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)
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EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
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SFO Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
LAX Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
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Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
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Apr 15, 2022, 11:23 pm
#1036
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: America!
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist Caesars Wyndham Diamond, MGM Gold
Posts: 250
I don’t know the layout of ORD airport so can’t speak to that, but if you’re flying United Polaris you have access to the lounge after arrival in the US if you have a domestic connection. If you’re final destination is ORD, in this case, no Polaris lounge for you since you cannot re-enter the secure area without a valid BP. I think that’s what they are referring to?
Apr 15, 2022, 11:33 pm
#1037
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ORD / PHX
Programs: UA LT 1K 3MM (former 12 yr GS), Bonvoy Amb/LT Plat
Posts: 1,342
Sorry if this asked already. Searched and couldn't find
Will be arriving in ORD (T5) on United Polaris Business class from Japan. Then have a long 6 hour layover in ORD before my next flight to DEN. All on one ticket. Planning to visit the Polaris lounge in T1 near C18.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...es/access.html - I see the below in the terms
"Re-entry to the airport after clearing customs is not permitted without further eligible onward travel. Access upon arrival is available to customers who have already made a domestic connection."
What do they mean by "who have already made a domestic connection"? Just means getting in to T1? Because thats covered in their former re-entry sentence. It just sounds as if you must have already taken a domestic flight. I am clearly wrong. But, just making sure we should have no problem getting into the lounge? Also, the next flight to DEN will most likely be in E or F gate which is T2. So, entering T1 6 hours before flight should not be a problem, correct? An hour or so before DEN flight, we could just walk from Polaris lounge (C18) to E or F gate and don't have to redo security I guess. May be even go to the club lounge near the gate
Will be arriving in ORD (T5) on United Polaris Business class from Japan. Then have a long 6 hour layover in ORD before my next flight to DEN. All on one ticket. Planning to visit the Polaris lounge in T1 near C18.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...es/access.html - I see the below in the terms
"Re-entry to the airport after clearing customs is not permitted without further eligible onward travel. Access upon arrival is available to customers who have already made a domestic connection."
What do they mean by "who have already made a domestic connection"? Just means getting in to T1? Because thats covered in their former re-entry sentence. It just sounds as if you must have already taken a domestic flight. I am clearly wrong. But, just making sure we should have no problem getting into the lounge? Also, the next flight to DEN will most likely be in E or F gate which is T2. So, entering T1 6 hours before flight should not be a problem, correct? An hour or so before DEN flight, we could just walk from Polaris lounge (C18) to E or F gate and don't have to redo security I guess. May be even go to the club lounge near the gate
Apr 16, 2022, 7:04 am
#1038
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,130
Sorry if this asked already. Searched and couldn't find
Will be arriving in ORD (T5) on United Polaris Business class from Japan. Then have a long 6 hour layover in ORD before my next flight to DEN. All on one ticket. Planning to visit the Polaris lounge in T1 near C18.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...es/access.html - I see the below in the terms
"Re-entry to the airport after clearing customs is not permitted without further eligible onward travel. Access upon arrival is available to customers who have already made a domestic connection."
What do they mean by "who have already made a domestic connection"? Just means getting in to T1? Because thats covered in their former re-entry sentence. It just sounds as if you must have already taken a domestic flight. I am clearly wrong. But, just making sure we should have no problem getting into the lounge? Also, the next flight to DEN will most likely be in E or F gate which is T2. So, entering T1 6 hours before flight should not be a problem, correct? An hour or so before DEN flight, we could just walk from Polaris lounge (C18) to E or F gate and don't have to redo security I guess. May be even go to the club lounge near the gate
Will be arriving in ORD (T5) on United Polaris Business class from Japan. Then have a long 6 hour layover in ORD before my next flight to DEN. All on one ticket. Planning to visit the Polaris lounge in T1 near C18.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...es/access.html - I see the below in the terms
"Re-entry to the airport after clearing customs is not permitted without further eligible onward travel. Access upon arrival is available to customers who have already made a domestic connection."
What do they mean by "who have already made a domestic connection"? Just means getting in to T1? Because thats covered in their former re-entry sentence. It just sounds as if you must have already taken a domestic flight. I am clearly wrong. But, just making sure we should have no problem getting into the lounge? Also, the next flight to DEN will most likely be in E or F gate which is T2. So, entering T1 6 hours before flight should not be a problem, correct? An hour or so before DEN flight, we could just walk from Polaris lounge (C18) to E or F gate and don't have to redo security I guess. May be even go to the club lounge near the gate
"Customers in United Polaris business class may access a United Polaris lounge at departure, connecting and arrival airportsfootnote3 along their eligible same-day routing."
To access the Polaris Lounge as an INTL arriving passenger, you have to have a connecting flight otherwise you can't even get into the terminal. I think their footnote would be more clear if the second sentence read "Access upon arrival is also available to customers who have already made a domestic connection" implying arriving passengers have to be in the middle of a D-->I (in J) or I (in J)-->D connection.
Regardless, you should be able to access the PL before your connection to DEN.
Apr 16, 2022, 9:37 am
#1039
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Yes, it's saying you will have physical access airside if you have onward travel (because you can use your boarding pass to get through security) or if you've already made a domestic connection (e.g. LHR->EWR->ORD, at ORD you are airside already because you already made a domestic connection at EWR).
The addition of an "also" would definitely make this more clear.
If you just fly e.g. LHR->ORD you do not have arrival access because you have no way of physically getting to the lounge and they will not issue you pass to get through security just to get to the lounge. In the language of the footnote, you have no onward travel and you haven't already made a domestic connection, so you are SOL.
The addition of an "also" would definitely make this more clear.
If you just fly e.g. LHR->ORD you do not have arrival access because you have no way of physically getting to the lounge and they will not issue you pass to get through security just to get to the lounge. In the language of the footnote, you have no onward travel and you haven't already made a domestic connection, so you are SOL.
Apr 22, 2022, 1:02 pm
#1040
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: MDW/ORD
Posts: 46
I’m here now, all menus look the same. I will say that the furniture is a bit tired, and although I picked what’s probably one of the most popular chairs (corner, right next to window, facing runway) it should probably be replaced as it’s quite worn.
I sampled the buffet and it was tasty with the sausage and peppers, chicken vesuvio, pasta, etc. Soup was minestrone.
Bartenders are super friendly and cheerfully made my wife a custom non-alcoholic cocktail since she gets sick of being pregnant and drinking only water.
Will try the dining room shortly and might order the burger simply out of curiosity. I’ll update this post with good/bad news and photos.
edit - It’s 3pm on a Friday and it’s absolutely packed in here now. Waiting list for the dining room, very few seats available, and bar is quite busy. I wasn’t expecting to hear a hostess walking around shouting “MIKE PARTY OF 2!” Lol.
I sampled the buffet and it was tasty with the sausage and peppers, chicken vesuvio, pasta, etc. Soup was minestrone.
Bartenders are super friendly and cheerfully made my wife a custom non-alcoholic cocktail since she gets sick of being pregnant and drinking only water.
Will try the dining room shortly and might order the burger simply out of curiosity. I’ll update this post with good/bad news and photos.
edit - It’s 3pm on a Friday and it’s absolutely packed in here now. Waiting list for the dining room, very few seats available, and bar is quite busy. I wasn’t expecting to hear a hostess walking around shouting “MIKE PARTY OF 2!” Lol.
Last edited by MikeW_ORD; Apr 22, 2022 at 2:08 pm
Apr 26, 2022, 1:05 am
#1041
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
I’m here now, all menus look the same. I will say that the furniture is a bit tired, and although I picked what’s probably one of the most popular chairs (corner, right next to window, facing runway) it should probably be replaced as it’s quite worn.
I sampled the buffet and it was tasty with the sausage and peppers, chicken vesuvio, pasta, etc. Soup was minestrone.
Bartenders are super friendly and cheerfully made my wife a custom non-alcoholic cocktail since she gets sick of being pregnant and drinking only water.
Will try the dining room shortly and might order the burger simply out of curiosity. I’ll update this post with good/bad news and photos.
edit - It’s 3pm on a Friday and it’s absolutely packed in here now. Waiting list for the dining room, very few seats available, and bar is quite busy. I wasn’t expecting to hear a hostess walking around shouting “MIKE PARTY OF 2!” Lol.
I sampled the buffet and it was tasty with the sausage and peppers, chicken vesuvio, pasta, etc. Soup was minestrone.
Bartenders are super friendly and cheerfully made my wife a custom non-alcoholic cocktail since she gets sick of being pregnant and drinking only water.
Will try the dining room shortly and might order the burger simply out of curiosity. I’ll update this post with good/bad news and photos.
edit - It’s 3pm on a Friday and it’s absolutely packed in here now. Waiting list for the dining room, very few seats available, and bar is quite busy. I wasn’t expecting to hear a hostess walking around shouting “MIKE PARTY OF 2!” Lol.
David
Apr 30, 2022, 10:33 am
#1042
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: MDW/ORD
Posts: 46
The infamous burger
I did! It was much the same as others have recently commented. Not a very attractive looking burger, tasted ok. Just like a standard cheeseburger you’d get anywhere and certainly not distinguishable as a “Polaris” product. Wife got the cookie skillet which was great.
May 10, 2022, 5:21 am
#1043
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond (SK); Hilton Diamond + few others
Posts: 172
I'll be flying SK business out of ORD/Terminal 5 next week. Is it possible to access terminal 1 and use the Polaris lounge even though I'm departing from a dfferent terminal?
Is the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) in service again? (website says it has been suspended, but perhaps the pages are not updated).
In case I cannot use the TTB, is it easy to exit terminal 1 and get to terminal 5 (going through security again)?
Sorry if this question has been asked before:
Is the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) in service again? (website says it has been suspended, but perhaps the pages are not updated).
In case I cannot use the TTB, is it easy to exit terminal 1 and get to terminal 5 (going through security again)?
Sorry if this question has been asked before:
May 10, 2022, 5:26 am
#1044
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,471
I'll be flying SK business out of ORD/Terminal 5 next week. Is it possible to access terminal 1 and use the Polaris lounge even though I'm departing from a dfferent terminal?
Is the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) in service again? (website says it has been suspended, but perhaps the pages are not updated).
In case I cannot use the TTB, is it easy to exit terminal 1 and get to terminal 5 (going through security again)?
Sorry if this question has been asked before:
Is the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) in service again? (website says it has been suspended, but perhaps the pages are not updated).
In case I cannot use the TTB, is it easy to exit terminal 1 and get to terminal 5 (going through security again)?
Sorry if this question has been asked before:
Using the train to go to t5 is pretty easy: 15min + whatever security time (pre/no pre) is ample.
May 10, 2022, 6:05 am
#1045
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,163
May 10, 2022, 6:12 am
#1046
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,471
I'll be flying SK business out of ORD/Terminal 5 next week. Is it possible to access terminal 1 and use the Polaris lounge even though I'm departing from a dfferent terminal?
Is the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) in service again? (website says it has been suspended, but perhaps the pages are not updated).
In case I cannot use the TTB, is it easy to exit terminal 1 and get to terminal 5 (going through security again)?
Sorry if this question has been asked before:
Is the Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) in service again? (website says it has been suspended, but perhaps the pages are not updated).
In case I cannot use the TTB, is it easy to exit terminal 1 and get to terminal 5 (going through security again)?
Sorry if this question has been asked before:
Mo problem using the lounge in t1 before the flight; if tsa checker says something about wrong terminal, just say you are aware and will just use lounge for a bit, and they will wave you through.
May 10, 2022, 11:33 pm
#1047
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond (SK); Hilton Diamond + few others
Posts: 172
I suppose, I would still have to check my bag at Terminal , before going to Terminal 1. And then go back to Terminal 5 for the flight. A bit of an ordeal to go to the Polaris lounge, but it's going to be my first time trying it out, so I just have to do it!
May 11, 2022, 5:11 am
#1048
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,747
What's the breakfast buffet like these days? Is there a good selection of eggs, breakfast meat, fruit, etc? I saw the sit-down menu upthread and it looked really uninspiring. I'd like to know if I should use the hotel buffet (Hilton O'Hare, where I'll be staying the previous night but won't have free breakfast) or go for the Polaris lounge buffet when I fly out of ORD this summer.
Last edited by Unimatrix One; May 11, 2022 at 6:35 am
May 11, 2022, 6:18 am
#1049
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,163
Thx. Yes, was thinking about the TSA checker would tell me I had no business there.
I suppose, I would still have to check my bag at Terminal , before going to Terminal 1. And then go back to Terminal 5 for the flight. A bit of an ordeal to go to the Polaris lounge, but it's going to be my first time trying it out, so I just have to do it!
I suppose, I would still have to check my bag at Terminal , before going to Terminal 1. And then go back to Terminal 5 for the flight. A bit of an ordeal to go to the Polaris lounge, but it's going to be my first time trying it out, so I just have to do it!
May 11, 2022, 1:19 pm
#1050
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 75
My understanding was that the SWISS lounge was permanently closed and the SK lounge had not yet reopened post-Covid. Is that not the case? (I admittedly haven't followed the SK lounge that closely but would be surprised to hear the decision re: the LX lounge was reversed given the construction in T5).