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)
{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
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, ..
Apr 17, 2019, 1:44 pm
#901
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
Thank god - I was so tired of the prior menu... Only so many kale caesar's, risotto's and chicken vesuvio one can bear.
New options sound good. I tried the new salmon last week as they were trialing it. It's a bigger portion than the prior salmon option which is nice and it's quite tasty.
New options sound good. I tried the new salmon last week as they were trialing it. It's a bigger portion than the prior salmon option which is nice and it's quite tasty.
Apr 19, 2019, 8:43 am
#902
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: EWR and KGL (with occasional home/work trips to NRT/ITM)
Programs: MP MM 1K, Sky Miles, Emirates Gold
Posts: 708
Thank god - I was so tired of the prior menu... Only so many kale caesar's, risotto's and chicken vesuvio one can bear.
New options sound good. I tried the new salmon last week as they were trialing it. It's a bigger portion than the prior salmon option which is nice and it's quite tasty.
New options sound good. I tried the new salmon last week as they were trialing it. It's a bigger portion than the prior salmon option which is nice and it's quite tasty.
Apr 23, 2019, 4:53 pm
#903
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Wholesale pricing on liquor is very regulated in Illinois, so I looked this up. The answer is the Piper is cheaper. Excluding seasonal promotions, the Piper is $35 / bottle at wholesale for quantities of 5 cases or more, whereas the Veuve only gets down to $37.33 for a purchase of 2,000 cases or more which I believe is the cheapest tier.
May 8, 2019, 11:15 am
#904
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: TYS
Programs: DL Diamond, Amex Plat, Priority Pass, Hertz Gl, SPG Gold Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 220
What to look for at ORD Polaris Lounge
I am on a UA/SAS TYS-ORD-CPH routing in Business class in June, which I understand gives me access to the Polaris Lounge when I am passing through with a ~3+ hr layover. This will be the first and likely only time this year; what do folks suggest I not miss while there?
(And yes, I know I will need to allow time to get to T5)
thanks
(And yes, I know I will need to allow time to get to T5)
thanks
May 8, 2019, 11:59 am
#905
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,160
I am on a UA/SAS TYS-ORD-CPH routing in Business class in June, which I understand gives me access to the Polaris Lounge when I am passing through with a ~3+ hr layover. This will be the first and likely only time this year; what do folks suggest I not miss while there?
(And yes, I know I will need to allow time to get to T5)
thanks
(And yes, I know I will need to allow time to get to T5)
thanks
The sit-down menu service as well as the buffet are fine, but nothing "fine dining" to talk about.
It is a nice business class lounge, but not sure there is anything "not miss" to experience.
May 14, 2019, 1:52 pm
#906
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
In the ORD polaris lounge dining room. During my entire time eating, there was a guy in a booth on his laptop the entire time. He finally got a hint when there were two people in line waiting. Not sure if he was clueless (til the end) or just didnt care.
May 14, 2019, 6:33 pm
#907
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,471
I think the staff turnover is a bit high because there is not much tipping. I don't like the American obsession with tipping, so I appreciate the lounge policy discouraging it, but it may be having a negative effect upon the service quality.
May 14, 2019, 8:17 pm
#908
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
I once saw the staff prompt someone to clear out when all the tables were full as he wasn't eating anything further. But I'm sure sometimes they don't consider doing that, as you describe.
I think the staff turnover is a bit high because there is not much tipping. I don't like the American obsession with tipping, so I appreciate the lounge policy discouraging it, but it may be having a negative effect upon the service quality.
I think the staff turnover is a bit high because there is not much tipping. I don't like the American obsession with tipping, so I appreciate the lounge policy discouraging it, but it may be having a negative effect upon the service quality.
May 14, 2019, 8:37 pm
#909
Moderator: United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,861
There is a long existing thread on Tipping in Polaris lounge and it has some information on wages
May 14, 2019, 9:39 pm
#910
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
Wholesale pricing on liquor is very regulated in Illinois, so I looked this up. The answer is the Piper is cheaper. Excluding seasonal promotions, the Piper is $35 / bottle at wholesale for quantities of 5 cases or more, whereas the Veuve only gets down to $37.33 for a purchase of 2,000 cases or more which I believe is the cheapest tier.
May 15, 2019, 8:22 am
#911
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Legally they have to offer the same pricing to everyone at the same volume and all deals must be "published"....this is not always enforced very well and sometimes they play games and offer off-the-books discounts to favorite clients or "forget" to mention the cheapest tier to you. Also on-premise and off-premise licensees may be given different pricing. But based on the full content of his response I'm pretty confident in that 2,000-case price being the cheapest they offer to anyone in the state.
May 26, 2019, 3:05 pm
#912
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Got back to this lounge after more than six months, and can see some cost cutting on the spring menu. Soup, salad, zucchini noodles and quinoa are the starter courses for lunch/dinner. Salmon, chicken, and gnocchi are the main courses. No red meat on the menu. except for the Polaris Burger which was the appealing option (to me) among these choices.
And in the shower suite, the body wash dispenser was empty. I've made a mental note to check these dispensers before getting the shower fully going during future visits.
And in the shower suite, the body wash dispenser was empty. I've made a mental note to check these dispensers before getting the shower fully going during future visits.
Jun 23, 2019, 11:31 am
#913
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Just came here for the first time since moving to NYC 18 months ago. Let me just say that you Chicago folk are SPOILED when it comes to the Polaris burger. It is perfect. The brioche is so much better than whatever they’re using at EWR. It really rivals any burger I’ve ever had.
Jul 14, 2019, 4:24 pm
#915
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
My last visit here was October. In that post, there are more photos of the lounge and some different food items.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30301976-post825.html
(My posts from 2 visits to the SFO Polaris lounge are in that thread).
July 2019
Great day for flying.
Ah, Pre-PDB.
Great views.
Well my day is perfect now.
Excellent offerings at the buffet.
Ah, table is ready.
OUTSTANDING salad.
I had the burger on the last visit, It was great, Really enjoyed this salmon and veggie sides.
Oooooh.
OK, I'm moving in.
Someone I knew had arrived and he opted for a different dessert.
Sure, tease me.
Another great view.
Nap room. Had I used it , I might have missed my flight.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30301976-post825.html
(My posts from 2 visits to the SFO Polaris lounge are in that thread).
July 2019
Great day for flying.
Ah, Pre-PDB.
Great views.
Well my day is perfect now.
Excellent offerings at the buffet.
Ah, table is ready.
OUTSTANDING salad.
I had the burger on the last visit, It was great, Really enjoyed this salmon and veggie sides.
Oooooh.
OK, I'm moving in.
Someone I knew had arrived and he opted for a different dessert.
Sure, tease me.
Another great view.
Nap room. Had I used it , I might have missed my flight.
Last edited by 24left; Jul 14, 2019 at 5:05 pm Reason: Correct date