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United Airlines recently overhauled its United Club membership program, introducing two new tiers and changing how many travelers can access United lounges. These updates took effect in March 2025, alongside United's revamp of its credit cards. Together, these changes impact both solo flyers and those traveling with companions — especially when it comes to guest privileges and Star Alliance lounge access.
Whether you're flying for work or leisure, having United Club access can make a big difference in your airport experience. From high-speed Wi-Fi and complimentary snacks to more comfortable seating and quieter spaces, United lounges offer a welcome escape from the terminal crowds.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about accessing United Clubs — who’s eligible, how to get in (with or without a membership), and what to expect once inside.
Page Contents
- Types of Membership
- United Club Amenities
- United Lounge Locations
- How Can You Access United Clubs?
- United Club membership cost
- Get a complimentary United Club membership with select credit cards
- Use a day pass from a United credit card
- Travel in a premium cabin on select routes
- Access United Clubs with Star Alliance elite status on select itineraries
- Access United Clubs with Virgin Australia elite status
- Active U.S. military
- Bottom Line
Types of Membership
In March 2025, United introduced significant updates to its club membership program, including revised access policies and updated pricing. Membership is now divided into two tiers: Individual Membership and All Access Membership.
Individual Membership
An individual membership allows the member access to United Club locations worldwide when flying on United or a partner airline. No guests are permitted with an individual membership, so this option is best for frequent solo travelers.
All Access Membership
For travelers who typically fly with companions, the All Access Membership includes club access for up to two adult guests, or one adult guest and any dependent children under the age of 18. It also includes access to Star Alliance lounges worldwide. This privilege, which was previously extended to all members, is now limited to only All Access members. Therefore, those who frequently travel internationally would likely prefer the flexibility and expanded lounge portfolio accessible with the All Access Membership.
United Club Amenities
The United Club provides complimentary snacks and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but the selection varies by location. Some have a full buffet or to-go meals, while others may only have a variety of snacks. Moreover, some clubs have other amenities, such as showers, clothes pressing, private workspaces, and outdoor spaces.
However, something each outpost has in common is comfortable seating and high-speed Wi-Fi. This makes United Clubs a convenient place to rest or get some work done.
The United Club Fly, a grab-and-go concept lounge, opened in Denver in 2022. Another is set to open in Houston's (IAH) Terminal B in early 2025. The United Polaris Lounge is exclusively for business-class travelers and features upscale amenities such as shower suites, full-service dining, and private relaxation areas.
United Lounge Locations
United Airlines has a portfolio of lounges which include:
- United Clubs
- Polaris Lounges
- United Club Fly
- Star Alliance-affiliated lounges
United Club locations
| Airport | Location |
|---|---|
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia (ATL) | Between gates 11 and 12 (North Terminal, Concourse T) |
| Austin-Bergstrom International, Texas (AUS) | Across from gate 22 (West Concourse, Mezzanine Level) |
| Boston Logan International Airport, Massachusetts (BOS) | Near gate 24 (Terminal B, Level 3) |
| Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Illinois (ORD) | • Gate B6 (Terminal 1, Concourse B) • Gate B18 (Terminal 1, Concourse B) • Gate C10(Terminal 1, Concourse C) • Across from gate F9 (Terminal 2, Concourse F) |
| Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Ohio (CLE) | Between gates C14 and C16 |
| Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas (DFW) | Between Gates E6 and E7 (Terminal E) |
| Denver International Airport, Colorado (DEN) | • Near gate B32 (Concourse B West) • Near gates B60 (Concourse B East) • Near gate B59 (Pop-up location) |
| Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida (FLL) | Near gate C1 (Terminal 1) |
| Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam (GUM) | Between gates 10 and 12 (Concourse – East) |
| Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) | West Concourse, Airside, Level 7 Temporarily closed, but to reopen in 2025. |
| Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii (HNL) | Above gates G2 and G3 (Diamond Head Concourse, Level 3 |
| Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Texas (IAH) | Between gates E11 and E12 (Terminal E) • Gate C33 (Terminal C, South Concourse) • Across from gate A9 (Terminal A, North Concourse) • Above the United Express ticket counter (Terminal B, South Mezzanine) • Near gate C1 (Terminal C) |
| Harry Reid International Airport, Nevada (LAS) | Between gates 33 and 35 (Terminal 3, Concourse D) |
| Los Angeles International Airport, California (LAX | Gate 71A (Terminal 7) |
| London Heathrow Airport, Great Britain (LHR) | Across from gate B46 (Terminal 2) |
| Mexico City Airport, Mexico (MEX) | Hall H, second level (Terminal 1) |
| Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, Minnesota (MSP) | Between gates E6 and E8 (Concourse E) |
| Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Louisiana (MSY) | Near gate C7 (Concourse C) |
| Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey (EWR) | Near gate C123 (Terminal C) |
| LaGuardia Airport, New York (LGA) | Near the entrance to gates 40–59 (Terminal B, Level 3) |
| John Wayne Airport, California (SNA) | Across from gate 9 |
| Orlando International Airport, Florida (MCO) | Near gate 43 (Concourse B) |
| Portland International Airport, Oregon (PDX) | Across from gate E3 (Concourse E) |
| Philadelphia International Airport, Pennsylvania (PHL) | Level 2, between concourses C and D |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona (PHX) | Near gate E3 (Terminal 3) |
| Raleigh-Durham International Airport, North Carolina (RDU) | Across from gates D1 and D3 (Terminal 2) |
| San Antonio International Airport, Texas (SAT) | Between gates B3 and B5 (Terminal B) |
| San Diego International Airport, California (SAN) | Between gates 47 and 48 (Terminal 2 West, Mezzanine Level) |
| San Francisco International Airport, California (SFO) | • Between gates G6 and G9 • Near gate F11 (Terminal 3, Concourse F) • Near gate E4 (Terminal 3) |
| Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) | Across from gate A10 (Concourse A, Mezzanine Level) |
| Tokyo Narita (NRT) | Airside, satellite 3 |
| Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington, D.C. (DCA) | Across from gate 11 (Terminal B) |
| Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington, D.C. (IAD) | • Gate C7 • Gate C17 • Gate D8 |
United Polaris Lounge locations
There are currently six Polaris Lounge locations:
- Chicago (ORD)
- Houston (IAH)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Newark (EWR)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Washington, D.C. (IAD)
Credit: United
How Can You Access United Clubs?
To enter a United Club, you’ll need a same-day boarding pass for a flight operated by United, a Star Alliance member, or a United partner airline. However, to gain access in the first place, you have several options.
United Club membership cost
The most straightforward option is to purchase a United Club membership. Here are the costs associated with each membership level:
| MileagePlus status | Individual membership | All Access membership |
|---|---|---|
| Regular member | $750 or 94,000 miles | $1,400 or 175,000 miles |
| Premier ® Silver | $750 or 94,000 miles | $1,400 or 175,000 miles |
| Premier Gold | $750 or 94,000 miles | $1,400 or 175,000 miles |
| Premier Platinum | $750 or 94,000 miles | $1,300 or 163,000 miles |
| Premier 1K | $750 or 94,000 miles | $1,200 or 150,000 miles |
As you can see, you can also pay with United miles instead of cash at a value of up to 0.8¢ per mile, which isn't great.
If you don't want a full membership, you can also purchase a day pass (either at the airport or on the app) for $59. Each traveler will need their own pass (except kids under the age of 2). You still need a same-day boarding pass for United or partner travel.
Get a complimentary United Club membership with select credit cards
One big reason to get a United credit card from Chase is that you can acquire United lounge access for less than it costs to purchase an individual membership.
- Limited-Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles
- 4x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- United Club℠ card membership - at least a $750 value
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
- Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases to use toward an eligible award flight - up to two times each calendar year
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Unlike the paid-for individual membership, the United Club Infinite card allows you to enter the lounge with up to one guest and any dependent children under the age of 18. It does not, however, include access to Star Alliance lounges. Cardholders can earn the All Access benefits (an extra adult guest and Star Alliance lounge access) by meeting a minimum spend of $50,000 on the card in a calendar year.
The United Club Card also includes several other benefits, such as free checked bags, TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS statement credits, and the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward elite status through card spending.
The United Club℠ Business Card also grants cardholders an annual United Club membership and various other travel benefits for just a $695 annual fee.
Use a day pass from a United credit card
Two credit cards give you complimentary one-time passes to use at the United Club each year:
- The New United℠ Explorer Card ($0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150)
- The New United℠ Business Card ($0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 annual fee)
- 2X miles per $1 spent on purchases from United®
- 2X miles per $1 spent on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 2x on United® purchases
- 2x on local transit and commuting — including train tickets, taxicabs, mass transit, tolls and ride share services
- 2x at gas stations, restaurants and office supply stores
- 1x on all other purchases
Both cards give you two passes per year. Each guest must have their own pass (except those under 2 years old) and be flying on United or a partner airline that day. As of March 2025, the cardmember or an authorized user must be present to redeem a day pass.
It is worth noting that the lounges will, at times, deny entry to one-time pass holders when the lounge is busy or operating near capacity. In my experience, using a one-time pass is hit or miss; I’ve been turned away just as often as I’ve gotten in, so access is far from guaranteed.
If you're traveling in business- or first class on a United or partner route, you have access to a United Club or the elevated Polaris Lounge. Here are the club access rules for each type of ticket:
| Type of Ticket | Rules for Access |
|---|---|
| United Polaris business class | • Departure, connecting, and arrival airports with a same-day ticket. • Polaris Lounge if available or United Club • No guests allowed. |
| United business class | • Departure and arrival airports, with a same-day international or intercontinental ticket • Connecting airports with same day tickets for an international flight • No guests allowed. |
| United first class | • Departure, connecting, and arrival with a same-day ticket to or from Canada • No guests allowed. |
| United Premium Plus | • You can buy a discounted (amount undisclosed) one-time United Club pass |
| First class on a Star Alliance member | • Departure airport (United Club or Polaris) only a same-day boarding pass for an international flight. • One guest allowed at United Club locations |
| Business class on Star Alliance partners | • Departure (United Club or Polaris) airport only; requires a same-day boarding pass for an international flight. • No guests allowed. |
Access United Clubs with Star Alliance elite status on select itineraries
If you have Star Alliance Gold status, you can access United Clubs if you have a same-day departure boarding pass on a Star Alliance-operated flight and a valid Star Alliance Gold card. You may bring one guest traveling on the same flight. Note that if you have Star Alliance Gold obtained through United Gold status, you can only visit U.S. lounges with an international same-day boarding pass, not when departing for a domestic flight.
North America and worldwide members of the Air Canada Maple Leaf Club also have access to United Clubs at departure airports. They must have a valid Air Canada Maple Leaf Club membership card and a same-day boarding pass for a flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline. Worldwide members can bring one guest.
Related: Beginner's Guide to Airline Alliances & Partnerships
Access United Clubs with Virgin Australia elite status
Finally, Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyers who are Gold, Platinum, or VIP elites can also access United Club locations with a same-day boarding pass on international United- or Virgin Australia-operated flights. Members are allowed one guest.
Related: Virgin Australia Partner Switch: Delta Out, United In
Active U.S. military
Lounge access is a nice perk offered by United to active military members. They can enjoy complimentary access to any United Club if they have:
- Valid military ID
- A boarding pass departing on a United or United Express flight within the next 24 hours
- One of the following: Dressed in uniform, leave orders, or rest and recuperation papers
Active military visiting a club can also bring family members who are either traveling on the same flight or who have gate passes.
Bottom Line
Travel can be exhausting, especially during long layovers. Relaxing in a lounge can make your journey more comfortable, giving you a chance to rest and recharge away from the crowded terminals. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for both frequent and occasional United travelers to access United Clubs around the world.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The New United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees), The New United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees), and The New United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees)
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