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.
You can review Polaris Lounge access rules here. They are fairly complicated, though many business and first class passengers will continue to enjoy access when flying on joint venture carriers.
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.
Not on Air India, Singapore Airlines, or Air China…
Wow! I stand corrected. Any idea of the rationale for that?
I think UA is targeting non-JV partners in trying to alleviate lounge crowding. Like the fare increase issue, it’s unfortunate, but it is what it is…thankfully it doesn’t impact many stations (LAX, EWR only as far as I can tell).
Has an impact at IAD. I use to be able to use the Polaris lounge when flying on Ethiopian from Dulles in Business. No longer. And EVA Airways is starting at Dulles now. That’ll be the same.
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.”
JV partners are still allowed access, so LH group flights still get Polaris access. But if you fly, say, SQ First class even, no Polaris access.
Though I remember when those in UA J without *G had only the regular UCs in C/D. That was pretty sad. I don’t think I’d pay more for UA J just to get the Polaris lounge. I’m still not a fan of the UA soft product. Maybe this will cause LH to upgrade their lounge at IAD.
Given the overcrowding at most Polaris lounge locations something is going to have to give.
Far too many people have lounge access on all levels to make any of it exclusive. Perhaps in between flight banks when people are more scarce.
What they should do is open separate lounges for Transcon PAX only, similar layout to like the DL1 Lounge in Boston layout wise. People can just eat, as if it’s a place to grab a good meal and a shower. Just a huge dining room with 20 showers at the front basically. While long-haul J pax get sent to Polaris which would then be upgraded as less pax would then go there.
I hate they added lounge access to Polaris for transcons as the lounge at LAX is horrific now. Just packed. Used to be a great way to pass some time. Newark is more of a zoo than before, SFO will always be SFO. I get why they did it, but they should keep stripping partners away from lounge access if they improve their offerings.
I guess that’s one way of decongesting the lounges. I was flying with EVA to TPE enroute to HKG last December and found the SFO lounge to be far superior to any lounges at SFO and it’s much bigger than their counterpart at LAX. However, the lounge was very crowded which felt anything but relaxing; I also had to wait an hour for a seat at the restaurant. I found the food just OK but the crafted cocktails and choice of champagne was excellent. I primarily fly with EVA due to their abundance of reward seats for their own members. Pre-pandemic, I was always able to get an award seat on ANA quite easily but no more, now you can search one year ahead of time and you still see everything waitlisted even for their own members. I guess I’ll be flying CX but the OW biz lounge is way inferior to the Polaris.
It seems to me that the current lounge system’s overall satisfaction ranking might be: Oneworld > Star Alliance > SkyTeam.
Yes.
In this case, some passengers might avoid flying with UA… UA is a founding member of Star Alliance, but it’s also a company trying to impose heavy restrictions on Star Alliance perks… Something’s not right here!