Jul 25, 2018, 12:08 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

The Polaris Lounge is United's Business class lounge for passengers in premium cabins on long-haul flights only. It is separate from the United Club locations and the arrivals lounge in SFO.

Currently there are PLs in EWR, IAD, IAH, LAX, ORD, and SFO.

Quick Guide to "Do I get access?"

Are you in Polaris (Business) class on a long-haul United metal flight to/from Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, French Polynesia, or one of these South American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru?

You get access at all airports the same-day. It does not matter if your flights are on the same ticket or same cabin.
"Same-day" is ambiguous and is interpreted differently by different agents with respect to itineraries that include an overnight connection. YMMV and this thread has examples both ways.
No guests. Unless on F on a partner.
Though not stated by United, includes AKL (Auckland, New Zealand) when service begins.
Examples:
- EWR-SFO-NRT, if SFO-NRT is on UA you get access in EWR and SFO
- NRT-SFO-EWR, if NRT-SFO is on UA you get access in SFO and EWR, even if SFO-EWR is a separate Y ticket.

Are you in Business/First class on a long-haul *A partner metal flight to/from Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa, Middle East, or one of these South American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru?

You get access only at the airport where the long-haul flight departs.
At other airports along your route, you may have access to the United Club or other *A lounges. See here: Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread
Though not on United's stated list, access includes long-haul partner flights to Africa, Middle East, New Zealand, etc.
Guests: First Class (on flights with both First and Business cabins) only: you can bring 1 guest. Business class 0 guests.
Examples:
- EWR-SFO-NRT, if SFO-NRT is on NH you get access only in SFO, not at EWR
- NRT-SFO-EWR, if NRT-SFO is on NH you don't get any Polaris Lounge access because there is no Polaris Lounge in NRT, and you aren't eligible for SFO or EWR.

Are you on a United or partner short-haul international flight to/from Guam, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, or Ecuador?

You do not get access to the Polaris Lounge. However, you may qualify for access to the United Club. See here: Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread

Are you in Premium Economy, Economy Plus, or Economy on any flight?

You do not get access, unless you are connecting to/from a flight that gets access as described above.

Are you on a United domestic flight, including P.S. flights EWR-LAX, EWR-SFO, BOS-SFO?

You do not get access to the Polaris Lounge, even if you're flying in First on a wide-body plane with lie-flat "Polaris" style seats, unless you are connecting to/from a flight that gets access as described above.

Can I get access through status, membership, one-time pass, or any other method?

What else do it need for access?

~~Reports indicate that most PL's require a passport in addition to boarding pass for access. Some~~ locations may accept other forms of ID (driver's license, etc.). This appears to be a response to possible fraudulent attempts at access (e.g., double printing BPs for friends).

If eligible for access, who can I guest?

Only those departing on a *A airline in long-haul Int'l First on a plane w/ First and Business classes has guesting privileges. One guest only, and that guest must be departing on same flight, in any class..
Those in Polaris or qualifying International Business cannot guest another passenger.
~~If you are in an old Global First seat in United Polaris class, you cannot guest another passenger.~~ No longer relevant

More info

UA website outlining access for Polaris Lounge access

Photo ID required?There have been numerous reports from all Polaris Lounges of a photo ID being requested upon entry. Apparently, there have been some attempts to enter the PL with another person's BP (such as a traveling companion's). Recently there are reports that only a passport (not driver's license) is accepted at some lounges. More recent reports are UA has dropped the passport id requirement

Related Threads:
~~Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)~~
ORD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
SFO Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
IAH Polaris lounge (E11/12 - top fl) -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
LAX Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
IAD Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
~~United Polaris-New Business Class seats & in-flight service and new Polaris Lounges(wiki) (thread)}~~

Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread

Archive: Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread {Archive}

Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread

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Jun 4, 2023, 9:38 am

#316

hch

Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: INN

Posts: 2,914

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsloan

If MUC-SFO is on LH, then there is no United Club access at SFO, unless OP is *G (either through UA or through another program). SFO-HNL does not include lounge access.

Indeed, connecting lounge access isn't included in the Star Alliance rules.

jsloan, SPN Lifer and 747FC like this.

Jun 4, 2023, 11:15 am

#317

747FC

Join Date: Jan 2013

Location: Hawai'i Nei

Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE

Posts: 7,145

Thanks all. I am flying on UA, so good to go!

jsloan, SPN Lifer and Kacee like this.

Jun 4, 2023, 1:06 pm

#318

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)

Posts: 56,466

Quote:

Originally Posted by hch

Indeed, connecting lounge access isn't included in the Star Alliance rules.

It is if you're *G. But not if access is based on class of service.

SPN Lifer likes this.

Jun 4, 2023, 3:43 pm

#319

paperwastage

Join Date: Jun 2012

Posts: 3,383

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

It is if you're *G. But not if access is based on class of service.

It is connecting OR arrival if you're united gold using a UC lounge

Otherwise if you're nonUA star gold or UA gold accessing nonUC lounge, it's still based on departing flight on *alliance. Aka *alliance rules is departure only, UA just has exceptions for their elites using UC lounge

Jun 5, 2023, 8:47 am

#320

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)

Posts: 56,466

Quote:

Originally Posted by paperwastage

That's not a *A rule. The comment was directed to lounge access under *A rules, not the UA expanded access for its own elites.

SPN Lifer likes this.

Jun 5, 2023, 9:44 am

#321

747FC

Join Date: Jan 2013

Location: Hawai'i Nei

Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE

Posts: 7,145

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsloan

If MUC-SFO is on LH, then there is no United Club access at SFO, unless OP is *G (either through UA or through another program). SFO-HNL does not include lounge access.

Just a clarification here: The original question was not whether UC access was available, but whether the Polaris Lounge would be available prior to the onward domestic journey.

jsloan and SPN Lifer like this.

Jun 13, 2023, 8:04 am

#322

Synapseturquoise

Join Date: Sep 2015

Programs: Delta Gold, Marriot Gold

Posts: 371

Hello my husband is coming back this Sat from Japan. He is flying ANA but bought his ticket through United. I understand that if he is flying A* metal he won't get access to the Polaris lounge at ORD but does that include flights marketed by United? Will he have access to the United Club if not Polaris?
Thanks.

Jun 13, 2023, 8:07 am

#323

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)

Posts: 56,466

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synapseturquoise

No. Polaris on arrival only if flying UA metal.

He'll have a much better inflight experience with NH :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synapseturquoise

Will he have access to the United Club if not Polaris?

Only if he's Star Alliance Gold.

SPN Lifer and Synapseturquoise like this.

Jun 13, 2023, 8:29 am

#324

Synapseturquoise

Join Date: Sep 2015

Programs: Delta Gold, Marriot Gold

Posts: 371

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

No. Polaris on arrival only if flying UA metal.

He'll have a much better inflight experience with NH :-)

Only if he's Star Alliance Gold.

oh OK bummer he has a 4 hr layover ugh. Let's see what he can do

Jun 26, 2023, 12:02 pm

#325

18wheeler_vanrekt

Join Date: Jan 2018

Location: SFO, JFK/LGA, SEA

Programs: Alaska 75K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, *A Gold w/ Krisflyer Gold

Posts: 815

Since I didn't see a consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access" thread in lieu of this one:

If I have a qualifying transoceanic flight on United metal, say, Newark to London on one ticket, but a separate cash ticket of LAX to Newark that same day, would I still get Polaris lounge access on account of the Newark to London flight? Or do they have to be on the same eTicket/Itinerary? (Asking as last-minute transoceanic premium cabin awards don't always come with domestic connection opportunities at the Saver level, particularly in summer)

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 26, 2023 at 3:09 pm Reason: moved to PL access thread

Jun 26, 2023, 12:31 pm

#326

IAH-OIL-TRASH

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: Honolulu Harbor

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 15,025

Quote:

Originally Posted by 18wheeler_vanrekt

If LAX-EWR is on United, yes, you do get PL same-day access at LAX. You'll need to scan the EWR-LHR BP at LAX PL for access.

SPN Lifer likes this.

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 26, 2023 at 3:09 pm Reason: cleanup after merge, thanks for the link

Jun 27, 2023, 11:36 am

#327

clipper.fortune

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: Houston

Programs: United Mileage Plus Gold

Posts: 24

United / Star / Polaris Lounge Access

Question (1) I am flying Houston to Athens via London. Houston London is in Polaris. London Athens is economy on Agean. Do I have any lounge access in London? One ticket purchased on United.com.
Question (2) I am flying Munich Chicago on United in Polaris. In Chicago I transfer to Houston on United metal - first. Do I have Polaris lounge access in Chicago? (from what I have read in this forum, I am assuming I do - just want to confirm.
Thanks . . . and I am new to this forum so I hope I posted this in the correct place in compliance with all of the rules..

Jun 27, 2023, 11:43 am

#328

FoxFlyer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Location: LAX

Programs: UA 1K MM; Bonvoy Titanium; most other FF programs...

Posts: 654

Quote:

Originally Posted by clipper.fortune

If arriving on UA metal you will have access to arrivals lounge if you choose to exit prior to your Agean flight; otherwise if standard transfer you should have access to United Club (which is quite nice); if you are Star Alliance gold you can also check out Singapore, Air Canada or Lufthansa lounges.

on your return, if arriving in UA metal, you will have access to Polaris in Chicago prior to Houston flight.

jsloan, SPN Lifer and Soccerjoshj07 like this.

Jun 27, 2023, 11:51 am

#329

hirohito888

Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: NYC

Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP

Posts: 2,509

Quote:

Originally Posted by clipper.fortune

Question (2) I am flying Munich Chicago on United in Polaris. In Chicago I transfer to Houston on United metal - first. Do I have Polaris lounge access in Chicago? (from what I have read in this forum, I am assuming I do - just want to confirm.
Thanks . . . and I am new to this forum so I hope I posted this in the correct place in compliance with all of the rules..

Yes you have access to ORD Polaris lounge. You also have access to IAH Polaris lounge too, should you choose to use upon your arrival.

jsloan and SPN Lifer like this.

Jun 27, 2023, 3:23 pm

#330

clipper.fortune

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: Houston

Programs: United Mileage Plus Gold

Posts: 24

Thanks !