For starters, if you're looking to freshen up before or after a flight, you're in luck: This lounge has some of the nicest shower suites you'll find in an airport, bar none. But where does the United Polaris Lounge Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) fit in compared to bigger hubs like the Newark Polaris Lounge, Houston's Polaris Lounge, or the one in San Francisco? If you are flying on a Star Alliance partner in business or first class, you can access this lounge only if you are departing from this airport. While you may not be able to purchase a day pass or flash a credit card to get into a United Polaris lounge, there are several ways to gain entrance by flying in Polaris class even if you didnt originally book a Polaris fare. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Fortunately, there are a few other ways to enjoy all the Polaris amenities, even if you didnt book a Polaris fare from the get-go. Previously, she led NerdWallet's travel rewards content team and spent three years editing for Upgraded Points while self-employed as an editor and writing coach. Your best bet would be to visit the United Club and purchase guest passes for your family. Then again, seeing how busy it got as my visit wrapped up, I'm not sure they could afford to sacrifice the square footage . The Polaris Lounge welcomes exclusively United Polaris business and first class customers, as well as Star Alliance premium passengers departing on international flights (Canada and Mexico excluded.). 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Regardless, it is definitely the best lounge for any US airline. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. While the buffet will remain, you can now order off a menu [] Walk in with your boarding pass ready, chat up an agent at the check-in desk, and you'll be inside in no time. See our Advertiser Disclosurefor more details. I have been given conflicting information as well. They may be a case of style over function, thoughwe would prefer a more traditional, fully-flat day bed. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. As part of my whirlwind trip between Rio de Janeiro and Boston, I found myself flying 3 different airlines and visiting about a half-dozen airport lounges. There are no United Polaris lounge day passes. After a brief wait and then a quick scan of my boarding pass, I was quickly escorted back to one of seven shower suites. There is also a complimentary full-service restauranta unique amenity among domestic carriers, which places United above the competition when it comes to ground services. Do note, though, that not all tickets are available for an upgrade. If you're departing on a United long-haul flight (or departing on another United flight after landing from a Polaris long-haul journey) you're in luck: The United Polaris Lounge Chicago is located in United's Terminal 1. I am finding that I probably made a mistake getting the United Club chase card this past year. Weve done the walk when we checked out the *Alliance lounge in TBIT. But even with a footprint of 16,000 square feet and change, it may not be big enough to handle the influx of travelers heading somewhere abroad. Polaris lounges feature additional amenities like daybeds, shower suites and gourmet dining options. After being closed for a good chunk of the pandemic, Polaris Lounges across the country have all reopened, and business class flyers with tickets on United or other Star Alliance carriers are flooding back into these exclusive lounges as international travel ramps back up. I have the same question but for OS biz this summer. Are you sure you're departing from Terminal 5? You may have access to United Polaris Lounge as a premium customer of one of the following airlines, or as an elite member of their frequent flyer program. Click here to see a list of advertisers that we work with. You could see some of the ceiling paint clearly peeling, but otherwise these shower suites were in perfect shape. The United Polaris Lounge at Chicago OHare boasts a grand dimly lit entryway with a backlit marble reception desk, and a lighting sculpture by Wolfgang Buttress inspired by theChicago street network. Starting with the lit-from-within check-in desk! What days are United Polaris Lounge open? Read more. Given the opportunity, I would happily spend an extended amount of time in this lounge. After a meal and a cocktail, you may want to rest before your flight. SAS Lounge Chicago O'Hare. I'm flying Polaris NRT - LAX on March 1 and LAX - LAS on March 5th as part of the same booking. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. The lounge is 16,300 square feet, putting it in the middle of the pack as far as size goes. United Club members, United Club one-time pass holders, andMileagePlus elite members traveling in economymay not use Polaris lounges unless they meet one of the access conditions. United Polaris Lounge Chicago Quiet Suites (Sleeping Rooms) Four daybeds are available. Kiosk check-in/customer service center Ticketing/check-in Baggage claim Immigration Animal relief area United Polaris lounge United Club SM location United Premier check-in Nursing room On the bright side, Terminals 1-3 at O'Hare are connected airside. In response to passenger feedback and in order to minimize noise, there is only a single television in the lounge behind the bar. Theres no way to enter them based on elite status, but rather these lounges are exclusively available to long haul first and business class passengers on Star Alliance airlines. 5 ways to gain United Polaris lounge access, Things to know about United Airlines lounge access. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. Alisha McDarris is a freelance travel writer and photographer. Dont have access? See all (121) Finally, in the back corner (and past the lounge's Dining Room) you'll find a large, quiet area with a few dozen armchairs. View all lounges in O'Hare International Airport. Just allow 30 mins. Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ). Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Ba galleries and virgin clubhouse do it in LHR. The 17 Best Websites, Apps, and Courses to Learn French Online, The 12 Best Cheap Hotels in Orlando, Florida [2023]. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The Polaris lounges in Houston and Newark can be a long, long walk to/from your gate. United Airlines opened its brand new Polaris lounge in October 2021, welcoming business travelers flying internationally. It was perfectly cooked, topped with a simple but elegant garnish, and drizzled with a tangy lemon caper butter sauce that really tied the whole dish together. on long-haul international flights are allowed complimentary lounge access before departure, during connections and upon arrival. We are going through ORD on a flight this summer and will have access to this lounge. Additionally, there are self-service refrigerators with juices, sodas, and waters available. As expected, the amenities list at the United Polaris lounge at ORD is quite comprehensive. The Polaris Lounge was primarily designed with the solo business traveler in mind: a highlight of the lounge is the numerous semi-private seats that feature personal lighting, USB and power outlets, a coat hook, and a pull-out marble tray that can be used for laptops or eating. Flying United business class out of Chicago is a treat for one reason and one reason alone: The United Polaris Lounge Chicago. There are lots of touches and references to things celestial and starry throughout the lounge. Got a question about United Polaris Lounge? The lounge offers showers, sleeping pods, food, drinks, and plenty of. If you want something softer, you can find two dedicated beverage stations on either end of the lounge. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. The United Polaris lounges are only available to international business-class or first-class travelers on United or Star Alliance partners. These lounges offer dining through a hot and cold buffet, as well as drinks like wine, spirits, craft beer and cocktails. Everything here is first come, first served there's no way to reserve a shower in advance. Travelers have access to a Concierge who can help with any request, from dinner reservations to tickets to entertainment events. Guests traveling long haul business class generally have higher expectations of the airport experience than whats otherwise offered from domestic airline lounges, so thats why United has created this network of lounges. And there's also a toilet inside each suite. Top notch lounge. With complimentary meals, a unique cocktail selection, private pods, luxurious shower suites, pressing service and concierge service, the United Polaris Lounge is the best airline club at Chicago OHare. I was only using my phone for social media purposes, so nothing too heavy, but I was able to upload photos and videos with ease. If there's one glaring absence at the United Polaris Lounge Chicago, it's that there's no private work rooms or phone booths. The Chicago location was the first in a burgeoning network of Polaris Lounges, which will eventuallyinclude clubs at all United hubs and international focus cities. Safe travels! The access requirements for United Polaris Lounges are very strict. It's great that these restrooms have lights to show whether they're open (green) or occupied (red). The United Polaris Lounge Newark is open daily from 5AM until 10:30PM, and its located in Terminal C, between gates C102 and C120. I already have a flight scheduled for next year that will bring me and my family through the lounge and they are looking forward to it as much as I am because I havent stopped talking about how good the lounge is. If I am flying Turkish Airlines business class on a (15) Hour flight departing from Chicago, do I need anything additional to access the lounge? However, there are much better options available. Isn't that underlighting at each desk classy? Let me explain why. The bathrooms themselves are nice, fairly large, and private. There are a few ways of getting Polaris lounge access even if you didn't originally book a Polaris fare. Make sure to check for any entry requirements before your trip. The United Polaris lounge in Chicago is located in Terminal 1, Concourse C next to gate C18. It is open daily from 7:00AM to 9:00PM. Cleveland (between Gates C14 and C16). When I walked into the lounge around 9 a.m. on a weekday, there was hardly a soul in sight. You have to be a PAID business class passenger, no miles. A staff member will be happy to fetch you ahead of your flight should you wish to indulge in a nap. Some travelers can even enjoy free upgrades, including to United Polaris class, which will grant you access to a Polaris lounge. The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. From the space itself to the amenities to dining facilities and high-end finishes, it blows every other airport lounge at Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) out of the water and it's not even close. They're stocked with Sunday Riley toiletries, which are pretty high quality for an airport lounge. For me, the problem with nice lounges is that no matter where I decide to sit I will always think that there is probably a nicer seat available somewhere else and that was no different here because there were so many seating options. The Dining Room serves breakfast until 11 a.m., at which point the menu switches over to lunch and dinner. Your email address will not be published. All rights reserved. Servers roam the room offering drinks, and staff members offer proactive assistance. And by 3 p.m. or so, as many international departures drew near, it was difficult to find an open seat, period. I'm curious if anyone knows what the rules are for a multi-city itinerary? The airline is touting its first lounge, at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, as the only one of . At 28,128 square feet, featuring 440 seats, and spanning across two stories, the lounge is almost three times larger than the former United Club it replaces, twice as large as the Polaris Lounge at Chicago O'Hare, and sports some of the airport's best views.. We are flying United from DTW to ORD. Relax and unwind in the brand new Polaris Lounge. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard. The experience starts on the ground at the beautiful Polaris lounges. So how do we make money? We never share or resell your information. Clearing security might require a boarding pass departing from the terminal. While award tickets arent normally eligible for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards. Essentials such as combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower caps and shaving kits, are available upon request. Answer is no. If the food was good but the service was bad, I certainly would not have enjoyed my visit as much as I did. The lounge is 16,300 square feet, putting it in the middle of the pack as far as size goes. The lounge is 28,000 square feet, making it the largest Polaris Lounge. There's also dedicated drink and dessert menus available in the dining room, though I forgot to snap a picture of those. So while you could get into the Polaris Lounge if you've got a Turkish Airlines business class ticket or flying TAP Air Portugal business class, it's a major headache. So as I found out firsthand ahead of my first-ever United Polaris business class flight over to London-Heathrow (LHR), when this lounge gets busy it getsreallybusy. Since I was short on time, the best option for me was actually in the dining room. Worth the hassle? If you fly United Airlines, youre probably at least somewhat familiar with its comfortable and spacious Polaris class: lie-flat seats, elevated dining options, bedding and plenty of comfortable amenities. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. (See full menu.). As I walked out of the lounge ahead of my 3:45 p.m. boarding time, the lounge was clearly near capacity. I honestly felt like I was eating at a fine-dining restaurant. The carrier re-opened its Polaris Lounge at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Wednesday, a United spokesperson told TPG. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get our daily email for the latest in travel, flight deals, and how airline?!. Can visit even flying out of T5, leave time for landside transfer to T5. So then, who can access United Polaris lounge? Austin (near Gate 22). The Glowing Check-In Desk. 1. With so many United international flights taking off from Chicago around 6 p.m., I imagine this lounge starts to empty out by 5 p.m. or so. United Polaris class flyers, premium cabin flyers on Star Alliance partner airlines, miles redemption upgraders, certain credit card holders and elite status members who snag a free upgrade. Chris has years of marketing and hospitalityexperience, so running the social media channels and writing about family travel is a natural fit for him here at Upgraded Points. We have a 5 hour layover in OHare. But depending on when you arrive and how hungry you are you'll want to beeline it straight to the back corner of the line and queue up forThe Dining Room. Polaris is what United calls its premium travel product, which extends beyond class of travel to encompass the entire travel experience: a personal on-board suite, sleep-centric amenities, upscale dining options and of course Uniteds Polaris lounge access. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. The Space. You can access United Polaris Lounges if youre traveling the same day on a United Polaris ticket: United Polaris Lounges are also open to premium cabin passengers traveling long haul on Star Alliance partners: The policy on connecting itineraries is an area where the Star Alliance lounge access policy is stingy compared to the oneworld lounge access policy. The Polaris Lounge at SFO is adjacent to the International G Gates security screening area, just before the escalators down to the hallway over to Terminal 3. All Polaris members can access United Clubs, but United Club members cannot access Polaris lounges. Breakfast Light Bites (served until 11 a.m.). Pair that with some strong Wi-Fi, and you could spend hours working in this lounge with no issues. United Club members and Star Alliance Gold membersdo not have access unless they are ticketed in business class, but may use one of the three United Clubs. Forget about finding call brands or familiar premium liquors: Seger and his mixology friends are offering new twists on familiar cocktails using craft liquors that will be exclusive to the Polaris Lounge. And if this was it at the United Polaris Lounge, it would still be better than even some of the top airport lounges in the country. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. The lounge is open daily from 7:15 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The design, layout, food, and service were all top-notch and better than almost anything you can find at a U.S. airport run by a U.S. airline and I didnt even get to experience everything they had to offer! American has its excellent Flagship Lounges like the Dallas Flagship Lounge, another step up from your standard airline club. American has its excellent Flagship Lounges like the Dallas Flagship Lounge, another step up from your standard airline club. Just make sure that if youre traveling with more than one other person, your party is comprised of more Premier members than nonmembers. Editorial Disclosure:The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. Leaving aside the lounge, there is really nothing interesting about that walk unless you are looking for steps on your Fitbit. No, all Polaris lounges across the country are reserved specifically for flyers in long-haul international business or first class on United or their Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa, SWISS, Turkish, TAP, and more. United Airlines' opened its first Polaris Lounge in Chicago O'Hare last month to complement its new Polaris onboard premium product. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. 10000 West O'Hare Avenida Near Gate C18, Chicago's O'Hare Airport, Chicago, IL 60666-6000 + Add phone number Website. If you'd like to add a comment to this article and share your valuable feedback and opinions, please click here to leave your comment. If youre looking to upgrade to business or first class on a Star Alliance flight using a Star Alliance Upgrade Award, not all flights are eligible. Learn more: Your guide to the Star Alliance. Let's look closer. Review: The Woodward Hotel Geneva, Oetker Collection. I was, after all, still planning on eating on my flight, too! Create a trip and let LoungeBuddy tell you which lounges you already have access to. Unfortunately, you cannot bring guests with you into the Polaris Lounge and passes are not available for purchase. Had the pleasure to use the IAD one a while back. The information related to the United Club Business Card (annual fee: $450) has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card. United's Chicago hub might not be as big as the likes of Newark (EWR), but it's still got 20-plus departures a day heading somewhere abroad. The fact that they don't is puzzling. But United Polaris Lounges are just another caliber and that means they're even harder to get into. And the starry sky lighting overhead is a nice touch. I started with a glass of Piper-Heidsieck 1785 Cuve Brut Champagne, which retails for about $50 per bottle. The space is elegant and functional, with several luxurious touches such as shower suites, relaxation rooms, private pods, and a-la-carte dining. Pressing service is available upon request: hang your clothes through the double door, and they will be returned to you wrinkle free while you freshen up. For those who want to watch some TV or prefer the movement of the bar, there are barstools along the gorgeous bar as well as small tables spread along the perimeter. United talking about improving in flight meal selections is like waiting for a new highway to be built. We have an extensive network of lounges around the world for you to visit. Pillows are already in the suite as well as a hydrating spray from Cowshed, ear plugs, eye shades, bottled water, and a phone charger that also can emit soothing sounds like rainfall or running water. Boston (near Gate B24). Much like the United Polaris Lounge Newark (EWR) and locations at other major United hubs, this lounge puts your standard airport lounge to shame. One of the highlights of my visit to the United Polaris lounge at ORD was the service I received from my waiter in The Dining Room. I am not sure if this is unique to LHR or if there are others in the network. Do not sell or share my personal information. Loved the dinner service and the showers are nice. But getting there could be a bit more complicated depending on which airline you're flying. They need to post meal options 24-48 hour prior to flight so you can ensure the meal you want. But you didnt come here to read about a buffet review, lets check out The Dining Room. Visited the IAD Polaris lounge last week, Very nice all around, did not got to the restaurant, the buffet was above decent, the bar, seating and restroom areas were well above par with other US domestic lounges and the staff were friendly and engaging with the caveat that it was maybe 25% full, that was the Polaris lounge and the UA terminal in generalnot a lot of international flights on the board I will chalk that up to a mid winter mid week itinerary not knowing a lot about IAD, I imagine it gets much busier in the summer? The fact that I dont remember much about it is a good sign because I tend to only remember my struggles with slow internet. Forget top travel credit cards or even status they'll do you no good here. Terms apply to offers below. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for: Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, No annual fee: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Luxury perks: The Platinum Card from American Express, Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, About the author: Alisha McDarris is a freelance travel writer and photographer. For me, the food and beverage was the star of the show at the United Polaris lounge at ORD. Email needed if you'd like comment updates. Polaris lounges offer guests Wi-Fi, quiet rooms, meals, showers, and more. You'll find it after making your way across the long walkway and taking the escalators up a level. I recently used Chicago's United Polaris Lounge on a trip to Asia during a 4 hour layover. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the Polaris Lounge offers terrific views on the tarmac and parked aircraft. Learn more: Things to know about United Airlines lounge access. They're located in Chicago-O'Hare, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark, San. Pictures dont do it justice. Closed now : See all hours. United Polaris Lounge is open Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun. The United Polaris Lounge at Chicago O'Hare (ORD) United Airlines gave the media a preview today (Nov. 30) of the first of nine Polaris lounges being opened in the next year to serve the carrier's international business class travelers. That means you can easily walk over to Concourse C in Terminal 1 to visit the Polaris Lounge Chicago no matter which airline you're arriving on without worrying about clearing security. We take your comments very seriously as they really help us to improve the site. If the lounge is crowded, I could see grabbing one of these tables along the wall.
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