Last edit by: SPN Lifer
Access to Polaris lounges (source):
update 29 Sept 2017, effective 1 Oct, 2017
Departure: The airport you are leaving on an international J/F flight* from, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT
Connecting: The airport to or from which you have a short-haul flight to connect to a longer flight, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT or NRT-ORD-EWR
Arrival: The airport you arrive at after your long-haul flight, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT
Hours- 4:30a - 10:45p
*Currently it appears that any departing international flight on an *A partner qualifies (except AC operated transborder flights ), but only United flights with the premium cabin class listed as 'Polaris Business' or 'Polaris First' will qualify for entrance after arriving off a United Polaris flight.
UA premium cabin flights not marketed as Polaris, such as Domestic First or International Business (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean ... ) are not eligible for Polaris lounge access.
Similar / Related Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
IAD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
ORD 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
Status of new permanent EWR United Clubs?
update 29 Sept 2017, effective 1 Oct, 2017
Departure: The airport you are leaving on an international J/F flight* from, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT
Connecting: The airport to or from which you have a short-haul flight to connect to a longer flight, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT or NRT-ORD-EWR
Arrival: The airport you arrive at after your long-haul flight, i.e. EWR-ORD-NRT
Hours- 4:30a - 10:45p
*Currently it appears that any departing international flight on an *A partner qualifies (except AC operated transborder flights ), but only United flights with the premium cabin class listed as 'Polaris Business' or 'Polaris First' will qualify for entrance after arriving off a United Polaris flight.
UA premium cabin flights not marketed as Polaris, such as Domestic First or International Business (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean ... ) are not eligible for Polaris lounge access.
Similar / Related Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
IAD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
ORD 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
Status of new permanent EWR United Clubs?
EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
#256
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Bronze
Posts: 6,249
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,327
The under-staffing is inexcusable for management though.
#258
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 5,972
This is where the microeconomics of the tipped wage comes in. Most employees have a potential greater earning opportunity with customers tipping, versus a standard hourly wage with no tips. In this case, Sodexco is competing with OTG for employees with similar talent and skillset within the same location. Granted, tipped wage is NJ is as low as $2.13/hour, but serving 8 people in an hour at an average of $35 spending per head, that's $42/hour with 15% gratuity, versus whatever Sodexco is paying (not $42/hour). In this case, it may not be purposeful understaffing, but rather the lack of people willing to work at a fixed rate instead of potentially earning more as food/drink runners at OTG (they are not really servers, since they don't even take orders).
#259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,327
This is where the microeconomics of the tipped wage comes in. Most employees have a potential greater earning opportunity with customers tipping, versus a standard hourly wage with no tips. In this case, Sodexco is competing with OTG for employees with similar talent and skillset within the same location. Granted, tipped wage is NJ is as low as $2.13/hour, but serving 8 people in an hour at an average of $35 spending per head, that's $42/hour with 15% gratuity, versus whatever Sodexco is paying (not $42/hour). In this case, it may not be purposeful understaffing, but rather the lack of people willing to work at a fixed rate instead of potentially earning more as food/drink runners at OTG (they are not really servers, since they don't even take orders).
#260
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Gold
Posts: 93
How much time would you experts guess I would have to check out the PL when connecting from a 12:30pm arrival inbound from MUC to a 2:30pm departure to DCA on UA Express (traveling on a Wednesday)? Trying to decide between YYY-MUC-IAD and YYY-MUC-EWR-DCA. Arrival times are basically the same once I account for clearing immigration in EWR rather than IAD.
#261
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
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Posts: 10,114
How much time would you experts guess I would have to check out the PL when connecting from a 12:30pm arrival inbound from MUC to a 2:30pm departure to DCA on UA Express (traveling on a Wednesday)? Trying to decide between YYY-MUC-IAD and YYY-MUC-EWR-DCA. Arrival times are basically the same once I account for clearing immigration in EWR rather than IAD.
Even assuming Global Entry / PreCheck / no checked bags, you need to clear immigration / customs, get over to C and clear security, then most likely need to take the bus over to Terminal A for your UAX flight.
Regardless, not nearly enough time to consider adding on a leg and dealing with EWR in general. Save it to next time.
One other thought: If DCA is MUCH more convenient arrival for you over IAD, it may be worth it. If your UAX flight is delayed, you get some time in the PL.
#262
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,252
Any photos/comments on the current menu items? I haven't been to the EWR lounge for a while. Wondering what the Chicken Tagine is like. Or the desserts
#263
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 129
I thought that the strawberry shortcake with marshmallow fluff was a clever idea. Tasted pretty good.
#264
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott Amb (LTT)
Posts: 10,309
Used this lounge last week before my departure to HKG. A few thoughts:
1. This lounge was a lot smaller than I expected.
2. The showers in this lounge were huge and the best in the network IMO.
3. The food was fine and the service was fast enough for me.
4. The shower room already had a loofah-type sponge (wrapped) ready to go.
I cannot understand how a Polaris lounge with showers doesn't have combs. If my bag is checked and my toiletries are in it (except deodorant because I refuse to use that throw away stuff), the lounge should be providing essentials like toothbrush/toothpaste/comb/etc. Both EWR and SFO had no combs.
-RM
1. This lounge was a lot smaller than I expected.
2. The showers in this lounge were huge and the best in the network IMO.
3. The food was fine and the service was fast enough for me.
4. The shower room already had a loofah-type sponge (wrapped) ready to go.
I cannot understand how a Polaris lounge with showers doesn't have combs. If my bag is checked and my toiletries are in it (except deodorant because I refuse to use that throw away stuff), the lounge should be providing essentials like toothbrush/toothpaste/comb/etc. Both EWR and SFO had no combs.
-RM
#265
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,252
I cannot understand how a Polaris lounge with showers doesn't have combs. If my bag is checked and my toiletries are in it (except deodorant because I refuse to use that throw away stuff), the lounge should be providing essentials like toothbrush/toothpaste/comb/etc. Both EWR and SFO had no combs.
-RM
-RM
#266
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
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Posts: 10,309
#267
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
#268
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott Amb (LTT)
Posts: 10,309
-RM
#269
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,252
Service was very quick to get me my appetizer and entree but too forever for the guy to come back to take my dessert order. It too 60 min for the whole ordeal. Had I remembered to order dessert with my meal, it probably would have been closer to 30. There was a decent line forming towards the in. Several parties of 4. You'd think they'd want to speed things up
#270
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I tried out this lounge recently and thought it pretty good. It was crowded with a line to get to the dining room, at about 4:30pm. As I had a 5:30 flight I just had a beer and whiskey. I was surprised at the quality of the booze! The gave me a healthy glass of Whistling Pig Rye. That is a rather expensive drop. I think it is over $100 a bottle. I haven't seen United offer high quality alcohol since 9/11/2001. What gives?
Decent meal on the flight with OK wine meant I slept all the way til they started the descent to MUC. Great flight!
Decent meal on the flight with OK wine meant I slept all the way til they started the descent to MUC. Great flight!
Last edited by stimpy; Aug 29, 2019 at 1:56 am