I would say noexactly what is nice about the walk from T7 and TBIT? Its garnished with cucumber zest and mint and served over ice. The lounge is open from 7:15am until 9:00pm seven days a week. The space is elegant and functional, with several luxurious touches such as shower suites, relaxation rooms, private pods, and a-la-carte dining. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sorry, no records were found. Then again, seeing how busy it got as my visit wrapped up, I'm not sure they could afford to sacrifice the square footage . United Polaris Lounge Chicago Access Rules & Location Delta has its Delta Sky Clubs, which almost anyone can get into. Like all Polaris Lounges across the country, this is restaurant-quality a la carte dining, and at no extra cost. All rights reserved. United Polaris Lounge Houston (IAH) My husband and I experiended the new lounge at Newark Airport. 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. There are just 10 tables total inside this undersized dining room, with room for about 20 people total maybe 25, if you really pack in a few families. On the bright side, Terminals 1-3 at O'Hare are connected airside. Your email address will not be published. The United Polaris lounge at ORD is located in Terminal 1 in Concourse C inside of security, right next to gate C18 which was perfect as that was my gate. His professionalism, yet casual demeanor, explaining the menu and making suggestions really elevated the dining experience. All United Polaris Lounges Now Open - Live and Let's Fly on long-haul international flights are allowed complimentary lounge access before departure, during connections and upon arrival. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. See more about our ethics policies here. If you are hungry, you have the option to grab something quick at the buffet or sit down in The Dining Room. The airlines best customers have the option to pre-order and store their favorite wine or liquor, and United picks up the tab. But while there are more than 45 United Clubs (plus participating Star Alliance lounges), there are far fewer Polaris lounges. Still, the Polaris Lounge does get busyand noisyat peak times, especially in the afternoons when flights to Europe depart. I paired that with a glass of Napa Valley red and walked around the lounge so that I wouldnt fall asleep in my booth! 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. Lets go over the very basics of each of these lounges, including their locations, hours, and square footage. For solo travelers, there are these nice pods available with oversized chairs and a slide-out table to get some work done on. Servers roam the room offering drinks, and staff members offer proactive assistance. 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. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. This includes more than 45 United Club locations, five United Polaris lounges and partner lounges. Airline Lounges | Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) O'Hare Assistant O'HARE International Airport O'HARE(current) MIDWAY ABOUT CDA COMMUNITY Search: O'Hare Airport United Polaris Business Class Review, 767-300ER Chicago to London 1. I was immediately greeted by a server who handed me a menu and offered to get me a drink while I looked it over. When I walked into the lounge around 9 a.m. on a weekday, there was hardly a soul in sight. If you are flying United Polaris (not regular business class) on a long-haul international flight, you can use this lounge before departure, during connections, or even upon arrival. 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. The lounge is spacious, light, and airy. There really arent many carriers offering first class these days and it really sucks to come off a sublime ANA F experience only to have to slum it out in the dumpster fire ORD is. Amateur level service at the dining room, burgers that make you wish you had McDonald's instead. So how do we make money? The United Polaris lounges are only available to international business-class or first-class travelers on United or Star Alliance partners. 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? As of publication, it's open from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily. Starting with the lit-from-within check-in desk! The bathrooms are equally impressive. Can visit even flying out of T5, leave time for landside transfer to T5. For me, the food and beverage was the star of the show at the United Polaris lounge at ORD. How to Access a United Polaris Lounge - SuperMoney And there's also a toilet inside each suite. 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. The lounge is 12,000 square feet, making it the smallest Polaris Lounge. Overall our stay here has been one of the best lounge experiences we have had. 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. And to be honest, I was really hoping my flight would get delayed because I was enjoying myself so much there! Airports may require you to re-clear security and immigration control to reach the lounge. But if you're there beforehand, prepare to bump some elbows. If you are flying United Polaris (not regular business class) on a long-haul international flight, you can use this lounge before departure, during connections, or upon arrival. The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. I did check out a bathroom, and it was indeed quite nice and private. So then, who can access United Polaris lounge? While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Many shower suites inside airport lounges can feel quite cramped, but that's not the case here. 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. It's yet another example of how United Polaris lounges blend both fashion and function together. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. Breakfast Light Bites (served until 11 a.m.). SAS Lounge Chicago O'Hare. My first impression upon walking into the lounge was, Wow, I already wish I had more time to spend here!. At that time, there were just a few tables taken so getting in was a cinch. One near the entrance has coolers full of soft drinks, water, and drip coffee. I usually fly American and I found them far superior. No worries you can purchase instant lounge access in seconds. 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. In the years since, the airline has opened outposts in all the aforementioned U.S. airports, except for Washington Dulles. Hopefully the above clears up any questions about accessing Polaris Lounges, though if I missed anything, please let me know. United Polaris Lounge Chicago Review | Million Mile Secrets It's great that these restrooms have lights to show whether they're open (green) or occupied (red). United Airlines' opened its first Polaris Lounge in Chicago O'Hare last month to complement its new Polaris onboard premium product. 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. Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. And by 3 p.m. or so, as many international departures drew near, it was difficult to find an open seat, period. 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. Not even a transcontinental flight in United's fancy new Polaris business class seats will cut it. Beyond the shower itself, there are plenty of fluffy, Saks Fifth Avenue-branded towels ready for you, along with an excellent pair of slippers. In my experience as a 1k that is the only one. Cleveland (between Gates C14 and C16). Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. If you're just looking for a drink, there's a beautiful bar at the center of the lounge, which offers alcoholic drinks as well as barista-made coffee beverages. 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. Passengers traveling in United Polaris business class on long-haul international flights are allowed complimentary lounge access before departure, during connections and upon arrival. I wish they at least opened up access to incoming Star Alliance first class passengers connecting to UA on a domestic/regional hop. Weve done the walk when we checked out the *Alliance lounge in TBIT. Image Credit: LoungeBuddy Location: Terminal 5, near gate M19-20 Opening Hours: Daily: Opens 1 hour before first scheduled SAS flight and closes 30 minutes before last scheduled SAS flight SAS Lounge Facilities Computers Magazines Phone room Runway views Self-serve food buffet, including soups, salads, and snacks How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2023? Delta has its Delta Sky Clubs, which almost anyone can get into. The shower itself is huge, too, with both a wall-mounted showerhead and a rainfall setting, too. 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. She is the creator of Terradrift.com. This United Polaris lounge is open from 7.15 am - 9:00 pm and we reviewed the Chicago Polaris lounge previously. United Polaris - Seat, Amenities, Routes, Lounges & More [2023] 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. Soda, juices, and bottled water to go are available for self-service in coolers by the buffet area. 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. United Polaris Lounge Chicago - Entrance sign Polaris Lounges have a rather unique set of rules for access. 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. 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. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. Jeanette earned bachelor's degrees in journalism and Plan II Honors from the University of Texas at Austin and has a Master of Education from the University of Houston. Everything here is first come, first served there's no way to reserve a shower in advance. Even if you didnt request an upgrade during initial booking, there are still ways. United Polaris Lounge Review - Chicago O'Hare Airport [ORD] I have been given conflicting information as well. List of Airport Lounges at Chicago O'Hare Int'l Airport [ORD] These range from 96 hours before your flight as a top-level 1K member to day-of upgrades as a lower-level Silver member. 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. We have an extensive network of lounges around the world for you to visit. With a central location near most flights with the Spot on. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Just allow 30 mins. United Polaris lounge, Terminal 1, Concourse C. The United Polaris lounge is the best airline lounge at ORD airport and can be found in Terminal 1 in Concourse C, next to gate C18. But once you're in, you're in luck. The higher your elite status level, the earlier you become eligible for complimentary upgrades. Dont have access? First look inside the new United Polaris Lounge in Washington Dulles If its calm and rest youre after, there are also showers and quiet suites with daybeds. The menu was very complete with multiple options for drinks, small plates, entres, and desserts. 2023 Sound Imagineers, LLC. By 11 a.m. or noon, things started to fill up. They're stocked with Sunday Riley toiletries, which are pretty high quality for an airport lounge. Essentials such as combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower caps and shaving kits, are available upon request. Can I take them along with me to Polaris lounge at ORD? UNITED POLARIS LOUNGE, Chicago - Far North Side - Tripadvisor Yes, all food and drinks are complimentary inside the United Polaris lounge. In the U.S., there are United Polaris Lounges and then everything else. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. 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! If Im flying SWISS first LAX-ZRH, is it worth the hike to the United terminal for the Polaris lounge at LAX? Review: United Polaris Lounge Chicago (ORD) - Live and Let's Fly United Polaris passengers are prioritized in terms of the situations under which they can access (while connecting and even on arrival), while passengers on Star Alliance partners can only access these lounges prior to long haul flights. They're located in Chicago-O'Hare, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark, San. Visited 4pm, very few people, full bar and buffet, plus sit down dine, great service. 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. And they are truly excellent. The lounge is 21,000 square feet, making it the third largest Polaris Lounge. Polaris lounges are exclusive lounges reserved for International Long Haul passengers whereas United Clubs are accessible via membership, or when a non US based Star Alliance Gold member is traveling within the USA. The lounge offers showers, sleeping pods, food, drinks, and plenty of. Very nice accommodations, beautifully laid out - great food and staff. Ask the Yelp community! No other carrier does business class lounge food better. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) Download the United app to find the most up-to-date, interactive airport maps. That means it's easy to get to if you're departing on a United Polaris business class flight, as that's where most of United's international departures depart from. I'd much rather eat this than the subpar food United serves on its long-haul international flights. 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.