Using Miles For Lounge Access: Is It Possible?

can you use ua miles to enter airport lounges

Airport lounges offer a peaceful environment with food and drinks, away from the chaos of the airport terminal. While some lounges are exclusive to first-class flyers, there are several ways to access airport lounges using miles or loyalty points. For example, American Airlines offers day passes to its Admirals Clubs for 7,900 AAdvantage miles, while an annual membership costs 85,000 miles. United Airlines also offers single-entry passes to its United Clubs for $59 or $750 for an annual membership, which can also be purchased with 94,000 MileagePlus miles. United Club passes can also be earned through certain United credit cards. Additionally, Star Alliance Gold members can access United Clubs when travelling on an international Star Alliance flight, and some lounges are accessible with a valid Star Alliance Gold Card and a same-day boarding pass for a Star Alliance flight.

Characteristics Values
United Airlines lounge access Available to those traveling on the same day on a United Polaris ticket or a Star Alliance partner ticket
United Airlines lounge access for Star Alliance Gold customers Access to third-party contract lounges at airports where neither a Star Alliance-branded lounge nor a Star Alliance member carrier offers a lounge
United Airlines lounge access for MileagePlus members Annual membership starting at $525 with unlimited visits to the United Club and participating Star Alliance lounges
United Airlines lounge access for MileagePlus elite members Day passes available for $59
United Airlines lounge access for Star Alliance Gold members Access to United Clubs within the U.S. when departing on an international Star Alliance flight
United Airlines lounge access for Star Alliance passengers Access to the lounge at the departure airport
United Airlines lounge access for United passengers Access to the lounge at departing, connecting, and arrival airports
United Airlines lounge access for United MileagePlus Premier Gold, Platinum, or 1K status members Access to United Clubs at the departure airport on an international Star Alliance flight
United Airlines lounge access for Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members Access to United Clubs when flying on any Star Alliance carrier (domestic or international)
United Airlines lounge access for military personnel Complimentary access to United Club locations

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United Airlines' MileagePlus Star Alliance Gold members can access lounges

United Airlines offers its customers various ways to access its airport lounges. One way is through its MileagePlus programme, where Star Alliance Gold members can access lounges.

Star Alliance Gold customers can access United Clubs within the U.S. when departing on an international Star Alliance flight. This is only valid when the customer's boarding pass for a Star Alliance member airline-operated flight displays their Star Alliance Gold status. If the boarding pass does not show this, customers must present a valid Star Alliance Gold card alongside their boarding pass.

United Airlines permits Star Alliance Gold customers to bring one eligible guest into the lounge. The guest must be travelling on the same Star Alliance flight departing from the same local airport as the customer.

It is important to note that United Airlines does not allow its elite members to use its lounges on domestic U.S. flights. This restriction applies to both United Airlines and other U.S. carriers.

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United Club membership and day passes are available for purchase

If you don't want to commit to a full year, you can also purchase a one-time pass for $59. These can be bought in person or through United's mobile app. Starting May 1, 2025, you can only access the lounge within three hours of your scheduled departure, and only at a connecting airport. One-time pass holders will not be able to access United Club Fly locations after that date and can only bring children under 2 for free.

There are other ways to access United Clubs as well. For example, if you fly a lot with United and earn United Premier Gold elite status (or higher), you will get access to United Club lounges when flying internationally on United or a Star Alliance airline. You can also access United Clubs if you are flying United Polaris or business class on international flights, United business class on transcontinental flights, or business class on a Star Alliance airline. If you are a United MileagePlus Star Alliance Gold customer, you may access the United Clubs within the U.S. when departing from that airport on an international Star Alliance flight.

Finally, you can also get access to United Clubs through certain United credit cards. Some cards offer guest passes, while others provide a United Club membership.

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Star Alliance Gold customers can bring one guest

As a Star Alliance Gold customer, you are entitled to bring one guest into the lounge with you. The guest must be travelling on the same Star Alliance flight as you, departing from the same local airport. The guest must enter the lounge with you and present a boarding pass for the same Star Alliance flight. This applies to both revenue and non-revenue customers.

It is important to note that some lounges have different rules regarding guests. For example, United Polaris Lounges do not allow guests, regardless of the customer's status. Additionally, some member airlines offer exclusive lounges for their ultra-premium customers, which may have different guest policies.

To access a Star Alliance lounge, you must present a valid Star Alliance Gold membership card and a same-day boarding pass for a flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline departing from the same airport. If you are a United MileagePlus Star Alliance Gold customer, you can only access United Clubs within the US when departing on an international Star Alliance flight, not on a domestic flight with United.

There are various ways to access United Clubs, including purchasing a day pass or annual membership, credit card benefits, or Star Alliance status. United Club passes can be purchased directly at the lounge or through the United app, and some United credit cards offer United Club passes as a perk. It is important to note that United Club passes are only valid at United Clubs and not at other Star Alliance lounges.

Overall, as a Star Alliance Gold customer, you can bring one guest into the lounge with you, provided they are travelling on the same Star Alliance flight from the same local airport.

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United Airlines' credit cards offer United Club passes as a perk

United Airlines offers several credit cards that provide United Club passes as a perk. These include:

The New United℠ Explorer Card

This card offers two United Club℠ passes per year when the primary cardmember or authorized user is travelling. It also provides valuable United Airlines perks, such as in-flight purchase discounts, priority boarding, and the ability to earn elite status credit through credit card spending. The first checked bag is free when the flight is paid for with the card.

United ClubSM Card

This card offers four United ClubSM one-time passes, two free checked bags, Premier Access travel services, and over $875 in new annual partner credits. There is also a limited-time offer to earn 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after qualifying purchases.

The New United Club Business Card

This card is a great fit for business travellers seeking luxury perks with United Airlines. It offers unlimited United Club access, priority security screening, and the opportunity to boost elite status through credit card spending. Cardholders can also enjoy Premier Access perks, including priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling, and security screening.

It is important to note that United Club pass restrictions apply. Cardholders can no longer share their two annual United Club one-time passes. The passes can still be used for guests, but an authorized user or the primary cardholder must be present. Additionally, United Club membership no longer includes Star Alliance lounge access unless you qualify for (or pay for) an All Access membership.

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United Airlines' annual membership includes unlimited lounge visits

United Airlines offers its customers various ways to access its lounges. One way is to purchase a membership, which comes in two tiers: Standard Plus and Prestige. The Standard Plus membership costs $329 and includes 10 free visits, with each subsequent visit costing $35. The Prestige membership costs $469 and offers unlimited visits.

United Airlines has recently made some changes to its United Club access policies, including introducing a new two-tier membership system. The first tier, costing $750 or 94,000 miles, offers unlimited access to all United Club locations for the primary member only. The second tier, called the 'All Access' membership, costs $1,400 or 175,000 miles and offers unlimited access to all United Club locations for the primary member and up to two guests. This membership also includes access to all Star Alliance member lounges and other select partner lounges.

It's worth noting that United Airlines lounges are not exclusive to frequent flyers or business travelers. Casual flyers can also enjoy the perks of lounge access. For example, those flying United Polaris or business class on international flights, United business class on transcontinental flights, or business class on a Star Alliance airline can access United Club lounges at the departure airport. Additionally, active U.S. military members can visit United Club locations if they are flying on United or United Express and have a boarding pass for travel within 24 hours, along with valid military ID and other required documents.

United Airlines also offers credit cards that provide United Club passes as a perk. For example, primary cardholders of certain United credit cards receive two United Club passes annually. These passes are valid for 12 months and can be shown to an agent through the United app or printed from the customer's MileagePlus account.

Frequently asked questions

You can access a United Club lounge with an annual membership, which costs $750 or 94,000 MileagePlus miles. You can also purchase a one-time pass for $59.

Yes, you can bring one guest, provided they are flying on a Star Alliance flight the same day. Children under two can accompany you at no additional cost.

You can access the lounge with a United Club Infinite Card, which costs $525 annually. You can also purchase a United Club pass through the United app or directly at the lounge. Some United credit cards also offer United Club passes as a perk.

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