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.
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. 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).
- 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.
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 {Archive}
#196
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: dark side of the moon
Programs: papa card, UA 1K
Posts: 707
No roadmap for the LAX Polaris lounge -that's not a good sign...
#197
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,756
Do not understand that statement
Shows on Polaris Tracker - Mobile as Fall 2018 and the word on the street is early December.
What are you referring to?
Shows on Polaris Tracker - Mobile as Fall 2018 and the word on the street is early December.
What are you referring to?
#198
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,115
I last used the perk in ORD while traveling on a paid INTL F ticket during the previous winter season, so they still offered it until some point in 2018.
But yeah, now it's GS only.
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,900
That perk didn't survive the final round of devaluations to INTL F earlier this year (cut together with the soup I believe) before INTL F was finally cut altogether last week.
I last used the perk in ORD while traveling on a paid INTL F ticket during the previous winter season, so they still offered it until some point in 2018.
But yeah, now it's GS only.
I last used the perk in ORD while traveling on a paid INTL F ticket during the previous winter season, so they still offered it until some point in 2018.
But yeah, now it's GS only.
#201
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 3
Hello, I am flying ORD-LAX coach, and then LAX-SYD in Polaris Business class all on the same day (tomorrow), all on United metal with UA tickets, however these 2 flights are on separate reservations and confirmations. I am a 1K. I know I can get into the LAX lounge once I get to LAX, but do you think I get access to either the Polaris Lounge in ORD or if not can I get into the United club in ORD? I was thinking on printing paper boarding passes once I get to ORD to help plead my case with the Polaris Club agents.
Thanks, this is my first post, please accept my apology for any improper posting etiquette!l
Thanks, this is my first post, please accept my apology for any improper posting etiquette!l
#202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,443
Hello, I am flying ORD-LAX coach, and then LAX-SYD in Polaris Business class all on the same day (tomorrow), all on United metal with UA tickets, however these 2 flights are on separate reservations and confirmations. I am a 1K. I know I can get into the LAX lounge once I get to LAX, but do you think I get access to either the Polaris Lounge in ORD or if not can I get into the United club in ORD? I was thinking on printing paper boarding passes once I get to ORD to help plead my case with the Polaris Club agents.
Thanks, this is my first post, please accept my apology for any improper posting etiquette!l
Thanks, this is my first post, please accept my apology for any improper posting etiquette!l
There's no Polaris Lounge at LAX yet. So fill up at ORD!
(You can enter the United Club at LAX, however.)
edit: And welcome to FT!
#203
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,991
If you have a long-ish layover, the conventional advice is to bypass the United Club and make your way through the airside walkways/tunnels to the Star Alliance lounge at the Tom Bradley Int'l Terminal. 15-minute brisk walk each way (about a mile each way depending on United gate you arrive at) but worth it if you have time, and serves as a good leg stretch before long flight.
#204
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 3
Admitted into PL
thanks for the replies, I can report they just scanned my LAX-SYD boarding pass and said welcome in the ORD Polaris lounge.
Will take advantage of the star alliance tip at LAX once I get there. Thank you for your help!
Will take advantage of the star alliance tip at LAX once I get there. Thank you for your help!
#205
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: UA1K | *A Gold
Posts: 767
Does the multi Polaris access apply to arriving flights as well? e.g. PEK-ORD-IAH-regional all single ticket with PEK-ORD in Polaris?
#206
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,756
#209
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 18
Hi, quick question: I am flying YVR-SFO-ZRH-CDG with YVR-SFO on AC and SFO-ZRH-CDG on LX in Business, all on one Miles&More award ticket. My flight to SFO gets me there at around 9:30 am and my international business flight to ZRH departs later that same day (around 8 pm). Can I access the Polaris Lounge without *A status / polaris ticket? I am unsure given that I am a connecting passenger. Many thanks!
#210
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,411
I am flying YVR-SFO-ZRH-CDG with YVR-SFO on AC and SFO-ZRH-CDG on LX in Business, all on one Miles&More award ticket. My flight to SFO gets me there at around 9:30 am and my international business flight to ZRH departs later that same day (around 8 pm). Can I access the Polaris Lounge without *A status / polaris ticket? I am unsure given that I am a connecting passenger.