United Polaris Lounge Open in Newark (EWR)
Apr 14, 2022, 3:31 pm
#286
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,700
Apr 14, 2022, 7:35 pm
#288
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SNA (home), LAX, BOM/PNQ, LHR
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Marriott Gold Elite, IHG Platinum, HHonors Silver
Posts: 965
Apr 15, 2022, 5:41 am
#289
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,317
EWR is my home airport and I travel internationally every month. Pre-COVID I would arrive at Terminal C regularly from an international flight -- but now it is mostly terminal B. I'm sure UA would prefer more C arrivals so they wouldn't have to always tow the aircraft to the new departure gate -- but I'm sure there is a good reason for it -- like staffing at customs and immigration...
Apr 15, 2022, 6:47 am
#290
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,324
The Polaris Lounge is the best option in EWR C, even if crowded. At least go to the bar and have a few drinks there before you leave for food if the crowds and NJ service are bothering you. Little Purse Dumplings would be another option, but it's pricey.
Apr 15, 2022, 8:31 am
#291
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
Apr 15, 2022, 9:24 am
#292
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
Thanks, I've passed Little Purse several times, maybe I'll give it a shot. Appreciate you taking time to respond to my post. Safe travels - Jamie
Apr 15, 2022, 1:39 pm
#293
formerly 1984SW
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,058
Apr 16, 2022, 4:02 pm
#294
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
Apr 16, 2022, 9:42 pm
#295
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
nd bun. If they refuse, then simply order two burgers.
Apr 19, 2022, 12:15 pm
#296
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,317
EWR is my home airport and I travel internationally every month. Pre-COVID I would arrive at Terminal C regularly from an international flight -- but now it is mostly terminal B. I'm sure UA would prefer more C arrivals so they wouldn't have to always tow the aircraft to the new departure gate -- but I'm sure there is a good reason for it -- like staffing at customs and immigration...
Apr 21, 2022, 3:39 pm
#298
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,317
Yes the buffet has reopened like the past -- the food didn't look too bad and the bread selection (for breakfast) was nice. We were there early and in the mornings the Polaris lounge is pretty much empty (compared to the afternoon)
Apr 21, 2022, 5:13 pm
#299
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,098
Was here yesterday, IMO the dining menu is 2nd worst, only beaten by SFO. Food quality is ok, I just prefer other things. I had french toast and the EWR sandwich, both were quite mediocre, next time I'm making my own breakfast bagel from the buffet.
Apr 24, 2022, 9:03 am
#300
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, WN A+, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Amb, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,127
First long haul international trip on UA since pandemic and very disappointed with Polaris lounge. We got to Polaris lounge at 2045 (after ATC delay in perfect weather DCA-EWR… maybe consolidate the every-30-minutes-flights now that demand is back and slot squatting is less necessary).
Hot food long since put away (zero sign it was even there - just cold sandwiches and salad), sit down dining closed, one bartender who was fairly rude and seemed like he had no clue what he was doing, and last call at 2115 with the lounge closing at 2145 sharp despite my 2300 departure to LHR. The lounge was quite crowded and others seemed pretty confused about lack of food and early close. There were probably 5-8 staff very focused on cleaning up everything so they could leave right when the lounge closed. A far cry from pre-Covid and very lame given the flight schedule.
Going to send a complaint to 1k voice as this is not acceptable for a flagship lounge in a major market.
Hot food long since put away (zero sign it was even there - just cold sandwiches and salad), sit down dining closed, one bartender who was fairly rude and seemed like he had no clue what he was doing, and last call at 2115 with the lounge closing at 2145 sharp despite my 2300 departure to LHR. The lounge was quite crowded and others seemed pretty confused about lack of food and early close. There were probably 5-8 staff very focused on cleaning up everything so they could leave right when the lounge closed. A far cry from pre-Covid and very lame given the flight schedule.
Going to send a complaint to 1k voice as this is not acceptable for a flagship lounge in a major market.