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, ..
#646
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
A few weeks ago, I was flying in Polaris First from ORD. I did the check-in at the Polaris counter in Terminal 1. My wife who was traveling in Economy + had done the check-in the previous evening to put herself in the upgrade list. She was standing next to me. When the agent gave me my boarding pass, she turns to my wife and asks if she is traveling Polaris First or Business. My wife says no. The agent proceeds to tell us that, then, my wife did not have access to the Polaris Lounge. Good that we knew the rule that Polaris First passengers can have one guest. I wonder how many other passengers would have accepted her assertion.
On the return, we arrived at the Polaris Lounge at 5:15 PM on a Sunday (if Fumje reads this post, here's the answer: my wife did guest me in). It's good that they have opened the extension part because the place was packed and in the previous configuration we would not have found seats. But, by 6:00 PM, the lounge totally emptied. Then, at about 7:30 PM, passengers started arriving for the flights departing at 9:00-9:30 PM.
After 13 months shouldn't they change the lunch/dinner buffet menu? Maybe change it 4 times per year. Or would that increase the risk of "enhancements"?
On the return, we arrived at the Polaris Lounge at 5:15 PM on a Sunday (if Fumje reads this post, here's the answer: my wife did guest me in). It's good that they have opened the extension part because the place was packed and in the previous configuration we would not have found seats. But, by 6:00 PM, the lounge totally emptied. Then, at about 7:30 PM, passengers started arriving for the flights departing at 9:00-9:30 PM.
After 13 months shouldn't they change the lunch/dinner buffet menu? Maybe change it 4 times per year. Or would that increase the risk of "enhancements"?
#647
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,136
I was thinking the same thing after my last visit. Would be nice, but not overly concerning. Between the buffet choices and the seated dining menu, I think there is enough variety.
#648
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Finally at the expanded ORD Polaris lounge for the first time. Wow, they did a fantastic job. I was afraid they'd skimp based on the unexpected need for expansion but the new area is almost nicer than the previous one. If this is how they're going to do the other lounges I'll be very happy (especially as I'm based out of EWR now). I find the food service area still a bit small though maybe they use the bar area when it's really busy.
Here for a 2:30 flight and it's pretty empty. I imagine it would still be full during the 6pm departure rush but there's a LOT more seating.
I would concur with the assessment that it would be nice to have the menu adjusted after 13 months but aside from GS most people aren't probably visiting that often. And a la cart wise I can't get enough of that burger.
Here for a 2:30 flight and it's pretty empty. I imagine it would still be full during the 6pm departure rush but there's a LOT more seating.
I would concur with the assessment that it would be nice to have the menu adjusted after 13 months but aside from GS most people aren't probably visiting that often. And a la cart wise I can't get enough of that burger.
#649
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
What my wife and I noticed is that, after the passengers departed for the 6:00-6:30 pm departure flights and the lounge was empty, we could hear too much noise of clanging dishes in that newly expanded area. I had said to my wife that once I'm seated somewhere I'm not changing seats (something she likes to do) but I had to agree and we did move to seats in the original area.
#650
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: CVG, originally LAX/SNA
Programs: UA MileagePlus Premier Platinum, Hilton Honors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 77
Im planning to go to Asia connecting through BR 55. If I connect through ORD T1 could I get into the Polaris Lounge even though the flight technically takes off at 12:50am the next day? Also, when I check into my United flight would the counter issue me my other boarding passes from other Star Alliance partners? Planning to book itinerary through Aeroplan because of routing rules if that is important
#652
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,375
#653
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,136
I’m planning to go to Asia connecting through BR 55. If I connect through ORD T1 could I get into the Polaris Lounge even though the flight technically takes off at 12:50am the next day? Also, when I check into my United flight would the counter issue me my other boarding passes from other Star Alliance partners? Planning to book itinerary through Aeroplan because of routing rules if that is important
You should receive all your boarding passes, assuming same ticket and no breaks / stopovers / etc.
#655
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 721
#656
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,136
#657
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Most of my visits are prior to TPACs too, so I eat their breakfast for the PVG flight that is at 9:45 AM. But for PEK leaving at 12:30 PM, I check at 11:00 if they have changed to the lunch menu.
#659
Moderator: United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,567
No, you are eligible for United Club, but not Polaris. Polaris is reserved for International Premium Cabin (not including North America flights) departures and UA Polaris arrivals)
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 25, 2018 at 3:47 pm Reason: exclusion is for North America international flights
#660
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SYD
Programs: OZ Platinum LifeTime; DL PM; QF Gold; VA Gold; HH Diamond; IHG Diamond
Posts: 1,128
United Lounge in ORD
Hi everyone
I have a query I couldn't find addressed elsewhere, so starting a new thread.
I'm wondering what the chance would be of being able to access the Polaris lounge in ORD.
I'll be flying J into JFK on a separate *A airline, then transitting through ORD (3hrs) in domestic First on UA from LGA to IND on the same day. I realise that technically, I won't be able to access the Polaris lounge, but I'm pretty sure I'll desperately want a shower during my long, 3 hr transit in ORD. And from what I can gather, the Polaris lounge is the only one with a shower in ORD that I can readily access.
Has anyone tried a similar situation? What was the outcome? I know the likelihood of getting in might be slim, so I'm not holding my breath. But never hurts to ask. Thanks.
I have a query I couldn't find addressed elsewhere, so starting a new thread.
I'm wondering what the chance would be of being able to access the Polaris lounge in ORD.
I'll be flying J into JFK on a separate *A airline, then transitting through ORD (3hrs) in domestic First on UA from LGA to IND on the same day. I realise that technically, I won't be able to access the Polaris lounge, but I'm pretty sure I'll desperately want a shower during my long, 3 hr transit in ORD. And from what I can gather, the Polaris lounge is the only one with a shower in ORD that I can readily access.
Has anyone tried a similar situation? What was the outcome? I know the likelihood of getting in might be slim, so I'm not holding my breath. But never hurts to ask. Thanks.