Inside the Brand New United Polaris Lounge in San Francisco
Today, 515 days since United opened their first Polaris Lounge in Chicago, their second United Polaris lounge is ready for business in San Francisco. These Polaris lounges are an essential component of the rebranded and reimagined United Polaris experience for long-haul premium cabin travel. The only real complaints I've heard about the Polaris lounge is simply how long it has taken to get them up and running. Until today, the sole functioning Polaris lounge was in Chicago. However, serious progress is being made in getting the Polaris lounge network up and running, and now the SFO Polaris lounge is officially open! Not only that, but several other United Polaris lounges are almost ready, so we'll get to that information, too.
We'll get to which lounges come next shortly, but for now, let's focus on the newly opened United Polaris lounge in San Francisco. This lounge is located near gate G93 at SFO and can be accessed in the following situations:
- Traveling same-day in United Polaris business or first class at your departure, connecting and arrival airports. United Polaris first class guests can also bring in one guest while business class passengers cannot bring a guest.
- Traveling same-day in Star Alliance business or first class at the international departure airport only. Star Alliance first class passengers may bring one guest.
- In all cases, eligible business class and first class flights are trans-Pacific or trans-Atlantic flights, and on flights from the U.S. to the southernmost South American destinations including Lima, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. All other international routes are United Business and include the use of the regular United Club. This includes flights to Guam, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia and Ecuador.
This will understandably be confusing for some since the entrance requirements are very different than for the standard United Club lounges and even an international first class ticket isn't enough to get you in since there are destination requirements.
The brand new United Polaris Lounge at SFO is set over two levels that are spread across more than 28,000 square feet with 440 seats, 492 power outlets, and 492 USB ports. I like that math, as you need all your devices fully charged before stepping on a long haul flight with little ones.
Speaking of, yes, your kiddos can go into the United Polaris Lounge, assuming they are also ticketed passengers on eligible Polaris flights, or are your one permitted guest on an eligible international first class ticket. That said, of course, you will want to be sure they are on their best behavior or take a break from the lounge with them and play out in the terminal until they are ready to return. There is no dedicated family room in this lounge, but hopefully, you can find a nook for them to hang out away from most of the crowd.
On the first floor, there are five daybed rooms called 'Quiet Suites' with Saks Fifth Avenue bedding. Be aware that these rooms do not have doors, so they probably aren't the best spot for a nap meltdown...especially given their 'quiet' name.
On the first floor, there is also a baby wellness room with a real functioning door. This room could be used for nursing, diaper changes, or other little kid needs. I have to again point out that I think with 28,000 square feet to work with, it was a serious oversight to not offer a family room. Like it or not, children will periodically be in this lounge with their family, and it is in everyone's best interest to have an age-appropriate space for them.
The United Polaris Lounge at SFO has eight shower suites with rainfall showers and SoHo House Cowshed products. My friend, Michael (AKA Jetsetr), went to one of the pre-opening events for this lounge and provided the pictures and some first-hand info for this post. He said that there relaxing music pumped into this area to make it feel like you are in a spa. Additionally, he said that one of the shower suites is ADA friendly.
After exploring the ground level, can choose to head upstairs for the views, drinks, food, and more waiting for you on the second level. While you would find my youngest daughter riding the escalator on repeat, there is also an elevator available to get between levels.
As is true on the first floor, there are several different seating areas you can seek out, depending on your needs and where folks in the lounge are distributed at the moment.
As somewhat of an #AVGeek, I love that they have an area upstairs so perfectly made for plane spotting!
While the regular United Clubs may not be a mecca for dining with their standout stars being items such as brownie bites, coke machines, and soup, the United Polaris Lounges are a whole different ballgame when it comes time for food and drinks.
I'm going to save a full dive into the food and drink offerings at the United Polaris Lounge at SFO for the second part of this story tomorrrow, but for today know that if you have a long layover, or just want to eat on the ground before getting on the plane, you can choose from the buffet or a sit-down dining experience...or enjoy both.
The buffet has offerings such as a ramen noodle bar and unique-to-San Francisco selections that align with the flight schedules and destinations of United and Star Alliance partners.
For a more formal experience, you can also head to "The Dining Room" for restaurant-style dining with items ranging from Chinese congee breakfast to United Polaris burgers. My friend gave all the options he tried a thumbs up in terms of portion size, presentation, and flavor, though do keep in mind this was for a special pre-opening event, so time will tell if this holds during normal operations (though I am betting it will).
Naturally, there is also a bar with Bay Area and aviation-inspired cocktails such as the Paper Airplane shown below. We will look at many more of the bar options and inclusions in Part 2.
Michael travels around the globe quite a bit, and he said that the United Polaris Lounge is now his favorite business class lounge in the United States, and it even approaches the quality of famed international lounges such as Cathay Pacific Wing or Pier lounges in Hong Kong and the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow. Those are some pretty strong words, so I can't wait to visit one of these United Polaris Lounges for myself.
The next United Polaris lounge to open will be at Newark Liberty International Airport in May or early June. Then comes the United Polaris lounge at George Bush Intercontinental in Houston this summer (woohoo!), followed by the lounge at Los Angeles International Airport this fall. Down the road, they are still planning Polaris lounges in Washington Dulles, Hong Kong, London Heathrow and Tokyo Narita.
For most of us, getting into the United Polaris Lounges will be a rare and special treat since there isn't a credit card, membership, elite status, or day pass you can purchase to get in. You have to be flying on a long-haul international first or business class ticket with United or a Star Alliance partner to enjoy all that these lounges have to offer. The next time you have one of those fancy flights out of San Francisco, it looks like you are in for 28,000 square feet of pampering before you ever leave the ground.
Have you gotten to enjoy a United Polaris Lounge or will a visit be in your future?
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.