html
I was in the UA ORD Polaris the other day. As expected, it had a different feel and space.
I found the service in the Dining Room to be much better at ORD, but I would say it was due to the excellent staff person who served me.
Here are my photos and some comments.
Some great views out the window.
My day was looking much better.
Very nice (ordered it without the egg)
OUTSTANDING.
Yum!
Some snack items.
Items at the main buffet stations