United Polaris passengers can now access the Alaska lounge at JFK
Stella Shon is a former TPG writer. Based in New York City, Stella is always on the road (or in the air).
Sept. 04, 2021
•
2 min read
United Polaris passengers can now access the Alaska lounge at JFK
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Since United Airlines returned to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) earlier this year, the carrier has been flying just two routes out of Terminal 7: JFK to Los Angeles (LAX) and JFK to San Francisco (SFO) on the posh Boeing 767-300ER. (Starting Oct. 5 United will switch over to the Boeing 757-200.)
While United operates lounges at both LAX and SFO, there isn't a United lounge at JFK.
This all changes as United business passengers now have complimentary access to the Alaska Lounge at Terminal 7 — a huge improvement from no lounge access whatsoever.
Related: Your First Look at Alaska’s Brand-New JFK Lounge
While not as fancy as United’s Polaris lounge in SFO, the space is definitely in the upper tier when it comes to domestic lounges.
As first reported when the lounge opened in 2018, the space features large floor-to-ceiling windows that envelop the entire lounge with views of runway 31R and Terminal 5. There’s plenty of seating throughout the space and loads of power outlets. The food and beverage offerings are great for being a smaller lounge, including a coffee bar.
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This Alaska lounge was closed throughout most of the pandemic, but it has since reopened and will now be accessible to those flying United Polaris.
Note that if you're a Priority Pass member, you can also enter the Alaska Lounge in JFK's Terminal 7.
Lounge access is only available two hours before a scheduled flight departure. The current hours are 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily., and the only day the lounge is closed is on Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
Featured image by (Photo by Brendan Dorsey/The Points Guy)
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees