Jul 1, 2019, 8:53 pm
Last edit by: phkc070408
Estimated Polaris Lounge usage, based upon cargo schedule.
1. 752 routes not included.
2. 3X and 4X weekly frequencies are counted as daily.
3. IAD included for future use.
4. Assumed: 50% of arriving passengers returning to the lounge as connection passengers; based them arriving 45" after arrival and departing 2'30" after arrival.
5. Assumed: Departing passengers arrive 2"30" before departure and leave 45" before departure.
6. Star Alliance Partner Airlines guests not included.
posted 2019/06/30 phkc070408:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31256959-post29.html
1. 752 routes not included.
2. 3X and 4X weekly frequencies are counted as daily.
3. IAD included for future use.
4. Assumed: 50% of arriving passengers returning to the lounge as connection passengers; based them arriving 45" after arrival and departing 2'30" after arrival.
5. Assumed: Departing passengers arrive 2"30" before departure and leave 45" before departure.
6. Star Alliance Partner Airlines guests not included.
posted 2019/06/30 phkc070408:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31256959-post29.html
Wait time for meals at Polaris Lounge Restaurant
Jun 25, 2019, 11:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 477
Wait time for meals at Polaris Lounge Restaurant
After never having to wait for a seat at the restaurant, I arrived at the ORD Polaris lounge around 4:15pm for my flight to Europe on Monday. I was told there was a wait list and was told to wait in a corner and I'd be called when a table was ready. Most prior trips there was no wait - if the flight hadn't been delayed, I wouldn't have been able to get a meal. Wonder if others have experienced a wait too? Seems like they should have a surge plan for the restaurant. Food at the buffet was not super appetizing - lots of similar things served in the main lounge.
Jun 25, 2019, 11:35 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Corvallis, OR, USA
Programs: UA GS; Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott, Hyatt; Hertz
Posts: 321
I have experienced a short wait, and been there when there were longer wait lists started. Never has happened in SFO, but I am usually there earlier in the day. I agree with your assessment of the ORD Polaris buffet - the restaurant is the way to go - but there are times that the buffet is OK too.
BTW ... I assume you were looking at the main buffet, not the one at the same end as the restaurant. The main buffet definitely is better than the UC's.
BTW ... I assume you were looking at the main buffet, not the one at the same end as the restaurant. The main buffet definitely is better than the UC's.
Jun 26, 2019, 3:43 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
I don't know about the ORD lounge but the wait time at SFO on the two occasions I've wanted to eat there has been over an hour. Needless to say, I went with the buffet.
Jun 26, 2019, 7:13 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Various tier levels of frequent flyer/hotel plans received for bellyaching about minor flaws in the service I received.
Posts: 610
I've had waits in both ORD and IAH. Neither was more than 10 minutes. At ORD, there have been issues with "crowd control." Folks sitting down at dirty tables without talking to the host, and then getting irritated because they were there "first." Several times I've gotten a bit frustrated at ORD simply because they still don't seem to have a process for figuring out who is next on the list, or keeping folks from simply sitting down when there is one.
Jun 26, 2019, 8:56 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
Programs: Global Mercenary
Posts: 193
My only experience was at EWR Polaris lounge last month. Was around 330pm on saturday and the lounge as well as restaurant were totally packed. Zero help from staff in organizing wait list, tables etc. After finally getting a table after 20 minutes, never was even acknowledged by wait staff for another 15 minutes. We got up and went to the buffet area and bar for food/drinks. Quality was excellent but was disappointed at not being able to the highly regarded sit down section.
Jun 26, 2019, 12:30 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
What is the protocol for the waitlist? Do they actually keep a list? Or you just talk to one of the wait staff and hope they remember you?
Jun 26, 2019, 1:17 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 774
I was at the SFO lounge last Friday at 9:45am. There was a beeper queue already. The lady at the front gave me a beeper and said that the beeper range is only out to the bar.
In my head, this is the higher force whispering that I should get two Old Fashions with breakfast.
In my head, this is the higher force whispering that I should get two Old Fashions with breakfast.
Jun 26, 2019, 1:29 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.1MM Gold | MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,272
I was at the SFO lounge last Friday at 9:45am. There was a beeper queue already. The lady at the front gave me a beeper and said that the beeper range is only out to the bar.
In my head, this is the higher force whispering that I should get two Old Fashions with breakfast.
In my head, this is the higher force whispering that I should get two Old Fashions with breakfast.
Jun 26, 2019, 4:07 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,721
That's unfortunate - but it would be useful to have some data on the wait times for specific locations. Personally I don't budget much time for the lounge, though I usual end up spending an hour or so there as I have to allocate for unexpected traffic to the airport, etc.
Jun 26, 2019, 5:00 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
The wait times are high when there are banks of departures. So SFO has a long wait approx 10a, and then another moderate wait around 630p. IAH should be busy in the evenings. Perhaps someone can pull all the international heavy departures for the hubs to show when to expect a wait.
Jun 26, 2019, 8:51 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA MP (1K, 1MM)
Posts: 268
The wait times are high when there are banks of departures. So SFO has a long wait approx 10a, and then another moderate wait around 630p. IAH should be busy in the evenings. Perhaps someone can pull all the international heavy departures for the hubs to show when to expect a wait.
Image the outcry if there was only restaurant style seating and food service and there was no buffet. Who ever thought to put both of those options in did us all a big favor. If you have time to enjoy the sit down, restaurant style experience then that is fantastic! If you do not, then the buffet offers a much quick way to enjoy some food.