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 on a standard or flexible fare (which includes all award tickets), as well as business class or first class on select Star Alliance partner airlines.
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
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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 select Star Alliance partners.
Here's the list of additional airlines whose business and first class passengers are allowed access:
Air New Zealand.
All Nippon Airways.
Austrian Airlines.
Brussels Airlines.
ITA Airways.
Lufthansa.
Swiss International Air Lines.
Business class passengers flying Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian or Brussels must be traveling on a basic or flex ticket. First class passengers are permitted one guest.
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.
United Polaris passengers can access these namesake lounges at departure, during connections and upon arrival. Other passengers with eligible access can only enter a Polaris lounge at the departure airport of their long-haul flight.
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.
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 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 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.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
