Oct 21, 2021, 1:16 pm
Last edit by: SPN Lifer
Access to Polaris lounges (source):
update 29 Sept 2017, effective 1 Oct 2017
Trans-border flights (Canada, Mexico, ..) for UA and partner flights do not qualify
Departure: The airport you are leaving on an international J/F flight* from, i.e. IAD-LHR
Connecting: The airport to or from which you have a short-haul flight to connect to a longer flight, i.e. SFO-IAD-LHR or LHR-IAD-SFO
Arrival: The airport you arrive at after your long-haul flight, i.e. LHR-IAD
Hours - 5:30 AM- 10PM
Related Threads:
EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
ORD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
IAH Polaris lounge (E11/12 - top fl) -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
SFO Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
LAX Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
Best *G IAD Lounge for UA flyers
update 29 Sept 2017, effective 1 Oct 2017
Trans-border flights (Canada, Mexico, ..) for UA and partner flights do not qualify
Departure: The airport you are leaving on an international J/F flight* from, i.e. IAD-LHR
Connecting: The airport to or from which you have a short-haul flight to connect to a longer flight, i.e. SFO-IAD-LHR or LHR-IAD-SFO
Arrival: The airport you arrive at after your long-haul flight, i.e. LHR-IAD
Hours - 5:30 AM- 10PM
Related Threads:
EWR Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
ORD Polaris lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
IAH Polaris lounge (E11/12 - top fl) -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ...
SFO Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
LAX Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread
Best *G IAD Lounge for UA flyers
IAD Polaris Lounge -- Reviews, Experiences, Q&A, ..
Nov 12, 2022, 8:30 am
#256
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
New menu (at least since the last one posted in this thread).
Had a long layover (6 hours) thanks to UA only offering the 10am flight to IAD as part of our award ticket instead of the 3pm.
Ended up being a great place to sit and do work for the day, got there early enough to snag a phone booth and enjoy the dining room twice. Had the bouillabaisse and arepas for lunch and black and blue cheese (served with strawberries instead of blueberries) and burger. Highlight was definitely the burger.
Had a long layover (6 hours) thanks to UA only offering the 10am flight to IAD as part of our award ticket instead of the 3pm.
Ended up being a great place to sit and do work for the day, got there early enough to snag a phone booth and enjoy the dining room twice. Had the bouillabaisse and arepas for lunch and black and blue cheese (served with strawberries instead of blueberries) and burger. Highlight was definitely the burger.
Nov 14, 2022, 8:02 am
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Stopped by the EWR Polaris lounge on the way home (will post pictures there) and my conclusion is that the IAD space is much nicer and if given a choice between connecting at IAD and EWR, I would take IAD every time (and that's just based on the lounge alone, not all the other ways that IAD > EWR)
Nov 18, 2022, 3:18 pm
#258
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 84
We had a nice visit. The dining room food was not great; we thought the options in the open area were better. Service was attentive and the lounge was kept clean.
The blinds were on an automatic timer to lower with the sun such that we could barely see out. If you would like to plane watch, ask at the help desk and they have manual controls to raise the blinds.
The blinds were on an automatic timer to lower with the sun such that we could barely see out. If you would like to plane watch, ask at the help desk and they have manual controls to raise the blinds.
Nov 22, 2022, 7:42 am
#259
Join Date: Oct 2021
Programs: UA Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 66
This is not allowed per the United access rules. First of all you have an issue getting through midfield security without an onward boarding pass for a connecting flight the same day (of course that depends on whether anyone actually checks for an onward boarding pass). Assuming you get past that you then have to deal with entry to the lounge. Per United's website: lounge access upon arrival is subject to "Re-entry to the airport after clearing customs is not permitted without further eligible onward travel. Access upon arrival is available to customers who have already made a domestic connection.". Key here is "domestic connection".
Always worth a shot but don't expect access.
-RM
Always worth a shot but don't expect access.
-RM
It was a nice lounge to visit and relax upon arrival. Very large lounge with plentiful seating. The food was delicious, way better than what we were served on board. The staff was also genuinely pleasant and helpful. Nothing but high marks for the experience on the ground.
Nov 22, 2022, 8:03 am
#260
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Just wanted to update the forum having taken our flight last week. Flying BRU-IAD on UA 951 in Polaris with no checked bags, we were able to clear midfield security quite easily. No one asked us for an onward boarding pass once and the only hassle was having to take my shoes off. Maybe it's because we both have Global Entry and breezed through? We then arrived at the Polaris Lounge, where the attendant scanned our BRU-IAD boarding passes and granted us access without issue.
It was a nice lounge to visit and relax upon arrival. Very large lounge with plentiful seating. The food was delicious, way better than what we were served on board. The staff was also genuinely pleasant and helpful. Nothing but high marks for the experience on the ground.
It was a nice lounge to visit and relax upon arrival. Very large lounge with plentiful seating. The food was delicious, way better than what we were served on board. The staff was also genuinely pleasant and helpful. Nothing but high marks for the experience on the ground.
BTW, where are the foods pictures?
Nov 22, 2022, 1:54 pm
#261
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,134
For those wondering the IAD PL has the full spread of Thanksgiving fixings on the buffet today in addition to their other options. I believe there was a question in one of these Polaris Lounge threads asking about it.
Turkey, masked potatoes, dressing, etc. Very well done, very delicious.
I’m here now but it’s simply too crowded to take decent pics of the buffet area.
The manager said they will have the special offering out starting in the afternoons thru Friday.
Edit: I’ll be connecting thru ORD in a few hours so I’ll give a report on their offering as well.
Turkey, masked potatoes, dressing, etc. Very well done, very delicious.
I’m here now but it’s simply too crowded to take decent pics of the buffet area.
The manager said they will have the special offering out starting in the afternoons thru Friday.
Edit: I’ll be connecting thru ORD in a few hours so I’ll give a report on their offering as well.
Nov 24, 2022, 10:19 am
#262
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,236
In the IAD PL now - it’s virtually empty. Can’t be more the a dozen passengers here. Only one other table occupied in the restaurant. Seated immediately, ordered the burger, and it was out in 15 minutes. There were two wait staff, each with one table, so it was like having my own private server. Now in the seating area with no one nearby. (I know - US holiday + early in the day.). Will stay here a few hours then move to the LH lounge before my LH flight to FRA in F.
Dec 12, 2022, 3:03 pm
#263
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Visited last Thursday at 4:30 PM
I was shocked and disappointed by how crowded it was. My friend joined me later and we couldn't find two seats together.
The buffet was okay, kinda Centurion Lounge like. But I was very impressed with their liquor and beer selections.
Compared to EWR and SFO I really didn't like this lounge, it's just too small if you're there during peak times.
I was shocked and disappointed by how crowded it was. My friend joined me later and we couldn't find two seats together.
The buffet was okay, kinda Centurion Lounge like. But I was very impressed with their liquor and beer selections.
Compared to EWR and SFO I really didn't like this lounge, it's just too small if you're there during peak times.
Dec 25, 2022, 12:25 pm
#264
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,509
Christmas Day. Arrived at 1130AM, lounge was dead empty.
Buffet consisted of soup, chicken, salmon, pappardelle, potatoes. Other side had cold sandwiches and salad.
Menu, same as posts above. Champagne was Lanson. Dining room only had around 5 tables occupied.
Apple salad
Burger
Doro Wat
Beef arepa
Warm cookie skillet and gelato
Buffet consisted of soup, chicken, salmon, pappardelle, potatoes. Other side had cold sandwiches and salad.
Menu, same as posts above. Champagne was Lanson. Dining room only had around 5 tables occupied.
Apple salad
Burger
Doro Wat
Beef arepa
Warm cookie skillet and gelato
Feb 1, 2023, 2:36 am
#268
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
Visited IAD Polaris Lounge last week. I had Old Fashioned. First glass came with small ice cubes, and second glass came with a single large ice cube.
The cheese appetizer is delightful and one can never go wrong with the Polaris Burger selection.
The cheese appetizer is delightful and one can never go wrong with the Polaris Burger selection.
