United Polaris Lounges: What are They and How Do You Get in?

United Polaris lounges are a premium offering provided to qualifying United and Star Alliance passengers. Not to be confused with United Club lounges, Polaris lounges are few in number (only six locations) and typically reserved for travelers with a Polaris or eligible Star Alliance first or business class ticket.

See where to find United Polaris lounges, how to access them, how some of the best travel credit cards can help you access them, and what amenities they offer so you can have a more comfortable airport experience.

What are United Polaris lounges?

United Polaris lounges are a premium lounge offering included in the overall United Polaris experience. Polaris is United’s premium business class flight service that provides access to high-quality amenities and benefits while at the airport and in the sky. This includes:

• Free checked baggage
• Premier Access benefits such as designated airport check-in lines, exclusive security lanes, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling
• Access to United Polaris lounges
• Lie-flat seats
• Elevated onboard service
• Access to United Private Screening in-flight entertainment
• Luxury bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue
• Noise-reducing headphones

But the benefits don’t end there. Each United Polaris lounge also provides a selection of premium amenities.

United Polaris amenities

Here’s what you can expect to find inside a United Polaris lounge:

• Food: Free food is often one of the main reasons you might want to access an airport lounge, though Polaris lounges go above and beyond providing simple snacks. You have multiple dining options, including helping yourself to food at the buffet or ordering a full meal (or a la carte dining) in a private dining space. Dining service typically includes a menu with options for appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
• Beverages: Polaris lounges have many beverage options, including a selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. This could include cocktails from the bar, a glass of champagne from the dining room, or an espresso prepared by a lounge attendant.
• Space: Part of the appeal of any lounge is to get away from the overcrowded waiting areas by airport gates. United Polaris lounges are typically designed to be large and open, offering plenty of space to spread out. For example, the San Francisco (SFO) United Polaris lounge clocks in at over 28,000 square feet.
• Comfortable seating: Choose from a variety of comfortable seating options throughout each Polaris lounge. This could include dining areas for individuals or groups, private pods, bar seating, and more.
• Showers: Want to freshen up before your flight? Try out one of the available shower suites with exclusive products made for United by Sunday Riley. Shower rooms have to be reserved, so be sure to put your name on the list soon after arriving.
• Daybeds: For a potentially more comfortable and private setting, check out the daybed area. Each daybed is available in a private room and comes with a pillow, blanket, and other amenities.
• Overall ambiance: Polaris lounges aren’t your typical airport lounge offerings. Expect marble countertops, backlit counters, and tasteful decor. In other words, a premium product reserved for premium passengers.

Where to find United Polaris lounges

Find United Polaris lounges at these airport locations:

• Chicago O’Hare International (ORD): Located inside security in Terminal 1, Concourse C near gate C18.
• Houston Intercontinental (IAH): Located inside security in Terminal E next to gate E12.
• Los Angeles International (LAX): Located inside security in Terminal 7 between gates 73 and 75A.
• Newark Liberty International (EWR): Located inside security in Terminal C near gate C120.
• San Francisco International (SFO): Located inside security in International Terminal G on the right after security.
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD): Located inside security in Concourse C next to gate C18.

United Airlines also plans to open Polaris lounges in these international locations:

• London (LHR)
• Hong Kong (HKG)
• Tokyo (NRT)

How to access United Polaris lounges

Access to United Polaris lounges is reserved for United Polaris business class passengers on long-haul international flights and Star Alliance first or business class passengers on long-haul international flights.

Access is typically available whether you pay for your eligible fare with cash or rewards.

Polaris passengers can access Polaris lounges at departure, on connections, and upon arrival. Qualifying Star Alliance passengers can only access Polaris lounges at the departure airport. You typically aren’t permitted to bring in guests, though qualifying Star Alliance first class passengers are allowed one guest.

What counts as “Polaris” or “long-haul international”?

Being able to access United Polaris lounges requires specific Polaris or Star Alliance first or business class boarding passes. But not all United business fares are counted as Polaris. And not all Star Alliance first or business class fares will get you into a Polaris lounge.

United Polaris is available on trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic flights, as well as flights from the U.S. to these South American cities:

• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Lima, Peru
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• São Paulo, Brazil
• Santiago, Chile

Other United international routes — including to Guam, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, and Ecuador — are considered United Business (not Polaris) and would grant access to United Club lounges.

Star Alliance first or business class fares from the U.S. to Asia, Europe, and select South American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru) typically qualify for access to United Polaris lounges.

How to use credit cards to access United Polaris lounges

Credit cards won’t directly give you access to United Polaris lounges. This means there’s no credit card perk or benefit that would allow you to access a Polaris lounge on its own.

However, it’s possible to use certain travel credit cards to earn valuable rewards. You could then redeem your points or miles toward a ticket that grants you access to United Polaris lounges. You might even be able to redeem rewards toward a Polaris or other qualifying upgrade to gain lounge access.

Here are a few top credit card options that could help you nab Polaris lounge access.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

Annual fee: $95

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Rewards rate: 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to more than a dozen travel partners. This includes loyalty programs from Star Alliance members such as United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Air Canada.

Check out our Chase Sapphire Preferred review to learn more.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Annual fee: $395

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Rewards rate: 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns miles that can be transferred to more than a dozen travel partners. This includes Star Alliance partners such as Air Canada, Avianca, and Turkish Airlines.

This card also offers access to over 1,300 Priority Pass and Capital One lounges worldwide.

Read our Capital One Venture X review for more details.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Annual fee: $695

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months

Rewards rate: 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases

The Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel card that earns Membership Rewards points. These points can be transferred to more than a dozen Amex travel partners, including including Delta Air Lines SkyMiles.

This card also offers access to more than 1,400 airport lounges within the Centurion Lounge, Priority Pass, Escape Lounge, and other airport lounge networks. Select benefits require enrollment.

Check out our Amex Platinum review for more information.

United℠ Explorer Card

Annual fee: $95 (waived first year)

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open (limited-time offer)

Rewards rate: 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays and 1x mile on all other purchases

The United℠ Explorer Card earns United MileagePlus miles, which could be redeemed toward a United Polaris award flight. This card also offers a free checked bag and two United Club one-time passes each account anniversary.

Read our United Explorer review to learn more about this card.

Other credit card options that could indirectly offer United Polaris lounge access include:

• Aeroplan^® Credit Card
• American Express^® Gold Card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve^®
• United Gateway℠ Card
• United Quest℠ Card
• United Club℠ Infinite Card
• United℠ Business Card

Other United lounge options

United Polaris lounges are few in number and not typically accessible by most travelers. But United also offers United Club locations with looser access policies. United Clubs can be found in more than 45 locations, including New York (LGA), Atlanta (ATL), and San Francisco (SFO).

Here are the primary ways to access United Club lounges:

• Fly in a qualifying United or Star Alliance international premium cabin
• Have Star Alliance Gold elite status
• Have a United Club membership
• Have a United Club one-time pass
• Be an active duty member of the U.S. military
• Have an Air Canada Maple Leaf Club membership
• Be a Virgin Australia Velocity Gold, Platinum, or VIP member

Keep in mind that you also typically need a same-day Star Alliance boarding pass in addition to one of the above qualifications.

Having United credit cards is likely one of the easiest ways to access United Clubs for many travelers. For example, the United Explorer Card offers two one-time United Club passes each account anniversary. And the United Club Infinite Card offers a United Club membership, providing the primary Cardmember and eligible travel companions with access to all United Club locations and participating Star Alliance™ affiliated lounges worldwide.

FAQs

Bottom line

United Polaris lounges are considered very nice airport lounges. Even the restrooms have great reviews from passengers. But access is typically limited to United Polaris or qualifying Star Alliance first or business class passengers.

Even having a top-tier travel credit card won’t get you access unless you use it to purchase an eligible ticket. Using this strategy could net you valuable rewards while also getting you into an exclusive lounge offering. Check out our dedicated page to compare credit cards and find an offer that suits you.

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