United expands Newark Polaris Lounge with beautiful new dining room
United Airlines is breathing new life into its seven-year-old Polaris Lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) with the opening of a dedicated dining room.
The Chicago-based carrier took the wraps off the 1,500-square-foot space on Wednesday, and it officially opened to the public on Saturday, June 21 — perfectly timed for the start of the summer travel rush.
The entrance to the dining room is in the corner near the lounge's bar, and the granite-lined entryway should be easy enough to spot as you're walking around the lounge.
There's a host stand just outside the dining room, which is where you'll go if you'd like to sit for a meal.
With 60 seats, there hopefully shouldn't be much of a wait during the day, except for possibly right before the afternoon and evening transatlantic departure banks.
The good news is that United will keep the existing dining space open for travelers looking to grab some bites from the buffet, which should hopefully help ease some of the crowding during the busiest times.
The dining room features a host of different seating options.
Lining the windows, you'll find a bunch of solo tables for single travelers, complete with phenomenal airside views of Terminal C's C2 and C3 piers as well as the New York City skyline in the background.
The rest of the seating is around the perimeter of the lounge. Interestingly, all of the remaining tables are in a two-top configuration, but staff can move them together in order to accommodate families or larger groups traveling together.
I love the dining room's design — it feels a bit more modern than the rest of the lounge, though it still blends seamlessly into the space.
The use of frosted mirrors helps promote a feeling of spaciousness, while the gold sconces and light fixtures add some warmth to the dining room.
Missing from the dining room are flatware and dinner service pieces from Crate & Barrel — a partnership that United debuted as part of the renovated Polaris Lounge in Chicago. While the airline is still considering expanding the partnership beyond Chicago, the Newark dining room (as well as all the other Polaris Lounge dining rooms) features nonbranded service pieces.
The dining room is also missing power outlets and USB charging ports. This is partially by design, United explained, because it doesn't want the dining room to turn into a workstation. There are a handful of power outlets throughout the space to charge a phone or laptop, but don't expect to find one at every seat.
The dining room takes over the space of the former invite-only Classified restaurant. The space will likely be far more utilized now that it's in United's hands than in OTG's, the operator of the now-shuttered Classified.
Everything you consume in the dining room is served a la carte with waiter service. There's a breakfast and all-day dining menu, and the transition between the two will happen at 11 a.m.
The airline is debuting slightly refreshed menus as part of the opening, and they include choices like a vegan signature burger with an Impossible patty and lump crabcakes.
You'll also be able to order drinks from the cocktail, beer and wine list while seated in the dining room.
You won't receive a check at the end of your meal, and while tips are certainly not expected, it's worth noting that waiters are allowed to accept tips if you feel you enjoyed the service. (Tips are technically referred to as "gifts" to your waiter since no check is provided and no tip is expected.)
Once the dining room opens, the Newark Polaris Lounge will span more than 30,000 square feet, making it the second-largest business-class-only outpost in the United network (behind the one in San Francisco).
In addition to the dining area, United has refreshed the furniture and added more power outlets and seating options to the Newark space.
This is certainly appreciated as United keeps adding more long-haul flights from Newark, making Terminal C one of the busiest international gateways in the New York City area. In total, the airline offers the Polaris business-class experience on flights to 40 destinations served out of Newark, including the recently launched service to Palermo, Italy; Bilbao, Spain; Faro, Portugal and more.
“Newark offers business class travelers ample opportunity to travel across the Atlantic, and we’re excited to offer them more room to dine before or after their long-haul flights. For years, we’ve been investing in our club and lounge portfolio at Newark, and it's our first hub to fully reflect our new designs and amenities," Aaron McMillan, United’s managing director of hospitality programs, said in a statement.
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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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- 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.
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- 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. |
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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.