Aug 17, 2015, 2:32 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Email from United sent to United MP Club Cardmembers 18 Aug 2015
Signs were first noticed starting 13 Aug 2015 at various clubs
Posting by UA Insider 17 Aug 2015
For general questions on UC access, see Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread
Update about United Club access
Dear XXXXX,
We've been working on a variety of improvements to our United ClubSM program. To provide a more productive and relaxing experience, we're investing more than $100 million in renovating existing locations and building new spaces with expanded seating areas, more power outlets and upgraded Wi-Fi. We're also investing in a brand new complimentary food menu that you can now find at our hub locations across the U.S. and will be available soon at the rest of our locations.
To maintain and further improve the United Club experience, we're announcing the following change to our program:
■ Effective August 18, 2016, a same-day boarding pass for all United Club customers, including members, will be required for United Club access.
United Club membership is a benefit of your United MileagePlus® Club Card. With a United Club membership, you can still bring your spouse and children under 21, or up to two guests, into any United Club location.
Thank you for being a United MileagePlus® Club Cardmember, and we look forward to creating an even more comfortable and premium United Club experience for you.
Learn More
Dear XXXXX,
We've been working on a variety of improvements to our United ClubSM program. To provide a more productive and relaxing experience, we're investing more than $100 million in renovating existing locations and building new spaces with expanded seating areas, more power outlets and upgraded Wi-Fi. We're also investing in a brand new complimentary food menu that you can now find at our hub locations across the U.S. and will be available soon at the rest of our locations.
To maintain and further improve the United Club experience, we're announcing the following change to our program:
■ Effective August 18, 2016, a same-day boarding pass for all United Club customers, including members, will be required for United Club access.
United Club membership is a benefit of your United MileagePlus® Club Card. With a United Club membership, you can still bring your spouse and children under 21, or up to two guests, into any United Club location.
Thank you for being a United MileagePlus® Club Cardmember, and we look forward to creating an even more comfortable and premium United Club experience for you.
Learn More
I noticed this at JFK (that's ironic...) yesterday--
Someone else noted the sign at LGA in the United Club Access Thread ....
Someone else noted the sign at LGA in the United Club Access Thread ....
Hi everyone, some answers for you on this new policy:
- What about meetings/conference rooms? Will gate passes still be issued?
Customers can still reserve a conference room to use, with or without a same-day boarding pass. We will no longer issue gate passes for other uses.
- What about access after a redeye flight? Will this qualify as a "same-day" BP?
Yes, you will still be eligible to access the United Club after arriving off of a redeye flight.
- Will I be able to come in if I’m flying on another carrier?
Yes, you may use a same-day boarding pass on any carrier.
- What if my flight departs early in the morning, the following day (e.g. 12:30am)?
Yes, you will still be eligible to access the United Club.
Starting 18 Aug 2016:United Club Access (including members) Only w/ UA/*A Same-Day BP
Aug 19, 2015, 2:48 pm
#361
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago: ORD, MDW
Programs: United Million Mile Flyer, Hilton Silver, Marriott Gold, DL, AA WN
Posts: 514
United can do - and seems to do - anything it wants. Ask any UA Million Miler!
However, one does pay a lot for annual membership - and for credit card passes too! Now, they are going to make usage more restrictive!
However, one does pay a lot for annual membership - and for credit card passes too! Now, they are going to make usage more restrictive!
Aug 19, 2015, 2:50 pm
#362
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
If an employee wants to use a UC for whatever reason they can use a day pass.
SL
Aug 19, 2015, 2:51 pm
#363
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: United 1K, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 44
No great loss. The last two times I have visited a United Club at EWR there has literally been nowhere to sit. Gross. I'd rather pay for a glass of wine and sit it out in one of the many restaurants around.
Aug 19, 2015, 2:53 pm
#364
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
For those this doesn't matter to because you've never used it and never intend to use, just wait, once this goes through they will go after something that does matter to you, and you can be on the other end of the conversation, where what you value and find important is diminished and dismissed.
If there really is a problem this is supposed to solve, why not just tell us? There is simply nothing to be gained by opacity, unless you've got something to hide.
Aug 19, 2015, 3:08 pm
#365
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
I wish that they had just said that they are changing their gate pass policy so that you only get five gate passes a year or something like that. I would think that would cover 99.999% of customers needs.
If it is an employee issue, that deal with it inside the company, not so that it effects actual customers
If it is an employee issue, that deal with it inside the company, not so that it effects actual customers
Aug 19, 2015, 3:25 pm
#366
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tri Valley Area Northern CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 579
Employees have always been excluded. If the issue of overcrowding is the goal, this trimming at the superfluous edges isn't going to do a thing anyone will notice on a logical scale. Sure, if 10,000 visitors are reduced by 2 it's a technical reduction...and so what? That's like removing 2 buckets of water from a flooded city.
As Frequent Flyers, we naturally focus our attention to the Gate pass issue. However, if we view this from the perspective of an Airport employee, there is actually a good incentive to buy/use an United Club membership. An airport employee would be at their job close to 220-250 days a year. If they purchased an United Club yearly membership, this would average to about $2/day.
As an airport employee with a United Club membership, you can stop by the United Club to pick up a cup of coffee (instead of paying $2-3 at a concession stand). You can pick up a paper to two (Local Paper, USA Today, Wall Street Journal). You can drop by for a mid break snack (saving another few bucks). After work, drop by for a cocktail or two. The savings quickly add up and an United Club membership looks to be a smart “investment”. And, of course, you can use your membership when you do actually fly.
Note- I do not recall seeing airport employees in uniform using the United Club. However, mid level and upper level employees, who wear indistinguishable, normal business attire, would blend in.
To put this in perspective, if you work in an office building or a company campus, imagine there is a place in your building/campus called the “Elite” club. For $500 you can join the “Elite” club. During your workday, you can drop by to pick up free coffee, free newspapers, free snacks, free drinks, etc. All for $2/day. Would you join?
I do not have any idea how pervasive the issue of Airport employees “abusing” the United Club (assuming it is a problem). Obviously the United Club personnel would know the “regulars”. It might be interesting to ask United Club personnel what prompted this change, to see what they say.
Aug 19, 2015, 3:53 pm
#367
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
The people that are "squealing" are those who have used this benefit. I've only used it a few times, less than 5 total. And it's not about the number, it's about how meaningful that access was on those situations.
For those this doesn't matter to because you've never used it and never intend to use, just wait, once this goes through they will go after something that does matter to you, and you can be on the other end of the conversation, where what you value and find important is diminished and dismissed.
If there really is a problem this is supposed to solve, why not just tell us? There is simply nothing to be gained by opacity, unless you've got something to hide.
For those this doesn't matter to because you've never used it and never intend to use, just wait, once this goes through they will go after something that does matter to you, and you can be on the other end of the conversation, where what you value and find important is diminished and dismissed.
If there really is a problem this is supposed to solve, why not just tell us? There is simply nothing to be gained by opacity, unless you've got something to hide.
Aug 19, 2015, 4:00 pm
#368
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,406
uld still happen...
Aug 19, 2015, 4:07 pm
#370
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,406
ut the same way.
Aug 19, 2015, 4:07 pm
#371
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
I believe this change in policy addresses 2 issues; 1) Occasional use via Gate Passes and 2) Non United Airport Employees.
As Frequent Flyers, we naturally focus our attention to the Gate pass issue. However, if we view this from the perspective of an Airport employee, there is actually a good incentive to buy/use an United Club membership. An airport employee would be at their job close to 220-250 days a year. If they purchased an United Club yearly membership, this would average to about $2/day.
As Frequent Flyers, we naturally focus our attention to the Gate pass issue. However, if we view this from the perspective of an Airport employee, there is actually a good incentive to buy/use an United Club membership. An airport employee would be at their job close to 220-250 days a year. If they purchased an United Club yearly membership, this would average to about $2/day.
Heck, if I worked at an airport, I'm almost positive I would have taken advantage of this, unless there was a rule forbidding it.
This is a much more compelling reason than the "overcrowding" reason, and I hope this is the reason UA changed the rule. I think many of us are conditioned to see every small change UA makes as just a precursor (or a test run) to the one that will really hurt us, after years of that behavior.
Aug 19, 2015, 4:18 pm
#372
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
When I used the lounge with a gate pass: Brother was arriving from a flight, that ended up arriving 2 hours late, it was a small consolation I could wait it out at the lounge, that is one reason I pay for it, no?
I had explained in a previous post another instance, seeing someone off, who's flight was when we got there, then was cancelled as soon as we got to the lounge, I was there to help out a non-frequent traveler in rebooking, and then that flight was delayed...it was sure nice I could be there to help out.
Last edited by transportbiz; Aug 19, 2015 at 4:26 pm
Aug 19, 2015, 4:21 pm
#373
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
I believe this change in policy addresses 2 issues; 1) Occasional use via Gate Passes and 2) Non United Airport Employees.
As Frequent Flyers, we naturally focus our attention to the Gate pass issue. However, if we view this from the perspective of an Airport employee, there is actually a good incentive to buy/use an United Club membership. An airport employee would be at their job close to 220-250 days a year. If they purchased an United Club yearly membership, this would average to about $2/day.
As an airport employee with a United Club membership, you can stop by the United Club to pick up a cup of coffee (instead of paying $2-3 at a concession stand). You can pick up a paper to two (Local Paper, USA Today, Wall Street Journal). You can drop by for a mid break snack (saving another few bucks). After work, drop by for a cocktail or two. The savings quickly add up and an United Club membership looks to be a smart “investment”. And, of course, you can use your membership when you do actually fly.
Note- I do not recall seeing airport employees in uniform using the United Club. However, mid level and upper level employees, who wear indistinguishable, normal business attire, would blend in.
To put this in perspective, if you work in an office building or a company campus, imagine there is a place in your building/campus called the “Elite” club. For $500 you can join the “Elite” club. During your workday, you can drop by to pick up free coffee, free newspapers, free snacks, free drinks, etc. All for $2/day. Would you join?
I do not have any idea how pervasive the issue of Airport employees “abusing” the United Club (assuming it is a problem). Obviously the United Club personnel would know the “regulars”. It might be interesting to ask United Club personnel what prompted this change, to see what they say.
As Frequent Flyers, we naturally focus our attention to the Gate pass issue. However, if we view this from the perspective of an Airport employee, there is actually a good incentive to buy/use an United Club membership. An airport employee would be at their job close to 220-250 days a year. If they purchased an United Club yearly membership, this would average to about $2/day.
As an airport employee with a United Club membership, you can stop by the United Club to pick up a cup of coffee (instead of paying $2-3 at a concession stand). You can pick up a paper to two (Local Paper, USA Today, Wall Street Journal). You can drop by for a mid break snack (saving another few bucks). After work, drop by for a cocktail or two. The savings quickly add up and an United Club membership looks to be a smart “investment”. And, of course, you can use your membership when you do actually fly.
Note- I do not recall seeing airport employees in uniform using the United Club. However, mid level and upper level employees, who wear indistinguishable, normal business attire, would blend in.
To put this in perspective, if you work in an office building or a company campus, imagine there is a place in your building/campus called the “Elite” club. For $500 you can join the “Elite” club. During your workday, you can drop by to pick up free coffee, free newspapers, free snacks, free drinks, etc. All for $2/day. Would you join?
I do not have any idea how pervasive the issue of Airport employees “abusing” the United Club (assuming it is a problem). Obviously the United Club personnel would know the “regulars”. It might be interesting to ask United Club personnel what prompted this change, to see what they say.
Aug 19, 2015, 4:24 pm
#374
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,406
This is interesting, and will be addressed by the boarding pass rule for sure. But, why eliminate the gate pass? There should be a way to ration this based on visits. If someone is visiting a lounge 15-20 times a week, there's something going on, easy enough to deal with that one abusive issue rather than cast the wide net and dissatisfy so many others.
blem with a very big hammer.
Aug 19, 2015, 5:11 pm
#375
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tri Valley Area Northern CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 579
This is interesting, and will be addressed by the boarding pass rule for sure. But, why eliminate the gate pass? There should be a way to ration this based on visits. If someone is visiting a lounge 15-20 times a week, there's something going on, easy enough to deal with that one abusive issue rather than cast the wide net and dissatisfy so many others.
It may be that the Airport Employee abuse issue had been festering for a while, and they decided to do something about this. After coming up with the boarding pass policy, an after thought may be the idea about restricting gate passes.
The more I think about this issue, the more I believe the primary driver of this change was Airport Employee abuse. Think of this issue in the following manner.
If the primary (only) issue is about restricting gate passes, why not simply restrict gate passes? Why go the extra mile of requiring a boarding pass for admittance?