How to Get into United Club

Traveling can be hectic. For frequent fliers, airport lounges provide an oasis of calm. The United Club is one such sanctuary. Here’s how you can access it.

Membership Options

United Club offers several membership plans. Individuals can either purchase an annual membership or use the one-time passes. The annual membership can be paid for in full or in monthly installments.

Annual Membership

Annual memberships come in a couple of tiers. Prices vary based on your MileagePlus status. Members earn points that can unlock benefits and potentially lower costs.

• General members: Membership costs around $650 per year.
• Premier Gold members: Can expect to pay around $600 per year.
• Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members: Enjoy the lowest prices, at approximately $500 per year.

If you frequently travel with United, this could be a cost-effective option.

One-Time Pass

For those who don’t fly as often, the one-time pass might be a better option. United sells these for $59 each. You can buy them online or at the club entrance. It grants access to the Club for one day. Be sure to check if any promotions are running; sometimes discounted passes are available.

Credit Card Perks

Certain credit cards offer complimentary United Club access as a perk. These credit cards typically have high annual fees but can be worth it if you travel often.

United Club Infinite Card

The United Club Infinite Card provides the most direct access. This card has an annual fee of $525. It includes unlimited United Club access for the primary cardholder and eligible travel companions.

United MileagePlus Club Card

Another card worth considering is the United MileagePlus Club Card. This card was issued by Chase and offers similar lounge access benefits. If you have an old Visa or Mastercard version, you may still be eligible for entry.

Request Offers from Your Bank

Sometimes banks offer temporary lounge access promotions tied to other premium cards. Check with your bank for any existing partnerships with United Club.

Ticket Class and Status

Certain ticket classes and statuses grant automatic access to United Club lounges. Primarily, this involves international travelers and top-tier MileagePlus members.

Polaris or Business Class Tickets

If you’re flying United Polaris business class, you get automatic access. This applies to both departure and arrival lounges. For premium transcontinental flights, similar access perks may apply.

Star Alliance Gold Members

Flying with a Star Alliance partner? If you’re a Star Alliance Gold member, you’ll have complimentary access. This isn’t limited to just United Airlines flights.

P.S. Check your boarding pass for confirmation. It usually states lounge access privileges.

Day Pass with Certain Routes

Flying certain routes might entitle you to lounge access, regardless of ticket class. These include services such as premium transcontinental flights and long-haul international flights.

For instance, business class tickets between New York and Los Angeles or San Francisco often include lounge entry.

Guest Policies

United Club has specific policies for guests. Annual members and cardholders can usually bring one adult guest or two children under 21 years old. However, this can depend on the type of access you have. Always verify guest policies before your visit to avoid surprises.

Military and Veterans

United Club sometimes offers special access to active military personnel. Present a valid military ID and a same-day boarding pass on a United flight. Confirm current policies online as they can change.

Purchasing or Earning Miles

Purchasing United miles can sometimes come with promotional access. Earning a significant number of miles through flights may also result in offers for temporary lounge access. Keep an eye out for such promotions.

Partner Lounges

Remember that United Airlines participates in the Star Alliance network. Your lounge access benefits may extend to their partner lounges as well. This can be especially useful when flying international routes.

Considerations and Tips

Occasionally, United Club lounges may be crowded. During peak travel periods, access may be restricted only to those with higher-tier memberships or ticket classes. Plan accordingly.

Check if your intended United Club operates at your layover or departure airport. Not all airports have lounges, and opening hours may vary based on the day and location.

Lastly, always carry a secondary form of identification. Though rare, occasional system issues might require additional verification.

These strategies should help you gain and maximize access to United Club lounges. Happy travels!