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, ..
#421
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,492
Had breakfast and lunch due to a cancellation/delay:
"United" bowl and yogurt bowl. The first tasted horrible, I just picked out the fruit. Kind of did the same with the yogurt one too as the yogurt was pretty crappy. Tasted like that zero fat chobani wall paste.
Chicken was overcooked and lacked seasoning, I miss the cod
"United" bowl and yogurt bowl. The first tasted horrible, I just picked out the fruit. Kind of did the same with the yogurt one too as the yogurt was pretty crappy. Tasted like that zero fat chobani wall paste.
Chicken was overcooked and lacked seasoning, I miss the cod
#422
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 4,808
Well, it's obvious that our (my wife's and mine) poor experiences, trying ~6 items over two visits recently, were not outliers. My belief is that the quality is consistently bad at EWR, probably due to cost-cutting but also likely related to the inability to attract and keep competent and motivated staff.
Other PL, I get my food in a normal timeframe (10-15min)
#424
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Corvallis, OR, USA
Programs: UA GS; Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt; AMEX Plat; Hertz
Posts: 273
So ... is it better to go to the Polaris Lounge or the Centurion Lounge for dinner before an evening flight to DUB? I am on transcon from SFO to EWR to connect to DUB?
#425
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 4,481
#426
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
#427
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 1,901
Follow up to my sub-par experience at EWR Polaris lounge. Dining room experience.
6.25PM - add my name to waitlist
7.25PM - table finally ready
7.55PM - food came
Other quirks, since they didn't have champagne, I ordered an Aperol Spritz. Was told that they don't have any Aperol
There was also a table of 5 people, loud group, sizing each other up on their GS, 1K, Concierge Key status. Very loud conversation.

Salmon - didn't taste the yuzu, a bit salty in my opinion

Espresso panna cotta
6.25PM - add my name to waitlist
7.25PM - table finally ready
7.55PM - food came
Other quirks, since they didn't have champagne, I ordered an Aperol Spritz. Was told that they don't have any Aperol

There was also a table of 5 people, loud group, sizing each other up on their GS, 1K, Concierge Key status. Very loud conversation.

Salmon - didn't taste the yuzu, a bit salty in my opinion

Espresso panna cotta

#428
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,492
Follow up to my sub-par experience at EWR Polaris lounge. Dining room experience.
6.25PM - add my name to waitlist
7.25PM - table finally ready
7.55PM - food came
Other quirks, since they didn't have champagne, I ordered an Aperol Spritz. Was told that they don't have any Aperol
There was also a table of 5 people, loud group, sizing each other up on their GS, 1K, Concierge Key status. Very loud conversation.
6.25PM - add my name to waitlist
7.25PM - table finally ready
7.55PM - food came
Other quirks, since they didn't have champagne, I ordered an Aperol Spritz. Was told that they don't have any Aperol

There was also a table of 5 people, loud group, sizing each other up on their GS, 1K, Concierge Key status. Very loud conversation.
#429
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,128
I have to say, the food in EWR Polaris is miles better than SFO Polaris. SFO hasn't changed their menu in eons. It's still the Assam chicken & etc in the buffet.
The fish and chicken entrees in the restaurant are literally 2 bites each -- both extremely dry like they've been sitting out for a while. So that Salmon posted above actually looks pretty good to me.
I don't know why the bloggers continue to tout these Polaris lounges. They are profoundly inferior and are continually getting worse.
The fish and chicken entrees in the restaurant are literally 2 bites each -- both extremely dry like they've been sitting out for a while. So that Salmon posted above actually looks pretty good to me.
I don't know why the bloggers continue to tout these Polaris lounges. They are profoundly inferior and are continually getting worse.
#430
Visited yesterday (Sunday) around 5:30 pm for about two hours
Lounge was absurdly busy the whole time - people struggling to find seats, 45 minute wait for the restaurant
Restaurant was clearly understaffed- tables sitting empty (and dirty) for my whole visit, plus a 25 minute wait for food
Asparagus starter was just ok, and burger was beyond well done (asked for medium rare). Burger patty is just too small to cook to the right temp
Wine list is underwhelming to me (I work in the industry and have “specific” taste, but understand they’re catering to the American market)

Lounge was absurdly busy the whole time - people struggling to find seats, 45 minute wait for the restaurant
Restaurant was clearly understaffed- tables sitting empty (and dirty) for my whole visit, plus a 25 minute wait for food
Asparagus starter was just ok, and burger was beyond well done (asked for medium rare). Burger patty is just too small to cook to the right temp
Wine list is underwhelming to me (I work in the industry and have “specific” taste, but understand they’re catering to the American market)


#431
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 13,400
Maybe just a bad camera angle, but that burger looks pretty bad. Bun seems like it came from the cheapest-possible mass market bag-o-buns.
#432
it wasn’t the worst bun I’ve had, but certainly not the best. You’d think they could spring for something like Martin’s potato rolls or something (I think Shake Shack uses those)
#433
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 3,460
Was it Pessimist Red Blend? When I asked the bartender on my recent visit if they had The Prisoner, that is what they suggested instead. It was ok, but I prefer the Prisoner.
#434
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 286
#435
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 1,901
Another subpar experience at EWR Polaris lounge today, not surprised.
At least they didn't run out of champagne, it was Charles de Fere, not good at all. And ever classy United way, they ran out of champagne flutes and served it to me in a martini glass.


Dining room was less busy. Arrived at 3.40pm, got on the digital waitlist. Was told it was 30min wait, and got text message exactly after 30min that table was ready. Menu is same as my post above.
Appetizer - summer garden salad

Main - lemon chicken

Dessert - espresso panna cotta
At least they didn't run out of champagne, it was Charles de Fere, not good at all. And ever classy United way, they ran out of champagne flutes and served it to me in a martini glass.


Dining room was less busy. Arrived at 3.40pm, got on the digital waitlist. Was told it was 30min wait, and got text message exactly after 30min that table was ready. Menu is same as my post above.
Appetizer - summer garden salad

Main - lemon chicken

Dessert - espresso panna cotta
