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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SFO Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
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Dec 13, 2016, 10:14 am
#196
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
If do a redeye mileage run on SFO-ORD-FLL-EWR-SFO itinerary, you will have a 55-min connection at ORD. I do not know whether or not the PL is open between 6:40 am - 7:35 am.
Dec 13, 2016, 2:59 pm
#198
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,757
I'd be surprised if UA doesn't eventually shift the AC shorthaul J passengers to the regular club, *A rules or not.
Look at what SQ and BR get away with at SFO on a regular basis yet *A has no teeth to correct the issue.
Look at what SQ and BR get away with at SFO on a regular basis yet *A has no teeth to correct the issue.
Dec 13, 2016, 3:10 pm
#199
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA lifetime gold, United Mileage Plus silver, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 503
Sorry to be asking this, but I was not sure if there was a definitive answer to this in the thread?
So I have a upcoming Polaris Business flight ORD-EWR-DEL in early January. The ORD-EWR leg ofcourse is Business First or whatever they call it. Will I be able to access the Polaris Lounge in Chicago? I am a lowly Silver (if that makes a difference).
So I have a upcoming Polaris Business flight ORD-EWR-DEL in early January. The ORD-EWR leg ofcourse is Business First or whatever they call it. Will I be able to access the Polaris Lounge in Chicago? I am a lowly Silver (if that makes a difference).
Dec 13, 2016, 3:52 pm
#200
Moderator: United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
There was some confusion initially but a email from UA has been posted on FT that access is permitted.
It does not.
Dec 13, 2016, 3:55 pm
#201
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA lifetime gold, United Mileage Plus silver, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 503
Dec 13, 2016, 4:02 pm
#202
Moderator: United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
I would not bother and the email wouldn't help if a problem occurred. The referenced problem happen soon after opening and things were still being worked out. Pretty sure you are safe now.
Dec 13, 2016, 4:42 pm
#203
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
Just a quick two cents after my first lounge visit today...
-more elegant lounge than the prior GFL
-more crowded than the prior GFL, as expected. Thus a little less exclusive feeling. Kind of a shame but probably outweighed by improvements.
-a double ID check was slightly offensive. A guy with a British accent stood well outside the entry lounge and wanted to see our boarding passes, followed by the actual boarding pass scan and welcome inside at the desk. Seemed like an odd interim security solution. Though I can imagine it would only get worse. I always feel a personal jab with multiple security checks no matter where, and I sincerely hope united rethinks this. It shows a big sign of distrust towards customers.
-inside, nice scene all around. Good improvements. I like the cocktail bar and self pour whiskeys. Ice was melted entirely on the whiskey bar. Why no other liquor on the self-pour bar? What's the role of the liquor cabinets above? Seriously, are these personal cabinets? There are locks. I don't get it.
-should we be tipping or not at the Polaris lounge bar? I can honestly see both sides to this argument.
-with three of us, there were only a few spots for us to actually sit together. As a frequent business traveler, I get the abundance of single cubbies throughout, but I do question the proportions.
-no hot food stations yet. Cold food was good to great. When does the full kitchen appear?
-the showers and nap rooms are separated with a glass door and reception desk. Slightly intimidating to scope out, thus I didn't. Probably good for the long term. Those who know and need it the most can ask for it.
-more elegant lounge than the prior GFL
-more crowded than the prior GFL, as expected. Thus a little less exclusive feeling. Kind of a shame but probably outweighed by improvements.
-a double ID check was slightly offensive. A guy with a British accent stood well outside the entry lounge and wanted to see our boarding passes, followed by the actual boarding pass scan and welcome inside at the desk. Seemed like an odd interim security solution. Though I can imagine it would only get worse. I always feel a personal jab with multiple security checks no matter where, and I sincerely hope united rethinks this. It shows a big sign of distrust towards customers.
-inside, nice scene all around. Good improvements. I like the cocktail bar and self pour whiskeys. Ice was melted entirely on the whiskey bar. Why no other liquor on the self-pour bar? What's the role of the liquor cabinets above? Seriously, are these personal cabinets? There are locks. I don't get it.
-should we be tipping or not at the Polaris lounge bar? I can honestly see both sides to this argument.
-with three of us, there were only a few spots for us to actually sit together. As a frequent business traveler, I get the abundance of single cubbies throughout, but I do question the proportions.
-no hot food stations yet. Cold food was good to great. When does the full kitchen appear?
-the showers and nap rooms are separated with a glass door and reception desk. Slightly intimidating to scope out, thus I didn't. Probably good for the long term. Those who know and need it the most can ask for it.
Last edited by 1015-1k; Dec 13, 2016 at 11:46 pm
Dec 13, 2016, 4:48 pm
#204
Moderator: United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
...
-a double ID check was slightly offensive. A guy with a British accent stood well outside the entry lounge and wanted to see our boarding passes, followed by the actual boarding pass scan and welcome inside at the desk. Seemed like an odd interim security solution. Though I can imagine it would only get worse. I always feel a personal jab with multiple security checks no matter where, and I sincerely hope united rethinks this. It shows a big sign of distrust towards customers. ....
-a double ID check was slightly offensive. A guy with a British accent stood well outside the entry lounge and wanted to see our boarding passes, followed by the actual boarding pass scan and welcome inside at the desk. Seemed like an odd interim security solution. Though I can imagine it would only get worse. I always feel a personal jab with multiple security checks no matter where, and I sincerely hope united rethinks this. It shows a big sign of distrust towards customers. ....
Trying to weed out those that should be at the UC (since the C UC is presently closed) or just aren't eligible for access. It a problem enough at UCs and given the location, it is a new lounge and the closed UC, it probably a lot worse. And in this case, most passenger likely don't not know the rules -- not a distrust issue, a confusion issue.
Once the false entery attempts decrease than maybe they can return to the single check. But for now it will likely speed up the entry in many cases to get the wrong folks out sooner.
Dec 14, 2016, 7:44 am
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,416
g post touting that as a strategy for admission.
Dec 14, 2016, 10:02 am
#206
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,694
Dec 14, 2016, 11:53 am
#207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
They just got their "Preparation of Food and Dining on Premise With Seating" license on 12/07/2016. (Lic. 2492747-20161207). It was converted from the original GFL food license. So the ball appears to be rolling. ^