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)
{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, ..
Feb 17, 2019, 9:29 pm
#873
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
Feb 18, 2019, 6:53 am
#874
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
I wouldn't call it a major downgrade, although I miss some items on the old menu. On the new menu, a few standouts in my view are the smoothie, the corn cakes, buttermilk pancakes w/ cheddar, and the pacific salmon. I think the burger isn't changed, and it is still good; better than SFO. The avocado fries seem good in concept, but the one time I had it the avocado was perhaps too ripe for frying.
Doesn't matter. You could be in Economy for ORD-EWR and access as long as EWR-DUB is in Polaris.
Feb 18, 2019, 7:05 am
#875
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I have a ORD to LAX flight at 08:10am connecting to LAX to SYD. From my understanding, I will have Polaris access at ORD.
If the club opens at 7:15am, will I have time for a sit down breakfast. How quick is their service?
I also see up thread that the club has opened at 6:45am in the past, any recent reports on if this is still the case?
If the club opens at 7:15am, will I have time for a sit down breakfast. How quick is their service?
I also see up thread that the club has opened at 6:45am in the past, any recent reports on if this is still the case?
However I don't know about the service. One time I arrived at the Polaris Lounge at 7:00 AM and there was nothing yet in terms of hot food in the buffet. They were just starting to put the food out, starting with the cold items. I did not look if they were serving the sit-down area at that time so cannot comment. However, if they only start serving at 7:15 AM, I would think it's a bit tight as your flight to LAX will probably start boarding around 7:40 AM.
Feb 18, 2019, 8:05 am
#876
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
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Posts: 10,159
Have to imagine Trotter Project will bail soon...can't imagine they want to be associated with the casserole / frozen dinner mains on board now.
Maybe Hungry Man or Swanson will be interested in a sponsorship...?
Feb 18, 2019, 12:51 pm
#877
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil
Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, *G, JJ, AD, Global Entry, CLEAR, H.O.G. Life Member
Posts: 1,407
The opening at 6:45 AM is to accommodate the passengers arriving from GRU. Since during this season the flight arrives at 5:25 AM I think that the Polaris Lounge will be open at 6:45 AM. In the spring and summer, the flight from GRU arrives at 6:55 AM. I think that then the Polaris Lounge will revert to opening at 7:15 AM..
Feb 18, 2019, 9:42 pm
#878
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite, National Executive, United Gold
Posts: 1,181
I was on GRU-ORD last week which arrived at 5:15am - the Polaris Lounge did not open until 7am and I had to camp out in the C18 UC for an hour.
No one sat down for the dining service but the buffet items were quite appetizing.
No one sat down for the dining service but the buffet items were quite appetizing.
The opening at 6:45 AM is to accommodate the passengers arriving from GRU. Since during this season the flight arrives at 5:25 AM I think that the Polaris Lounge will be open at 6:45 AM. In the spring and summer, the flight from GRU arrives at 6:55 AM. I think that then the Polaris Lounge will revert to opening at 7:15 AM.
However I don't know about the service. One time I arrived at the Polaris Lounge at 7:00 AM and there was nothing yet in terms of hot food in the buffet. They were just starting to put the food out, starting with the cold items. I did not look if they were serving the sit-down area at that time so cannot comment. However, if they only start serving at 7:15 AM, I would think it's a bit tight as your flight to LAX will probably start boarding around 7:40 AM.
However I don't know about the service. One time I arrived at the Polaris Lounge at 7:00 AM and there was nothing yet in terms of hot food in the buffet. They were just starting to put the food out, starting with the cold items. I did not look if they were serving the sit-down area at that time so cannot comment. However, if they only start serving at 7:15 AM, I would think it's a bit tight as your flight to LAX will probably start boarding around 7:40 AM.
Feb 19, 2019, 5:11 am
#879
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
When we were traveling at the end of November it opened at 6:45 AM but we did not know about it. We landed in Terminal F at 6:15 AM coming from a domestic origin and passed in front of the Polaris Lounge at 6:40 AM, we read the sign saying 7:15 AM so, like you, went to the C18 UC. It was so bad that at 6:55 AM, my wife decided that she preferred to just go wait in front of the entrance of the Polaris Lounge. To her surprise it was open. The agent said it opened at 6:45 AM for the GRU passengers.
Next time that you have to wait one hour you should go to the B6 UC. It's way better than the C18 UC.
Feb 19, 2019, 11:33 am
#880
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite, National Executive, United Gold
Posts: 1,181
I agree the B6 UC is better than the C18 UC, but I didn't want to backtrack and my connecting flight departed from C10 (I thought about staying put in the UC but decided it was worth it to move and spend 30mins in the Polaris Lounge).
Apr 5, 2019, 7:46 am
#881
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
After 4 months without an international long haul trip, I got to the ORD Polaris Lounge. The food served on the hot little pans is no more. Now it's all served in the big pots. Disappointing change as I really liked the teriyaki salmon and the pasta with shrimp.
In the lavatories they put the same bins that they have in the EWR Polaris Lounge. They empty them less often than the previous bins. Previously the attendant was always there emptying bins and making sure that the lavatories were clean. Now, it seems that attendants only show up from time to time (maybe every hour) and the lavatories were more dirty. They also lowered the quality of the paper towels. The new ones feel cheap.
In the lavatories they put the same bins that they have in the EWR Polaris Lounge. They empty them less often than the previous bins. Previously the attendant was always there emptying bins and making sure that the lavatories were clean. Now, it seems that attendants only show up from time to time (maybe every hour) and the lavatories were more dirty. They also lowered the quality of the paper towels. The new ones feel cheap.
Apr 5, 2019, 2:48 pm
#882
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
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Posts: 8,695
Apr 5, 2019, 2:50 pm
#883
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Apr 5, 2019, 3:13 pm
#884
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
After 4 months without an international long haul trip, I got to the ORD Polaris Lounge. The food served on the hot little pans is no more. Now it's all served in the big pots. Disappointing change as I really liked the teriyaki salmon and the pasta with shrimp.
In the lavatories they put the same bins that they have in the EWR Polaris Lounge. They empty them less often than the previous bins. Previously the attendant was always there emptying bins and making sure that the lavatories were clean. Now, it seems that attendants only show up from time to time (maybe every hour) and the lavatories were more dirty. They also lowered the quality of the paper towels. The new ones feel cheap.
In the lavatories they put the same bins that they have in the EWR Polaris Lounge. They empty them less often than the previous bins. Previously the attendant was always there emptying bins and making sure that the lavatories were clean. Now, it seems that attendants only show up from time to time (maybe every hour) and the lavatories were more dirty. They also lowered the quality of the paper towels. The new ones feel cheap.
I agree, it seems like there have only been cuts. The paper towels are much thinner, and in light of your previous note about the smoked salmon, it feels part of a disappointing trend. I had failed to notice that the hot food changed from individual serving to communal mess, but I now recognise why I thought things seemed less 'nice'. On my last visit, the staff were all hanging out chatting around the second buffet station (the one near the dining area), which then made it feel quite awkward to get any of the food from there. They have often loitered there when between duties, but not so numerously and imposingly as that time.
Also, I didn't notice anyone comment on it, but the former self-serve whisky station disappeared a long time ago.