Chicago O'Hare is United Airlines' largest hub and the second-busiest airport in the United States, with more than 20 lounges spread across four terminals. The single most important thing to know about ORD lounges: Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected airside through underground tunnels and walkways, but Terminal 5 is not. If you are flying international out of T5, you cannot reach the Centurion Lounge in T3 or the United Polaris Lounge in T1 without exiting security and taking the Airport Transit System train.
Here is every lounge at ORD, organized by terminal, with the credit cards that get you in and what to expect.
ORD Terminal Layout
O'Hare operates four passenger terminals: 1, 2, 3, and 5. There is no Terminal 4. Terminal 1 handles United domestic and international departures through Concourses B and C. Terminal 2 houses Delta, Air Canada, and United regional flights across Concourses E and F. Terminal 3 is American Airlines' hub and also serves Alaska, Spirit, JetBlue, and Frontier through Concourses G, H, K, and L. Terminal 5 (the M International Terminal) handles all other international carriers.
Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are linked airside, so the lounge you use is a function of the card you carry, not the gate you depart from, as long as your flight is domestic or on United international. Terminal 5 is a separate airside environment.
Construction on the new O'Hare Global Terminal is ongoing and not operational as of 2026. Terminal 2 is scheduled to be demolished and rebuilt as part of that project later this decade.
Centurion Lounge (Terminal 3)
The Amex Centurion Lounge ORD opened in May 2022 in Terminal 3, in the Rotunda Building between Concourses H and K near Gate K9. At roughly 9,600 square feet, the space offers the signature Amex experience: a chef-curated dining menu, a premium cocktail bar, shower suites, and quiet workspace zones. A secondary dining counter rotates Chicago-focused plates.
Access requires an Amex Platinum, Business Platinum, or Centurion card with a same-day boarding pass on any airline. Guests cost $50 per adult and $30 per child (ages 2 to 17). Complimentary guest access for up to 2 guests requires $75,000 in eligible spend in the current or prior calendar year. A 3-hour pre-departure window applies.
The Centurion Lounge is airside-connected to Terminals 1 and 2, so any passenger departing from T1, T2, or T3 can reach it without re-clearing security. T5 passengers cannot access it without exiting and re-clearing.
United Clubs and the United Polaris Lounge (Terminal 1)
Terminal 1 is United's hub at ORD. It contains the premium United Polaris Lounge plus multiple United Club locations.
United Polaris Lounge
The United Polaris Lounge at ORD is in Terminal 1, Concourse C, near Gate C18. This is United's flagship international-premium space, with a full-service restaurant (sit-down meals included), private shower suites, and daybed nap rooms. Access is restricted to United Polaris Business Class passengers on long-haul international flights, plus Star Alliance First Class passengers on same-day qualifying itineraries. No credit card grants access on its own.
United Clubs
United operates multiple United Club locations in Terminal 1: Concourse B near Gate B6, Concourse B between Gates B11 and B12, and Concourse C near Gate C16. A separate Terminal 2 United Club sits near Gate F9. All serve a self-serve buffet, a staffed bar with premium drinks available for purchase, coffee, Wi-Fi, and workspace seating.
The United Club℠ Card grants unlimited complimentary membership, covering every United Club at ORD and every United Club worldwide. The United Explorer includes two one-time United Club passes per year. Star Alliance Gold passengers on same-day United or Star Alliance international flights also qualify. Day passes are $59.
Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge (Terminal 3)
Terminal 3 is American Airlines' hub at ORD.
Admirals Club
The Admirals Club at ORD operates in three Terminal 3 locations: Concourse H near Gate H6, the main Rotunda area between H and K, and Concourse L near Gate L12. Amenities include a self-serve bar, a limited buffet, coffee, Wi-Fi, and showers at the Rotunda location.
Access through the Citi® AAdvantage® Executive, Admirals Club membership, oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status on same-day flights, or a $79 day pass. If you fly American out of ORD, this is the primary card-accessible lounge.
Flagship Lounge
The American Flagship Lounge at ORD opened in 2023 and sits next to the Admirals Club in the Terminal 3 Rotunda. Access is restricted to AA and oneworld First and Business Class passengers on qualifying international flights. No credit card grants access on its own.
Escape Lounge (Terminal 3)
The Escape Lounge at ORD is in Terminal 3 and serves passengers without airline-affiliated access. Amenities include a hot and cold buffet, a full-service bar, coffee, and workstations.
Access through Priority Pass, the Amex Platinum via the Global Lounge Collection, or a $45 day pass. Cards with Priority Pass include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and Hilton Honors Aspire. The Escape Lounge is the only full-service Priority Pass lounge on the T1-T2-T3 airside connector.
Terminal 5: International Lounges
Terminal 5 handles most non-United international carriers at ORD. All T5 lounges are airside-restricted to T5 passengers and cannot be reached from Terminals 1, 2, or 3 without exiting security.
| Lounge | Access |
|---|---|
| British Airways Galleries Lounge | BA Business or First, oneworld Sapphire and Emerald |
| Air France-KLM Lounge | AF or KLM Business, SkyTeam Elite Plus |
| Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge | JAL First or Business, oneworld Emerald |
| Swissport Lounge | Priority Pass, select airline partners |
| Korean Air KAL Lounge | Korean Air Business, SkyTeam Elite Plus |
| Aer Lingus Lounge | Aer Lingus Business, select partner airlines |
The Swissport Lounge at T5 is the primary Priority Pass option for international departures. If you carry the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, or Amex Platinum and you are flying international out of T5, this is your access point.
Credit Card Lounge Access Summary
| Card | Lounges at ORD |
|---|---|
| United Club℠ Card | All United Clubs (T1, T2), unlimited |
| United Explorer | United Clubs (2 one-time passes per year) |
| Amex Platinum | Centurion Lounge (T3), Escape Lounge (T3), Swissport Lounge (T5) via Priority Pass |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Escape Lounge (T3), Swissport Lounge (T5) via Priority Pass |
| Capital One Venture X | Escape Lounge (T3), Swissport Lounge (T5) via Priority Pass |
| Citi® AAdvantage® Executive | Admirals Clubs (T3), all three locations |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve | Centurion Lounge (T3) on Delta flights |
| Hilton Honors Aspire | Escape Lounge (T3), Swissport Lounge (T5) via Priority Pass |
For a full breakdown of how the top premium cards compare on earning rates, benefits, and annual fee math, see our Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve comparison and Amex Platinum vs Capital One Venture X comparison.
Bottom Line
If you fly United out of ORD regularly, the United Club℠ Card is the cleanest answer at $525 per year. It unlocks unlimited access to every United Club at O'Hare and worldwide, plus 4x on United purchases, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and two free checked bags. For multi-airline travelers, the Amex Platinum covers the Centurion Lounge in T3, the Escape Lounge through the Global Lounge Collection, and the Swissport Lounge in T5 through Priority Pass — a three-lounge footprint spanning both the domestic connector and the international terminal. The Card Advisor can show which premium card delivers the most total value based on your actual spending and travel patterns, and the Benefit Tracker helps you use every statement credit before it resets.