American Express Membership Rewards - United Red Carpet Club Access for AMEX Corp. Platinum

Hi all -

Another question - United does not currently support the reciprocity program for Airport Club access sponsored by AMEX Corporate Platinum card. Does anyone know if there are plans to change this in the future? The access is currently held for AA, Delta, Northwest, Continental, etc.

Thanks.

Since United (with rare exceptions) isn't interested in giving complimentary club access to even UGS members, I would say the chances are somewhere between very slim and none. Nevermind the fact that the relationship between AmEx and United is non-existent due to their partnership with Chase.

Amex has a partnership with Chase?

Amex has a partnership with Chase?

I think he means United and Chase, although done Continental have a CC through Chase as well?

Does anyone know if there are plans to change this in the future? Ahhhh.....the crystal ball says ...... we don't know until it's announced. Other than that, it's gossip at FT.

But, as Axey says, UA and Chase are hooked up via the MP Visa card. Why partner with AMEX?

Going to send this to American Express Membership Rewards.

iluv2fly
Moderator, UA

Maybe if Delta buys United this will all change since you can use the AMEX Platinum card to get into the Delta Crown Rooms.

Maybe if Delta buys United this will all change since you can use the AMEX Platinum card to get into the Delta Crown Rooms.

Or it'll change in that you won't be able to get in to the DL CRCs either because the merger is also rumored to be keeping the UA name/brand/everything else.

To the OP, I can't imagine the UA deal coming through in the near future for RCC access. That's why you should earn *G on bmi for minimal flying and then use that for RCC access :D :cool:

That's why you should earn *G on bmi for minimal flying and then use that for RCC access :D :cool:

Details? Can you earn bmi gold for, say, flying United?

Details? Can you earn bmi gold for, say, flying United?

BMI is *A. Being *G on any *A airline gets you certain benefits, such as RCC access, when flying domestic in the North American market (unless you are *G on a North American airline).

*G does not give you E+ access, though.

*G does not give you E+ access, though.

While this is technically true, a quick "are there any better seats available?" in the RCC has gotten me in to the E+ section without any additional payment. No guarantee, but this is an option that has worked for me a few times :cool:

While this is technically true, a quick "are there any better seats available?" in the RCC has gotten me in to the E+ section without any additional payment. No guarantee, but this is an option that has worked for me a few times :cool:

No need to wait to the RCC, I ask at check-in, and have had 100% luck getting E+ on UA, even as EBG/SK*G "only".

While this is technically true, a quick "are there any better seats available?" in the RCC has gotten me in to the E+ section without any additional payment. No guarantee, but this is an option that has worked for me a few times :cool:

No need to wait to the RCC, I ask at check-in, and have had 100% luck getting E+ on UA, even as EBG/SK*G "only".

Read the UA forum. There are plenty of US and LH *G's who complain that they can't get E+ access on UA. YMMV.

Nevermind the fact that the relationship between AmEx and United is non-existent due to their partnership with Chase.

AA has a partnership with Citi and it didn't stop them. Why would a relationship with Chase preclude UA from offering the same benefit?

I wouldn't assume it's complimentary. I've seen posts that AMEX is charged for each entry.

AA has a partnership with Citi and it didn't stop them. Why would a relationship with Chase preclude UA from offering the same benefit?
While none of us can speak authoritatively on it I think that the answer is baiscally that the Chase relationship with UA is considered to be so strong that it precludes the AmEx involvement. But we don't really know.

I wouldn't assume it's complimentary. I've seen posts that AMEX is charged for each entry.

I believe the meaning was complimentary to the cardholder. AmEx absolutely pays the carrier for the lounge access, something on the order of $16/person/visit.

A modest suggestion for making Plat lounge access comparable to Citi Chairman:

Keep the current arrangement where you get into the lounge of the airline you are flying on, with guests. Plus, 10-20 Priority Pass credits for when you are flying a different airline or an airline that does not have an agreement with Amex, e.g., UA.

This would allow Amex to keep the presumably lower cost agreements it has with the current carriers, but give card members more flexibility at a small additional cost to Amex.

Without this change I may switch to Chairman next year. The lounge program is much better (unlimited PP, with 2 guests) and the other amenities are the same (except FHR?).