Learn more: The best airline credit cards. Connecting and arriving passengers are not allowed access. On the United website, navigate to Advanced Search and select the MileagePlus Upgrade Award upgrade type under Upgrades, certificates, and promotion codes. Youll then be able to see whether a MileagePlus Upgrade Award is available for the flights you want. For starters, these suites are massive, with more than enough space for a bench to lay out your luggage and get changed heck, you can even walk around. But you didnt come here to read about a buffet review, lets check out The Dining Room. 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. All United Polaris Lounges Now Open - Live and Let's Fly A Boston native now living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Chris has a passion for sharing travel tips for families and has been featured on BBC News, Parents.com, The Washington Post, The Weather Channel, and other publications. Learn more: Is a United credit card worth it? Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. Overall the United Polaris lounge at ORD was excellent and I cant wait to visit again. So when the lounge starts buzzing, getting a table can be a serious challenge. Essentials such as combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower caps and shaving kits, are available upon request. But once you're in, you're in luck. If its calm and rest youre after, there are also showers and quiet suites with daybeds. Sure, there's the standard buffet where you can graze through and fill a plate with whatever you'd like. And while our site doesnt feature every company or financial product available on the market, were proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward and free. The higher your elite status level, the earlier you become eligible for complimentary upgrades. I am happy to report that the salad was fresh and flavorful. 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. If you look closely at the seating photos above, you will notice almost all of them have a nice spot to place a laptop and an outlet nearby. Alisha McDarris is a freelance travel writer and photographer. United Polaris Lounge Chicago - Entry & Access The lounge is located in Terminal 1 of O'Hare Airport. 2023 Upgraded Points, LLC. Since I was short on time, the best option for me was actually in the dining room. Since I was tight on time, I didnt get to test out the shower. If you want something softer, you can find two dedicated beverage stations on either end of the lounge. The Lunch and Dinner menu is served from 11:00 am - 8:30 pm, and it is very, very good. If the food was good but the service was bad, I certainly would not have enjoyed my visit as much as I did. 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. Your email address will not be published. A family room would also have been welcome as well. Relax and unwind in the brand new Polaris Lounge. We are flying United from DTW to ORD. 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. Overall our stay here has been one of the best lounge experiences we have had. The United Polaris Lounge Houston is open daily from 5:30AM until 9PM, and its located in Terminal E, near gate E12. Elite status wont get you into these lounges, regardless of where youre traveling to. Beyond the shower itself, there are plenty of fluffy, Saks Fifth Avenue-branded towels ready for you, along with an excellent pair of slippers. Isn't that underlighting at each desk classy? The 17 Best Websites, Apps, and Courses to Learn French Online, The 12 Best Cheap Hotels in Orlando, Florida [2023]. Editorial Disclosure:The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. I paired that with a glass of Napa Valley red and walked around the lounge so that I wouldnt fall asleep in my booth! Just make sure that if youre traveling with more than one other person, your party is comprised of more Premier members than nonmembers. In response to passenger feedback and in order to minimize noise, there is only a single television in the lounge behind the bar. Blue accent lights highlighted different areas and stars on the ceiling created a sense of relaxation before even getting settled in the 15,000+ square foot lounge. Hot Tip: Here is our review of the United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and our review of the United Polaris Lounge at George Washington Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston. United's Polaris Lounge is fantastic, with all of the amenities that one could wish for, including showers. No other carrier does business class lounge food better. 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. Our personal favorite is the series of Airplane cocktails which come complete with a clipped-on paper airplane and a Polaris branded coaster. Can visit even flying out of T5, leave time for landside transfer to T5. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. Lots of loud talkers, bring headphones. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. For starters, they're exclusively for international premium cabin passengers. Austin (near Gate 22). We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. I agree the lounges are terrific, but you need a good bit of time to really get the benefits. Do note, though, that not all tickets are available for an upgrade. She is the creator of travel and adventure site Terradrift.com and has written about travel and rewards for many publications, including American Way and Johnny Jet. One thing that I did notice was the abundance of excellent workspace options.