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The highlight of United’s lounge policy is that there’s more than one way to get United Club access. Depending on your travel preferences or your budget, you can get lounge access either with a one-time pass, a paid membership, or a complimentary membership.
United has more than 45 United club locations worldwide and 6 United Polaris lounges that offer free food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, high-speed WiFi, and more premium travel perks.
While having multiple options to get lounge access is a good thing, it can become very confusing, too, since each one has its own set of rules and guidelines. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into how you can get lounge access through these various methods.
Read More: United First and Business Class During Coronavirus (Flight Review)
What Is the United Club access policy?
As mentioned, there are multiple ways to get United Club Access, and we’ll discuss more on these options below:
United Club Paid Membership
You can purchase an annual United Club membership either with cash or miles, but the prices are based on your elite status:
- 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
Access Requirements & Eligibility
- Passengers must have a same-day boarding pass on a United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight. Your boarding pass must show a valid United Club membership number on it…OR
- A valid United Club membership number and a boarding pass for a same-day United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight.
Guest Policy
Members may bring 2 adult guests or 1 adult + dependent children under 21 years old.
United Club One-Time Pass
You can buy one-time passes at United Club locations or through the United app for $59. You can use this app at any United lounge.
Access Requirements & Eligibility
- A valid mobile or paper United Club one-time pass, plus a same-day boarding pass for a United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight…OR
- A valid 15-digit one-time pass number, plus a same-day boarding pass for a same-day United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight
Guest Policy
One-time pass holders cannot bring guests to United Clubs. However, they may bring children under 2 years old for free.
United MileagePlus Credit Card
People who have the following co-branded credit cards below will either get a one-time pass or an annual membership:
- 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
Access Requirements & Eligibility
While the method of acquiring the membership or the one-time pass is different, the policies still remain the same.
Those with annual memberships must have:
- A same-day boarding pass on a United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight. Your boarding pass must show a valid United Club membership number on it…OR
- A valid United Club membership number and a boarding pass for a same-day United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight.
Those with one-time passes must have:
- A valid mobile or paper United Club one-time pass, plus a same-day boarding pass for a United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight…OR
- A valid 15-digit one-time pass number, plus a same-day boarding pass for a same-day United, Star Alliance, or a contracted partner-operated flight
Guest Policy
Annual memberships allow you to bring 2 adult guests or 1 adult + dependent children under 21 years old. Meanwhile, one-time pass holders are not allowed to bring guests except for children under two years old.
Be An Active Us Military Personnel
United Airlines provides special lounge privileges for active Military members and their families.
Access Requirements & Eligibility
- Must have a valid ID
- Must be wearing a uniform upon entry
- Must have leave orders
- Must have rest and recuperation papers
Lounge access is free, but access is dependent on the seating availability of each lounge.
Guest Policy
Family members will have United Club access if they have gate passes or have the same flight as the military member.
Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer Membership
All Velocity Gold, Platinum, and VIP members will have access to United Club locations.
Access Requirements & Eligibility
Passengers must present a same-day boarding pass for a United or Virgin Australia-operated flight. Lounge access is only available during departure.
Guest Policy
Eligible members can bring one guest each if the guest is traveling on a United-operated flight.
Flying First or Business Class
All travelers on United first class or business class fares on transcontinental or international flights can get United Club access if 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.)
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the requirements and policies:
Fare Class | Eligibility & Requirements | Access Policy | Guest Policy |
United Polaris Business Class | A same-day boarding pass for travel in United Polaris business class for a long-haul international flight. | United Polaris business class passengers are granted access to United Club locations at departure, connecting and arrival airports. | No guests allowed. |
United Business (International flights) | A same-day boarding pass in a United Business class flight. |
| No guests allowed. |
United Business (Premium Transcontinental Flights) | A same-day boarding pass in United Business class flight. | Passengers on premium transcontinental flights can only access United Club locations at departure and arrival airports. What's only considered as Premium transcontinental flights are flights between New York/Newark and Los Angeles and New York/Newark and San Francisco. | No guests allowed. |
First class On Any Star Alliance Member Airline | A same-day boarding pass for travel in First class on a Star Alliance flight. | Passengers can only have lounge access during departure airport for their international first class flight. | Only 1 guest is allowed. |
Business Class On Any Star Alliance Member Airline | A same-day boarding pass in Business class on a Star Alliance flight. | Passengers can only have lounge access during departure for their international business class flight. | No guests allowed. |
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.
Frequent Flyer Program | Eligibility | Access Requirements | Guests Policy |
United MileagePlus | A valid Star Alliance Gold membership card and a same-day boarding pass on an international Star Alliance member flight. Or A same-day boarding pass, with a Star Alliance Gold status, on a Star Alliance Member flight. | Access is allowed at departure, during connections and upon arrival. | Guests must be traveling on the same flight as the primary member. |
Other Star Alliance Member Programs | A valid Star Alliance Gold membership card and a same-day boarding pass on a Star Alliance member flight. Or A same-day boarding pass, with a Star Alliance Gold status, on a Star Alliance Member flight. | Access is only allowed during departure. | Guests must be traveling on the same flight as the primary member. |
Air Canada Maple Leaf Membership
Membership | Eligibility & Requirements | Access Policy | Guest Policy |
Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Membership (North America) | A valid Air Canada Maple Leaf Club membership card and a same-day boarding pass operated by a Star Alliance member airline | Access is only allowed during departure at United Club locations in the U.S. | No guests allowed. |
Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Membership (Worldwide) | A valid Air Canada Maple Leaf Club membership card and a same-day boarding pass operated by a Star Alliance member airline | Access is allowed during departure at United Club locations worldwide. | Only I guest is allowed, |
Read More: United Airlines Wifi Service Basic Guide & Tips
United Club Lounge FAQS:
Are Pets Allowed In United Club Lounges?
Service animals are allowed in most United Club and United-operated lounges. Regular pets must be inside a kennel while the owner is inside the Club.
Can You Sleep In A United Club Lounge?
Generally, sleeping is against lounge policy, but if there are fewer crowds, attendants will allow you to do it.
Do You Need To Present A Government-issued ID When Entering The Lounge?
It is not required, but United has the right to request an ID for further verification of your credentials.
How Can I Replace My Lost United Club Card?
You can ask for a replacement for lost or stolen membership cards. Just go to a United Club location or call 1-866-822-5827 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT daily. United will require a $50 charge for the replacement.
Bottomline
While the access rules and guest policies can become confusing, we can’t deny the fact that United Club lounges offer a lot of benefits. Do you have lounge access? How did you acquire it?\
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