Elevate Your Travel Experience: Discover the United Polaris Club in San Francisco

Traveling can often be a mix of excitement and exhaustion, especially when it involves long layovers or extended waits at the airport. However, there’s a world of difference between spending those hours at the gate and indulging in the luxury of a business class airport lounge. The United Polaris Club in San Francisco, voted Best Business Class Lounge in the World, a true sanctuary that transforms your travel experience into something extraordinary.

A Next Level Experience: Why Airport Lounge Access is Elite

Airport lounges offer a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of busy terminals. For those flying with United Airlines, a one-time pass to the United Club is a great option, but for a luxury travel experience, the United Polaris Club is on another level. Accessible exclusively to Polaris Business Class ticket holders, the United Polaris Club provides a la carte dining with table service, and is the flagship lounge of United Airlines.

If you're flying to Tahiti with United, you'll either depart from or have a layover in San Francisco. When I travel between Houston and Pape'ete, Tahiti, the layover in San Francisco is typically 3-5 hours, making it a total travel day of 18-20 hours. On long travel days like these, having airport lounge access can make the difference from a energy-sucking travel day to a fun and relaxing travel day.

The lounge is located in International Terminal G Gates and is available to United Polaris Business Class passengers, Long-haul First Class passengers on a Star Alliance airline with 1 guest, and Long-haul Business Class passengers on a Star Alliance airline. Star Alliance Gold Members will be asked to go to the United Club in G or F Gates.

I recommend this lounge so much that I'd suggest arriving to the airport early to enjoy it with leisure. Allow me to elaborate on the outstanding offerings of the San Francisco’s United Polaris Club and what sets it apart from other airport lounges.

Access & Location

The lounge is located in International Terminal G Gates and is available to United Polaris Business Class passengers, Long-haul First Class passengers on a Star Alliance airline with 1 guest, and Long-haul Business Class passengers on a Star Alliance airline. Star Alliance Gold Members will be asked to go to the United Club in G or F Gates.

What to Expect at the United Polaris Club in San Francisco

1. A la Carte Dining:

Inside United Polaris Club in San Francisco, on the far end of the second floor you'll find a dining room that elevates airport dining to a new level. This is hands-down the best airport dining experience I’ve ever had. My husband enjoyed the hamburger while I enjoyed the miso cod, which could have been a $40+ dish from a fine dining restaurant. It was truly delightful, and the presentation was beautiful. For dessert I opted for a tasty cheese plate paired with a heavenly Oregon Pinot Noir.

Note: to make sure you’re able to get into the restaurant, approach the hostess desk as soon as you arrive to the lounge. She’ll add your name to the waitlist and you’ll get a text when your table is ready (usually 15-30 minutes. Or, maybe you’ll be lucky and be seated immediately! The restaurant has less than 20 tables and serves breakfast until 11:00 am, and a dinner menu from 11:00 am until they close at 10:30 pm.

In the event you don’t have the time to make it to the restaurant, don’t worry! You can still enjoy the buffet area, which is a fabulous grab-and-go spot. From the gourmet tea and beverages, soups, fresh fruit, salad bar, and pastries, to the raw and cooked meal options, this buffet really shows just how much the Polaris Lounge sets itself apart from the United Club. Quite the difference!

2. Luxurious Showers: Refresh and Revitalize

Taking a shower between flights on a long travel day hits different. Travel can be tiring, especially after long flights. The Polaris Club’s luxurious shower suites feel like a reset for your body. The spa-like facilities are equipped with everything you need to freshen up and feel revitalized. They provide fresh towels, a hair dryer, toiletries, a robe, and slippers, ensuring a comfortable and refreshing experience.

Make sure you pack a change of clothes and any toiletries you may want in your carry on, and prepare to board the second leg of your flight feeling fresh and pampered.

3. Premium Bar: Sip and Unwind

No airport lounge experience is complete without a premium bar, and the United Polaris Club doesn’t disappoint. The bar offers a wide selection of fine wines, beers, and premium spirits. Whether you’re in the mood for a cold beer, a glass of champagne, or a carefully curated cocktail, the bar’s sophisticated ambiance is perfect for unwinding.

Most drinks are free, but some premium spirits and cocktails come at an extra charge. If you have miles, keep your United app handy and you can use miles to pay for drinks! Whether you’re paying for drinks or not, remember to keep some cash with you to tip your bartenders - they’re knowledgeable, kind, and deserving of gratitude.

4. Quiet Suites: Power Snooze Before Your Flight

Sometimes you just need a nap. For travelers in need of rest, the United Polaris Club offers a comfortable, dark space for napping and sleeping with their quiet suites. These suites provide comfortable covers, pillows, eye masks, and ear plugs, allowing you to rest peacefully away from the noise of the airport. The quiet environment and thoughtful amenities make it easy to catch up on sleep and arrive at your gate and destination feeling refreshed and well-rested.

Well Worth the Upgrade

The way we begin and end our travels can have a strong effect on the journey itself, as well as our memories of it. For frequent travelers, the difference between a standard airport experience and the business class experience that starts with United Polaris Club is incomparable. It’s not just about having a place to sit comfortably; it’s about transforming your entire journey, even before you get on the plane.

How to Gain Access

The most simple answer is to purchase a business class class ticket. Another way (some may say the smarter way) would be to purchase an economy ticket and use miles to upgrade yourself to Polaris Business Class. With United's prices increasing as they are, I recommend the latter.

Not flying enough to gain the miles needed? Enter the Chase Sapphire Card. This card, and other travel credit cards like it, have a “points” program you can utilize to convert your points into miles (for various airlines - not just United!), resulting in big savings on travel costs.

Apply here to earn 75,000 points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 toward travel when converting points to miles or when redeemed by Chase Travel.

Transform Your Layover: From Mundane to Magical

Imagine the difference: instead of spending hours in a crowded, noisy terminal, you’re enveloped in the serene luxury of the United Polaris Club. The plush seating, delicious food and drinks, and attentive service make it a place where you actually want to spend time. Long layovers become a pleasure rather than a chore, as you relax in comfort and style.

Discover the United Polaris Club in San Francisco and elevate your travel experience to new heights. Once you experience the luxury and comfort it offers, you’ll understand why having access to a business class airport lounge is a game-changer for any traveler.

Thank you for taking the time to explore our travel blog and dive into the exciting possibilities that await you. We hope our stories and tips have inspired your next adventure. At Priority to Paradise, we are passionate about turning your travel dreams into reality. Reach out to us today and let us help you book the vacation of your dreams. Happy travels!