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United Airlines is planning to introduce new fare options for its premium economy and business class tickets, which can change the benefits you receive.
Starting in select markets in April 2026, when you purchase a Premium Plus or Polaris business class ticket, you'll have three ticket options: Base, Standard and Flexible. The option you choose will determine how many checked bags you get, upgradability, whether your flight is changeable and whether you need to pay a seat selection fee.
For example, Polaris passengers on a Base fare will not have access to United’s premium Polaris Lounges. Instead, they can use the standard United Clubs.
These options bring United‘s fare offerings in line with what the carrier currently offers in its economy cabin, with basic economy and refundable options. United says the new categories will expand to other international long-haul destinations, transcontinental U.S. routes and longer flights to Hawaii later in 2026.
Here’s how the new changes will affect your next United ticket purchase.
New United Polaris fare categories
The major change for United Polaris flyers on a Base fare is the removal of Polaris lounge access. Instead, they'll have access to United's regular United Clubs, which typically lack amenities like showers and restaurant-style dining.
Base fare passengers also need to pay for seat selection, get one less checked bag, can't change their flights and can't upgrade to Polaris Studio suites on eligible aircraft. Your ticket is also non-refundable, although United told NerdWallet that passengers will be able to pay a fee to upgrade from Base to Standard (similar to what it offers for basic economy).
| Base | Standard | Flexible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat selection | For a fee. | Included. | Included. |
| Checked bags | 1 included. | 2 included. | 2 included. |
| Lounge access | United Clubs. | Polaris lounges and United Clubs. | Polaris lounges and United Clubs. |
| Flight changes | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Seat upgrades | No. | Yes, to Polaris Studio for a fee. | Yes, to Polaris Studio for a fee. |
| Refunds | No. | No, but eligible for travel credit. | Yes, to original method of payment. |
Premium Plus passengers on a Base fare are also limited to one complimentary checked bag, need to pay for seat selection and cannot upgrade to Polaris business class. While their tickets are non-refundable and can't be changed, they can pay a fee to upgrade to a Standard fare and receive those benefits.
| Base | Standard | Flexible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat selection | For a fee. | Included. | Included. |
| Checked bags | 1 included. | 2 included. | 2 included. |
| Flight changes | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Seat upgrades | No. | Yes, using miles, money or PlusPoints. | Yes, using miles, money or PlusPoints. |
| Refunds | No. | No, but eligible for travel credit. | Yes, to original method of payment. |
What to make of United's new moves
Keep in mind that these changes do not impact the onboard experience you will receive with United, such as meals and amenity kits.
As part of the changes, United will also rebrand select flights on transcontinental routes and to Hawaii as United Polaris, granting those passengers access to the Polaris lounge. Currently, United flights on premium transcontinental routes are sold as “United Business” and flights to Hawaii are sold as “United First,” with neither including Polaris lounge access.
These changes will primarily affect passengers who book tickets using cash. A United spokesperson told NerdWallet that there are no expected changes for booking award tickets with the introduction of the new fare categories.
» Learn more: The complete guide to United MileagePlus
United’s latest move comes months after Delta Air Lines introduced a similar concept to its own fares. Meanwhile, United’s close Star Alliance partners in the Europe-based Lufthansa Group also rolled out basic fares for their premium economy and business cabins in March 2026.
Other airlines, including some in the Middle East, have long offered fares that have restricted benefits for passengers in premium cabins in exchange for a cheaper price.
These changes are a sign that the industry is moving toward offering differentiated price points within the same cabin in a bid to extract more revenue from those who are willing to pay more for extra perks.
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