United Club
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United Club – Houston Intercontinental (IAH) Terminal C South
United operates five lounges at their Houston Bush hub airport. The United Club in Terminal C South serves primarily mainline domestic flights and comes only second in terms of amenities to the large club in Terminal E serving international flights. All United Clubs are conveniently linked by an airside transit system.
United Club IAH design
The design of all United Club locations at Houston Intercontinental airport dates from the Continental Presidents Club days – it’s elegant but somewhat old fashioned, with dark wood paneling, warm tones, and the occasional picture frame with abstract art.
Visitors check in at two narrow and oddly placed reception desks on either side of the door – there may be an incongruous line spilling outside. Immediately inside is a much larger customer service area, flanked by a business center.
A long window wall lets plenty of natural light in and offers views on the tarmac. Indoor plants dot the lounge. The seating layout feels pretty spacious and private overall, with low partitions and consoles separating small clusters of seats. Most seats benefit from a side table and individual lamp, and power outlets are reasonably easy to find, although they’re not guaranteed to work. The furniture and carpet are stained and worn out and in need of refresh.
United Club – Houston Intercontinental (IAH) Terminal C South
In the evenings, the space feels welcoming and cozy, with a soothing contrast between the light beige seats and dark wood panels. At peak times, however, the club may be crowded, and the relatively low ceilings compound the perception of lack of space. The bar in the back area is especially unattractive when busy – it feels dark, loud, cramped, and power outlets are sorely missing.
United Club IAH amenities
The United Club in Terminal C South is one of the better appointed lounges at Houston Intercontinental airport.
The food and beverage offering is typical of domestic United Clubs. In the morning, patrons will find a continental breakfast spread followed by snacks, soups, and salads throughout the day. Soft drinks including flavored water, house wines and well drinks are complimentary, while premium beverages may be purchased from the bar. Overall, the fare is simple but tasty. While it is no substitute for a full meal, it is perfectly acceptable for domestic travel.
United Club – Houston Intercontinental (IAH) Terminal C South
A theater room is equipped with spacious and comfortable seats facing a TV, although the design screams 1980s – and the television screen is tiny by today’s standards. Still, the room doubles as convenient place to catch a nap should you own a noise reducing headset.
A large baggage storage area is located by the reception desk; both open shelves and small lockers are available, as well as coat racks.
By the reception area is also a business center, with a few work cubicles in the lounge area and additional, isolated and much quieter work desks immediately behind the reception desk. A shared fax/printer/copier is also available. Private conference rooms with basic equipment (flip board and phones) might be booked ahead of time.
Families benefit from a family room, though it’s merely a small, dark, depressing room with stained chairs and a handful of kids’ chairs. There isn’t a single toy or otherwise entertaining feature for the little ones. Still, the availability of a separate room may be a relief for families and other patrons alike.
United Club – Houston Intercontinental (IAH) Terminal C South
The United Club used to feature shower suites, though United recently shuttered them, on the ground that international business class passengers will eventually have access to the showers at the Polaris Lounge — when it opens late 2018. In the meantime, the bathrooms, are a notable lowlight – they’re old, cramped, and often soiled.
United Club IAH bottom line
Overall, the United Club at Houston Bush Airport Terminal C South is a mixed bag. The lounge is well appointed by United Club standards, with showers, conference rooms, a TV room and a family room. Yet, the design is dated, the furniture is stained and worn, and some of the amenities such as the family and theater rooms are basic to a fault. The club can be crowded at peak times, in which case it might be worth a short walk over to the United Club in Terminal C North which can be quieter when the South location is busy.
- The relatively private seating options by the window.
- The shower suites.
- The private work cubicles.
- The stained and worn furniture and carpet.
- The crowded and unappealing bar area.
United Club at Houston, TX - George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) welcomes:
- United Club members departing on a same-day flight operated by United or a Star Alliance member airline, or arriving on a United flight (+2 guests, or the member’s spouse and children under the age of 21.)
- United Polaris business class passengers departing or connecting (no guests)
- United Business passengers departing on a United transcontinental Premium Service flight at the origin and destination of their premium transcontinental flight (no guests)
- United Business passengers departing on an United international flight (to/from Mexico, Guam, Caribbean, Central America, Columbia and Ecuador) at departure, connecting and arrival airports (no guests)
- Business Class passengers departing on an intercontinental flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier (no guests)
- First Class passengers departing on an intercontinental flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier (+1 guest)
- United Premier Gold, Premium Platinum, Premier 1K, and Global Services members departing on an intercontinental flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier in any class of service (+1 guest)
- Star Alliance Gold Members (except United Premier members and above) departing on a domestic or international flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier in any class of service (+1 guest)
- United Club one-time pass holders (subject to capacity restrictions) (no guests)
- Active U.S. military personnel departing on a same day United flight (+family members)
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members departing on a flight operated by a Star Alliance carrier (no guests for Air Canada Maple Leaf Club North America members, +1 guest for Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Worldwide members)
Notes:
- Passengers in domestic First class do not receive United Club access. United Business passengers flying on a Premium Service flight between San Francisco/Boston, San Francisco/Newark, or Los Angeles/Newark receive access at the origin and destination of their premium transcontinental flight.
- A government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license, passport or military ID) may be required.
Cards accepted
Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Worldwide
When flying a Star Alliance member airline.
United Club
When flying a Star Alliance member airline.
You may have access to United Club as a premium customer of one of the following airlines, or as an elite member of their frequent flyer program. Check the Access rules tab for more details, or use our lounge access wizard to find out if you have access.
Star Alliance
Access for eligible customers traveling on any Star Alliance member airline.
 | ANA (NH) |  | Aegean (A3) |  | Air Canada (AC) |
 | Air China (CA) |  | Air India (AI) |  | Air New Zealand (NZ) |
 | Asiana (OZ) |  | Austrian (OS) |  | Avianca (AV) |
 | Brussels Airlines (SN) |  | Copa Airlines (CM) |  | Croatia Airlines (OU) |
 | EGYPTAIR (MS) |  | EVA Air (BR) |  | Ethiopian Airlines (ET) |
 | LOT Polish Airlines (LO) |  | Lufthansa (LH) |  | SWISS (LX) |
 | Shenzhen Airlines (ZH) |  | Singapore Airlines (SQ) |  | South African Airways (SA) |
 | TAP Air Portugal (TP) |  | Thai Airways (TG) |  | Turkish Airlines (TK) |
 | United (UA) |
Other airlines
 | Virgin Australia (VA) |
Leave a review
Overall ratings
They’ve removed the showers to ensure this lounge is well below the level of any competitors.
Not only is the lounge worn & dated they offer very little beyond a slightly more private place to sit. I came in on 5/2/17 & was told my card had expired. I showed my Chase United Presidential Plus credit card that gives me a free access to the President clubs, obviously I had not received my updated card but the lady behind the desk was so haughty even after I showed her my card & she could check that it existed in the system, she said “you can’t come in” unless you want to pay $59. Obviously she was being very rude, I have never been to IAH & not been able to use the Presidents club. It was her behavior I found offensive. We have Priority Pass also but those lounges are not as convienent for United domestic flight gates in terminal C. I called Chase & the are sending our updated cards ASAP but that didn’t help me at the moment.
Very disappointed by this lounge and United in general. United Club should rename them as “Business lounge” as there is nothing really to relax and spend some quality time unless you are a business person. We do travel as a family with children and there was no family room in this lounge. Showers are not present. There is no leg rest or long armchairs to sit comfortably after being in the air for hours. Breakfast is pitiful and coffee is below standard. Staff at the entrance is borderline offensive and does not really care beyond scanning your pass or showing the money. Cleaning staff is reliable though. The only difference with being in the main airport waiting area: it is quieter. And that’s all ! Not really worth $59 or the $450 membership. I am switching to Priority Pass.
A well appointed lounge with shower suites. Unfortunately it’s pretty old fashioned, the furniture is in need of a replacement, and it’s often packed.
I understand the United hate, but this is not a 2.5 avg star lounge (at time of writing). Enough seating space, good food. Polaris Lounge this is not, but more than good enough for a layover.