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Airport lounges offer a haven to unwind before boarding your flight. If you’re traveling with United Airlines or its partner carriers, you may have access to United Airlines’ extensive network of over 45 lounges worldwide, especially if you have a credit card with airport lounge access.
United Airlines has long offered its network of United Clubs, which are dedicated to providing travelers with a premium pre-flight experience. The Chicago-based carrier has taken recent steps to improve its club experience.
Recent highlights include the opening of new United Clubs at major hubs like Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Newark (EWR), as well as extensive renovations at existing locations such as Denver International Airport (DEN) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
However, it’s important to note that some United Clubs turn down customers accessing the lounge with one-time passes due to lounge overcrowding.
Still, United offers various pathways for accessing United Club facilities, catering to travelers across all classes. In this guide, we’ll outline these access options and showcase the diverse array of United Club lounges available worldwide.
How to access United Clubs
Entrance to the United Club in Seattle.
With over 45 United Club lounges worldwide, United Airlines aims to offer a premium pre-flight experience in these lounges.
While the size and amenities of these lounges vary, United’s newest additions often provide an exceptional environment for travelers to relax. Some United Club access methods include purchasing a membership, attaining elite status, holding specific United-branded credit cards and more.
Passengers eligible for access can enter United Club lounges with a same-day boarding pass for travel on United, Star Allianceor a contracted partner-operated flight. Connecting passengers can utilize the lounges at any point before departure or between flights, while arriving passengers, regardless of connecting flights, also have access.
Access United Clubs with the right credit card
United Club bar in Newark at A27.
United Airlines offers its own range of branded credit cards, which can help build up travel rewards. By holding certain United-branded cards, you can unlock access to United Club lounges.
For instance, having the United Club℠ Infinite Card grants you a United Club membership. This membership allows entry into domestic and international United Club lounges (along with select partner lounges) when you have a same-day boarding pass for travel on United or its partner airlines.
If you, as the primary cardholder, are flying on a same-day United or partner flight, you can also bring up to two guests or one adult guest and dependent children under the age of 21 into the lounge.
Currently, the United Club Infinite Card offers a sign-up bonus of 80,000 miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Although there’s an annual fee of $525 associated with the card, considering that a United Club membership typically costs more than that, the card could easily offset its cost with regular travel.
The United℠ Explorer Card and United℠ Business Card both offer two one-time United Club passes after account opening and on each anniversary.
The United℠ Explorer Card offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, while the United℠ Business Card offers a sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Access United Clubs with a membership
Decor of United Club in Newark at A27.
The least expensive way to get a United Club membership is with the United Club Infinite Card. Alternatively, you can purchase a United Club membership online or at a United Club. The membership fee varies based on your elite status with United Airlines.
Aside from paying the membership fee in cash, you can also redeem your United Airlines MileagePlus miles, although this may not yield the best value as United gives less than 1 cent per mile by using your MileagePlus miles for a club membership. Here’s the breakdown of membership costs for individuals:
- MileagePlus members: $650 or 85,000 miles
- Premier Silver members: $650 or 85,000 miles
- Premier Gold members: $650 or 85,000 miles
- Premier Platinum members: $600 or 80,000 miles
- Premier 1K members: $550 or 75,000 miles
Global Services members receive a complimentary United Club membership.
Hold United status while traveling internationally
United Club in Chicago at C10.
If you hold Premier Gold, Platinum or 1Kelite status, you can access the United Club free of charge when traveling internationally. You can also bring one guest if they’re traveling with you on the same flight.
Fly in a premium cabin with United or its partners
United Polaris business class on a Boeing 777.
Passengers traveling in business or first class on international or designated premium transcontinental flights marketed and operated by United Airlines or its Star Alliance partners are entitled to complimentary United Club access.
Eligible transcontinental flights include those with nonstop seats ticketed as United Business between Newark (EWR) and Los Angeles (LAX) and Newark and San Francisco (SFO).
Purchase a United Club one-time pass
United Club in Newark at C74.
A United one-time pass costs $59 per person, allowing entry for one individual into any United Club lounge. While guests are not permitted to accompany the pass holder, children under the age of 2 are exempt from this restriction.
The easiest place to buy a United Club one-time pass is by going to the “United Club and lounges” section on the United app. From there, follow the prompts, and complete your purchase.
As mentioned, the United℠ Explorer Card and United℠ Business Card both offer two annual one-time United Club passes.
At times, certain United Clubs may refuse entry to customers attempting to access the lounge with one-time passes due to overcrowding concerns.
Free access for military personnel
Entrance to United Club in Newark at C74.
Active-duty military personnel are welcome to visit United Club locations. To gain entry, you’ll need a valid military ID and a boarding pass for travel within the next 24 hours on a departing United or United Express flight. Additionally, you must present one of the following:
- Uniform attire
- Leave orders
- Rest and recuperation papers
Family members accompanying you must have gate passes or be traveling on the same flight. However, access is subject to seating availability.
United Club locations
Entrance to the United Club in LAX.
Now that you understand how to access a United Club, it’s equally essential to know their locations. United Clubs are strategically situated in numerous major airports across the globe, particularly in United Airlines hub cities. Here’s a list of airports worldwide where you can find a United Club.
Atlanta (ATL)
Where to find it: North Terminal, Concourse T, between Gates 11 and 12.
At the United Club in Atlanta, travelers can enjoy light snacks and beverages from the self-service bar while staying connected with complimentary Wi-Fi.
Austin (AUS)
Where to find it: West Concourse, Mezzanine Level, across from Gate 22.
At the United Club in Austin, travelers can unwind with a full-service bar, enjoy light snacks and stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi.
Boston (BOS)
Where to find it: Terminal B, Level 3, near Gate 24.
At the United Club in Boston, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Chicago (ORD)
Concourse B
Where to find it: Terminal 1, Concourse B, near Gate B18 and Terminal 1, Concourse B, near Gate B6.
Concourse C
Where to find it: Terminal 1, Concourse C, near Gate C10.
Concourse F
Terminal 2, Concourse F, across from Gate F9.
At United’s four Clubs in Chicago, travelers can indulge in a full-service bar, enjoy light snacks and access complimentary Wi-Fi. The United Club at C10 was recently renovated and opened in January 2023.
Cleveland (CLE)
Where to find it: Main Terminal, Concourse C, between Gates C14 and C16.
At the United Club in Cleveland, travelers can unwind with a full-service bar, indulge in light snacks and stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi.
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
Where to find it: Terminal E, between Gates E6 and E7.
At the United Club in Dallas-Fort Worth, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
United Club in Denver at B44.
Denver (DEN)
Concourse A
Where to find it: Concourse A West, near Gate A25.
Concourse B
Where to find it: Concourse B West, near Gate B32, Concourse B East, near Gate B44 and United Club Fly (grab-and-go snacks) at Concourse B East, near Gate B60.
At the four United Clubs in Denver, travelers can indulge in a full-service bar, enjoy a full buffet and access complimentary Wi-Fi. The United Club at A25 and B44 recently opened in September 2023. The United Club at B44 is the largest location worldwide.
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Where to find it: Terminal 1, next to the escalators near Gate C1.
At the United Club in Fort Lauderdale, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Guam (GUM)
Where to find it: Concourse level East, between Gates 10 and 12.
At the United Club in Guam, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Hong Kong (HKG)
Where to find it: West Concourse, Airside, Level 7, Room 7W504 (Take the escalator located just before Gate 61).
At the United Club in Hong Kong, travelers can typically enjoy light snacks, a self-service bar, showers and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Honolulu (HNL)
Where to find it: Diamond Head Concourse, Level 3, above Gates G2 and G3.
At the United Club in Honolulu, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Houston (IAH)
Terminal A
Where to find it: Terminal A, North Concourse, across from Gate A9.
Terminal B
Where to find it: Terminal B, South Mezzanine, above the United Express ticket counter.
Terminal C
Where to find it: Terminal C, near Gate C1 and Terminal C, South Concourse, toward Gate C33.
Terminal E
Where to find it: Terminal E, between Gates E11 and E12.
At the five United Clubs in Houston, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Las Vegas (LAS)
Where to find it: Terminal 3, Concourse D, between Gates 33 and 35.
At the United Club in Las Vegas, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Los Angeles (LAX)
Where to find it: Terminal 7, next to Gate 71A.
At the United Club in Los Angeles, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
London (LHR)
Where to find it: Terminal 2, across from Gate B46.
At the United Club in London, travelers can indulge in a full buffet, enjoy a full-service bar, take advantage of showers and access complimentary Wi-Fi.
Mexico City (MEX)
Where to find it: Terminal 1, after security G duty-free, 2nd level, Hall H by Gate B19.
At the United Club in Mexico City, travelers can enjoy light snacks, a full-service bar and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)
Where to find it: Concourse E, between Gates E6 and E8.
At the United Club in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
New Orleans (MSY)
Where to find it: Concourse C, near Gate C7.
At the United Club in New Orleans, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The entrance to the United Club in Newark at A27.
Newark (EWR)
Terminal A
Where to find it: Terminal A, Upper level, near Gate A27.
Terminal C
Where to find it: Terminal C, Upper Level, near Gate C74 and Mezzanine level, near gate C123.
All travelers visiting United Clubs in Newark can indulge in a full-service bar, enjoy a full buffet and access complimentary Wi-Fi. However, only the United Club at C123 has showers, which opened in May 2022. The United Club at A27 opened in June 2023, while the United Club at C74 opened in October 2023.
New York (LGA)
Where to find it: Terminal B, Level 3, near the entrance of Gates 40-59.
At the United Club in New York LaGuardia, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Orange County (SNA)
Where to find it: Main Terminal, across from Gate 9.
At the United Club in Orange County, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Orlando (MCO)
Where to find it: Concourse B, near Gate 43.
At the United Club in Orlando, travelers can indulge in a full-service bar, enjoy light snacks and access complimentary Wi-Fi.
Portland, OR (PDX)
Where to find it: Concourse E, across from Gate E-3.
At the United Club in Portland, travelers can enjoy wine and beer, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Philadelphia (PHL)
Where to find it: Level 2, between Concourses C and D.
At the United Club in Philadelphia, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Phoenix (PHX)
Where to find it: Terminal 3, close to Gate E3.
At the United Club in Phoenix, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Raleigh-Durham (RDU)
Where to find it: Terminal 2, across from Gates D1 and D3.
At the United Club in Raleigh-Durham, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
San Antonio (SAT)
Where to find it: Terminal B, between Gates B3 and B5.
At the United Club in San Antonio, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
San Diego (SAN)
Where to find it: Terminal 2 West, Mezzanine Level above Sunset Cove, between Gates 47 and 48.
At the United Club in San Diego, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
San Francisco (SFO)
Terminal 3
Where to find it: Terminal 3, Boarding Area E, near Gate E4 and Terminal 3, Boarding Area F, Rotunda, near Gate F11.
International Terminal G
Where to find it: International Terminal, Boarding Area G, between Gates G6 and G9.
At the three United Clubs in San Francisco, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The entrance to the United Club in Seattle.
Seattle (SEA)
Where to find it: Concourse A, across from Gate A10 on the mezzanine level.
At the United Club in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Tokyo (NRT)
Where to find it: Airside, Satellite 3.
At the United Club in Tokyo-Narita, travelers can enjoy light snacks, a self-service bar and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Washington, D.C. (DCA)
Where to find it: Terminal 2, across from Gate 11.
At the United Club in Washington’s National Airport, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Washington, D.C. (IAD)
Concourse C
Where to find it: Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C4, Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C7 and Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C17.
Concourse D
Where to find it: Midfield Terminal, Concourse D, near Gate D8.
At the United Club in Washington’s Dulles Airport, travelers can enjoy a full-service bar, light snacks and complimentary Wi-Fi.
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