If and when Polaris Lounges re-open, should access be expanded? GS, transcons, ...
Oct 1, 2022, 10:58 am
#1
Join Date: Jan 2005
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NO, keep it exclusive for those that pay for the service in their ticket. UA should consider marketing Polaris aircraft on transcon. Why not, it would make $$. No free upgrades on transcon Polaris flights, make it exclusive.
Oct 1, 2022, 11:15 am
#2
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This is old thread - PLs are open, as pointed out below…
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Oct 1, 2022 at 12:53 pm
Oct 1, 2022, 5:06 pm
#4
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If they added J passengers on TCONs it would add far too many people to the lounges, especially because of the number of widebodies they are using on the route right now.
That said, I would be curious how busy a Polaris lounge like EWR is in the morning hours. The only Asia TCON at this point is to NRT, so I would think that the lounge could probably sustain (for now) morning passengers to LAX and SFO. But my hunch is that UA doesn't want to offer a benefit they would have to take away if/when more TPAC flying ex-EWR comes back. One can dream but I would like to see UA consider routes like EWR-ICN and EWR-TPE if flying to mainland China remains uncertain. If they did something like, I would think that (assuming routes like that were daytime departures) the Polaris lounge would be in decent use.
That said, I would be curious how busy a Polaris lounge like EWR is in the morning hours. The only Asia TCON at this point is to NRT, so I would think that the lounge could probably sustain (for now) morning passengers to LAX and SFO. But my hunch is that UA doesn't want to offer a benefit they would have to take away if/when more TPAC flying ex-EWR comes back. One can dream but I would like to see UA consider routes like EWR-ICN and EWR-TPE if flying to mainland China remains uncertain. If they did something like, I would think that (assuming routes like that were daytime departures) the Polaris lounge would be in decent use.
Oct 1, 2022, 5:27 pm
#5
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Providing intermittent/contingent Polaris Lounge access to J transcon passengers would present a huge problem to the entry agents: "I would have been here at the 10am cutoff if I didn't stop to pick up the old lady in her wheelchair that I knocked over running to get here". The whining and moaning heaped onto the entry agents would be epic. Plus a "sometimes you get Polaris Lounce access, sometimes not" probably isn't good for Premium Transcon consistency.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Oct 1, 2022 at 5:35 pm
Oct 1, 2022, 5:32 pm
#6
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If they added J passengers on TCONs it would add far too many people to the lounges, especially because of the number of widebodies they are using on the route right now.
That said, I would be curious how busy a Polaris lounge like EWR is in the morning hours. The only Asia TCON at this point is to NRT, so I would think that the lounge could probably sustain (for now) morning passengers to LAX and SFO. But my hunch is that UA doesn't want to offer a benefit they would have to take away if/when more TPAC flying ex-EWR comes back. One can dream but I would like to see UA consider routes like EWR-ICN and EWR-TPE if flying to mainland China remains uncertain. If they did something like, I would think that (assuming routes like that were daytime departures) the Polaris lounge would be in decent use.
That said, I would be curious how busy a Polaris lounge like EWR is in the morning hours. The only Asia TCON at this point is to NRT, so I would think that the lounge could probably sustain (for now) morning passengers to LAX and SFO. But my hunch is that UA doesn't want to offer a benefit they would have to take away if/when more TPAC flying ex-EWR comes back. One can dream but I would like to see UA consider routes like EWR-ICN and EWR-TPE if flying to mainland China remains uncertain. If they did something like, I would think that (assuming routes like that were daytime departures) the Polaris lounge would be in decent use.
I think it would be tricky and not worthwhile to try some kind of flex solution. Access rules for lounges are already complicated enough.
Oct 1, 2022, 6:22 pm
#7
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Bad idea and suggestion to allow passengers into Polaris Lounges without flying Polaris cabins internationally.
Over crowding and long wait to the dinning rooms have already made the experience less desirable at certain times of the day across the system.
Over crowding and long wait to the dinning rooms have already made the experience less desirable at certain times of the day across the system.
Oct 1, 2022, 7:16 pm
#8
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Remember there will be pax in TCON J who’ll have Polaris access by virtue of their connections so the question really is how many MORE TCON J pax will have access.
Assuming capacity can support it, UA may want to allow 3pm and later west coast departures to the SFO/LAX PLs under “sleeper service” or something so PAXs could eat in the ground and maximize sleep on red eyes.
But as UA_Flyer notes I say this cautiously with the assumption UA can open up PL access when there’s excess capacity in the PLs.
Assuming capacity can support it, UA may want to allow 3pm and later west coast departures to the SFO/LAX PLs under “sleeper service” or something so PAXs could eat in the ground and maximize sleep on red eyes.
But as UA_Flyer notes I say this cautiously with the assumption UA can open up PL access when there’s excess capacity in the PLs.
Oct 1, 2022, 7:23 pm
#9
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Assuming capacity can support it, UA may want to allow 3pm and later west coast departures to the SFO/LAX PLs under “sleeper service” or something so PAXs could eat in the ground and maximize sleep on red eyes.
But as UA_Flyer notes I say this cautiously with the assumption UA can open up PL access when there’s excess capacity in the PLs.
But as UA_Flyer notes I say this cautiously with the assumption UA can open up PL access when there’s excess capacity in the PLs.
I don't really fly UA premium t-cons, so don't really have a dog in this fight. But I will say that FLL access at JFK is one of the reasons I've gravitated to AA for premium t-cons.
Oct 1, 2022, 7:55 pm
#10
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We had this discussion a long time ago and the strong consensus was this was a bad idea. Polaris lounges are already packed, adding more eligible customers would further dilute the experience.
Oct 1, 2022, 8:48 pm
#11
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As far as the confusion aspect that’s why I spitballed “sleeper” service - to make a way to help customers distinguish what they’re buying.
I guess as an aside and for curiosity’s sake, when do PLs peak?
Oct 1, 2022, 9:01 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Houston, TX
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As I've said regarding long haul Hawaii, do what AA does for those (except for paid "F"). Allow Polaris lounge access but NOT to the dining room.
Domestic Polaris routes (long haul HI and premium transcon) should get Polaris Lounge access but not to the restaurant
Domestic Polaris routes (long haul HI and premium transcon) should get Polaris Lounge access but not to the restaurant
Oct 1, 2022, 9:12 pm
#13
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Oct 1, 2022, 9:29 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2013
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We are all asking the wrong question -- the right question is why does UA offer such awful lounge options to its "premium" customers that aren't on "Polaris" flights -- if LH an SQ and so many others can figure this out - why can't UA? I'll take a Senator lounge anywhere in the world over a United club lol -- this isn't rocket science....