Somehow I think this thread is somewhat unethical - robbing CO of potential revenue. This is kind of like sharing software or music CDs.
If you want in the PC club - you buy a membership, have a Amex Plat card, travel BF, or you are directly traveling with someone you know that is in one of the three categories. Letting in strangers who connect on an internet conferencing disk is unethical.
I would agree if somebody was constantly getting into the PC gratis...just looking for people to get him an admit. Alot of the people on here that take advantage don't fly enough to justify a membership.
I for one didn't have a PC membership and a FT member invited me to join him at the EWR PC. I liked the club and now am purchasing a membership. So in a sense this thread just brought CO some extra cash.
Programs: CO-Plat, PC - Lifetime, Avis President's Club, Hilton-Gold, and Flying Culinarian
Posts: 2,841
I can understand why people think that letting in other people is not correct. I agree that if someone is doing this to avoid the membership dues then they are robbing the member and not Continental. Remember, as a member you get to bring in two guest all the time. I have not brought in anybody in the last year. I kinda feel like I am not getting the full benefits of membership at times.
I too joined because of a kind stranger letting me in. I was his guest and we ended on being on the same flight to Vegas. It worked out well for both I feel.
I am thinking about getting a lifetime membership now. Just wish I was a Gold or Plat. to get the discounts.
Programs: CO Infinite Plat MM Lifetime PresClub, AvisFirst, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Silver
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The rules state:
-- "You may bring members of your immediate family (spouse and children under the age of 21) or as many as two guests."
-- "You must accompany your family and guests while they visit the clubroom."
There is no restriction on who the two guests are. However, they need to be with you the entire time - presumably someone you are going to sit with and talk to the entire time. So if you let in a flyertalk person who will talk to you the entire time - you are likely OK. But if they wander off - then not OK.
Otherwise:
-- "Continental reserves the right to revoke membership privileges of those who fail to comply with the above guidelines and/or disrupt other members."
Remember, as a member you get to bring in two guest all the time. I have not brought in anybody in the last year. I kinda feel like I am not getting the full benefits of membership at times.
The idea that it is 'free' to bring in extra guests is somewhat fallacious - nothing, certainly nothing in America, is free. By every PC member letting in guests at will they will ultimately shoot themselves in the foot and end up with some dilution of quality, increase in fees or restriction of the benefits.
When CO estimates their cost and revenue for the PCs it will be based on a projection that a particularly number of people will use the club in a given time period. If this number increases, the costs of running the clubs will increase. Now if this number is not accompanied by an increase in revenue (i.e in paid membership) because the increased numbers are invited entrants then one of two things must happen, either they will cut the services or they will increase the membership dues. Ultimately it is you the member who will bear the cost for those free entrants. Although CO does give every member the right to bring two people in, they know from their market research that majority do not have guests, and that is factored into the costing; the moment more people regularly bring in guests then the membership fees will rise or maybe the all those free drinks will vanish.
Somehow I think this thread is somewhat unethical - robbing CO of potential revenue.
The whole thing doesn't sound right to me either. I had earlier objected to this thread being made a sticky, but I was a lone voice. I had been surprised because by making this a sticky, FT was effectively sanctioning the practice. If this practice continues so openly, and becomes widespread (for example PC members could invite strangers walking past in the terminal) be sure CO will ultimately respond (and there is loads to suggest that CO monitors this board) such that it will be you the member who will ultimately pay the price.
When you get your next years membership rules and find you are restricted only to one guest, or that your two guests have to be on the same itinerary with you, or you have to pay for alcohol, or the rate has gone up by $50, don't complain or ask why!
Location: San Francisco, CA & Tampa, FL USA Starwood Gold, Priority Club Plat, Hilton Gold, Delta Gold, US Air Gold, Continental Gold, UAL 1K, VAA Gold, Amex Centurion, Priority Pass
Posts: 129
IAH on Friday Morning?
I am arriving into IAH from SFO at 6:07AM. Will anyone be in the Prez Club in Terminal E around this time? Thanks!
We're getting very off-topic here!
