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Chicago is home for most of the year and O’Hare (ORD) is the airport that I find myself at most often. The airport offers four United Clubs℠ (near gates B6, B18, C16, and F9). If I had to rank them, the United Club℠ at C16 would be my third favorite. It’s often extremely crowded and seating is hard to come by here.
Access
Access is granted for those with United Club℠ memberships, day passes from Chase co-branded credit cards or purchased for $59, Global Services® members, United passengers with Gold or higher status traveling internationally, international business or first-class passengers traveling on a Star Alliance flight, and Star Alliance Gold members regardless of class flown. You can find more information about these lounges and their access rules here. The agents at the front have a tough job with the constant influx of passengers (many arguing incorrectly that they should have access). I find them to be helpful when I need assistance when dealing with delays and cancellations.
Anthony’s Take: When flying United domestically, I always make a point to stop by the United Clubs℠ to get some work done, relax, and have a snack or drink. The lounge near gate C16 offers a decent food selection, bar, and restrooms. It can get extremely crowded during peak times, so be prepared and ready to pounce when a seat opens up.
Departure Board
Immediately past the check-in desks is the departure board. Even though I generally use the United app to check on my flight, I find myself staring at the board often looking at the other departures from O’Hare and planning future travels.
Bar
After entering this United Club℠, you’ll check in at the desks immediately inside the entrance. Moving down the hallway, you’ll find some seating as well as the bar serving this lounge. There is a variety of paid and complimentary beer, wine, and spirits here. The free offerings are pretty basic, but the paid selections are not badly priced.
Food
The food in the United Clubs℠ has dramatically improved in the past few years and is even better than it was pre-Covid. Part of this is that United is working to keep up with what Delta is offering in the Sky Clubs®. I visited during breakfast and was pleased with the selection of cereals, breads, yogurt, fruit, and hot items to make breakfast burritos. You can definitely fill up before a flight with this selection. I’m happy that United is offering fresh fruit and Greek yogurt for those that want something a bit healthier.
Coca-Cola Freestyle machine
Illy coffee machine, cereal dispensers, and milk
Muffins, bagels, and English muffins
Ingredients to make a breakfast burrito (including eggs, sausage patties, beans, and tortillas)
Condiments
Granola, Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, as well as cheese and salsa for the breakfast burritos
Drip coffee and hot water for tea
More fresh fruit, water, and several juices
Seating
As mentioned, getting a seat in this lounge can be a feat during peak times. I was lucky to get one of my favorite spots near the front but almost every space was packed with people and there were may wandering and trying to find a place to sit.
Amenities
This United Club℠ offers free Wi-Fi, restrooms, and the food and beverages mentioned above. It doesn’t have the showers you’ll find in EWR, phone booths like the lounge near B19, or much else. It’s a good spot to grab a quick bite and get some work done before a flight.
Overall Impression:
The United Club℠ near gate C16 provides basic amenities and a good place to grab a bite to eat while you relax or get some work done. I prefer the B6 and B18 lounges at ORD over this one but when your flight is departing from the C gates it makes sense to stop in for a visit.
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