Chicago O'Hare Airport Lounges 2026: Complete Access Guide + Best Credit Cards for Free Entry

Best Credit Cards for O'Hare Lounge Access

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Rather than paying day pass prices per visit, strategic credit card selection provides complimentary access to multiple O'Hare lounges. Below are the five best options. Note that specific card benefits, fees, and access rules change over time — always verify current terms directly with the card issuer or through Kudos Explore before your trip.

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American Express Platinum Card®: Broadest ORD Coverage

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Best for: Travelers who fly Delta from Terminal 5 or want the most flexible lounge network across multiple airports worldwide.

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United Club℠ Card: Unlimited United Club Access

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Best for: Chicago-based travelers and United loyalists transiting ORD frequently. Day pass savings vs. the annual fee can tip heavily in your favor at 4+ trips per year.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: American Airlines Flagship Access

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Best for: Frequent American Airlines flyers and Chicago-area travelers who connect through ORD regularly on American.

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Priority Pass + Strong Value

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Best for: Travelers flying international carriers from Terminal 5 who want lounge access at many airports globally, not just O'Hare.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Priority Pass Plus Travel Benefits

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Best for: Travelers who want lounge access combined with strong travel rewards earning and comprehensive trip protections.

Complete O'Hare Lounge Directory — Terminal 1

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United Club — Concourse B, near Gate B6

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• Hours: Daily 5:00am – 9:00pm
• Amenities: Full-service bar, hot soups, salads, snacks, Wi-Fi, TV areas, workspaces
• Best for: Quick pre-departure visits before United flights from B gates

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United Club — Concourse B, near Gate B18

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• Hours: Daily 5:00am – 10:00pm
• Location note: One level below the concourse; L-shaped layout with distinct seating zones
• Amenities: Standard United Club offerings; full-service bar
• Best for: Flights departing from the far end of Concourse B

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United Club — Concourse C, near Gate C10

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• Hours: Daily 5:00am – 9:00pm
• Standout features: 22,000 square feet; modern industrial design; local Chicago art; abundant natural light
• Amenities: Expanded food options, multiple seating zones, larger bar area
• Best for: Long layovers — considered the best United Club at ORD

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United Polaris Lounge — Concourse C, near Gate C18

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• Hours: Daily approximately 7:00am – 9:00pm
• Standout features: United's flagship international lounge; expanded to 25,000 sq. ft. in 2025; signature chandelier representing Chicago streets; new speakeasy-style bar
• Amenities: Full restaurant with made-to-order meals, premium bar, shower suites, private daybeds
• Access: STRICTLY LIMITED to United Polaris business class passengers on international flights and Star Alliance first/business class on long-haul international routes. No access via credit cards, memberships, or day passes.
• Best for: Premium cabin international travelers

Complete O'Hare Lounge Directory — Terminal 2

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United Club — Concourse E, near Gate E7

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• Hours: Daily 7:30am – 7:30pm
• Background: Newest United Club, opened 2024 (former Delta location)
• Amenities: Self-service bar, standard United Club offerings
• Best for: United Express regional flights; Air Canada and Alaska passengers with United Club access

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United Club — Concourse F, near Gate F9

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• Hours: Daily 5:00am – 9:00pm
• Amenities: Standard United Club with full bar, snacks, Wi-Fi
• Best for: Avoiding the walk back to Terminal 1 when flying United Express

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USO Lounge — Mezzanine Level, Landside

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• Hours: Daily 9:00am – 9:00pm
• Amenities: Refreshments, snacks, children's room, gaming, quiet room, work areas
• Access: Active duty, guard, reserve, and retired military and their families only

Complete O'Hare Lounge Directory — Terminal 3

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American Airlines Admirals Club — Concourse H/K, near Gates H6/K6

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• Hours: Daily 5:00am – 10:00pm
• Standout features: Largest Admirals Club at ORD; recently renovated
• Amenities: Full bar, extensive seating, shower facilities, hot food options
• Best for: Long layovers — the flagship Terminal 3 lounge experience

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American Airlines Admirals Club — Concourse G, near Gate G8

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• Hours: Daily 6:15am – 8:00pm
• Amenities: Standard Admirals Club; notably abundant power outlets and printers
• Best for: American Eagle regional flights from G concourse; travelers needing to charge devices

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American Airlines Admirals Club — Concourse L, near Gate L2A

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• Hours: Daily 6:15am – 8:00pm
• Location note: Remote satellite pier
• Amenities: Standard Admirals Club offerings; accessible facilities
• Best for: Flights departing from the L gates remote concourse

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American Flagship Lounge — Concourse H/K, adjacent to main Admirals Club

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• Hours: Daily 5:00am – 10:00pm
• Standout features: Elevated dining and quieter atmosphere; entire second floor between H and K concourses
• Amenities: Hot buffet with rotating options, premium spirits and champagne, shower suites, quiet zones, wireless charging
• Access note: Requires an eligible American or Oneworld premium cabin ticket, qualifying status, or day pass purchase — not accessible via standard Admirals Club membership alone
• Best for: Premium cabin passengers seeking a substantially upgraded lounge experience

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USO Lounge — Concourse G Mezzanine

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• Hours: Daily 9:00am – 5:00pm
• Access: Military personnel and families only

Complete O'Hare Lounge Directory — Terminal 5

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Delta Sky Club — Concourse M, between Gates M11 and M14

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• Hours: Sunday–Friday 4:30am – 8:00pm; Saturday 4:30am – 6:30pm
• Standout features: 22,000 square feet; opened 2022; L-shaped layout; one of the best Sky Clubs system-wide
• Amenities: Full-service bar (two locations), hot food buffet with rotating options, espresso stations, shower suites, wellness room, planespotting views
• Access note: Amex Platinum cardholders are subject to annual visit limits — check current terms with your card issuer before your trip
• Best for: Delta passengers; widely considered one of the top overall lounges at O'Hare

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Air France Lounge — Concourse M, near Gate M17 (New — opened October 2025)

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• Hours: Daily 5:00am – 11:30pm (Priority Pass accepted outside 12:00pm–5:00pm; standard SkyTeam access applies 12:00pm–5:00pm)
• Standout features: Air France's first-ever O'Hare lounge; refined French design; 5,060 sq. ft. with 105 seats; high ceilings and large bay windows with runway views
• Amenities: French-style hot and cold rotating dishes, Parisian-inspired bar, work area, call booths, TV screens, Wi-Fi, charging stations; private Flying Blue Ultimate enclave (4 seats)
• Access: Air France Business Class, Flying Blue Elite Plus, eligible KLM travelers, SkyTeam Elite Plus members on any SkyTeam flight; Priority Pass accepted outside 12:00pm–5:00pm
• Best for: Air France/KLM travelers; Priority Pass cardholders who can visit before noon or after 5:00pm; anyone wanting a more elevated Terminal 5 experience than the Swissport Lounge

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Swissport Lounge — Concourse M, near Gates M7/M13

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• Hours: Daily 7:00am – 12:00am (midnight)
• Access restriction: Periodically closed to new arrivals 3:00pm – 8:30pm due to capacity
• Standout features: Accepts Priority Pass (one of only two Priority Pass lounges at ORD)
• Amenities: Light snacks, drinks, quiet seating, Wi-Fi; more limited than airline lounges
• Best for: Priority Pass holders who can't time a visit to the Air France Lounge; treat as a reliable backup option

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LOT Polish Airlines Business Lounge — Concourse M, near Gates M7/M9/M18

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• Hours: Variable based on LOT flight schedule
• Standout features: Panoramic airport views; opened December 2024
• Amenities: Food and beverages, showers, private prayer area, high-speed Wi-Fi
• No access via: Priority Pass or day passes
• Best for: LOT passengers and Star Alliance premium travelers on LOT-operated flights

Strategic Lounge Access Tips

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Terminal Hopping for Best Lounge Access

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Since Terminals 1–3 are connected airside, you can strategically choose lounges regardless of your departure gate.

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Example scenario: You're flying American from Terminal 3, Gate L2A at 2:00pm, arriving at ORD at 11:00am.

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• Suboptimal: Head directly to the smaller Admirals Club at L2A.
• Optimal: Clear security, walk to the United Club at C10 in Terminal 1 (15 minutes), spend 1.5 hours there, then walk to the larger Admirals Club at H/K with shower access for 45 minutes, then proceed to your gate. All airside — no re-screening needed.

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Credit Card Stacking for Maximum Coverage

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No single credit card unlocks all 16 O'Hare lounges. Strategic pairing creates much broader coverage.

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• For United flyers: Pair a United Club card with a Priority Pass card — you cover all five United Clubs in Terminals 1 and 2, plus the Air France Lounge and Swissport in Terminal 5 for international departures.
• For American flyers: Pair the Citi AAdvantage Executive with a Priority Pass card — all Admirals Clubs and Flagship access in Terminal 3, plus Terminal 5 coverage when needed.
• For multi-airline travelers: The Amex Platinum's Delta Sky Club access (when flying Delta) and Priority Pass covers Terminal 5 thoroughly, with day pass options for United Club when needed.

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Timing Your Terminal 5 Lounge Visit

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Both Priority Pass lounges in Terminal 5 have access windows to plan around:

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• Air France Lounge: Priority Pass accepted before 12:00pm and after 5:00pm. Between noon and 5:00pm, access is restricted to Air France/KLM passengers and SkyTeam Elite Plus members.
• Swissport Lounge: Periodically closes to new arrivals 3:00pm – 8:30pm due to capacity. Arrive before 3:00pm or after 8:30pm for reliable entry.

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For the best Terminal 5 Priority Pass experience in 2026, aim for a morning arrival at the Air France Lounge — the design, food, and overall quality are meaningfully better than the Swissport.

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Leveraging Airline Status Without Premium Cabin Tickets

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• United Premier Gold+: Access United Clubs when flying internationally on any Star Alliance carrier in economy; one guest allowed
• American AAdvantage Platinum Pro+: Access Admirals Clubs on qualifying American or Oneworld international routes
• Delta Diamond Medallion: Access Delta Sky Club when flying Delta, including economy; guests available for a fee
• Star Alliance Gold: Access United Clubs when flying on any Star Alliance carrier same-day
• SkyTeam Elite Plus: Access the Air France Lounge on any SkyTeam flight same-day

Amenity Breakdown by Lounge Type

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United Clubs: Consistent Mid-Tier Experience

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Standard amenities across all five ORD locations: full-service or self-service bar, snacks, hot soups and salads, coffee, Wi-Fi, power outlets, TV areas, workspaces. What they lack: showers (except Polaris), hot entrees (except Polaris), made-to-order food.

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Verdict: Solid for 1–3 hour layovers. Reliable Wi-Fi and comfortable seating make them functional workspaces, but don't plan a full meal here.

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American Admirals Clubs: Comparable to United Clubs

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Standard amenities: full bar, snacks, light food, shower facilities at H/K only, Wi-Fi, charging stations. The Concourse G location is notably compact but has excellent power outlet availability.

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The Flagship Lounge stands apart: hot buffet with rotating entrees, premium spirits and champagne, quieter atmosphere, and a refined experience reserved for eligible premium cabin passengers.

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Verdict: Standard Admirals Clubs match United Clubs in quality; the Flagship is a genuine step up.

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Delta Sky Club: Premium Airline Lounge

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Standout features: full hot food buffet throughout the day, two full-service bar locations, espresso machines, shower suites (first-come, first-served), modern design with natural light and planespotting views.

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Verdict: Among the best lounges at O'Hare. Well worth the effort to access if you're flying Delta from Terminal 5.

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Air France Lounge: Refined International Option (New)

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Standout features: rotating French-style hot and cold culinary offerings, Parisian-inspired bar, high ceilings, large bay windows. More elevated experience than the Swissport next door, and accessible to Priority Pass holders during off-peak hours.

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Verdict: A significant upgrade over the now-closed SAS Lounge, and the better Priority Pass pick at ORD for travelers with timing flexibility.

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United Polaris Lounge: Flagship International Experience

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Unmatched amenities: full restaurant with made-to-order multi-course meals, premium cocktail menu, private shower suites, daybeds.

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Verdict: The best lounge at O'Hare — but access is strictly limited to premium international cabin passengers. No credit card or status bypasses this requirement.

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Swissport Lounge: Basic Priority Pass Backup

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Reality check: small space, basic snacks, standard bar service, Wi-Fi, general seating. Access restricted 3:00pm–8:30pm due to capacity.

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Verdict: Better than sitting at the gate, but now outclassed by the Air France Lounge for most Priority Pass travelers. Use when timing doesn't allow Air France access.

Using Kudos to Maximize Travel Card Benefits

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Navigating multiple credit cards with different lounge access benefits creates complexity — especially when you're rushing through an airport. Kudos simplifies this through intelligent benefit tracking and optimization.

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Benefit tracking: Kudos' Hidden Perks feature tracks which cards in your wallet provide lounge access. If you hold an Amex Platinum and a Priority Pass card, Kudos surfaces which card to use based on your itinerary — so you never accidentally pay for a lounge visit that should be free.

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Travel purchase optimization: When booking flights, Kudos' browser extension identifies which card in your wallet earns the most rewards for airfare purchases. Different cards carry different bonus categories for airline spend — Kudos does the math automatically.

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Annual benefit maximization: Through Kudos Insights, you can track whether you're extracting enough value from annual fee cards to justify keeping them. Unused lounge access, travel credits, and perks are surfaced before they expire.

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Credit and benefit reminders: Many travel cards include credits that expire if unused. Kudos sends proactive reminders so you capture every available dollar of value before year-end.

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Sign up for Kudos for free with code "GET20" and earn $20 back after your first eligible purchase at a Boost merchant.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which O'Hare lounges can I access without an airline membership or business class ticket?

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Two lounges accept Priority Pass: the Swissport Lounge in Terminal 5 (subject to capacity restrictions from 3:00pm–8:30pm) and the Air France Lounge in Terminal 5 during off-peak hours (outside 12:00pm–5:00pm). Priority Pass is included with several premium travel credit cards. All other O'Hare lounges require airline co-branded credit cards, memberships, elite status, or same-day premium cabin boarding passes.

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Can I visit lounges in different terminals if I'm connecting at O'Hare?

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Yes, with an important distinction. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected airside — you can walk between them after clearing security without re-clearing. Terminal 5 is isolated: reaching it requires exiting security, taking the ATS train, and re-clearing security. Budget 45–60 minutes for this journey.

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Do I need to be flying the airline to use their lounge at O'Hare?

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It depends on your access method. Elite status and premium cabin tickets typically require same-day travel on that airline or a partner. Credit card rules vary: the United Club Card provides United Club access when flying on any airline same-day, while the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card requires American or Oneworld partner flights. Priority Pass lounges (Swissport, Air France outside peak hours) can be used regardless of which airline you're flying.

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Which O'Hare lounge is best for a long layover (4+ hours)?

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For extended layovers, it depends on your terminal and access. In Terminal 1, the United Club at C10 is the largest United Club at 22,000 square feet. In Terminal 3, the Admirals Club at H/K offers the most space and includes showers. In Terminal 5, the Delta Sky Club provides the best experience; the Air France Lounge is a strong alternative for Priority Pass holders before noon or after 5:00pm. If you have access to Terminals 1–3, lounge hopping across all three on the same layover is an excellent strategy.

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How much does a day pass cost at O'Hare lounges?

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Day pass pricing changes, so always confirm current rates before your trip. United Club and American Admirals Club both offer day passes; the Admirals Club requires same-day travel on American or a Oneworld partner. The Flagship Lounge day pass is priced at a significant premium. Delta Sky Club typically does not sell day passes to non-members. The Air France Lounge accepts Priority Pass during off-peak hours. For travelers passing through O'Hare 3+ times annually, a credit card with included lounge access usually becomes more economical than buying individual passes.

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Can I bring guests into O'Hare lounges?

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Guest policies vary by card and lounge. United Club Card allows guests when traveling on United. Admirals Club membership permits immediate family or guests. Amex Platinum cardholders may bring guests to certain lounges with additional fees or restrictions — check current terms with your issuer. Priority Pass access to the Swissport and Air France Lounges typically covers the cardholder only; some premium card Priority Pass memberships include guests. United Polaris Lounge guest policies are tied to premium cabin ticket type. Always verify guest policies before arriving.

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Is the SAS Lounge still open at O'Hare?

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No. The SAS Lounge at Chicago O'Hare permanently closed on October 31, 2025. SAS passengers are now directed to the Delta Sky Club. If you were relying on the SAS Lounge for Priority Pass access, the Air France Lounge (during off-peak hours) and the Swissport Lounge are the current Priority Pass options in Terminal 5.