Review of the Newark United Club lounge
The entrance area to the United Club at Newark Airport
Updated - April 2026
Debbie and I fly out of Newark Liberty a lot. It's our closest airport, and it's a major United hub, which means we've spent plenty of time in the United Clubs here over the years.
Newark has three United Clubs plus a Polaris Lounge, and they're all pretty different. The newest and biggest one near Gate C123, and that’s the one we like best.
Here's what you need to know if you're heading there.
| Lounges at EWR | 3 United Clubs (A27, C74, C123) plus Polaris Lounge (C102–C120) |
| Hours | Roughly 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM daily (varies by location) |
| Day pass cost | $59 per person through the United app |
| Priority Pass? | No, United Clubs are not part of Priority Pass |
| Our pick | United Club near Gate C123 (largest, with showers and tarmac views) |
| Terminal hopping? | Newark terminals do not connect airside. You’ll need to re-clear security. |
Where is the United Lounge located at Newark Airport?
The four United lounges at Newark Airport
United operates three regular United Clubs at Newark, plus a Polaris Lounge for long-haul international business class passengers. You cannot walk between terminals airside at Newark, so the lounge you can use is the one in the terminal you're flying from.
United Club near Gate C123 (Terminal C)
This is the big one. 30,000 square feet, around 480 seats, and the best of the bunch in our opinion. It opened in 2022 and still holds up. The library area at the entrance, the floor-to-ceiling windows, the skylights, and the showers. It's a real step up from the old United Clubs. If you are an aviation geek, there are plenty of seats that allow you to watch the action on the tarmac.
United Club near Gate C74 (Terminal C)
The other Terminal C club. It was renovated recently and now has an art deco bar and a decorative ceiling at the entrance that reminds us of Grand Central Terminal. Smaller than C123 and no showers, but a nicer design than it used to have.
United Club near Gate A27 (Terminal A)
Terminal A used to be the spot you never wanted to fly out of. It was old and outdated. But a new, gorgeous Terminal A opened in 2023 and the United Club here is a solid option if you're flying out of A. Smaller than the Terminal C clubs but clean, modern, and usually quieter.
United Polaris Lounge (Terminal C)
Between gates C102 and C120. This is the premium one, with sit-down dining, shower suites, and a much more exclusive feel. You need a long-haul international business class boarding pass to get in. We haven't had the chance yet, but hopefully one day.
Other lounges at Newark
An Amex Centurion Lounge is under construction at Terminal A and is expected to open in 2026. Once it does, all three of the NYC area airports will have a Centurion Lounge (JFK and LaGuardia already do).
The entrance to the United Club at Newark’s Terminal C.
Who can access the United Lounge?
| Access Method | Details |
|---|---|
| United Club Card or Infinite Card | Unlimited access, plus a guest |
| United Explorer Card | Two one-time passes per year (this is what we use) |
| Day pass | $59 through the United app, within 3 hours of departure |
| Premium cabin (international) | Business or first class on United or Star Alliance long-haul |
| Star Alliance Gold | With a same-day international Star Alliance boarding pass |
For me, the United Explorer card has been a good deal for years.
It gets me two United Club passes each year, a free first checked bag for me and a companion on United flights, and priority boarding. The annual fee is $150 (waived the first year), and if you fly United even once a year with a checked bag, the card pretty much pays for itself. The two lounge passes are the cherry on top.
One thing to know: to get the free checked bag, you need to book the flight with the Explorer card and include your MileagePlus number in the reservation. It's not automatic.
A word on the day passes. Your $59 day pass doesn't guarantee entry. If the lounge is crowded, they can turn you away.
This happened to us once. On a trip to London, Debbie and I used my two United Explorer Card passes and enjoyed the lounge before our flight. The flight got canceled and rescheduled for the next day. I was about to buy two more passes in the app, but decided to wait until we got to the airport. That turned out to be a good call. When we arrived the next day, there was a big sign at the bottom of the escalator saying they weren't accepting day passes due to overcrowding.
Another thing to know: as of May 2025, day pass holders can only enter within 3 hours of their scheduled departure. If you've got a long layover planned around the lounge, keep that in mind.
Since United is the exclusive airline at Newark Terminal C, there are no Priority Pass or Centurion Lounges. Luckily, the terminal has many nice restaurants, but they are not as relaxing as the lounge.
The automated entrance gates to the Newark United Club.
Checking out the United Club lounge
At the top of the escalator, you scan your boarding pass for automated access to the lounge. On the day we visited the lounge, the automated gates weren’t working but they have staff members working at the gate and the manual process is very easy.
Once inside, you are greeted by the “library” area filled with books and a large “hydration station” with colorful drinks.
Another aspect of the lounge that strikes you immediately is how bright it is. Not only are there floor-to-ceiling windows, but there are also skylights throughout the club.
The club is massive, 30,000 square feet, and seats about 480 people. We visited mid-morning on a weekday, and the lounge is about ⅔ full.
Seating at the Newark United Club
There is a wide variety of available seating options at the United Club in Newark. As you enter the lounge the seating to the left gives you a little more privacy and is geared toward getting work done.
The seats to the right feature ground-to-floor windows and overlook the tarmac where you can watch planes come and go.
We sat in a very upscale diner-style booth with a nice brick wall.
Other options are various styles of comfortable single chairs, long work tables with multiple seats, single-person booths with a laptop table, seats with high side and back walls for privacy, and bistro-style tables and chairs.
All of the seating has power, including USB-style outlets, nearby.
Food and drink options at the United lounge in Newark
We visited mid-morning, so the options were breakfast-related. The hot and fresh options included scrambled eggs, sausages, hard-boiled eggs, home fries, slices of bread, cakes, muffins, etc.
All the options were top-notch and tasty.
Every time I went to a food or drink station a staff member was wiping down and cleaning the area. I hope this continues post-pandemic because, despite the large number of people eating and drinking, the lounge was very clean.
There is a coffee bar staffed by baristas ready to make any type of coffee you want.
A large bar serves complimentary draft beer, wines, and spirits. More premium brands are also available for a fee. There are also self-serve stations serving hot drinks and Coke Freestyle machines.
We visited the Newark United Club again on a trip to London. The flight left in the evening, so we were able to check out the dinner food selections. There was a wide variety of hot dishes, including pasta and a chicken stew dish. There was a wide variety of freshly made sandwiches, including a fantastic grilled cheese. Below are a few photos.
Other features of the lounge
The lounge has an assistance desk where you can talk to United staff about any flight-related issues. Something which could be very handy if any problems arise.
If you are having a long travel day, the lounge also has six showers available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There is a room for nursing mothers that allows for a few minutes of privacy.
The United Club offers a wide variety of seating options.
Is the Newark United Club worth it?
It depends on how you're getting in.
If you have a United Club membership or one of the cards that includes lounge access, then yes, it's absolutely worth using. The food is solid, the seating is comfortable, the WiFi works, and you're out of the noise of the terminal. On a long travel day, that makes a real difference.
If you're paying $59 for a day pass, the math is a little trickier. For a quick 90-minute layover, we'd probably skip it and grab something at one of the Terminal C restaurants instead. For a 3 or 4 hour wait, or anytime you have delays, it starts to pay for itself quickly in food, drinks, and comfort.
One thing that gets overlooked: the Newark United Club has a dedicated customer service desk staffed by United agents. If your flight gets delayed or canceled, the line here is usually much shorter than the one at the gate or the main United service counter. For that reason alone, the lounge can be worth it on a day when things are going sideways.
Our two cents: if you're a couple traveling together, the United Explorer card pays for itself pretty quickly if you fly United even once or twice a year. Two lounge passes, free checked bags, and priority boarding more than cover the $150 annual fee.
Conclusions about the Newark United Club
The United Club near Gate C123 still ranks as one of the best in United's system.
The food, the seats, and the ambiance are all wonderful. There are plenty of large tables if you are flying as a family, plus lots of places to work on your laptop if you are flying solo.
My favorite is the large restaurant-style booth that fits at least 4 people. They are perfect for both eating and working, plus the padded seats are very comfortable.
They have also done a nice job incorporating the New Jersey / NYC feel into the design; it doesn’t feel generic.
Looking forward to my next visit to the lounge!
Newark United Club FAQs
Can I use Priority Pass at any Newark United Club?
No. United Clubs are not part of the Priority Pass network. Your Priority Pass won't get you in at any of them, including the one at Terminal A.
How much is a United Club day pass at Newark?
$59 per person through the United app. You need a same-day boarding pass on United or a Star Alliance partner. As of May 2025, you can only enter within 3 hours of your scheduled departure (unless you're connecting).
Which United Club at Newark is the best?
In our opinion, the one near Gate C123. It's the largest, has the most natural light, and it's the only one with showers. The renovated C74 club is also very nice if your gate is closer to that end of Terminal C.
Can non-United passengers use the Newark United Clubs?
Only if you're flying Star Alliance (Lufthansa, Air Canada, Swiss, and so on). You'll need a same-day boarding pass on a Star Alliance carrier to get in with a day pass, membership, or status.
Is there a shower at the Newark United Club?
Yes, but only at the club near Gate C123. It has six shower suites on a first-come, first-served basis. The C74 and A27 clubs do not have showers. The Polaris Lounge has its own shower suites for eligible international business class passengers
If you are interested in airport lounges, here are other reviews of ours:
Review of the Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK Terminal 4
Review of the Delta One Lounge at JFK Airport
Review of the Primeclass Lounge at JFK Terminal 1
This post was researched and written by John O'Boyle of The Empty Nest Explorers.
John is a professional photographer whose work has been published by the New York Times, NBC News, and Getty Images. He has been part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team and nominated for New York Emmy Awards. You can learn more about John and the Empty Nest Explorers here.
Other NYC area travel blog posts you might like:
The Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK Airport is an upscale lounge with many refined features.
The lounge serves top-notch food and drinks.