What Credit Cards Can Get Me Into the United Polaris Lounge?

United's Polaris lounges are the airline's most exclusive airport lounge offering. They offer sit-down dining, high-end drinks and roomy shower suites — amenities that you won't find in a regular United Club.

Unfortunately, there's no credit card that can get you into a Polaris lounge. The only way to gain entry is flying in United Polaris business class, as well as business class or first class on a Star Alliance partner airline.

However, you can leverage credit card points to book one of those flights that grant you access to the Polaris lounge, or you can hold a United credit card that lets you into some of the airline's other lounge offerings.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

United Polaris lounge locations

United's Polaris lounges are located at the airline's hubs across the U.S. Airports that currently have a United Polaris lounge include:

• Chicago-O’Hare (ORD).

• Houston Intercontinental (IAH).

• Los Angeles (LAX).

• New York-Newark (EWR).

• San Francisco (SFO).

• Washington-Dulles (IAD).

Denver (DEN) is the only domestic hub that doesn't have a United Polaris lounge. However, United has said it plans to build one at the airport.

» Learn more: What to know about United Airlines lounge access

How to get access to United Polaris lounges

You can't use a credit card to gain entry into a United Polaris lounge. Instead, you'll need to be a business class or first class passenger on a long-haul international flight operated by United or one of its Star Alliance partners.

It doesn't matter whether you're flying on a paid ticket or have redeemed miles for your flight. As long as you have a valid same-day boarding pass, you will be allowed into the Polaris lounge.

While there are credit cards that grant you access to United Club lounges, at this time, these cards don't provide entry to United Polaris lounges.

» Learn more: How to get into a United Polaris lounge before your flight

What credit cards allow access to United Club lounges?

All is not lost if you’re looking to get into a United lounge. Although Polaris lounges are exclusive to premium cabin passengers, there are credit cards you can use to enter the airline's United Clubs. These regular lounges typically offer plenty of seating, hot and cold food buffets, a bar, and lounge agents who can help you troubleshoot any day-of-travel issues.

The New United Club℠ Card offers a complimentary United Club membership for cardholders, which means that you’ll be able to use the lounge whenever you’re flying on United or a Star Alliance airline.

The card charges a $695 annual fee, which is less than the cost of a United Club lounge membership. Cardholders can bring one adult guest and dependents under 18 into the United Club free of charge.

The New United℠ Explorer Card, meanwhile, has a $0 intro for the first year, then $150 annual fee. In exchange, you'll get two United Club one-time passes each year. This grants you entry twice yearly to a United Club lounge when you’re flying with United or a Star Alliance partner.

» Learn more: These are the best United credit card offers

Other ways to gain airport lounge access

You don’t have to stick with United Club lounges if you’re looking to take advantage of airport lounges. There are many alternatives for airport lounge access, including a Priority Pass membership, other airport lounge memberships and the Global Lounge Collection from American Express, which you can access by holding certain AmEx credit cards.