Jul 25, 2018, 12:08 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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?
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?
Are you on a United or partner short-haul international flight to/from Guam, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, or Ecuador?
Are you in Premium Economy, Economy Plus, or Economy on any flight?
Are you on a United domestic flight, including P.S. flights EWR-LAX, EWR-SFO, BOS-SFO?
Can I get access through status, membership, one-time pass, or any other method?
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}
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?
- No.
Reports indicate that most PL's require a passport in addition to boarding pass for access. Somelocations 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).
- 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).
Related Threads:
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, ..
Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread
Archive: Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread {Archive}
Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
Jul 28, 2023, 7:22 am
#346
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,501
Randomly came across a YouTube shorts video where a guy just walks in to a Polaris lounge for "free" (looked like IAD). He was teaching his audience how to do this (choose a busy time, just walk in, etc).
was on my TV and so no link.
However, i searched online and found similar videos for SkyClub, etc.
Are these people for real??
was on my TV and so no link.
However, i searched online and found similar videos for SkyClub, etc.
Are these people for real??
There was a youtuber who filmed himself being in DFW for 7 days (if I recall correctly), and used AC (admiral club) and other airport lounges multiple times. He even spoke with the same lounge worker on separate visits.
Jul 28, 2023, 7:36 am
#347
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
Yes. People do anything and everything for views and monetization. There are little downsides - get caught and are asked to leave.
There was a youtuber who filmed himself being in DFW for 7 days (if I recall correctly), and used AC (admiral club) and other airport lounges multiple times. He even spoke with the same lounge worker on separate visits.
There was a youtuber who filmed himself being in DFW for 7 days (if I recall correctly), and used AC (admiral club) and other airport lounges multiple times. He even spoke with the same lounge worker on separate visits.
people really do anything these days.
Jul 28, 2023, 8:28 am
#348
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,216
Yes. People do anything and everything for views and monetization. There are little downsides - get caught and are asked to leave.
There was a youtuber who filmed himself being in DFW for 7 days (if I recall correctly), and used AC (admiral club) and other airport lounges multiple times. He even spoke with the same lounge worker on separate visits.
There was a youtuber who filmed himself being in DFW for 7 days (if I recall correctly), and used AC (admiral club) and other airport lounges multiple times. He even spoke with the same lounge worker on separate visits.
Jul 28, 2023, 9:19 am
#349
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,349
Anything for views like has been mentioned.
End effect: tighter entry controls and longer lines for all who enter legitimately.
Added: also, pretty sure some of these YouTubers are completly dishonest in what they claim: i.e. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this particular YouTuber actually did have access, but claimed on-cam that he didn't.
If he gets quentioned, he produces a valid BP, and doesn't post the video.
I believe half of what I see, and even less of what I hear, and nothing on YouTube.... 😀
Last edited by narvik; Jul 28, 2023 at 9:25 am
Aug 3, 2023, 6:49 am
#351
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New to BWI as of 2021; say hi if you're in the area!
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 421
Wanted to share this experience with having an overnight layover in the middle of a trip. I was uncertain about Polaris lounge access going in, based on reports earlier in this thread and the fact that it would entail what is technically not "same-day access".
Turns out I had no trouble accessing the Polaris lounge throughout my entire journey. I was on UA28 SIN-SFO, arrived at 930pm, had an overnight layover, then SFO-ORD-BWI the next day, and had no trouble accessing the lounge in both SFO and ORD the next day. None of the domestic boarding passes said "INTL" on them, but instead the access seemed to be tied to my PNR.
Turns out I had no trouble accessing the Polaris lounge throughout my entire journey. I was on UA28 SIN-SFO, arrived at 930pm, had an overnight layover, then SFO-ORD-BWI the next day, and had no trouble accessing the lounge in both SFO and ORD the next day. None of the domestic boarding passes said "INTL" on them, but instead the access seemed to be tied to my PNR.
Aug 3, 2023, 8:08 am
#352
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,123
Wanted to share this experience with having an overnight layover in the middle of a trip. I was uncertain about Polaris lounge access going in, based on reports earlier in this thread and the fact that it would entail what is technically not "same-day access".
Turns out I had no trouble accessing the Polaris lounge throughout my entire journey. I was on UA28 SIN-SFO, arrived at 930pm, had an overnight layover, then SFO-ORD-BWI the next day, and had no trouble accessing the lounge in both SFO and ORD the next day. None of the domestic boarding passes said "INTL" on them, but instead the access seemed to be tied to my PNR.
Turns out I had no trouble accessing the Polaris lounge throughout my entire journey. I was on UA28 SIN-SFO, arrived at 930pm, had an overnight layover, then SFO-ORD-BWI the next day, and had no trouble accessing the lounge in both SFO and ORD the next day. None of the domestic boarding passes said "INTL" on them, but instead the access seemed to be tied to my PNR.
Aug 3, 2023, 9:26 am
#353
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New to BWI as of 2021; say hi if you're in the area!
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 421
Aug 3, 2023, 12:39 pm
#354
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,380
In case people here missed this, should also work for Polaris lounge (though that other person was intklslly denied) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/35402799-post1204.html
Aug 6, 2023, 4:14 pm
#355
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 621
Question about Polaris Lounge access.
I'm flying SFO-NRT tomorrow in ANA first class, and after checking in just now I see that my boarding pass says "Lounge Invitation: UNITED CLUB LOUNGE". Shouldn't I have Polaris Lounge access on an ANA first class ticket?
Aug 6, 2023, 4:20 pm
#356
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
But yes you will have PL access at SFO on departure
Aug 6, 2023, 5:06 pm
#357
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 621
And great, thanks. I've never been in a Polaris Lounge so would like to check it out, but if it really was just the Club then I didn't need to be in a rush to get to the airport.
Aug 6, 2023, 5:22 pm
#359
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,019
SFO Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, .. - Page 87 - FlyerTalk Forums
Aug 6, 2023, 7:38 pm
#360
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,123
Probably because ANA is printing the standard *A benefit on the BP.