Its garnished with cucumber zest and mint and served over ice. Your email address will not be published. If you are flying a Star Alliance partner in business or first class, you can access this lounge if you are departing from this airport. Typical business decisions to cut down on expenses. United Domestic First Class flying has also started being a disappointment. Finally, in the back corner (and past the lounge's Dining Room) you'll find a large, quiet area with a few dozen armchairs. There are also individual day beds available upon request in this amenity wing of the United Polaris Lounge Chicago if you want to rest a bit, though I didn't have enough time on this visit. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. A tad exhausting, but also great for people like me who love checking out new lounges! Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) Download the United app to find the most up-to-date, interactive airport maps. It took a few minutes to get a dessert order in as the Dining Room filled up, but I eventually got a salted caramel budino think custard. Blankets are available upon request and even heated. Passengers flying United Polaris business class on long-haul international flights, as well as certain Star Alliance business and first-class passengers, have access to these lounges. The United Polaris Lounge Newark is open daily from 5AM until 10:30PM, and its located in Terminal C, between gates C102 and C120. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. 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. There were also vegetarian and gluten-free options as well. For an American airline lounge buffet, the United Polaris lounge was pretty darn good. The bottom line is, if you are flying through Chicago OHare International (ORD) and have access to this lounge, you should make a point of visiting. I would say yes. Another nice amenity offered at Polaris lounges is the option to use a daybed. But like the United Polaris Lounge here as a whole, there's a problem: It's just not big enough. 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. 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. Since I was flying United Polaris business class from ORD to Sao Paulo International (GRU), I knew that I would have access, so all I needed to do was scan my boarding pass and I was welcomed in. 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. Essentials such as combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower caps and shaving kits, are available upon request. 2023 Upgraded Points, LLC. See more about our ethics policies here. Read more. Given the opportunity, I would happily spend an extended amount of time in this lounge. That left just enough time to take some pictures, have a few drinks, and enjoy a 3-course meal before boarding my flight to So Paulo. The Lunch and Dinner menu is served from 11:00 am - 8:30 pm, and it is very, very good. But as the day wore on and more travelers sat down for a meal, the staff struggled to keep up with taking orders and seating new visitors. SFO is not ready yet. 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. But United Polaris Lounges are just another caliber and that means they're even harder to get into. When it's time to get ready after freshening up, there's a sizable vanity with mirrors as well as a blowdryer available. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. Bigger is almost always better when it comes to airport lounges. One thing that I did notice was the abundance of excellent workspace options. For more information on our advertisers, see here. Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Stay up-to-date on major lounge openings, exciting developments, and ground service innovations. Starting with the lit-from-within check-in desk! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These range from 96 hours before your flight as a top-level 1K member to day-of upgrades as a lower-level Silver member. I am surprised by the overall 3.5 star rating of this lounge. Learn more: The current United miles value. Let's get straight to it: Like all of United's top-tier lounges, the United Polaris Lounge Chicago is an impressive space. If youre flying United from Frankfurt to Chicago, then you could use the Polaris Lounge in Chicago, while if youre flying Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Chicago, you couldnt use the Polaris Lounge in Chicago. In short: Fly Polaris class. Breakfast Light Bites (served until 11 a.m.). So then, who can access United Polaris lounge? Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. They're located in Chicago-O'Hare, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark, San. There is also a United Club lounge next to gate C16, so just be sure to not confuse them or you will likely be quite disappointed after reading this review! I have my family as well flying on Economy Plus. 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. What has your experience been with United Polaris Lounges? But you didnt come here to read about a buffet review, lets check out The Dining Room. Membership, Upgrade Points, Status, etc.? Rather the only people who can access United Polaris Lounges are those traveling on a flight marketed as United Polaris, or those traveling in select markets in business or first class on a Star Alliance partner. Answer is no. 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. The lounge is 16,300 square feet, putting it in the middle of the pack as far as size goes. 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. The experience starts on the ground at the beautiful Polaris lounges. Learn more: The best first class airline in the U.S. See all (121) I've been traveling United business for around 10 years now. Everything here is first come, first served there's no way to reserve a shower in advance. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. has been expanded, and now features a dedicated dining area, Review: The United Polaris onboard experience, Lounge Spotlight: primeclass Lounge Muscat, an oasis of luxury and service, Airport lounge operators tackle crowding: whats changing in 2023, The first Chase Sapphire Lounge opens in Hong Kong, The Last American Airlines Admirals Club Has Re-opened. These lounges offer dining through a hot and cold buffet, as well as drinks like wine, spirits, craft beer and cocktails. While award tickets arent normally eligible for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards, Premier elite status members who also have one of these United-Chase credit cards may score a complimentary upgrade if available: Once you upgrade, youll have access to Uniteds Polaris lounges. If you want something softer, you can find two dedicated beverage stations on either end of the lounge. This is my first experience. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. A lifelong Texan, Jeanette grew up in a small town in the Hill Country and lives in the Houston area with her husband and daughters. There was an excellent selection of hot options, salads, sandwiches, snacks, and desserts and they all looked fresh and delicious. Do note, though, that not all tickets are available for an upgrade. Does that mean the features and amenities that set United Polaris lounges above the rest shine less bright? Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position. I arrived in the evening, so all of the lights were dimmed. 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. Polaris Lounges are only accessible to business and first-class passengers flying United Polaris or business or first class on Star Alliance partners. {"hide_search_input":"","hide_near_input":"","bg":"","mt":"","mr":"","mb":3,"ml":"","pt":"","pr":"","pb":"","pl":"","border":"","rounded":"","rounded_size":"","shadow":"","show":""}. For more information on our advertisers, see here. Around the back of the lounge, you will find more of these sofa-style lounge chairs, which may be a quieter option if the lounge is busy. We wish that United had included phone rooms in the design of the Polaris Lounge, in order to accommodate passengers who need to make phone calls. Can't say my first United Polaris flight was enjoyable. There are no United Polaris lounge day passes. While the slumber rooms lack a door, theyre very private nevertheless thanks to their isolated location away from the crowds, in a separate enclosed area. The higher your elite status level, the earlier you become eligible for complimentary upgrades. Since opening after the pandemic, they have become crowded, often not able to find a seat. I have been given conflicting information as well. Your feedback is important in helping us keep our community safe. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone. We love the small details that make a difference: the digital clock, the USB outlet to charge your devices while you shower, and the convenient bench in the shower. 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.). The United Polaris lounge in Chicago is located in Terminal 1, Concourse C next to gate C18. Much like the American Airlines Flagship lounge, you can now enjoy a sit-down, serve to your table menu at the United Polaris Lounge Chicago. United Polaris Lounge Chicago, IL - O'Hare (ORD) Terminal 1, Concourse C, near gate C18 Do I have access to United Polaris Lounge at ORD? The lounge is 12,000 square feet, making it the smallest Polaris Lounge. The fact that I dont remember much about it is a good sign because I tend to only remember my struggles with slow internet. United Polaris Lounge Chicago - Entry & Access The lounge is located in Terminal 1 of O'Hare Airport. Safe travels! The Glowing Check-In Desk. Jeanette Margle leads the home loans content team at NerdWallet, where she has worked since 2019. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. In my experience as a 1k that is the only one. Entrance I would say noexactly what is nice about the walk from T7 and TBIT? The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered. A brutal reality check I suppose. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice. on long-haul international flights are allowed complimentary lounge access before departure, during connections and upon arrival. Then Austrian Air to Vienna. We have a 5 hour layover in OHare. The United Polaris lounges are available exclusively to our international premium cabin travelers, offering a thoughtful selection of amenities such as signature seating, a relaxation area and showers to help you prepare for your flight. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. United Airlines opened its brand new Polaris lounge in October 2021, welcoming business travelers flying internationally. But depending on where youre traveling, you may also have access to one of Uniteds Polaris lounges, a distinct upgrade on the typical United Club lounge. The loungereview Android app is about to land. They feature everything from a la carte dining and buffets, to nap rooms and shower suites, to great decor, to cocktails and barista-made coffee. Beyond the shower itself, there are plenty of fluffy, Saks Fifth Avenue-branded towels ready for you, along with an excellent pair of slippers. I'm flying Polaris NRT - LAX on March 1 and LAX - LAS on March 5th as part of the same booking. 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. And they are truly excellent. United Polaris lounge Arrivals lounge The arrivals lounge at London Heathrow, located immediately after immigration and customs, is a shared space with shower suites, breakfast items and more. 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. That is including The Dining Room which is a restaurant-inspired, full-service dining option complete with menus and waiters. Today, United introduced full service sit-down dining menus in the ORD Polaris Lounge. Passengers can have the option to sit in a private booth or a table with chairs. See also: Review: The United Polaris onboard experienceand The United Polaris lounge roadmap. Their lounges, for lack of a better more fancy word, just suck. Unfortunately, you cannot bring guests with you into the Polaris Lounge and passes are not available for purchase. Though small in size, the setting is still great. If you're a Premier member, you may be automatically upgraded for free if you booked an eligible flight. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Complimentary Premier upgrades only include one companion; if there are more non-Premier travelers on your reservation than Premier members, book additional non-Premier members on another reservation or you'll lose your eligibility for the award. Ben, worth clarifying that for entry based on a United flight, the seat must *both* be marketed as Polaris *and* the flight must be international (i.e., SFO and LAX flights to/from EWR marketed as Polaris will not get you in -- they'll just get you regular United Club access). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written by experts who know these products inside out, and what we recommend is what we would (or already) use ourselves. 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. They've changed the hospitality company running them since they were first opened and were good. If its calm and rest youre after, there are also showers and quiet suites with daybeds. The airlines best customers have the option to pre-order and store their favorite wine or liquor, and United picks up the tab. It was wonderful. Here are our picks for the. His professionalism, yet casual demeanor, explaining the menu and making suggestions really elevated the dining experience. United originally promised nine Polaris Lounge locations: Chicago O'Hare, Hong Kong, Houston, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Tokyo Narita and Washington Dulles. By 11 a.m. or noon, things started to fill up. These are a great spot to get some work done, with a slide-out surface, lamp, and charging available at each and every spot. Ask the Yelp community! The flight must be on a participating airline, and even then, some routes on participating airlines are excluded. The Polaris lounge has a full service bar and hot food. You'll find it after making your way across the long walkway and taking the escalators up a level. Barista coffee is also available. There is also a United Club lounge next to gate C16. You could see some of the ceiling paint clearly peeling, but otherwise these shower suites were in perfect shape. Flying United business class out of Chicago is a treat for one reason and one reason alone: The United Polaris Lounge Chicago.