United Just Quietly Rejected Most Star Alliance Passengers from Its Polaris Lounges

Assuming that you can enter a Polaris Lounge as a Star Alliance member? Think again, because you are going to want to change your assumptions because United just tightened up its policy on Star Alliance Polaris Lounge access.

Effective immediately, United Airlines overhauled the access policy to its Polaris Lounges for passengers traveling in Star Alliance partnership airlines. What used to be a relatively unrestricted access for passengers in Star Alliance airlines flying through United hubs is now limited to a handful of alliance members, leaving most business class and first-class passengers of major Star Alliance airlines locked out of Polaris Lounges they expected to access.

What Has Changed in Polaris Lounge Access for Star Alliance Passengers

Until recently, Polaris Lounges of United Airlines were accessible for most passengers of other airlines within the Star Alliance. If you flew in premium cabins through one of United hubs on one of the airlines that were part of the Star Alliance partnership, then you could expect to enter one of Polaris Lounges where you enjoyed some of the best lounge services in the US. No more.

Who Can Access United Airlines Polaris Lounges?

• The current access rules for Polaris Lounge limit it to the following passengers only:
• First-class passengers of ANA, Lufthansa, and SWISS
• Basic and flex-fare passengers traveling business class in Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, and SWISS
• Passengers of business class of Air New Zealand, ANA, and ITA Airways
• That's all. The access to this highly valued lounge product was reduced to a shortlist of carriers.

Carriers That Don't Make the List

This change affects a great many people who use to expect access to Polaris Lounge. The airlines whose passengers are no longer eligible include such big names as Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and TAP Portugal. These airlines carry millions of premium passengers every year through major hubs of United Airlines in O'Hare Airport, Newark, Houston, and Los Angeles.

In particular, the fact that Singapore Airlines passengers are no longer allowed into a Polaris Lounge is especially telling. Singapore Airlines are consistently ranked among the best airlines in the world and carry millions of high-value international passengers. Business Class cabins of this airline provide the same level of comfort as United Airlines' Polaris. So, why wouldn't United Airlines allow premium passengers of its partner airline into its lounges?

Why United Made This Decision and It Was Probably Unavoidable

It has been several years now since airport lounge overcrowding became one of the key problems of premium travel. In particular, United Airlines did not escape the issue either, despite being among the most advanced airlines in terms of loyalty program.

The number of flights operating through United hubs increased. With this increase in the flight number, the number of passengers who qualified for Polaris Lounge access increased too. At the same time, alliance partners also grew their flights into the US and routed their premium customers through United's hubs. This meant even more crowded lounges which failed to deliver a relaxed premium experience.

From the business perspective, this was an understandable move that the airline had to take eventually. Crowded lounges don't provide good service quality – they turn into expensive alternatives to departure gates. Limiting access to the lounges in order to maintain premium experience for its main passengers is a logical step indeed.

However, what doesn't seem acceptable is the abruptness of this step taken by United Airlines. Passengers who bought tickets in premium classes weeks and months ago had a Polaris Lounge access factored into their travel plan. Suddenly, without being notified of it, these passengers found themselves without lounge access.

What Affected Customers Should Consider Right Now

If you're among affected passengers, then you should think of the alternative lounge options at United hubs. The United Club remains the option but is clearly not as good as Polaris. There's always a chance that your Star Alliance member airline operates their own lounges in the US, so you may consider this opportunity as well.

Moving Forward, travelers should factor this change into account when making a purchase of international tickets through United hubs. This lounge access or lack of it is a key part of your travel experience, so you cannot take it for granted anymore.

Final Thought

United's decision not to allow passengers of most Star Alliance member airlines to Polaris Lounges tells us what we can expect in the future. Indeed, the issue of overburdened lounges in hub airports is becoming more severe with each year due to the increase in flights, premium cabin seats, and partner airlines. Clearly, something needs to be done about it.

The answer probably is not exclusion. The solution may be found in investments into additional lounge spaces and capacity optimization at US airports. It might even mean a collective effort of all Star Alliance partners to build special alliance lounges at hub airports. But for now, United has already made its decision. For a great many of Star Alliance passengers, access to Polaris Lounge is history.