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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.

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 {Archive}

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Apr 1, 2019, 8:25 am

#391

FlyerTalker70

Join Date: Nov 2017

Posts: 3,359

Unsure if this has been asked before but suppose I'm flying inter continental J on a *partner like say SwissAir that takes off from Terminal B at EWR. Would I be granted access to the PL at Terminal C?

-James

Apr 1, 2019, 8:36 am

#392

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,406

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2simpso

Yes.

Apr 9, 2019, 3:03 pm

#393

FoxFlyer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Location: LAX

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

Posts: 654

I am very confused on the connecting with a Star Alliance partner and access to lounges, as I know people who have been granted access when connecting onto a Star Alliance carrier.

My intinerary is ORD->LAX (on UA metal); Connecting to LAX-AKL (on AirNZ Metal). So would I have PL access at ORD only? Or do I also get it at LAX as my Star Alliance flight is "originating" at LAX?

Apr 9, 2019, 3:06 pm

#394

Kacee

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Join Date: Apr 2013

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxFlyer

I am very confused on the connecting with a Star Alliance partner and access to lounges, as I know people who have been granted access when connecting onto a Star Alliance carrier.

If flying long-haul business class on a *A partner, you have Polaris lounge access only at the airport from which that flight departs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxFlyer

My intinerary is ORD->LAX (on UA metal); Connecting to LAX-AKL (on AirNZ Metal). So would I have PL access at ORD only? Or do I also get it at LAX as my Star Alliance flight is "originating" at LAX?

LAX only.

Apr 9, 2019, 3:18 pm

#395

FlyerTalker70

Join Date: Nov 2017

Posts: 3,359

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxFlyer

LAX only since Polaris lounge access is only at departing airport for long haul Star Alliance J. However at ORD you'd still have access to the United Club (not a big concession I know).

If you do decide to avail the Polaris lounge at LAX, keep in mind that there's a 25-30 minute walk airside between Terminal 7 and TBIT where NZ flights take off from. Given that you may want to use the *A lounge at TBIT which has 10 showers, decent food selection (albeit not order off menu) and a heated terrace with tarmac views and a bar. In any event I'd certainly recommend taking the shower at the *A lounge since you'll be sweaty afterwards.

Could someone comment whether NZ J grants lounge access on arrival to AKL.

Cheers,

James

Apr 9, 2019, 3:20 pm

#396

FoxFlyer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Location: LAX

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

Posts: 654

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2simpso

Thanks James... yeah, I'm well versed with the walk, though usually doing it in reverse (*Alliance Lounge to T7/8) for domestic UA trips 😜

Apr 9, 2019, 4:06 pm

#397

IAH-OIL-TRASH

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Quote:

Originally Posted by j2simpso

...However at ORD you'd still have access to the United Club (not a big concession I know)....

If Gold or better.

Apr 9, 2019, 4:48 pm

#398

transportprof

Join Date: Mar 2012

Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold

Posts: 6,355

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2simpso

....
Could someone comment whether NZ J grants lounge access on arrival to AKL.

Cheers,

James

Unless things have changed recently, when you terminate in AKL, you clear border formalities and exit into the arrivals landside of the International terminal. Koru lounges are airside, so the only way to access it on arrival is with an onward connecting flight.

Apr 15, 2019, 11:37 pm

#399

dkmatter

Join Date: Jul 2011

Location: West Coast

Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum

Posts: 264

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH

Definitely an interesting case. You might as well try access, and please let us know what the outcome is. Seems a bit of a stretch. My guess is one scenario is UA will view LAX-SFO-CTU as your current itinerary and deny at SFO.

Had no trouble entering Polaris in SFO or LAX with next-in-sequence boarding pass. Meanwhile LAX lounge in the afternoon...staff, service, food, what a gem of a lounge. I hear the future United Terminal 9 LAX will be a major Star alliance international terminal with a massive lounge. Just waiting for the AA lease to expire and they will bulldoze the eagle nest. Thread on this?

Last edited by dkmatter; Apr 16, 2019 at 9:51 am

Apr 16, 2019, 11:28 am

#400

skimmilk90

Join Date: Jun 2018

Posts: 5

I have a flight on EVA Air from LAX to TPE tomorrow night but have a quick same day turn around trip for work on American arriving at T-4 at around 6:30 PM. Doesn't seem like EVA has mobile boarding passes. Can I still enter the Polaris Lounge without a boarding pass but show them my "Check In Confirmation Page" or give them my ticket number without having to go to TBIT and waiting for check in counters to open?

Apr 19, 2019, 10:23 am

#401

capedreamer

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: MEX

Programs: AC E75K

Posts: 4,171

Hi All - I'm flying LH C from SFO to MUC tomorrow night and was planning on getting to the airport quite early. Are there any restrictions in terms of how many hours before departure time I can access the Polaris Lounge? Thanks!

Apr 19, 2019, 12:14 pm

#402

WineCountryUA

Moderator: United Airlines

Join Date: Jun 2007

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Posts: 66,854

Quote:

Originally Posted by capedreamer

No, other than same day as flight.

If you have checked bags, you can not check-in more than 4 hours in advance of departure.

Apr 19, 2019, 1:12 pm

#403

capedreamer

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: MEX

Programs: AC E75K

Posts: 4,171

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

No, other than same day as flight.

If you have checked bags, you can not check-in more than 4 hours in advance of departure.

Thanks! Haven't checked a bag in years so no issues here.

Apr 19, 2019, 9:28 pm

#404

HkCaGu

Join Date: May 2006

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Posts: 2,911

OK, so HNL-GUM on lie-flats won't get me into Polaris Lounge. But if I'm continuing to HKG it's OK?
What if I'm CPU'd on HKG-GUM then fly Y GUM-HNL-LAX? Which segment counts?

Apr 19, 2019, 9:32 pm

#405

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,406

Quote:

Originally Posted by HkCaGu

OK, so HNL-GUM on lie-flats won't get me into Polaris Lounge. But if I'm continuing to HKG it's OK?
What if I'm CPU'd on HKG-GUM then fly Y GUM-HNL-LAX? Which segment counts?

What makes you think that continuing to HKG makes it OK? Even though HKG-SFO/ORD/EWR are Polaris flights, HKG-GUM is not, and you won't have access to a Polaris lounge on HKG-GUM-HNL-LAX, no matter whether you're up front or in the back.