United tightens Polaris lounge access rules
While browsing around for award space for my next Asia trip, I looked at United's lounge access page and it looked...a little different...
I've never before seen a lounge access page specify different rules for different airlines (and even different fare classes, at that). Perhaps this is the next step in United's devaluation after the introduction of unbundled "Basic Business" fares.
What's even more interesting is that Polaris lounges now exclude general Star Alliance airline access. So if you're flying Air India or Air China business class, you won't be able to access the Polaris lounges anymore. Instead, you'll only get access to the United Club lounges (which are far inferior, in my opinion).
This is very bad news, especially since this was quietly rolled out effective immediately. If you booked an Air India J ticket 3 months ago, United's basically telling you to pound sand.
UPDATE 04/15/26 This has been picked up by OMAAT and he confirms that this seems to be the case.