United Premier Access: Airports With Exclusive Lounges And Services

United Premier Access is a service offered by United Airlines to enhance the travel experience of its customers. It provides expedited airport services such as dedicated check-in counters, priority security lanes, and priority boarding privileges. This service is available at many airports, including Denver International Airport (DEN), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

With United Premier Access, travelers can bypass regular lines, saving valuable time at the airport. It also includes priority baggage handling, ensuring that checked luggage arrives promptly at the baggage claim. This service is particularly valuable for frequent flyers or those travelling with families or groups, as it offers a stress-free and fast airport experience.

United Premier Access: benefits and eligibility

United Premier Access is a service offered by United Airlines that provides passengers with a range of benefits to enhance their travel experience. These benefits are available at select airports and include dedicated check-in lines, exclusive security lanes, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling.

Benefits of United Premier Access:

• Dedicated airport check-in lines: Premier Access passengers can enjoy separate check-in counters, allowing them to skip the long queues and save time during the check-in process.
• Exclusive security lanes: At certain airports, Premier Access members have access to expedited security screening lanes, making the security process faster and more convenient.
• Priority boarding: Premier Access passengers are among the first to board the aircraft, ensuring they can settle into their seats and store their carry-on luggage with ease.
• Priority baggage handling: This benefit includes priority baggage drop-off and faster delivery at the destination airport, so Premier Access passengers can quickly move through the airport and begin their journey.

Eligibility for United Premier Access:

There are several ways to become eligible for United Premier Access:

• United Credit Card Membership: Holding specific United credit cards, such as the United Infinite Club Card or the United Explorer Card, grants Premier Access benefits to the primary cardmember and their companions travelling on the same reservation.
• United Elite Status: Passengers with United elite status, such as United Global Services members, automatically receive Premier Access privileges.
• Star Alliance Gold Status: Members of the Star Alliance Gold programme are eligible for Premier Access benefits when travelling on United Airlines.
• Purchase the Premier Access Add-on: For those who don't meet the above criteria, it is possible to purchase Premier Access as an add-on during the booking process or at the airport.

Airports with United Premier Access Lanes:

While the specific airports offering Premier Access security lanes may change over time, here is a list of airports that have been mentioned as providing Premier Access in recent forum discussions:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS)
• Baltimore-Washington International (BWI)
• Brussels, Belgium (BRU)
• Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
• Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
• Melbourne, Australia (MEL)
• Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)
• New York LaGuardia (LGA)
• New York/Newark (EWR)
• Panama City, Panama (PTY)
• Portland, Oregon (PDX)
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ)
• Quebec City, QC Canada (YQB)
• Raleigh-Durham (RDU)
• Salt Lake City (SLC)
• Singapore, Singapore (SIN)
• Sydney, Australia (SYD)
• Washington Dulles (IAD)
• Washington National (DCA)
• West Palm Beach (PBI)

Please note that the availability of Premier Access security lanes may vary, and it is always a good idea to check with the specific airport or United Airlines directly for the most up-to-date information.

Premier Access at Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the busiest airports in the world, generating over $36 billion for the region annually. The airport has two security checkpoint areas in the Terminal to access all airline gates: West security on Level 6, and South security on Level 5.

West Security

The West TSA Checkpoint has new technology, and passengers' screening experience will be a bit different. There are separate lanes for different types of passengers, including:

• Standard lanes: For standard screening travellers.
• TSA PreCheck lanes: For travellers enrolled in the TSA PreCheck programme.
• CLEAR lane: For travellers enrolled in CLEAR, a separate membership programme that expedites the ID check process.
• Restricted Access lane: Accommodating Premium/Premier Access passengers, as well as those with accessibility and functional needs.

South Security

South Security also has dedicated lanes for Standard, TSA PreCheck, and Restricted Access (Premium/Premier Access and Accessibility/Functional Needs) travellers. Additionally, there is a premium security lane for passengers without PreCheck. This lane is located between the Clear and regular lanes and is marked with a black sign indicating "premium passengers."

Premier Access Benefits

Premier Access is a service offered by United Airlines to provide expedited airport services. Benefits typically include dedicated check-in lines, exclusive security lanes at select airports, priority bag handling, and priority boarding. These benefits are available to passengers flying in United Polaris, first or business class, or those with United elite status, Star Alliance Gold status, or an eligible United credit card. Passengers can also purchase the Premier Access add-on.

Premier Access at Washington Dulles International Airport

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is a hub for United Airlines, with the carrier solely occupying services to/from Concourses C and D. The airport has a main terminal with five concourses (A, B, C, D, and Z) connected by the AeroTrain.

Premier Access Lounges

IAD has several VIP lounges operated by the airlines. United Premier Gold, Platinum, 1K, Global Services or Star Alliance Gold members can access the following lounges:

• United Club
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Club
• Capital One Lounge
• Lufthansa Business Lounge
• British Airways Galleries Lounge
• Turkish Airlines Lounge
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

Security Checkpoints

There are three TSA Security Checkpoints at IAD: East, West, and TSA Pre✓™. All are accessed from the Departures - Ticketing/Check-In Level.

The TSA Pre✓™ lane is available daily from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The East Security Checkpoint operates from 3:45 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and the West Security Checkpoint operates from 4:45 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

CLEAR is also available at Washington Dulles. It is a registered travellers' program that allows members to bypass the traditional document review at the Security Checkpoints. CLEAR kiosks for enrolled passengers are available at the lower-level East Security Checkpoint and the entrance of the TSA Precheck on the Ticketing Level of the Terminal.

Global Entry Program

IAD has Global Entry kiosks for approved passengers. There's an Enrollment Center at the west end of the main terminal on the arrivals level, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Premier Access at Newark Liberty International Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is a major hub for United Airlines, which operates from each of the airport's three terminals and has sole occupation of Terminal C. The airport offers a range of amenities, including dining, shopping, and lounges, catering to the needs of domestic and international travellers.

Inter-terminal Transport

Although none of the airport's three terminals are physically connected, it's easy to travel between them and the parking garages by hopping on the regular AirTrain service. United Airlines also operates a courtesy shuttle bus to transport Star Alliance passengers between terminals.

Security and Customs at EWR

There are six security checkpoints at Newark Airport—one in Terminal A, three in Terminal B, and two in Terminal C. The airport also has dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at each checkpoint in Terminals A, B, and C. Global Entry kiosks are available to expedite clearance for passengers arriving on international flights.

Lounges

EWR has 10+ lounges, with some exclusively for passengers flying in premium cabins or for elite-tier frequent flyer members, and some available to purchase day passes. Terminal C, operated solely by United Airlines, has a United Polaris Lounge and two United Club Lounges.

Dining and Drinks

EWR has 150+ restaurants, bars, cafes, and grab-and-go food outlets. The majority of restaurants are past security, but there is also a reasonable selection of places to grab a coffee or quick bite pre-security, especially in Terminal B.

Premier Access Benefits

Passengers flying in United's Premium Plus receive Premier Access, which offers dedicated airport check-in lines, exclusive security lanes at select airports, priority bag handling, and priority boarding.

Premier Access: is it worth it?

United Airlines' Premier Access is a package of benefits that can make your next trip a bit more luxurious. However, whether it's worth it depends on which perks you'll utilise and how much you have to spend.

• Access to designated airport check-in lanes
• Access to exclusive security lanes
• Priority boarding privileges
• Priority baggage handling

If you're a United Club Infinite cardholder, a United elite traveller, or already have expedited security, then Premier Access might not be worth purchasing.

You also won't find a lot of value in Premier Access if you already have expedited security privileges such as TSA Precheck, Clear, or Global Entry. Many times, the security lines for expedited screening move much faster than the lines for designated check-in.

If you prefer to check in online or via the United Airlines app and usually travel light, you won't benefit from designated check-in lanes or priority baggage handling services.

The cost of Premier Access varies depending on the airport and the time of year. It can range from $24 to almost $70.

Premier Access priority check-in is available at all airports where United flies. However, priority security lines are only offered at select airports, including:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS)
• Baltimore-Washington International (BWI)
• Brussels, Belgium (BRU)
• Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
• Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
• Melbourne, Australia (MEL)
• Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)
• New York LaGuardia (LGA)
• New York/Newark (EWR)
• Panama City, Panama (PTY)
• Portland, Oregon (PDX)
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ)
• Quebec City, QC Canada (YQB)
• Raleigh-Durham (RDU)
• Salt Lake City (SLC)
• Singapore, Singapore (SIN)
• Sydney, Australia (SYD)
• Washington Dulles (IAD)
• Washington National (DCA)
• West Palm Beach (PBI)

Who gets complimentary Premier Access?

Complimentary United Premier Access is available to:

• Members of the airline's MileagePlus Premier loyalty program who hold Silver status or above
• Customers travelling in premium cabins, including United Polaris business class, United First, and United Business
• Star Alliance Gold members
• MileagePlus Club and Presidential Plus credit card holders

Final thoughts

If you're looking for an upgraded experience when flying United Airlines but aren't ready to shell out for first class, Premier Access might be worth considering. However, it's important to weigh the benefits against the cost and your individual needs to determine if it's the right choice for you.

Frequently asked questions