Can active duty use United Club?

United Club invitation Access is available to active duty military members and family members with gate passes or traveling on the same flight as the military member and is subject to each location's capacity and seating availability.



In 2026, active-duty military personnel can access United Club locations, but it is not an automatic privilege for all ranks at all times. To enter for free, you must be in uniform or present active-duty orders, and you must be traveling on a confirmed United or United Express flight departing within 24 hours. This benefit is generally extended to those on leave or R&R. If you are not in uniform or on official orders, you usually need a valid United Club membership or a premium cabin ticket. Additionally, many 2026 military travelers utilize the Chase United Club Infinite card, which provides a full membership regardless of duty status. It is a supportive peer-to-peer tip to always carry your Common Access Card (CAC) and a copy of your itinerary, as the agents at high-traffic hubs like Newark (EWR) or Chicago (ORD) are strictly required to verify these documents before granting entry to the lounge.

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Loyalty membership Access to United lounges is primarily available to United Club members, United Polaris business class customers, Star Alliance Gold members and other eligible travelers.

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The American Airlines official site says military members and family traveling same-day on United are eligible to use these airport lounges with a boarding pass and a military ID. Military members must be in uniform to travel.

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Other methods of military airport lounge access include: United Club: Free access to active duty military members and their families taking a United operated flight on the same day. Present your military ID (or be in uniform), boarding pass, and sponsoring documentation. American Airlines Admirals Club: Free access.

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U.S. military personnel traveling in uniform can access domestic and international American Airlines Admirals Club locations, with the exception of the Airspace Lounge in San Diego (SAN) and the JAL Sakura Lounge in Honolulu (HNL).

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What makes Polaris lounges different from United's normal lounges? For starters, they're exclusively for passengers traveling in Polaris business class on United (or business or first class on a Star Alliance flight) for a long-haul international flight.

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Access: To use USO facilities, you need to have a current Active Duty, Guard, Reserve or Dependent ID card. We also accept military retiree ID cards if space is available. For reference though, VA issued ID cards or driver's licenses with Veteran shown on the card do not fall into the above categories.

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USO airport lounges are made to provide comfort to the military community on their journeys, no matter where they're going. At these lounges, which can be located before or after TSA security checkpoints, service members can find everything from free snacks and coffee to a comfy chair to take a quick nap.

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Yes. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and DoD Federal civilians can use TSA PreCheck® benefits for both official and personal travel. Be sure to update all travel reservations with your DoD ID number listed as the Known Traveler Number (KTN) to enjoy benefits.

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Military Airport Lounges: The USO These lounges are open to currently serving military members and their families with unexpired ID cards and feature internet access, sleeping areas, small libraries, mini-theaters, snacks, and other services that vary depending on location.

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Amex Platinum does not offer a United Club membership, so the Platinum Card will not get you into United Club airport lounges.

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If your issuer provides complimentary lounge visits, there will be a “Complimentary Visit” section under My Information on the app and under My Account on the web. If you do not have any complimentary visits, this section will not display.

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