[Update] As of Dec. ‘23 Polaris Lounges no longer require passports to access
 

I was asked to present a passport at EWR & IAH Polaris lounges this month. Maybe a new change?

I proactively presented my passport at the SFO Polaris lounge last week and was told that they don't need to look at it.

They asked me for it at the beginning of the month. IAH has always asked me for it. Ahhhhh consistency, or maybe incompetence. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the quick reply, I’ll have my passport ready for presentation. Didn’t know they question that, thought BP was good enough. But I did hear reports that happens at EWR from time to time

It happens at all the lounges sometimes, but to me it seems they're the most finicky at IAH. Twice I've had my passport card rejected, with the actual booklet demanded, which of course I had already unthinkingly buried in my backpack. Other lounges I've just showed a photo of my ID on my phone and it's been allowable.

You came after I just left. It was totally packed. When I waked up from a nap at 2:30 pm, I was only able to find seats just outside the bathrooms.

They did ask for passports, too. At IAD PL, no ID was checked. My IAH-LIM BP did not work, but IAD-IAH (in economy) worked.

The PL agents require a BP and Passport Unfortunately that is their requirement. Are there any other earlier flights on SQ departing from IAH than yours? If so, I would look into that and have the people at that flight check you in. Just ask for the lead agent when you’re at that ticket counter

Thanks so much for your replies.

I understand completely. And I was prepared to show our BP after we did the online check in on the app. Was NOT expecting an error message that said we needed to have airport agent provide BP.

Quite frustrating since w/o a BP, I don't know if we'll be able to access any lounges (I will check the Centurion, maybe they will let us in using our arrival BP on UA and showing them we are waiting for SQ to open up to get the BP). One friend that is traveling with us has special needs, so it's harder for her and lounge access would make the trip much more comfortable, and the wait more tolerable.

I'm going to call SQ IAH airport office when they open too. Not sure they will pick up but will ask if they can help.

Thanks again!

Yep. Checked many many times. Very strange and frustrating.

Passport required for check-in
 

I visited IAD PL without showing ID two weeks ago. Now, passport is required to enter PL, same as other PLs. 🤪

UA Polaris Lounges may require passport for acccess, why? other photo id?
 

Is it true that you must provide a passport (vs just any other photo ID) to enter the Polaris lounge?

As a connecting passenger who had already pre cleared in DUB I was forced by the agent to dig all the way back down to the bottom of my bag to recover my passport that I had packed away in order to enter Polaris at EWR. My government issued drivers license was not sufficient.

As an aside I entered the new UC in EWR first to check it out and didn’t have to show ID at all (though maybe those new little kiosks scan your face? Idk)

That's crazy that they made you do that. I would absolutely refuse to do that. Call a supervisor if you must. I would show them my DL and if they wanted more I would just walk past them.

I dug it out begrudgingly but it was annoying. Oh well at the bar now watching NFL if anyone is around.

Update in order to review: ‘Day’ is an amazing bartender, super personable and friendly, and very attentive. The views are great at EWR. This is my third Polaris to enjoy (IAH, SFO) and I think it might be my favorite, entry snafu withstanding.

(I complained (nicely) once at EWR or SFO about having to show my passport. They explained that they have had people print two (even three!) BPs and distribute different IDs so multiple people could get in. So they ask for one type of ID, passport, and everyone needs to be carrying their passport for the Polaris flights anyway. It's amazing what people will do to get in. I was chatting with an agent at the IAD Polaris lounge a few months ago and she said they had seen the same thing. Rather than have everyone scan in and out they thought this would be simpler.

Passport is a thing at EWR. Walking by might get one in trouble, I wouldn't recommend stirring commotions in the airport.