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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Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
IAD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
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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 11, 2022, 2:10 pm
#1051
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
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.
Scrambled eggs and egg whites. Bacon and turkey sausage. Country-style cubed potatoes. I think there was oatmeal. Pancakes with syrup. Basic supply of pastries / bagels / muffins / bread (nothing unusually high quality). I think there was fresh cut fruit, along with ind wrapped apples.
If you don't get free hotel breakfast, then the Polaris Lounge version is a good substitute.
May 11, 2022, 9:24 pm
#1052
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,746
I was just there on Tuesday during breakfast hours. It was about on par with a good hotel buffet...maybe a slight bit better.
Scrambled eggs and egg whites. Bacon and turkey sausage. Country-style cubed potatoes. I think there was oatmeal. Pancakes with syrup. Basic supply of pastries / bagels / muffins / bread (nothing unusually high quality). I think there was fresh cut fruit, along with ind wrapped apples.
If you don't get free hotel breakfast, then the Polaris Lounge version is a good substitute.
Scrambled eggs and egg whites. Bacon and turkey sausage. Country-style cubed potatoes. I think there was oatmeal. Pancakes with syrup. Basic supply of pastries / bagels / muffins / bread (nothing unusually high quality). I think there was fresh cut fruit, along with ind wrapped apples.
If you don't get free hotel breakfast, then the Polaris Lounge version is a good substitute.
May 11, 2022, 9:45 pm
#1054
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
May 12, 2022, 5:13 am
#1055
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,746
May 20, 2022, 1:00 am
#1057
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond (SK); Hilton Diamond + few others
Posts: 172
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).
Jul 2, 2022, 3:53 pm
#1060
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,969
I was there in May for my first visit. It was almost completely full, and it was a zoo. It was far from the tranquil pre-flight experience that I had hoped for and expected. I've been to the IAH Polaris lounge a few times, and although it can be busy and with a waitlist for the dining room, I've never seen it packed to the gills like ORD.
Jul 3, 2022, 2:38 am
#1061
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
I was in yesterday at around 2PM and it was packed. Lightened up a bit around 3:30.
Staff did a nice job of keeping up, but was a bit chaotic.
Staff did a nice job of keeping up, but was a bit chaotic.
Jul 3, 2022, 5:27 am
#1062
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: JAL Global Club & oneworld Sapphire, ANA SFC & Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 3,746
Is the lounge still uncrowded in the mornings? I used it once pre-Covid, and it was wonderful. Not sure if I was just lucky. I'm planning to use it in the morning before an ANA flight in August, and I hope it's as peaceful and tranquil as it was the last time I used it.
Jul 3, 2022, 10:58 am
#1063
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, DL Diamond, NK Gold, Mariott LT Plat/Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 925
I was there on Friday evening and it was fairly quiet. The only issue is the sit-down dining is woefully understaffed. We walked up and half the tables were empty. We asked for a table for two and were told it would be at least 45 minutes. I asked how long the waitlist was and he said just one other table. They only had one server and one bus person working. I told him we couldn't wait that long and he seated us. The server took 10 minutes to come over, another 10 to bring drinks, and then the wrong food arrived. We had to go so we made do with what was brought. The table next to us got our order next and they did the same.
Jul 3, 2022, 1:37 pm
#1064
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: United, Southwest
Posts: 571
Is there bread available near the coldcuts? I'd like to make my own sandwich to eat instead of braving the cauliflower salad served on Polaris. I see some ready made sandwiches but they look a little messy? I guess I could buy a bagel from somewhere else. Just need stuff to make a 'picnic'. THANKS!
Jul 3, 2022, 8:23 pm
#1065
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Is there bread available near the coldcuts? I'd like to make my own sandwich to eat instead of braving the cauliflower salad served on Polaris. I see some ready made sandwiches but they look a little messy? I guess I could buy a bagel from somewhere else. Just need stuff to make a 'picnic'. THANKS!
David