Star Alliance has updated its lounge access rules, and United Polaris Lounges now explicitly sit in a very rare category: ultra-premium spaces excluded from ordinary alliance lounge access rules.
Star Alliance Gives United Polaris Lounges Ultra-Premium Protection
Star Alliance has updated its lounge access policy, and one change concerning United Airlines stands out: United Polaris Lounges are now formally listed among the alliance’s “ultra-premium” lounges that are excluded from standard Star Alliance lounge access.
That places United Polaris Lounges in a rather elite category…
The list of ultra-premium exclusions now includes some of the most exclusive lounges in the alliance, including Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal and First Class Lounges in Frankfurt and Munich, Singapore Airlines’ The Private Room in Singapore, SWISS First Class Lounges, Austrian HON Circle facilities, and United Polaris Lounges.
That is quite a club for United to join.
This Is A Compliment To United, But Still A Shrinking Alliance Benefit
I do think that United Polaris Lounge are some of the best business class lounges in the world, especially in the United States, with à la carte dining, quality cocktails, quiet rooms, showers, and a much more controlled access policy than ordinary lounges.
For years, United trailed Asian and European competitors in the premium experience. Polaris changed that in the air, but the lounges arguably did even more to improve United’s image among premium travelers. In some ways, Polaris Lounges are better than the onboard product itself.
It’s fair enough that Polaris Lounges are not classified on the same level as, say, a Lufthansa Senator Lounge or Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge when United already offers a network of United Clubs and the Polaris Lounges are indeed on a more premium level.
Still, the broader trend is not great for passengers. Exclusions eat away at the alliance and it seems like lately it has been “every carrier for themselves” when it comes partner award space, mileage earning, and now reciprocal lounge access. We’re living in a post-alliance world when the alliances still provide some benefits (and in the case of oneworld, are still growing), but the idea that this is any more than a loose marketing confederation is simply wishful thinking these days.
CONCLUSION
Star Alliance has now formally classified United Polaris Lounges as ultra-premium lounges excluded from standard alliance lounge access rules. On one level, that is a win for United. Polaris Lounges are excellent, and placing them alongside Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal and Singapore Airlines’ The Private Room is a sign of how far United has come with its premium ground product (even if such a direct comparison is absurd).
On another level, this is yet another example of alliance benefits becoming more conditional and less intuitive. I understand why United wants to protect Polaris Lounge access. I also understand why a Star Alliance first class passenger might find it odd to be turned away from a premium business class lounge operated by an airline that does not even offer first class…
image: United Airlines // hat tip: The Bulkhead Seat
Boo… hiss… United is so stingy with Polaris (and lounge access in-general). It was only recently that they started allowing UnitedClub access for premium cabins on transcon (DL includes DeltaOne and AA includes Flagship). Lounges and access to them are one area SkyTeam and oneworld are ahead of Star Alliance.
Wow. I never fly first class, but if I did I’d be pretty pissed about being turned away from a business class lounge from a so-called partner airline. This benefits me personally, but it’s pretty ridiculous.
Imagine sending a long haul first class flyer to a standard United Club… I feel sorry for the Polaris Club front desk agents that have to enforce this.
First Class Star Alliance customers get Polaris Club access.
So you are saying this means a long-haul LH group business class customer flying out of IAD can no longer access the Polaris lounge? Even on a ticket purchased on United.com? If so, that is a major change. They really need to make that more clear.
That’s how I read it, which is sad. Basically, United is like, ‘Oh, you aren’t on our metal? Enjoy the lowly UnitedClub.”