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The United Club lounge is one of the best lounges to stay at because it offers great amenities and perks that can make your trips more relaxing. It has a vast network of more than 45 lounges both in the U.S. and international destinations that flyers can have access to.
Let’s admit it, no one really likes to stay in public lounge areas. There are too many people. Plus, United lounge access is not only limited to flyers with a United elite status or those on United first class or business class fares.
In this article, we’ll be discussing how you can access United Club lounges, where they’re located, and what benefits they offer.
Read More: Do United Miles Expire? Here’s What You Need To Know
What Is The United Club Lounge?
United Airline’s United Clubs is a vast lounge network composed of more than 45 airport lounges located across the U.S. and also international locations such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Mexico, and London. It also has the United Polaris Lounges which are lounges that are exclusive for passengers flying in Polaris Business class.
Additionally, it also has partner lounges (not part of the United brand) located in more than 30 airports worldwide so United Club members will have more lounge access wherever they go.
The United Club is a consolidation of two lounge networks, the Continental Airlines Presidents Club and United Airlines Red Carpet Clubs. The two airlines merged back in 2011 under the name of United Continental Holdings and it resulted in a consolidation of its services, frequent flyer programs, websites, and of course, its lounge network. In 2019, the company was finally changed to United Airlines Holdings.
United Club Benefits
The amenities offered by each United lounge vary per location, however, you can expect similar perks and services such as:
- Complimentary snacks and beverages
- Complimentary premium alcoholic drinks
- Dedicated customer services for flight, transport, and other travel assistance
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi
- Digital entertainment
- Charging ports and power outlets
- Free use of printers
- Access to media and news publications (digital/hard print)
United Club Locations
United has both branded lounges and partner lounges, and there are about 70 or more lounges as of this writing. Type in the airport that you’re visiting to see if United lounges are available.
United Club & Polaris Lounges
- Atlanta, GA (ATL) – North Terminal, Concourse T, between Gates 11 and 12
- Austin, TX (AUS) – West Concourse, Mezzanine Level, across from Gate 22
- Boston, MA (BOS) – Terminal B, Level 3, near Gate 24
- Chicago, IL (ORD) Midway International Airport (MDW) –
- Terminal 1, Concourse B, near Gate B18
- Terminal 1, Concourse B, near Gate B6
- Terminal 1, Concourse C, near Gate C16
- Terminal 2, Concourse F, across from Gate F9
- Concourse C, near Gate C18
- Cleveland, OH (CLE) – Main Terminal, Concourse C, between Gates C14 and C16
- Dallas/Fort Worth, TX (DFW) – Terminal E, between Gates E6 and E7
- Denver, CO (DEN)
- Concourse B West, near Gate B32
- United Club pop-up location, near Gate B59
- Concourse B East, near Gate B44
- Terminal 2, Concourse F, across from Gate F9
- Concourse C, near Gate C18
- Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) – Terminal 1, next to the escalators near Gate C1
- Guam, GU (GUM) – Concourse level East, between Gates 10 and 12
- Hong Kong (HKG) – West Concourse, Airside, Room 7W504
- Honolulu, HI (HNL) – Diamond Head Concourse, Level 3
- Houston, TX (IAH) (LGA)
- Terminal E, between Gates E11 and E12
- Terminal C, South Concourse, toward Gate C33
- Terminal B, South Mezzanine
- Terminal A, North Concourse
- Terminal C, near Gate C1
- Terminal E, between the United Club location and Gate E12
- Las Vegas, NV (LAS)- Terminal 3, Concourse D, between Gates 33 and 35
- Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
- Terminal 7, next to Gate 71A
- Terminal 7, between Gates 73 and 75A
- London, GB (LHR) – Terminal 2, across from Gate B46
- Mexico City, MX (MEX) – Airside, Mezzanine Level, Terminal 1 near Gate H
- Minneapolis−Saint Paul, MN (MSP) – Concourse E, between Gates E6 and E8
- New Orleans, LA (MSY) – Concourse C, near Gate C7
-
New York/Newark, NJ (EWR)
- Mezzanine level, near gate C123
- Terminal C, Upper Level, near Gate C74
- Terminal A, Concourse A2
- Terminal C, near Gate C93
- Terminal C, between Gates C102 and C120
- New York, NY (LGA) – Terminal B, Level 3
- Orange County, CA (SNA) – Main Terminal, across from Gate 9
- Orlando, FL (MCO) – Concourse B, near Gate 43
- Portland, OR (PDX) – Concourse E, across from Gate E3
- Philadelphia, PA (PHL) – Level 2, between Concourses C and D
- Phoenix, AZ (PHX) – Terminal 3
- Raleigh/Durham, NC (RDU) – Terminal 2, across Gates D1 and D3
- San Antonio, TX (SAT) – Terminal B, between Gates B3 and B5
- San Diego, CA (SAN) – Terminal 2 West, Mezzanine Level
- San Francisco, CA (SFO)
- International Terminal, Boarding Area G
- Terminal 3, Boarding Area F, Rotunda
- Terminal 3, Boarding Area E
- International Terminal
- Seattle, WA (SEA) – Concourse A
- Tokyo, JP (NRT) – Airside, Satellite 3
- Washington, DC (DCA) – Terminal B
- Washington, DC (IAD)
- Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C4
- Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C7
- Midfield Terminal, Concourse D, near Gate D8
- Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C17
- Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C17
Patner Lounges
- Accra, Ghana (ACC) – Adinkra Lounge
- Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS) – Aspire Lounge
- Athens, Greece (ATH) – Aegean Lounge
- Barcelona, Spain (BCN) – Sala Miro
- Berlin, Germany (BR) – The Templehof Lounge
- Brussels, Belgium (BRU) – The Diamond Lounge
- Cape Town, South Africa (CPT) – British Airways Lounge
- Chendu, China (CTU) – Chengdu Airport Lounge
- Delhi, India (DEL) – Plaza Premium Lounge
- Dublin, Ireland (DUB) – 51st & Green Lounge
- Dubrovnik, Croatia (DBV) – Business Lounge
- Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) – Aspire Lounge
- Geneva, Switzerland (GVA) – Swissport ASPIRE Crystal Lounge – East Wing
- Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB)
- South African Airways Business Lounge
- Slow Lounge
- Lima, Peru (LIM) – Sumaq VIP Lounge
- Lagos, Nigeria (LOS) – Newrest Lounge
- Madird, Spain (MAD) – Sala Cibeles Lounge
- Milan, Italy (MXP)
- Club SEA Pergolesi VIP Business Lounge
- The Sala Montale Lounge
- Mumbai, India (BOM) – Mumbai Airport Lounge
- Naples, Italy (NAP) – VIP Lounge
- New York City, New York (JFK) – Alaska Lounge
- Osaka, Japan (KIX) – Asuka Lounge
- Papeete, French Polynesia (PPT) – Aeroport de Tahiti (ADT)
- Porto, Portugal (OPO) – ANA Lounge
- Prague, Czech Republic (PRG) – Menzies Lounge
- Quito, Ecuador (UIO) – VIP Lounge
- Reykjavic, Iceland (KEF) – Saga Lounge
- Rome, Italy (FCO)
- Casa Alitalia Roma
- Prima Vista Lounge
- Sao Paolo, Brazil (GRU) – GRU Lounge
- Shannon, Ireland (SNN) – Boru Lounge
- Singapore (SIN) – SATS Premier Club Lounge
- Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV)
- Dan Lounge – Concourse E
- Dan Lounge – Concourses B and C
- Venice, Italy (VCE) – Marco Polo Club
Read More: How To Access Delta Sky Club Lounges
United Club Membership And Eligibility
The great thing about United Clubs is that it allows access to different types of travelers. You can have access either by purchasing a membership, flying on a premium fare, having an eligible travel credit card, or through your elite status with United MileagePlus or a partner airline. We’ll discuss more of these options below.
United Club Membership & One-Time Pass
You can have lounge access through an annual membership or a one-time pass and you can either pay with cash or miles. Additionally, you must present a same-day boarding pass as upon entry.
One-time passes are can be purchased at $59 at United Club locations or through the United app. You can use the pass at any United lounge. For annual memberships, the prices depend on your elite status. See the following prices below:
- General Member: Single – $650 or 85,000 miles
- Premier Silver: Single – $650 or 85,000 miles
- Premier Gold: Single – $650 or 85,000 miles
- Premier Platinum: Single – $600 or 80,000 miles
- Premier 1K: Single – $550 or 75,000 miles
One-time pass holders can bring children with them who are under 2 years old for free. Meanwhile, those with annual memberships either bring 2 adult guests or 1 adult guest and all dependent children under 21 years old.
United MileagePlus Cardholders
People who have the following cards below will get complimentary access:
- United Business Card – 2 one-time passes
- United Explorer Card – 2 one-time passes
- United Club Business Card – Annual membership
- United Club Infinite Card – Annual membership
The same access and guest policies apply. You can only enter the lounges if you have a same-day boarding pass and you can bring 2 adult guests or 1 adult guest and all dependent children under 21 years old.
Flying First or Business Class
All travelers on first or business class fares on transcontinental or international flights will have access to United Lounges as long as they can present a same-day boarding pass upon entry. Access is not only granted to those flying on United flights but also to those flying on Star Alliance partner flights (Turkish Air, Lufthansa, etc.)
- United Polaris Business Class – Flyers on a Polaris flight can access regular United lounges and United Polaris lounges at departure, connecting, and arrival airports. There are no guest privileges for this category.
- United Business (International Flights) – Flyers on United Business international flights will have lounge access at departure, connecting, and arrival airports. These are flights between the U.S. and Latin America or the Caribbean. Flyers traveling to and from Canada in United First will also have the same access. There are still no guest privileges for this category.
- United Business (Premium Transcontinental Flights) -Flyers on United Business transcontinental flights, specifically between New York/Newark and Los Angeles and New York/Newark and San Francisco, will have lounge access only at departure and arrival airports. No guest privileges for this category.
- Star Alliance First Class – Flyers traveling on a Star Alliance first class flight can only access lounges during departure, however, you are allowed to bring one guest with you.
- Star Alliance Business Class – Flyers traveling on a Star Alliance business class flight can only access lounges during departure. No guest privileges for this category.
Star Alliance Gold Status
Whether it was acquired through the United frequent flyer program or other alliance partners, travelers who have a Star Alliance Gold status will have access to United Club lounges at departure, connecting, and arrival airports. Just show your same-day boarding pass when entering the lounge. You’re allowed to bring one guest who is also traveling on the same flight as you are.
More United Club Access
United Clubs also provide lounge access to the following travelers below:
- Active U.S. Military Personnel – Military personnel must have a valid ID, same-day boarding pass, must be wearing a uniform, must have leave orders, or must have rest and recuperation papers to have lounge access. They may bring their family members who have gate passes or those who are traveling on the same flight.
- Air Canada Maple Leaf™ Club North American Membership – You may access U.S. United Club locations if you are flying on any Star Alliance airline. Just present your Maple Leaf Club membership card and same-day boarding pass. Access is only allowed at the departing airport where your boarding pass was issued. No guests are allowed.
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Worldwide Membership – You may access U.S. United Club locations if you are flying on any Star Alliance airline. Just present your Maple Leaf Club membership card and same-day boarding pass. Access is only allowed at the departing airport where your boarding pass was issued. You may bring 1 guest.
- Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer Membership – Velocity Gold, Platinum, and VIP members will have access to United Club locations if they’re flying on an international United or Virgin Australia-operated flight. They must present a same-day boarding pass upon entry and their flight must be departing from the same airport. Eligible members may bring one guest each as long as the guest is traveling on a United-operated flight.
Read More: United First And Business Class Review
What Is The Difference Between United Club vs. United Polaris Lounges?
United Polaris Lounges are also a part of the United Club lounge network. The only difference is that Polaris lounges are only exclusive to passengers flying on a United Polaris flight.
There are more than 45 regular United lounges but there are only 6 United Polaris Lounges and they are located at:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Washington Dulles (IAD)
- Newark (EWR)
- Houston (IAH)
- Chicago (ORD)
- San Francisco (SFO)
Bottomline
With more than 45 United Club locations found worldwide, it’s very easy to find a relaxing place to unwind before or after your flight. The access policy can be confusing but just take the time to read through them because the benefits are definitely worth it.
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