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)
{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
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ORD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
Feb 11, 2018, 11:50 am
#691
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: 66,768
A boarding pass for travel in United Polaris business class customers in United Polaris business class may access a United Polaris lounge at departure, connecting and arrival airports along their eligible same-day routing.
Feb 11, 2018, 12:53 pm
#692
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Thanks all for the confirmations! (my LAX-MEL is definitely UA metal). I actually received a different answer from @UNITED on twitter, but I trust the answers here more. (ORD-LAX leaves at 4:30PM so it will be open). This is what @UNITED said:
>While you won't be able to access the Polaris Lounge at ORD, you will be able to access the United Club at LAX. >Our Polaris Lounge at LAX is not quite done yet; we apologize for this inconvenience.
>While you won't be able to access the Polaris Lounge at ORD, you will be able to access the United Club at LAX. >Our Polaris Lounge at LAX is not quite done yet; we apologize for this inconvenience.
Feb 11, 2018, 12:58 pm
#693
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: UA 1P
Posts: 320
Feb 11, 2018, 1:38 pm
#694
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,349
They started this late last year - there's a counter at which you validate that you're not on the no-fly list, and you get a "boarding pass" that allows you to go through security. Intended for friends and family primarily, I presume
Feb 12, 2018, 9:07 am
#695
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,442
At the opening of the lounge, international business/first class passengers on non-UA Star Alliance flights were admitted to the Polaris lounge, which resulted in the odd situation of an AC YYZ-ORD C customer having Polaris Lounge access while a UA ORD-YYZ C customer would not. Hence the 'loophole', which was closed a few months ago.
Feb 12, 2018, 9:32 am
#696
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, MP 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 462
More like using the shopping opportunities at the airport. It was designed that way pre-9/11 and my understanding is that there are unique to Pittsburgh, high end shops there.
Feb 12, 2018, 9:51 am
#697
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
Weren't most airports designed Pre-9/11? I can see many airports making the same statement saying that there are shops post-security that could benefit from additional foot traffic. What makes Pittsburgh unique?
Feb 12, 2018, 9:55 am
#698
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, MP 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 462
This will likely be pulled for veering off topic but google is your friend - try Pittsburgh airport shopping
Feb 12, 2018, 12:37 pm
#699
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
Wow, what a flagship experience LOL
Nice hard product in the Polaris ORD lounge but talk about a low energy soft product. Food is disgusting lots of dried out options on the buffet for hours. Did they get the fried chicken from KFC? I love how the menu is like "created by Chef Art Smith," what a joke. What did he create, a takeout bucket from KFC?
The shower room hard product was indeed nice. The "Saks Fifth Avenue" towels etc are a bit gauche. Sadly an amazing fail with the amenities. The attendant told me no more laundry (I wanted a fresh T-shirt) because "a customer's shirt was messed up." Then I asked for a shave and toothbrush kit, the response; "We dont have shaving kits anymore, a customer got a cut," and "We ran out of toothbrush kits" LOL.
Just for fun I put on a serious face and talked to the manager to express my concern that the glassware in the lounge poses a real safety risk and I hope to see it removed by my next visit. The manager said I wasnt the first person to share that concern LOL... What a joke.
The shower room hard product was indeed nice. The "Saks Fifth Avenue" towels etc are a bit gauche. Sadly an amazing fail with the amenities. The attendant told me no more laundry (I wanted a fresh T-shirt) because "a customer's shirt was messed up." Then I asked for a shave and toothbrush kit, the response; "We dont have shaving kits anymore, a customer got a cut," and "We ran out of toothbrush kits" LOL.
Just for fun I put on a serious face and talked to the manager to express my concern that the glassware in the lounge poses a real safety risk and I hope to see it removed by my next visit. The manager said I wasnt the first person to share that concern LOL... What a joke.
Feb 12, 2018, 12:42 pm
#700
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,682
Nice hard product in the Polaris ORD lounge but talk about a low energy soft product. Food is disgusting lots of dried out options on the buffet for hours. Did they get the fried chicken from KFC? I love how the menu is like "created by Chef Art Smith," what a joke. What did he create, a takeout bucket from KFC?
The shower room hard product was indeed nice. The "Saks Fifth Avenue" towels etc are a bit gauche. Sadly an amazing fail with the amenities. The attendant told me no more laundry (I wanted a fresh T-shirt) because "a customer's shirt was messed up." Then I asked for a shave and toothbrush kit, the response; "We dont have shaving kits anymore, a customer got a cut," and "We ran out of toothbrush kits" LOL.
Just for fun I put on a serious face and talked to the manager to express my concern that the glassware in the lounge poses a real safety risk and I hope to see it removed by my next visit. The manager said I wasnt the first person to share that concern LOL... What a joke.
The shower room hard product was indeed nice. The "Saks Fifth Avenue" towels etc are a bit gauche. Sadly an amazing fail with the amenities. The attendant told me no more laundry (I wanted a fresh T-shirt) because "a customer's shirt was messed up." Then I asked for a shave and toothbrush kit, the response; "We dont have shaving kits anymore, a customer got a cut," and "We ran out of toothbrush kits" LOL.
Just for fun I put on a serious face and talked to the manager to express my concern that the glassware in the lounge poses a real safety risk and I hope to see it removed by my next visit. The manager said I wasnt the first person to share that concern LOL... What a joke.
Also, some people would love KFC chicken!
Feb 12, 2018, 12:57 pm
#701
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
I cannot really believe UA pulled shaving kits and stopped laundry because someone nicked themselves and a shirt got ruined -- really? I mean maybe I should have also told the manager they should stop serving food for security reasons, someone might choke. LOL.
Feb 12, 2018, 1:42 pm
#702
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,682
Yeah, I mean the menu seems really geared toward fast-foodies (e.g. my fellow obese Americans). Be nice to see a more varied selection. From what I could see the several people around me also just picked at their food. Who is this chef Art Smith? Does he consult with McDonalds as well?
I cannot really believe UA pulled shaving kits and stopped laundry because someone nicked themselves and a shirt got ruined -- really? I mean maybe I should have also told the manager they should stop serving food for security reasons, someone might choke. LOL.
I cannot really believe UA pulled shaving kits and stopped laundry because someone nicked themselves and a shirt got ruined -- really? I mean maybe I should have also told the manager they should stop serving food for security reasons, someone might choke. LOL.
Feb 12, 2018, 1:59 pm
#703
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
LOL... UA dishes out fast food and can’t provide disposable razors because of Unions and the mob?
My story gets exponentially better. I had come off an AA flight in ORD and had some hours so wandered back to the AA flagship lounge (FL). Hard product not as nice as Polaris but food was exponentially better and more varied. I told the agent about the lack of razors and they laughing not only let me back in the FL, provided me razors and toothbrush and finally took me on a concierge key (of which I am not) ride to the UA gate saying “we will take care of you.”
Can you imagine UA doing this? LOL I mean the Polaris attendent could barely bother to look up at me when saying they couldnt even provide a toothbrush. Maybe he had to look down for security reasons.
Last edited by BOStonTravels; Feb 12, 2018 at 2:10 pm
Feb 12, 2018, 2:13 pm
#704
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
LOL... UA dishes out fast food and can’t provide disposable razors because of Unions and the mob?
My story gets exponentially better. I had come off an AA flight in ORD and had some hours so wandered back to the AA flagship lounge (FL). Hard product not as nice as Polaris but food was exponentially better and more varied. I told the agent about the lack of razors and they laughing not only let me back in the FL, provided me razors and toothbrush and finally took me on a concierge key (of which I am not) ride to the UA gate saying “we will take care of you.”
Can you imagine UA doing this? LOL I mean the Polaris attendent could barely bother to look up at me when saying they couldnt even provide a toothbrush. Maybe he had to look down for security reasons.
The razor thing is a bit silly, but I didn't even realize they did laundry.
Feb 12, 2018, 2:20 pm
#705
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
I was actually there during the shift from breakfast into lunch and categorically the range of breakfast offerings is limited compared to AA Flagship.
Again, the Polaris hard product is much nicer than any of AA's FL offerings (which I incidentally think are very low end especially compared to some of the furniture in their previous FL lounges).
From what I gather the Polaris lounge menu has not changed since day one. Hey, I guess Chef Art Smith can’t win them all...
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 12, 2018 at 9:18 pm Reason: Unneeded comments removed
