Jazmin Li
United Airlines offers several ways to access its airport lounges, including purchasing a membership, holding elite status, or possessing the right credit card. Notably, United Clubs are membership lounges, and a standard domestic first-class ticket does not typically grant access. However, certain international and premium transcontinental business or first-class tickets may provide entry to United Club lounges at departure, arrival, or connecting locations. Star Alliance Gold members can access United Clubs when travelling internationally on United or any Star Alliance member airline, and they are entitled to bring one guest. United Polaris lounges are also accessible to those travelling on long-haul international flights in business or first class with United Polaris or a Star Alliance partner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lounge access with a first-class ticket | Lounge access is available with a first-class ticket on international or premium transcontinental flights. Standard domestic first-class tickets do not provide lounge access. |
| Guest policy | Guests are allowed for those travelling first class with a Star Alliance partner airline. The guest must be travelling on the same flight. |
| Lounge locations | United Club lounges are available at departure, arrival, and connecting locations. United Polaris lounges are available at Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington. |
| Membership | Annual memberships are available for purchase, providing unlimited lounge access. Membership cards must be presented for entry. |
| Other access methods | Lounge access is also granted to active U.S. military personnel, Star Alliance Gold members, and those with eligible credit cards. |
Explore related products
$16.98 $26.99
What You'll Learn
United Club membership
If you're a frequent flyer with United, a United Club membership may be worth considering, especially since United Clubs do not accept Priority Pass. An annual United Club membership costs a minimum of $750. Alternatively, you can apply for the United Club Business Card or the New United Club Card, which both offer complimentary membership for United Clubs at a lower annual fee of $695.
If you have good credit and are below Chase's 5/24 rule, applying for one of United's credit cards that offer lounge access is a cheaper alternative to buying a membership outright. Another option is to purchase a United Club℠ Business Card or The New United Club℠ Card, which both offer a complimentary membership to United Clubs.
Buying Train Tickets: Gatwick Airport Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Star Alliance Gold status
Gold Status customers can access any member airline lounge at the airport where their flight departs, regardless of their class of travel. This includes United Clubs, but only when departing on an international Star Alliance flight, not on a domestic flight with United. To access a lounge, customers must present their boarding pass, which must be for a Star Alliance member airline-operated flight departing that day or by 5:00 am the next morning. If the boarding pass does not carry the Star Alliance Gold indicator, customers must also show their valid Star Alliance Gold card. Additionally, Gold Status customers are entitled to bring one guest travelling on a Star Alliance flight departing from the same airport on the same day.
Priority airport check-in is another benefit of Star Alliance Gold Status. Customers can skip the lines and check in quicker by presenting their boarding pass at priority counters displaying the Star Alliance Gold symbol. Gold Status customers also receive priority baggage handling, meaning their bags are among the first on and off the plane. They can also take an extra 20 kg (44 pounds) or an extra piece of luggage, where applicable.
There are various ways to earn Star Alliance Gold Status. For example, MileagePlus members who have achieved Premier Gold and above in United's elite status programme receive Star Alliance Gold Status. To earn Premier Gold status, travellers must earn 8,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) or take 24 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) while earning 10,000 PQPs. Air Canada members receive Star Alliance Gold benefits once they have achieved Aeroplan 50K status by spending $6,000 Status Qualifying Dollars (SQDs) and either flying 50 Status Qualifying Segments (SQSs) or 50,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQMs). Star Alliance member airlines also periodically offer promotions where customers can earn additional miles or elite status credits.
Traveling with Treats: Homemade Cookies and Airport Security
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$19.99 $24.99
$149.99 $199.99
$169.99 $239.99
$28.99 $54.99
International or premium transcontinental business or first class ticket
If you have an international or premium transcontinental business or first-class ticket with United Airlines, you can access the United Club lounges at the departure, arrival, or connecting airport. However, there are some restrictions for domestic first-class passengers travelling within the United States, where domestic first-class customers do not have access to United's Club lounges.
United Club lounges offer a quieter environment than the airport terminal and provide complimentary food and drinks, comfortable seating, and Wi-Fi. There are currently over 45 United Club locations, six United Polaris lounges, and other partner lounges that eligible travellers can access.
United Polaris Lounges are available at Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington airports. They are considered among the best business-class lounges run by US airlines, with beautiful decor and excellent à la carte dining. Access to United Polaris Lounges is available to those travelling on a same-day United Polaris ticket or a long-haul Star Alliance partner first-class or business-class ticket, although guests are not usually allowed.
There are several ways to gain access to United Club lounges, including purchasing a membership, having elite status, using day passes, or obtaining the right credit card. An annual United Club membership costs a minimum of $750, or you can get the United Club Business Card or the New United Club Card, both of which offer complimentary membership. United Club members have access to over 45 lounges, while Priority Pass offers more than 1,700 lounges worldwide.
United Club Fly is a scaled-down version of the standard United Club lounge, offering grab-and-go food and drinks for those who don't have time to stay in the lounge. There are currently locations in Denver and Houston.
Dublin Airport Visa Options: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$29.99 $31.99
$39.98
$28.79 $35.99
United Polaris business class ticket
United Polaris business class is the airline's top-tier offering. It provides passengers with a range of perks, including comfortable lie-flat seats, an in-flight ice cream sundae, and an amenity kit with an eye serum, face spray, hand cream, lip balm, and more. One of the standout features of United Polaris is access to the United Club lounges at the departure airport. These lounges offer a quiet space to relax, work, dine, or drink, and there are currently over 45 locations worldwide.
There are a few ways to gain access to United Club lounges. One way is to purchase a United Club membership, which costs at least $750 annually. Alternatively, you can apply for one of United's credit cards that offers lounge access, such as the United Club Business Card or the New United Club Card, both of which have an annual fee of $695. Holding a United co-branded credit card can also help you rack up points to redeem for a Polaris ticket. Additionally, if you are a United Premier Gold elite status member or higher, you can access United Club lounges when flying internationally.
It is important to note that United's only arrivals lounge is at London's Heathrow airport, and access is restricted to United Polaris business-class passengers who arrive before noon on a same-day ticket. There is no guest access for day pass holders or United Club members at this location.
Overall, United Polaris business class offers a range of benefits, including lounge access, to enhance your travel experience and ensure you arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to explore.
Athens Airport: Can You Exchange Currency?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$29.98 $56.99
$29.44 $39.89
United Airlines elite status
United Airlines' elite status program is called MileagePlus Premier. The program has four status levels, each with its own set of perks, such as free upgrades, extra baggage allowance, and lounge access. The specific perks vary by tier.
To achieve elite status, you need to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) or a combination of PQP and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF). One PQF is equivalent to one flight. The number of PQPs required for each status level was increased in 2025: Premier Silver requires 300 PQPs, while Premier Gold requires 600 PQPs.
United also offers an invitation-only elite level called Global Services, which is extended to customers who spend a significant amount of money with the airline. The qualification requirements for this level are not publicly available, but those who attain it receive benefits that surpass those offered to Premier 1Ks.
Regarding lounge access, United has over 45 United Club lounges, six United Polaris lounges, and partner lounges accessible to eligible customers. United Club membership provides access to these lounges, and there are various ways to obtain membership. Purchasing a membership directly is one option, with an annual fee of at least $750. Alternatively, you can apply for specific United credit cards, such as the United Club Business Card or the New United Club Card, which offer complimentary lounge membership.
Flying in certain ticket classes or holding elite status can also grant lounge access. For instance, flying United Polaris business class or holding United Gold or Star Alliance Gold status allows entry into United Clubs. However, it's important to note that United Silver elites do not have lounge access. Additionally, United's lounges have specific rules regarding guest access. While Star Alliance Gold customers can bring one eligible guest, United Club Fly locations do not permit guests.
Zamzam Water: Buying Options at Madinah Airport
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can access United Club lounges with a first-class ticket on a Star Alliance member airline. However, this does not apply to domestic and regional tickets in the US.
You can access United Polaris lounges with a first-class ticket on a Star Alliance airline, but only at the international departure gateway airport.
Yes, you can bring one guest to the United Club and Polaris lounges if you are flying first class with a Star Alliance airline.
You can access United lounges by purchasing a membership, having elite status, using a day pass, or having the right credit card.
