Jun 3, 2018, 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, ..
Jun 13, 2018, 2:28 pm
#62
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
I’m curious about all the positive reviews. I was there last Saturday night and I was appalled at how bad the service was in the dining room. Dirty dishes left for long periods, took almost an hour to actually get my dish (the fish which was tiny and served cold) after being looked after by four different servers, who’s English was not great and clearly weren’t taking to each other. Had to ask three times for a refill of water glass. Finally gave up in the dining room after waiting 20 minutes for another bar drink, went to the bar which had 4 or 5 people waiting, only two bartenders, one dedicated to filling orders from the servers and the second announcing that she was going on break. I was just dumbfounded.
I walked out. Proceeded to tell the front door staff how awful and experience this was. They looked like deer in the headlights. Couldn’t believe that I was saying their new lounge was a joke.
I will never use the Dining Room again until they staff and manage this properly. This is not rocket science. 1 server handles the same customer. Then a floor manager to expedite, clean up, refill water, keep things moving.
You can’t spend millions on a lounge and cheap out on the execution.
I walked out. Proceeded to tell the front door staff how awful and experience this was. They looked like deer in the headlights. Couldn’t believe that I was saying their new lounge was a joke.
I will never use the Dining Room again until they staff and manage this properly. This is not rocket science. 1 server handles the same customer. Then a floor manager to expedite, clean up, refill water, keep things moving.
You can’t spend millions on a lounge and cheap out on the execution.
Good that you told them. Better if it's in writing since I doubt the people you told would know what to pass on.
Jun 13, 2018, 2:38 pm
#63
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 402
Not sure how you will know it is managed properly if you never go agian.
Given the multiple other positives reviews (some mentioning some rough spots), you may have hit a "bad" patch. It was still the first week of operation and one needs to expect a certain amount of startup issues. If this had been after a month or two operation that would have been something different IMO but this early after startup -- for some it may have been their first day.
Suggest you give it a second try before you give up.
Given the multiple other positives reviews (some mentioning some rough spots), you may have hit a "bad" patch. It was still the first week of operation and one needs to expect a certain amount of startup issues. If this had been after a month or two operation that would have been something different IMO but this early after startup -- for some it may have been their first day.
Suggest you give it a second try before you give up.
Richard Quest was there at the same time, he did a walk in to the Dining Room turned around and left after a few minutes. Wonder if that'll make it on CNN?
Based on sitting there for an hour, the pattern was repeated for a few other parties. People standing by the "wait to be seated sign" and nobody would approach you after 5 minutes. One party of 6 asked to be seated together, and the server said to them, they'll have to sit separately since it was illegal (that was the word he used) to push the tables together. Very odd. I then noticed that all tables were two tops. Did they not expect families or more than 2 people to sit together?
I just wouldn't waste my time on a sit down meal. Buffet appeared adequate, but I didn't try it.
They are understaffed in the Dining Room and bar based on what I saw.
Jun 13, 2018, 2:59 pm
#64
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,203
I will have my first Polaris Lounge experience at SFO in a few weeks. I assume with an early morning arrival around 8am from my origination point (ONT), the place shouldn't be a zoo for another few hours until the Asian flight check-ins and connections get into full swing, so I will be able to test the quiet mode and the busy mode in the same morning during my 6hr layover. The EWR lounge sounds like it could be a zoo all day long.
On the way back, arriving from NRT, I am torn about going directly to the Polaris Lounge for my shower and breakfast, or going to the SFO Arrivals Lounge where I usually clean up, and perhaps stopping by Polaris for lunch before departing back for ONT. Has anyone experienced issues or refused being let in as an arriving Polaris customer, departing on a domestic connection at any of the Polaris lounges?
Jun 13, 2018, 3:05 pm
#65
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
On the way back, arriving from NRT, I am torn about going directly to the Polaris Lounge for my shower and breakfast, or going to the SFO Arrivals Lounge where I usually clean up, and perhaps stopping by Polaris for lunch before departing back for ONT. Has anyone experienced issues or refused being let in as an arriving Polaris customer, departing on a domestic connection at any of the Polaris lounges?
Jun 13, 2018, 5:34 pm
#66
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 1,329
On the way back, arriving from NRT, I am torn about going directly to the Polaris Lounge for my shower and breakfast, or going to the SFO Arrivals Lounge where I usually clean up, and perhaps stopping by Polaris for lunch before departing back for ONT. Has anyone experienced issues or refused being let in as an arriving Polaris customer, departing on a domestic connection at any of the Polaris lounges?
Jun 13, 2018, 11:44 pm
#68
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
Jun 14, 2018, 3:49 pm
#70
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: ord,ewr
Programs: Lifetime UA GS 22 million,AA 1m ,Hilton Li fetime diamond,marriott lifetime platinum hyatt diamond
Posts: 1,000
Now, now - let's not attack United's core business strategy and culture.
I will have my first Polaris Lounge experience at SFO in a few weeks. I assume with an early morning arrival around 8am from my origination point (ONT), the place shouldn't be a zoo for another few hours until the Asian flight check-ins and connections get into full swing, so I will be able to test the quiet mode and the busy mode in the same morning during my 6hr layover. The EWR lounge sounds like it could be a zoo all day long.
On the way back, arriving from NRT, I am torn about going directly to the Polaris Lounge for my shower and breakfast, or going to the SFO Arrivals Lounge where I usually clean up, and perhaps stopping by Polaris for lunch before departing back for ONT. Has anyone experienced issues or refused being let in as an arriving Polaris customer, departing on a domestic connection at any of the Polaris lounges?
I will have my first Polaris Lounge experience at SFO in a few weeks. I assume with an early morning arrival around 8am from my origination point (ONT), the place shouldn't be a zoo for another few hours until the Asian flight check-ins and connections get into full swing, so I will be able to test the quiet mode and the busy mode in the same morning during my 6hr layover. The EWR lounge sounds like it could be a zoo all day long.
On the way back, arriving from NRT, I am torn about going directly to the Polaris Lounge for my shower and breakfast, or going to the SFO Arrivals Lounge where I usually clean up, and perhaps stopping by Polaris for lunch before departing back for ONT. Has anyone experienced issues or refused being let in as an arriving Polaris customer, departing on a domestic connection at any of the Polaris lounges?
Jun 19, 2018, 5:13 am
#71
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
Jun 19, 2018, 5:15 am
#72
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
Jun 19, 2018, 5:48 am
#73
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
The other day, I flew BOM-EWR-CLE, I gave them the used BOM-EWR boarding pass upon entry.
Jun 19, 2018, 6:38 am
#74
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DCA, IAD (not BWI if I can help it)
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, status-free on AA, AS, B6, DL, WN, Amtrak, etc.
Posts: 1,481
• No wait for a shower a few minutes before 7 p.m. Friday.
• The hot buffet wasn't as interesting as what I remember seeing on offer at ORD last June, but I also didn't need much more than a miniature chicken BLT sandwich and a helping of some pasta in a delicious cream sauce.
• After I ordered a Paper Plane cocktail (which did come with a tiny plane cutout pinned to the rim of the glass), I enjoyed the unintentional comedy of people wandering up to the bar and asking for "a glass of red wine," as if the place were a UC with better countertops.
• The only dessert option at the buffet is an assortment of macarons.
Jun 19, 2018, 6:54 am
#75
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852