How to get United Club lounge access: From credit cards to paid memberships

Airport lounges can serve as oases from a busy, crowded or outdated terminal. Some lounges participate in membership networks like Priority Pass, while others, like the United Club lounge, are operated by individual airlines.

If you’re a loyal United Airlines flyer or frequent one of the carrier’s largest hubs, visiting a United Club lounge is probably already on your radar. However, the airline made some major access changes in 2025.

Here’s what you need to know about accessing United’s lounges.

How to access United Club and Polaris lounges

The Chicago-based airline operates a network of standard lounges known as United Clubs, as well as more exclusive Polaris lounges for eligible premium-cabin travelers on select long-haul international, transcontinental and Hawaii routes. Both offer complimentary food, drinks and Wi-Fi, while Polaris lounges feature additional amenities, such as sit-down dining, relaxation areas and shower suites.

So, how can travelers gain access to United’s network of lounges?

Same-day boarding pass requirement

You’ll need a same-day boarding pass to access United lounges. This can be a same-day boarding pass for a United-operated flight or a flight operated by a Star Alliance partner airline, like Lufthansa or Swiss.

Paid United Club membership

United now has two tiers of paid membership for entry to the Club.

United Club individual membership

Annual fee: $750 or 94,000 miles

This membership offers the primary member unlimited access to all 45-plus United Club locations. There are no discounts available for United Premier members. Individual members can pay to bring guests into the lounge on a one-off basis; a one-time pass costs $59 per guest and is subject to availability.

Individual members do not have access to Star Alliance partner lounges.

United Club All Access membership

Annual fee: Varies depending on Premier status

All Access members can enjoy unlimited United Club access for the primary member and up to two adult guests, or one adult and any dependents under 18.

This membership also includes access to Star Alliance partner lounges and other select partner locations, subject to applicable access policies.

Lifetime United Club members have been converted to All Access memberships.

TPG values United MileagePlus miles at 1.2 cents each per our November 2026 valuations, so your best bet is to pay the annual membership fee with cash rather than miles.

Access United Club lounges with a Credit card

Having an eligible cobranded United credit card can be the most cost-effective way to consistently enter the United Club.

You can get lounge access with the following cards (note that some cards only offer one-time passes):

• United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees): Receive United Club membership that includes access for the primary cardholder and eligible guests.
• United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees): Receive two one-time United Club passes per year.
• United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees): Receive two one-time United Club passes per year.
• United Club℠ Business Card*: Receive United Club membership that includes access for the primary cardholder and eligible guests.

*The information for the United Club Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Unlike a paid Individual membership, a United Club membership earnedncludes entry for primary cardmembers, one adult guest and any dependents under 18 years old

Cardmembers can unlock an All Access membership, which increases the guest allowance and provides access to participating Star Alliance partner lounges, by earning Premier Gold status or higher, or by spending $50,000 on eligible purchases with their United Club Card or United Club Business Card in a calendar year.

Since the annual fee on both the United Club Card and the United Club Business Card is $695, having a credit card to enter the lounge remains a more attractive option than outright buying a membership.

Additionally, the United Club Card and the United Club Business Card offer four one-time passes on each account anniversary. A pass can be used by one person accompanying the primary cardholder or an authorized user into the lounge.

If you’d prefer to avoid the hefty annual fee, you can opt for the entry-level United Explorer Card or the United Business Card, both of which include two single-use United Club passes each year. Note that these day passes don’t include guest access, nor can they be transferred to friends or family who aren’t authorized users or accompanying a cardmember into the lounge.

Access United Club lounges with Elite status

Certain MileagePlus Premier and Star Alliance Gold members can access United Clubs when traveling on eligible flights.

United Premier Gold (and higher) members can access United Clubs when traveling internationally on United or another Star Alliance carrier, regardless of their class of service. They can also bring along one guest who’s traveling on the same flight.

Travelers who earn Star Alliance Gold status through another member airline can access United Clubs when flying on any eligible Star Alliance flight, including domestic United flights. Again, guests must be traveling on the same flight as the elite member.

United’s invite-only Global Services members can enjoy lounge access on all United-operated flights, including those operating exclusively within the U.S. Note that this new perk only covers the Global Services member — you’ll only be able to bring a guest into the lounge with an All Access membership, eligible cobranded credit card or when flying internationally.

Access United lounges with ticket type

Travelers flying in certain premium cabins on United or its Star Alliance partners can also access United Clubs. However, eligibility and guest privileges vary by airline, route and cabin class, as outlined below.

United Club One-time passes

If you don’t travel enough to justify an annual membership, you can also purchase a one-time United Club pass for $59 per person at United Club locations or through the United mobile app. Just note that day passes don’t guarantee entry when lounge is at capacity.

Travelers using a one-time pass can enter a United Club only up to three hours before their scheduled departure time. (This exclusively applies to departure flights, and there is no time limit for entry on connecting flights.) These one-time passes are not accepted at grab-and-go locations, United Polaris lounges, United Arrivals Lounges or partner lounges.

You can also earn complimentary one-time passes with select cobranded credit cards, including:

• United Explorer Card: Two single-use United Club passes per cardmember anniversary
• United Business Card: Two single-use United Club passes per cardmember anniversary
• United Club Card: Four one-time passes annually when cardmembers have an authorized user on their account and have unlocked Club All Access Membership
• United Club Business Card: Four one-time passes annually when cardmembers have an authorized user on their account and have unlocked Club All Access Membership

One-time passes issued through United cobranded credit cards must be redeemed by the primary cardholder, an authorized user or a guest accompanied by either. Each pass admits one person.

Other United Club access

United’s lounges are open to a few other travelers, including:

• Active-duty U.S. military personnel: Eligible active-duty military members traveling on United or United Express can access United Club locations with a valid military ID, boarding pass and documentation such as orders or proof of leave.
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members: North America Plus members can enter U.S. United Club locations, while Worldwide members can use all locations worldwide and bring one guest. You’ll need to show a same-day boarding pass for a flight operated by a Star Alliance airline.
• Virgin Australia Velocity elite members: Velocity Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus members, as well as Virgin Australia Beyond members, can access United Clubs when traveling on an eligible international itinerary with United or Virgin Australia. Eligible members may bring one guest traveling on the same flight.

United Polaris Lounge access

Some premium-class passengers also have access to United’s Polaris lounges, which offer a more premium experience. You can expect modern furnishings, private spa-like shower suites and elevated culinary options.

Three types of passengers are eligible for Polaris lounge access:

• United Polaris business-class passengers: Travelers booked in United Polaris business class on a standard or flexible fare can access Polaris lounges at departure, connecting and arrival airports on their eligible same-day itinerary. United Polaris Base fares do not qualify, and no guests are permitted.
• Star Alliance first-class passengers: Travelers flying first class on Lufthansa, Swiss or ANA can access a Polaris lounge at the departure airport before their international flight. They can bring one guest.
• Star Alliance business-class passengers: Travelers flying business class on Air New Zealand, ANA or ITA Airways qualify for access. Passengers flying on Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian or Brussels Airlines must be booked in Basic or Flex business-class fares. Access is limited to the departure airport for their long-haul international flight, and no guests are permitted.

United Club Fly Access

In addition to United Clubs and Polaris Lounges, the carrier operates a grab-and-go lounge concept called United Club Fly.

The first such space opened at Denver International Airport (DEN) in November 2022, and a second one opened at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in 2025. Eligible travelers can enter Club Fly by scanning their boarding pass at the self-service entry gate.

Once inside, you can head to the snack bar that’s stocked with packaged and prepared foods. You can also order a coffee from the barista.

Given Club Fly’s focus on efficiency, the access policies are a bit different. Eligible United Club members and travelers flying in international premium cabins are eligible to enter, but they cannot bring any guests.

United Club lounge Locations

The Chicago-based carrier operates more than 45 United Club lounge locations. Of course, you’ll find a plethora of United Clubs in the carrier’s main hubs, including:

• O’Hare International Airport (ORD): Five locations, three in Terminal 1 near gates B6, B18 and C10; and two in Terminal 2 across from gates E7 and F9.
• Denver International Airport (DEN): Three locations, one near Gate B32, one near Gate B44 and one near Gate A25. United Club Fly is near Gate B60.
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): Five locations, one in Terminal A across from Gate A9; one in Terminal B near Gate B10; two in Terminal C near gates C1 and C33; and one in Terminal E between gates E11 and E12. United Club Fly is near gates B50–B57.
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): One location adjacent to Gate 71A.
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): Three locations, one in Terminal A near Gate A27; and two in Terminal C near gates C74 and C123.
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Three locations, two in Terminal 3 near gates E4 and F11; and one in the International Terminal between gates G6 and G9.
• Dulles International Airport (IAD): Three locations in the Midfield Terminal near gates C7, C17 and D8.

Apart from DEN, all of the aforementioned airports also have Polaris lounges.

There are other United Club locations scattered across the U.S., including in airports such as Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), among others.

Check out United’s website for a complete list of the airline’s Club and Polaris lounge locations.

Bottom line

United offers a variety of ways to access its United Clubs, both for premium-cabin frequent flyers and for those with a membership.

If you frequently travel with United, it’s worth analyzing which options offer the best bang for your buck to unlock a relaxing lounge experience.

• United Airlines MileagePlus: Guide to earning and redeeming miles, elite status and more
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• United basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Source: thepointsguy.com