United & Air Canada Quietly Tightened Lounge Access Rules

With lounge crowding comes more restrictions, and that is just how it goes. In mid-April, United added significant restrictions on access to Polaris lounges, and last week, Air Canada quietly changed the language regarding who can access the Signature Suite.

New United Polaris Lounge Restrictions

Before April 14, all passengers flying internationally in first or business class on a Star Alliance airline would be able to access the Polaris lounge.

Now, only Star Alliance passengers flying United, ANA, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels, Air New Zealand, and ITA Airways can access Polaris lounges. Essentially, access is now limited to passengers flying on United metal or with a United joint venture partner.

There are still some fare-specific restrictions for paid tickets, but all award tickets qualify for lounge access. The usual rules still apply, such as you can only enter the lounge at the gateway where your qualifying long-haul flight takes off.

United Polaris passengers, understandably, get special access to the Polaris lounge at departing airports, connecting airports, and even upon arrival.

United Polaris Lounge Newark

As part of a recent change, United now markets and sells select premium transcontinental and Hawaii flights as Polaris, giving passengers access to Polaris lounges.

This is a massive change from before, as the majority of Star Alliance passengers will no longer have access to Polaris Lounges. Think Singapore Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Air India, LOT Polish, and many others. United instead directs passengers flying on airlines that don’t qualify for Polaris Lounge access to the United Club.

Air Canada Signature Suite Restrictions

Compared to Polaris, Air Canada’s new restrictions are not as big a deal. It is definitely still a restriction, though: flights to South America no longer qualify for Signature Suite access.

Previously, Air Canada business class passengers who paid cash or Aeroplan business flex passengers received Signature Suite access when flying to Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, and South America. Flights to Central America never qualified, but eligible passengers flying to destinations like Sao Paulo, Santiago, or Buenos Aires did have access.

Air Canada Signature Suite Toronto

Today, the language on the Signature Suite page specifies flights to Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia, which effectively removes access for South America-bound passengers.

Lufthansa HON Circle members and Emirates first class passengers continue to receive Signature Suite access with no change. Notably, HON Circle members as well as Lufthansa or SWISS First Class passengers can bring one guest into the Signature Suite, provided the guest travels on the same flight.

More Airport Lounge Restrictions Overall

In the past year, we’ve seen Amex introduce lounge restrictions at both the card level and lounge level. In Canada, the Amex Platinum card is limiting lounge access to 12 visits a year, split between Plaza Premium and Priority Pass, beginning January 2027.

Amex isn’t changing Centurion Lounge access for Platinum cardholders, but the lounges will enforce new access rules starting in July 2026. Guests must travel on the same flight as the cardmember, and travellers can only enter during a layover within five hours of their next departing flight.

Amex Centurion Lounge Washington National Airport DCA

My take is that while restrictions that block your lounge access are unfortunate, these changes are necessary to keep lounges a pleasant environment. Polaris lounges draw huge crowds in the afternoon before transatlantic departures, while Amex Centurion Lounges stay crowded almost all day.

After all, what’s the point of having lounge access if you can’t even get in and need to join a waitlist?

Takeaway

Airport lounge access is clearly becoming more restrictive across the board, whether through tighter guest policies, visit caps, or stricter eligibility requirements. United’s Polaris Lounge changes are especially significant, as many Star Alliance premium cabin passengers are now excluded. Air Canada’s new Signature Suite restriction is less dramatic, but still removes access for many international business class travellers.

At the same time, it’s hard to ignore why these changes are happening. Premium lounges have become increasingly crowded, particularly at major hubs during peak departure waves. While not qualifying for access is frustrating, the alternative is overcrowded lounges, waitlists, and a noticeably worse experience for everyone inside.