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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ORD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..

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Jan 13, 2024, 8:29 am

#1201

DFWFairy

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: D/FW

Programs: DL MM/Silver; UA 1K ; Hilton Gold; Marriott Titanium; Avis Pref+,Hertz PC

Posts: 585

Wife came into ORD yesterday from LIS on TAP J onward to IAH. Connecting flight was rescheduled to today because of the storm/travel waiver. Can she still access the Polaris lounge this morning?

Jan 13, 2024, 8:46 am

#1202

fumje

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2015

Posts: 11,470

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFWFairy

Wife came into ORD yesterday from LIS on TAP J onward to IAH. Connecting flight was rescheduled to today because of the storm/travel waiver. Can she still access the Polaris lounge this morning?

Sorry, no, nor would she have been able to access yesterday. Inbound for UA metal only.

Jan 13, 2024, 9:29 am

#1203

DFWFairy

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: D/FW

Programs: DL MM/Silver; UA 1K ; Hilton Gold; Marriott Titanium; Avis Pref+,Hertz PC

Posts: 585

Thanks for clarifying!

Jan 16, 2024, 9:09 am

#1204

Dyce

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: IAH & CMH

Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Uber Platinum :)

Posts: 773

Had the fish & chips last week @ ORD Polaris. Once the plate was served, I had to ask where the fish was. There it was, hiding underneath a chip... one tiny piece of fish - for perspective I've seen chicken McNuggets larger than this.

All Polaris portion sizes are shrinking by the minute but this was ridiculous. I then ordered the burger which seems to have had the number of fries cut from early Polaris days but the burger is still quite good. Will probably be a slider by the time I next stop in ORD!

And as a side note, the bartender told me that when they expand the lounge into the old United Club space they will add 10 dining room tables and likely another bar - currently the servers have to go through the kitchen to get diners their drinks from the bar... don't expect any change in 2024 though...

goodeats21 likes this.

Jan 17, 2024, 2:23 pm

#1205

threeoh

Join Date: Sep 2014

Posts: 2,531

The printed menu posted in this thread says last dinner seating is at 9:30pm, while the United website says the ORD Polaris Lounge closes at 9:00pm.

Any idea which is correct?

Jan 18, 2024, 8:48 am

#1206

tink24

Join Date: Jan 2024

Posts: 8

I'm going to have a long layover in ORD after flying in from Europe for around 6 hours. I see that the Polaris lounge has daybeds. Does anyone know how hard they are to get into and if there is a limit to how long you can stay in them? I have searched the web but can't find any information on this.

Jan 18, 2024, 8:55 am

#1207

omxfl

Join Date: Aug 2019

Posts: 134

Quote:

Originally Posted by tink24

My experience has been that they are first-come first-serve. I don't think there was a limit.

tink24 likes this.

Jan 18, 2024, 9:00 am

#1208

iluv2fly

Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz

Join Date: Jun 2001

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Posts: 17,976

Quote:

Originally Posted by omxfl

My experience has been that they are first-come first-serve. I don't think there was a limit.

Correct. I used it once and was there for about four hours. It's where the showers are, by the way.

SPN Lifer and tink24 like this.

Jan 18, 2024, 5:33 pm

#1209

j_pp

Join Date: Aug 2023

Programs: United Gold

Posts: 40

Thoughts from folks if this lounge is worth using before the ET flight to ADD? Obviously would have to not only clear security 2x because shuttle is not running prior to the 10am departure - but ET is also not a part or pre check, so we would have to use regular security.

We are thinking of getting there around 6 once it opens, using for about 1.5-2 hrs and heading to T5 before boarding begins around 830. Is this asinine? A waste of time? For what its worth, we are both avgeeks and enjoy new lounge experiences, but have not transited from the United Lounge to T5.

Last edited by j_pp; Jan 18, 2024 at 6:57 pm

Jan 18, 2024, 5:38 pm

#1210

AirbusFan2B

Join Date: Jul 2012

Location: Chicago

Posts: 1,163

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_pp

Thoughts on folks if this lounge is worth using before the ET flight to ADD? Obviously would have to not only clear security 2x because shuttle is not running prior to the 10am departure - but ET is also not a part or pre check, so we would have to use regular security.

We are thinking of getting there around 6 once it opens, using for about 1.5-2 hrs and heading to T5 before boarding begins around 830. Is this asinine? A waste of time? For what it’s worth, we are both avgeeks and enjoy new lounge experiences, but have not transited from the United Lounge to T5.

To me, it’s a great lounge, and I would use it too for your itinerary. As soon as you’re in, make a beeline to the restaurant at the far end to get on the waitlist for a table. They’ll text you when your table is ready.

j_pp likes this.

Jan 18, 2024, 6:02 pm

#1211

kirkwoodj

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: Houston

Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles

Posts: 8,703

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_pp

Is this asinine? A waste of time?

Heck no, it's the FT way!!! (Plus it's a great lounge!)

narvik, bluedemon211 and j_pp like this.

Jan 18, 2024, 8:50 pm

#1212

meijiem

Join Date: Dec 2023

Posts: 124

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_pp

Go for it! I think you could even leave about 0845 and still make the ET flight comfortably.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirbusFan2B

I've never seen a table wait in the morning and wouldn't worry about that. I believe that service only starts at 0700 anyway, so if arriving earlier that gives time to try the buffet and then try the a la carte. Espresso is all the way in the back, near the dining area (or at the bar, but I think also not staffed before 0700).

kirkwoodj and j_pp like this.

Jan 23, 2024, 12:36 pm

#1213

rabingham89

Join Date: Oct 2016

Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA

Programs: Skymiles (former DM), MileagePlus (Silver), Marriott Rewards/SPG Platinum (Lifetime Titanium)

Posts: 54

ORD Polaris Lounge 1-23-24

I was able to get a table right away as it was pretty slow in the dining room.

Menu for today:

I opted for the Winter Bisque, Beet “Salad” and Burger w/ Carrot Cake for dessert along with some bubbles to drink.

Soup great, salad was good but I expected more greens which as a result of mismatched expectations was a bit of a let down. Too much cheese for what was served IMO