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
Sep 21, 2023, 4:01 pm
#451
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM; Bonvoy Titanium; most other FF programs...
Posts: 654
Sep 22, 2023, 2:11 am
#452
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 101
Has UA transcon ever arrived/departed in/from A?
Oh, you are on Alaska Air. Airside shuttle bus only goes from C to B, and not the other direction. Most SFO to EWR on AS arrives into concourse 1 of B. There are three concourses in B and none of them are connected airside.
Your best course of action would be:
1) arrives in B
2) take Airtrain to C
3) clear security
4) visit PL
5) get airside bus by gate C71 to B (let the driver know) to catch you SK flight
Oh, you are on Alaska Air. Airside shuttle bus only goes from C to B, and not the other direction. Most SFO to EWR on AS arrives into concourse 1 of B. There are three concourses in B and none of them are connected airside.
Your best course of action would be:
1) arrives in B
2) take Airtrain to C
3) clear security
4) visit PL
5) get airside bus by gate C71 to B (let the driver know) to catch you SK flight
Yes, I know there is no access at SFO but departure time is 6 am so will try to minimize time spent at airport, a I have never flewn Alaska before but ticket is first class so Im hoping at least some rest on board.
Sep 22, 2023, 5:29 am
#453
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,127
Thank you, will there be a problem to clear security at the "wrong" terminal ? Since I do not have a departin flight from terminal C? My flight departs from terminal B, have heard people having trouble getting air side and not being permitted by TSA agents at wrong terminals. Thats why I would prefer to travel air side. Someone said you could take a bus from terminal A to terminal B and then continue to terminal C? Is that even worth the hustle? I am *Gold so can probably check out the LH lounge if I dont have time to travel to Polaris? As SKs own lounge is constantly crowded and underwhelming.
Yes, I know there is no access at SFO but departure time is 6 am so will try to minimize time spent at airport, a I have never flewn Alaska before but ticket is first class so Im hoping at least some rest on board.
Yes, I know there is no access at SFO but departure time is 6 am so will try to minimize time spent at airport, a I have never flewn Alaska before but ticket is first class so Im hoping at least some rest on board.
Sep 27, 2023, 11:52 am
#454
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,663
I would add for 4. For access to United PL, one HAS to be on a long haul international Business Class ticket... and if accessing lounge at different airport of long haul INTL J departure, said segment must be on UA metal.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 27, 2023 at 10:27 pm
Sep 27, 2023, 12:19 pm
#455
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA MileagePlus Premier Platinum
Posts: 1,360
... and that for PL access on arrival said arrival when connecting to another flight must be on a Polaris ticket on UA metal
Last edited by gusd; Sep 27, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Sep 27, 2023, 1:32 pm
#456
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 155
You mean if you're catching another flight upon arrival?
If one is NOT flying out, wouldn't it be impossible to access the lounge, as the international arrival would be routed to immigration, customs and baggage check after which one would need a boarding pass to go through security to access the PL ?
Sep 27, 2023, 1:39 pm
#457
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,025
Yes, the Polaris BP is needed for arrival PL access. Onward flight irrelevent (it can even be a separate ticket on another carrier), other than getting back airside.
Sep 27, 2023, 1:49 pm
#458
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA MileagePlus Premier Platinum
Posts: 1,360
Sep 27, 2023, 2:27 pm
#459
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,663
"On arrival, said arrival must be on a Polaris ticket on UA metal"...
You mean if you're catching another flight upon arrival?
If one is NOT flying out, wouldn't it be impossible to access the lounge, as the international arrival would be routed to immigration, customs and baggage check after which one would need a boarding pass to go through security to access the PL ?
You mean if you're catching another flight upon arrival?
If one is NOT flying out, wouldn't it be impossible to access the lounge, as the international arrival would be routed to immigration, customs and baggage check after which one would need a boarding pass to go through security to access the PL ?
Example:
HND-SFO-EWR all on one PNR: access to Polaris lounges at both EWR and SFO.
HND-SFO-EWR with the second segment on separate PNR: Access at SFO only since EWR was not part of the Polaris itinerary.
This seems to be the case at EWR as reported in another thread, previously separate tickets didn’t matter.
Sep 27, 2023, 2:42 pm
#460
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,025
I think what is meant is that all segments must be on same PNR to gain access at further airports.
Example:
HND-SFO-EWR all on one PNR: access to Polaris lounges at both EWR and SFO.
HND-SFO-EWR with the second segment on separate PNR: Access at SFO only since EWR was not part of the Polaris itinerary.
This seems to be the case at EWR as reported in another thread, previously separate tickets didn’t matter.
Example:
HND-SFO-EWR all on one PNR: access to Polaris lounges at both EWR and SFO.
HND-SFO-EWR with the second segment on separate PNR: Access at SFO only since EWR was not part of the Polaris itinerary.
This seems to be the case at EWR as reported in another thread, previously separate tickets didn’t matter.
But, in a wider discussion of access, nothing you say is wrong.
Sep 27, 2023, 3:33 pm
#461
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,127
I think the current discussion is about access at the airport of the arriving Polaris customer, in which a boarding pass (any airline's) that is req'd to get you back through security to be able to reach the PL.
But, in a wider discussion of access, nothing you say is wrong.
But, in a wider discussion of access, nothing you say is wrong.
Sep 30, 2023, 10:50 am
#463
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
OK, so access was easily granted to friend who was flying economy plus SFO-EWR but was flying Polaris class to Rome, all ticketed on the same PNR. I suspect it would’ve been an issue had she booked on separate PNR’s.
Just FYI, entered SFO PL at about 8 AM. By 9 AM club was packed. Even the bathrooms were full a line. All in all, still had a good time.
Just FYI, entered SFO PL at about 8 AM. By 9 AM club was packed. Even the bathrooms were full a line. All in all, still had a good time.
Sep 30, 2023, 10:56 am
#464
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,025
Sep 30, 2023, 11:03 am
#465
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
I’m still here now, but just leaving, very crowded now. They have the standard quiche, scrambled eggs, egg, whites, all sorts of croissant and bread, offerings, including bagels. Fruit, lunch, meats, and cheeses. I wasn’t very hungry this morning so I didn’t eat much. However, I did get my fill of Bloody Mary’s. Great bartender this AM, he’s working alone this morning.