Jun 3, 18, 2:29 pm
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, ..
Aug 30, 19, 2:32 am
#271
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 1,901
Rather disappointing
Got to the lounge around 5.15pm and line was out the door. When I got to the lounge dragon even before scanning my BP, her first words were "This is not a United Club!" (What's with the attitude?!?). Granted 3 people ahead of me were denied entry, but still. After scanning my BP, she asked for my passport. I gave her my drivers license and told her that it should be fine because I used my drivers license 2.5 weeks ago to verify ID. She refused to check my ID and then she snapped back at me saying: "Well you're flying to an international destination, so you should have your passport with you!" (Again, what's with the attitude). Not a single friendly greeting by the lounge dragon.
Dining room was 75% full when I was there, 5.15-6pm, around 3-4 tables open all the time. Ordered a sad looking burger.
Dining room was 75% full when I was there, 5.15-6pm, around 3-4 tables open all the time. Ordered a sad looking burger.
Aug 30, 19, 5:17 am
#272
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: New York
Programs: UA GS, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,420
Originally Posted by hirohito888
Got to the lounge around 5.15pm and line was out the door. When I got to the lounge dragon even before scanning my BP, her first words were "This is not a United Club!" (What's with the attitude?!?). Granted 3 people ahead of me were denied entry, but still. After scanning my BP, she asked for my passport. I gave her my drivers license and told her that it should be fine because I used my drivers license 2.5 weeks ago to verify ID. She refused to check my ID and then she snapped back at me saying: "Well you're flying to an international destination, so you should have your passport with you!" (Again, what's with the attitude). Not a single friendly greeting by the lounge dragon.
Dining room was 75% full when I was there, 5.15-6pm, around 3-4 tables open all the time. Ordered a sad looking burger.
Dining room was 75% full when I was there, 5.15-6pm, around 3-4 tables open all the time. Ordered a sad looking burger.
- Arrived around 5:45
- Greeted by a friendly agent who thanked me for having my passport ready noted that it was 2 weeks after my birthday and said “sorry we missed your Birthday!”
- Immediately sat in the restaurant. Server welcomed me back, having recognized me from a previous visit
- Had the “sad” burger which was delicious as usual
- served food quickly, tipped well, and the server sought me out to thank me for it
- recognized by a bartender with another welcome back
- enjoyed the delicious macarons which were brought out to the buffet around 7
Last edited by villox; Aug 30, 19 at 7:50 am
Aug 30, 19, 2:45 pm
#274
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Ambassador Elite, UA 1K
Posts: 409
I just flew EWR to NRT and utilized the EWR Polaris lounge.
I am afraid it is nothing special.
Water pressure is low in the showers and the food is nothing special (even a la carte dining.)
Regular ANA Biz lounge at Narita is *much* better.
I am afraid it is nothing special.
Water pressure is low in the showers and the food is nothing special (even a la carte dining.)
Regular ANA Biz lounge at Narita is *much* better.
Aug 31, 19, 12:45 am
#275
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Alaska 75K, Delta Silver, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 7,296
2nd visit this month - entry time around noon.
Decided to try the buffet this time - almost half of the selections were empty (not brought out or not ready at almost 1pm). Also no fruit
Almost knocked over my lunch plate due to one of the dining tables not stable at all.
The worst part of the entire experience - I am not sure how much of an upgrade the EWR PL is to UCs around the terminal, and maybe I have visited during the wrong times - summer travel season, afternoon and early evening - but will some of folks in there please stop talking so loud?
Decided to try the buffet this time - almost half of the selections were empty (not brought out or not ready at almost 1pm). Also no fruit
Almost knocked over my lunch plate due to one of the dining tables not stable at all.The worst part of the entire experience - I am not sure how much of an upgrade the EWR PL is to UCs around the terminal, and maybe I have visited during the wrong times - summer travel season, afternoon and early evening - but will some of folks in there please stop talking so loud?
Aug 31, 19, 6:14 am
#276
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Ambassador Elite, UA 1K
Posts: 409
Yes. THIS.
The Polaris lounge was full of kids on my return there and was quite loud.
I actually left to go to the United Club, which was quieter, had a more premium feel and a soda machine.
The Polaris lounge was full of kids on my return there and was quite loud.
I actually left to go to the United Club, which was quieter, had a more premium feel and a soda machine.
Aug 31, 19, 10:23 am
#277
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,112
Originally Posted by AsiaTravel2019
Yes. THIS.
The Polaris lounge was full of kids on my return there and was quite loud.
I actually left to go to the United Club, which was quieter, had a more premium feel and a soda machine.
The Polaris lounge was full of kids on my return there and was quite loud.
I actually left to go to the United Club, which was quieter, had a more premium feel and a soda machine.
Aug 31, 19, 11:10 am
#278
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Ambassador Elite, UA 1K
Posts: 409
Originally Posted by elitefreak
A UC with premium feel? In C?
I don't think there is anything "premium" about EWR, but I just felt like the UC in C felt more professional. It's almost as if the UC was run by a different company than the Polaris Lounge.
I find the Polaris Lounge at IAH quite good and miles ahead of the one in EWR.
Aug 31, 19, 12:48 pm
#279
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.7MM, AVIS PC
Posts: 4,993
Maybe this is a good time to point out what qe endured BEFORE the Polaris lounge at EWR for comparison:
a nasty lounge with only food option being some orange colored cheese-substitute cubes, and the only free rum offered being rather headache inducing.
Polaris is still a huge improvement, IMO.
a nasty lounge with only food option being some orange colored cheese-substitute cubes, and the only free rum offered being rather headache inducing.
Polaris is still a huge improvement, IMO.
Aug 31, 19, 12:52 pm
#280
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Ambassador Elite, UA 1K
Posts: 409
Originally Posted by narvik
Maybe this is a good time to point out what qe endured BEFORE the Polaris lounge at EWR for comparison:
a nasty lounge with only food option being some orange colored cheese-substitute cubes, and the only free rum offered being rather headache inducing.
Polaris is still a huge improvement, IMO.
a nasty lounge with only food option being some orange colored cheese-substitute cubes, and the only free rum offered being rather headache inducing.
Polaris is still a huge improvement, IMO.
They just need to fix the water pressure in the showers.
Aug 31, 19, 12:55 pm
#281
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,728
Originally Posted by AsiaTravel2019
For sure. On my outbound flight, the breakfast offerings on the buffet were quite good.
They just need to fix the water pressure in the showers.
They just need to fix the water pressure in the showers.
Aug 31, 19, 1:34 pm
#282
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,354
Originally Posted by Flying Machine
That was an issue in the old club before it even became a Polaris lounge. I think it’s just the plumbing at Newark in that section of the building.
See: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/14/n...ater-lead.html
Sep 2, 19, 7:22 pm
#283
Moderator: United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.85MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 62,373
As the need for passport as an id is an access issue and appears to be occuring at times at more then the EWR PL, will moved this discussion to
Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Sep 4, 19, 9:32 am
#284
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 6,767
Two Visits
Recently had my first two visits to the EWR (or any) PL, but come with a history of GFL/IFL llounge use, as well as use of LH FCL and many other business/first lounges around the world.
On my first visit, arriving around 0630 on a flight from HNL, we were warmly greeted, and directed to our first priority, the showers. There was plenty of availability, so my wife and were not forced to shower together
. We found the shower room design, water pressure, temperature, and personnel all to our liking.
After cleanup, we had breakfast. There were hardly any travelers around, and we had great service from the waitstaff, and our bespoke meals were fine.
We left the lounge and airport to spend a day transacting business, and returned at 2130 to relax in the lounge before our late-night international flight. This time, there were many travelers around and the relaxing ambience found in the morning was no more. There was a line for the bespoke meals, and we were happy that we had dinner and another shower before coming to the lounge. (Just for curiosity, I stopped in at the shower facility, and was told that they had availability.)
So, it appears that timing is everything in this lounge. We had a good experience, but it is obviously not an F experience, just like flying Polaris is a downgrade from our beloved GF suites/seats. And, the F&B were not the best known in the world of flying, but neither was the GFL/IFL.
A first world problem that will be met with a stiff upper lip.
On my first visit, arriving around 0630 on a flight from HNL, we were warmly greeted, and directed to our first priority, the showers. There was plenty of availability, so my wife and were not forced to shower together
. We found the shower room design, water pressure, temperature, and personnel all to our liking.After cleanup, we had breakfast. There were hardly any travelers around, and we had great service from the waitstaff, and our bespoke meals were fine.
We left the lounge and airport to spend a day transacting business, and returned at 2130 to relax in the lounge before our late-night international flight. This time, there were many travelers around and the relaxing ambience found in the morning was no more. There was a line for the bespoke meals, and we were happy that we had dinner and another shower before coming to the lounge. (Just for curiosity, I stopped in at the shower facility, and was told that they had availability.)
So, it appears that timing is everything in this lounge. We had a good experience, but it is obviously not an F experience, just like flying Polaris is a downgrade from our beloved GF suites/seats. And, the F&B were not the best known in the world of flying, but neither was the GFL/IFL.
A first world problem that will be met with a stiff upper lip.
Last edited by 747FC; Sep 4, 19 at 12:28 pm Reason: added info.
Oct 22, 19, 1:57 pm
#285
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: PHL | EWR
Programs: UA Platinum | Amex Platinum
Posts: 95
First visit to the PL lounge on Sat, Oct 12th during early afternoon.
Any 2 seats near the windows were taken, and we had to sit in the darker area near the shower facilities. The restaurant was full and giving out beepers to those waiting to get in.
The buffet didn't exceed expectations in offerings, and after nibbling here and there, I concluded it was just gourmet enough. The star of the show were the mini macarons, seeing how they disappeared a while after arriving.
There were some minor issues if I were to split hairs, but the restaurant was probably the biggest disappointment. The ambiance was not intimate/quiet due being so full. Many menu items, while some unique or playful takes, were lacking in execution. The pacing kind of felt forced or like clockwork. It was also kind of strange how far the kitchen was from the serving area, so the servers/food runners had to walk quite a bit. I enjoyed the wine pairings, however felt bad not being able to finish my glasses since I ordered multiple courses. IMO servers should suggest smaller pourings in this case, but that's just me. All the staff tried their best, though, and many tables around us tipped generously from $5 to $20 each.
My biggest impression was the service. From start to finish, everyone we interacted with were genuine, kind and helpful. The most memorable staff member was one of the bartenders, Nicole. She makes a mean martini and has a BIG personality.
Overall, not exactly a stellar experience, but definitely a welcome upgrade from UC.
Flatbread
Bean & Sausage Soup
Orecchiette pasta
Cauliflower "Steak"
Any 2 seats near the windows were taken, and we had to sit in the darker area near the shower facilities. The restaurant was full and giving out beepers to those waiting to get in.
The buffet didn't exceed expectations in offerings, and after nibbling here and there, I concluded it was just gourmet enough. The star of the show were the mini macarons, seeing how they disappeared a while after arriving.
There were some minor issues if I were to split hairs, but the restaurant was probably the biggest disappointment. The ambiance was not intimate/quiet due being so full. Many menu items, while some unique or playful takes, were lacking in execution. The pacing kind of felt forced or like clockwork. It was also kind of strange how far the kitchen was from the serving area, so the servers/food runners had to walk quite a bit. I enjoyed the wine pairings, however felt bad not being able to finish my glasses since I ordered multiple courses. IMO servers should suggest smaller pourings in this case, but that's just me. All the staff tried their best, though, and many tables around us tipped generously from $5 to $20 each.
My biggest impression was the service. From start to finish, everyone we interacted with were genuine, kind and helpful. The most memorable staff member was one of the bartenders, Nicole. She makes a mean martini and has a BIG personality.
Overall, not exactly a stellar experience, but definitely a welcome upgrade from UC.
Flatbread
Bean & Sausage Soup
Orecchiette pasta
Cauliflower "Steak"
