New to United Mileage Plus

[lymt2006]

So I recently status matched from Qantas Gold over to United because of a series of big work trips where I am forced into using United for a particular contract over the next 12 months. Still not use to which lounges I can access and which I can’t but I’m hoping for some help with an upcoming journey.

I will be in business class the whole way.

Leg #1: Sydney - Houston - Mexico City
Leg #2: Mexico City - Houston - Panama City, Panama
Leg #3: Panama City - Houston - Sydney

What’s the best United or Star Alliance Lounge I have access to in each city, including all the stop-overs? I’m especially trying to get my head around when I can use the new Polaris Lounge in Houston.

Thank you for anyone’s United and Star Alliance experience.

 

[Mattg]

I can't help you out with these specific lounges, other than in SYD where I believe you can use either the NZ or SQ lounge. The SQ lounge is nice but I believe the NZ lounge has better food.

Have you checked the Star Alliance website for lounge access?

Lounges

Enjoy the Star Alliance status. I got the same match about a month ago and have been enjoying the benefits on Star Alliance (and Eurowings).

 

[RooFlyer]

Almost certain you'll be able to use the Polaris Lounge in Houston by virtue of your UA J cabin status (as I did at LAX not long ago). These posts show that lounge (I called it United Club, but it was 'Polaris'. )

Is the flight to SYD 'proper' Polaris (that is, seats as well as service)? The flight illustrated in the report I linked to wasn't 'Polaris' business,

 

[RooFlyer]

Just remembered - vaguely - a funny experience I had in transiting Houston (Buenos Aires-Houston-Calgary) on UA three years ago.

Landed at Terminal E (United-only hub) and as far as I recall, didn't go through US immigration! It was a 'normal' country transit, not the full-entry-into-the-USA type one. Not sure how or why, but I suspect some sort of exception by United based on the terminal configuration.

Can you do a Trip Report on your journey? Would like to hear more about the UA J product and its lounges.

 

[lymt2006]

Will definitely do a full trip report. The whole lounge stuff is tricky with this new Polaris Lounge product. From what I have read further it’s only for long haul international business passengers and not for journeys to Central or South America, which is a bit annoying in my instance. However other reports say it can be used as a transit lounge if you have travelled Polaris style business on at least one of the legs. All I want is a shower in between since United seems to have removed showers from all their lounges. It feels a bit complicated like the Perth transit lounge

 

[RooFlyer]

Sounds like you might be right, sorry. From this review of Polaris lounge in Chicago, OMAAT:

United’s Polaris Lounge can be accessed by passengers traveling same day on an international long haul flight in Polaris, even if the long haul flight doesn’t depart directly out of Chicago. In other words, someone traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles to Sydney would have access. Beyond that, passengers traveling nonstop longhaul in a Star Alliance premium cabin out of Chicago the same day get access. That means that those traveling on ANA, Lufthansa, etc., get access, but only on departure and when flying nonstop out of Chicago.

However, the Polaris Lounge isn’t open to Star Alliance Gold members. Instead they’ll be directed to the United Club.

You could ask with a nice smile and clear Australian accent if they refuse at first. Has been known to work.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

United is fine with lounge access arriving from a long haul international and connecting to short haul. They’ve even allowed me access arriving long haul *A and connecting to domestic UA, all on the same ticket (not sure if the latter is technically in the rules anywhere but it seemed to work!)

 

[Franky]

Hi all - have started the process for two award flights IAD-STL return in late Feb/early Mar next year. There are OW flights available, but they hub thru other cities and the flights are in excess of 5 hours. UA has a number of flights direct just under three hours each way. Have made a dummy booking with them, and the points required are 30K for both for the forward leg, and 42K for the return leg. Same aircraft, same airline, different days of the week. Is this the norm in the US, or are there other factors which would explain this? I was of the understanding that return flights with the same departure/destination would be the same each way. We already hold OW award bookings PER/DOH/IAD return on QR.

 

[Mattg]

Hi all - have started the process for two award flights IAD-STL return in late Feb/early Mar next year. There are OW flights available, but they hub thru other cities and the flights are in excess of 5 hours. UA has a number of flights direct just under three hours each way. Have made a dummy booking with them, and the points required are 30K for both for the forward leg, and 42K for the return leg. Same aircraft, same airline, different days of the week. Is this the norm in the US, or are there other factors which would explain this? I was of the understanding that return flights with the same departure/destination would be the same each way. We already hold OW award bookings PER/DOH/IAD return on QR.

It's most likely the case that the flights you're finding have no Saver award availability. You're being quoted Everyday Award prices, which vary and are controlled by yield management.

 

[Franky]

It's most likely the case that the flights you're finding have no Saver award availability. You're being quoted Everyday Award prices, which vary and are controlled by yield management.

Thanks Mattg - makes sense now..

 

[lymt2006]

So have just completed all my legs through Houston and can confirm I was able to use the Polaris Lounge immmediately following a long haul journey in Polaris Business class before my onward journey to Mexico City. I will go as far as to say that I thought it was superior to the Qantas Sydney First Lounge. It felt really good. A little crowded before evening flights but very quiet during the lunch time period. Food and drink was Excellent! Shower facilities very comfortable too.