Lounge Frog guide
United Club (C17) vs United Polaris Lounge
United Polaris Lounge is the stronger lounge overall, rated 4.6/5 on Lounge Frog against 3.1/5 for United Club (C17). United Polaris Lounge is ahead on seating & comfort, food, drinks & bar, coffee, staff & service and views & light. Both are in Concourse C at IAD. Star Alliance Gold Lounge Access gets you into both.
Details checked as recently as September 2026. Comparison updated October 2026. Scores are Lounge Frog's editorial ratings, explained in how we rate.
Side by side
| Detail | United Club (C17) | United Polaris Lounge |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.1/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Seating & comfort | 4.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Quiet | Not rated | 5.0/5 |
| Space | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Food | 3.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Drinks & bar | 2.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Coffee | 3.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Wi-Fi | Not rated | 5.0/5 |
| Power outlets | Not rated | 4.0/5 |
| Workspace | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Showers | Not rated | 4.0/5 |
| Restrooms | Not rated | 5.0/5 |
| Cleanliness | Not rated | 4.0/5 |
| Staff & service | 4.0/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Views & light | 1.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Exclusivity | 3.0/5 | Not rated |
| Terminal | Concourse C | Concourse C |
| Nearest gate | C17 | C17 |
| Hours | 5:30 AM – 10 PM daily | 5:30 AM – 10 PM daily |
| Bar | Full bar | Craft cocktail bar |
| Shower rooms | None on record | 8 |
| Guests | Individual members: no guests. All Access members: up to 2 adult guests, or 1 adult plus dependents under 18. United Club cardmembers: 1 adult guest plus dependents under 18. One-time passes $59. Same-day United or Star Alliance ticket required. | United Polaris business passengers and Star Alliance long-haul international business/first passengers only; no guests. Star Alliance international first: 1 guest. |
Who gets in
- Both lounges
- Star Alliance Gold Lounge Access
- Only United Club (C17)
- United Club
- Only United Polaris Lounge
- None
Quick answers
Which is better, United Club (C17) or United Polaris Lounge?
United Polaris Lounge is the stronger lounge overall, rated 4.6/5 on Lounge Frog against 3.1/5 for United Club (C17). United Polaris Lounge is ahead on seating & comfort, food, drinks & bar, coffee, staff & service and views & light.
Can one membership get me into both United Club (C17) and United Polaris Lounge?
Yes. Star Alliance Gold Lounge Access is listed at both lounges. Entry still depends on each program's rules on the day.
Are United Club (C17) and United Polaris Lounge in the same terminal?
Yes. Both are in Concourse C at Washington Dulles International.
Which has showers, United Club (C17) or United Polaris Lounge?
United Club (C17) has none on record; United Polaris Lounge has 8 showers.