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Texas may be famous for its Friday night lights, but United Airlines is stealing the spotlight with a new lounge nearly the size of a football field. Its newest United Club, at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), spans a whopping 54,000 square feet. With seating for 800 travelers, it's also the largest airline lounge in the Americas.
AwardWallet got a firsthand look at the massive new space before it opened its doors on October 22, 2026, and there's plenty to be excited about. Here's what travelers can expect from United's newest lounge.b
Where To Find the New United Club in Houston
The new United Club is part of an extensive 33-month, $2.6 billion redevelopment of Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), United's Houston hub. With 48 million people traveling through the airport last year, travelers aren't in short supply. And with United Clubs often feeling crowded during busy periods, this massive new lounge is a welcome addition.
A few key access details:
- The entrance escalators are located in the Terminal B North Concourse, near gate B11.
- The club is open daily from 5:30 am to 9:00 pm.
- It is available to United Club members, one-time pass holders, premium cabin passengers, and Star Alliance Gold members on eligible flights.
Credit: Brie Bash/AwardWallet
Inside the New United Club
The sprawling lounge features distinct seating areas and modern, Western-inspired decor that pays tribute to Texas's cowboy heritage. Artwork from more than 40 artists, most based in Houston, adds a distinctly local touch. I enjoyed the cozy vibe in this room, where you can curl up with a book, watch planes come and go, or use one of 11 private phone rooms.
The main room features an enormous horseshoe-shaped bar. Two buffet areas, ample table seating, and a standing-height counter complete the space around the bar.
Deeper into the lounge, you'll find quiet workspaces, including this library-like room. With high-speed Wi-Fi and plenty of outlets, it's easy to settle in and get some work done.
There is even a family-friendly area with a Pac-Man arcade game and tiered seating that looks perfect for kids to lounge (climb) on.
For a completely different atmosphere, head to the Moonshot Bar in the back of the club. Dark wood finishes, rich jewel tones, and warm pendant lighting give it the feel of an upscale cocktail lounge.
Or pop out onto the 1,350-square-foot terrace for a bit of fresh air. But… maybe not in the summer. It is Houston, after all.
With 800 seats in seemingly every shape and size, you could spend an entire layover sampling the different ways to get comfortable. But with so many food and drink options to explore, you might have other priorities.
A Look at the New United Club’s Food and Beverage Offerings
One of the biggest perks of airport lounge access is enjoying a bite to eat and a drink away from the terminal's hustle and bustle. Luckily, the new United Club has plenty of food and drink options.
Food options
The two buffet areas serve a variety of locally-inspired fare. During the preview, the selections included:
- A taqueria bar with meat, rice, beans, and, because this is Texas, all the fixin's
- Chicken enchilada casserole
- Biscuits and gravy
- Tres leches bites
Everything I sampled was fresh and hot. The taqueria bar was my favorite, especially since I could customize my toppings.
Beverage options
Drink options are plentiful throughout the lounge, with self-serve coffee machines offering espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos. If you're like me and prefer non-dairy milk, head to the bar for specialty coffee drinks with a wider selection of milk alternatives and flavored syrups. A white chocolate oat milk mocha? Yes, please!
There's also a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine with dozens of drink and flavor combinations — the kind that would have my kids bouncing off the walls from a sugar high.
Bar drinks
If you're in the mood for a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail, head to one of the lounge's two stunning bars. Both offer complimentary beverages, including Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Modelo Especial, prosecco, and spirits such as Bacardi rum and Evan Williams bourbon.
For something a little more special, the Moonshot Bar features an extensive selection of premium tequilas, available for purchase at prices ranging from $12 to $21. Specialty cocktails include the Bayou City Paloma, made with tequila, lime, hibiscus, and grapefruit soda, and the alcohol-free Batanga Cero. Both cost $12.
How To Access the New United Club at IAH
If you want to check out the largest lounge in the Americas, you're in luck! There are several ways to get United Club access. You can buy a membership directly, fly in an eligible premium cabin, or enter with the right credit card:
- United Club℠ Card: Cardholders receive a United Club membership, which allows you and a guest (plus dependent children) to enter the club.
- United Club℠ Business Card: Cardholders receive a United Club membership, which allows you and a guest (plus dependent children) to enter the club.
- United℠ Explorer Card: Receive two complimentary one-time entry passes each year.
- United℠ Business Card: Receive two complimentary one-time entry passes each year.
Keep in mind that regardless of how you gain access, you'll need to present a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight to enter the lounge. Additionally, one-time passes can be turned away when the lounge is busy.
$695Rates & Fees
- Earn at least 11X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*
- 5X miles on hotel stays at Renowned Hotels and Resorts
- 5X miles on eligible United purchases
- 2X miles on dining and all other travel
- 1X on all other purchases
- 6X miles on the primary cardmember’s fare from United as a MileagePlus member
- 5X miles on entire United purchases with the United Club℠ Card
$150Rates & Fees
- Earn at least 8X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*
- 2X miles on eligible United purchases
- 2X miles on dining and all other travel
- 1X on all other purchases
- 6X miles on the primary cardmember’s fare from United as a MileagePlus member
- 2X miles on entire United purchases with the United℠ Business Card
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150Rates & Fees
- Earn at least 9X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*
- 3X miles on all other eligible United purchases
- 2X miles on dining and direct hotel stays
- 1X on all other purchases
- 6x miles on the primary cardmember’s fare from United as a MileagePlus member
- 3x miles on United purchases with the United℠ Explorer Card
Our Take
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and United's newest club certainly lives up to the saying. From its sprawling seating areas and two impressive bars to its locally inspired food and artwork, the lounge offers plenty of reasons to arrive at the airport a little early.
As a Houston-based traveler, I'm especially excited to see this addition to United's hub. While it remains to be seen how the lounge handles crowds during peak travel times, my first impression is that United has created a space worth looking forward to on your next trip through IAH.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees), United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees), and United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees)
