Club promotion 2/14-17 (5,000pqm)
#61
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 819
[QUOTE - Assuming that the airport one frequents most would have a lounge ,what would one get for 10 USD?
+ A glass of water at the bar, but out of courtesy, one would tip a minimum of 1 USD for a glass of tap water with ice! OK, one would order several glasses of wine or beer, right?
[/QUOTE]
Using your economic formula, it is WELL worth it for me. I prefer to arrive early rather than rush at the airport. This translates into a few drinks ($11 for a large draft at Jet Rocks/PHL), vs. $1-2 at the Club. No brainer not even mentioning the comfort issue....[plus 5K PQM which is roughly a trans-con]......JMHO
+ A glass of water at the bar, but out of courtesy, one would tip a minimum of 1 USD for a glass of tap water with ice! OK, one would order several glasses of wine or beer, right?
[/QUOTE]
Using your economic formula, it is WELL worth it for me. I prefer to arrive early rather than rush at the airport. This translates into a few drinks ($11 for a large draft at Jet Rocks/PHL), vs. $1-2 at the Club. No brainer not even mentioning the comfort issue....[plus 5K PQM which is roughly a trans-con]......JMHO
#62
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,660
I think it all comes down to personal preferences. I probably get to the Club far less frequently than most, but I still look forward to it. I hate sitting in the gate area with the kettles. On a per visit basis, am I paying too much. You might think so, but it is worth it to me.
#63
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BGM/ PHL
Programs: US (Silver, *A Silver), AA, Starbucks (Gold)
Posts: 2,242
Here's my question....
I have a 90 day club membership which I started a few weeks ago. The $120 I paid is fully creditable towards an annual membership my original plan had been to pay the difference and extend in April when client checks start coming in.
If I pay the $255 ballance and extend during this promotion (before the 17th) will I get the 5K bonus PQM's or does it have to be from scratch (because technically my US Club membership year will be from late January and not during this promotion)?
If yes, I may pony up the money now rather than in two months...
I have a 90 day club membership which I started a few weeks ago. The $120 I paid is fully creditable towards an annual membership my original plan had been to pay the difference and extend in April when client checks start coming in.
If I pay the $255 ballance and extend during this promotion (before the 17th) will I get the 5K bonus PQM's or does it have to be from scratch (because technically my US Club membership year will be from late January and not during this promotion)?
If yes, I may pony up the money now rather than in two months...
No waiting with the kettles until next January and hopefully Gold will be easier to snag in 2013.
#64
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 851
I'm debating this but 95% of the appeal for me is the 5000 PQM. I value the club at almost zero -- I don't understand why anybody ever uses the club except so they can feel "special." The whole concept is a joke to me actually. I could see some benefit if you are delayed, but I think I've had a significant delay about once in the past 2 years. If the DCA club is right in the terminal in the future, I might use it once or twice a year in the rare exception I arrive 30 min+ before boarding. Because otherwise it is not worth it -- by the time you check in, etc. it is time to board. What is the timetable for the new DCA club and where exactly will it be located?
#65
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
I'm debating this but 95% of the appeal for me is the 5000 PQM. I value the club at almost zero -- I don't understand why anybody ever uses the club except so they can feel "special." The whole concept is a joke to me actually. I could see some benefit if you are delayed, but I think I've had a significant delay about once in the past 2 years. If the DCA club is right in the terminal in the future, I might use it once or twice a year in the rare exception I arrive 30 min+ before boarding. Because otherwise it is not worth it -- by the time you check in, etc. it is time to board. What is the timetable for the new DCA club and where exactly will it be located?
#66
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 851
I am sure that's not right -- it has to be in C. My guess is "new" actually means remodeled and it will be the same space as the old club (up the elevator, right past security). But I could be wrong.
#67
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AA-Gold 0.425MM), AS MVP Gold, National EE, Marriott Titanium (LT-G), UA Silver
Posts: 1,136
Sorry, I must be out of the loop on this...what's happening to the DCA club? Haven't had a club membership before so never really paid attention.
#68
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BGM/ PHL
Programs: US (Silver, *A Silver), AA, Starbucks (Gold)
Posts: 2,242
I'm debating this but 95% of the appeal for me is the 5000 PQM. I value the club at almost zero -- I don't understand why anybody ever uses the club except so they can feel "special." The whole concept is a joke to me actually. I could see some benefit if you are delayed, but I think I've had a significant delay about once in the past 2 years. If the DCA club is right in the terminal in the future, I might use it once or twice a year in the rare exception I arrive 30 min+ before boarding. Because otherwise it is not worth it -- by the time you check in, etc. it is time to board. What is the timetable for the new DCA club and where exactly will it be located?
I digress, those reasons make it valuable for me - delays and irropps aside. That said, I can understand why a commuter on the shuttle flights out of DCA may not find it worthwhile.
Last edited by thomwithanh; Feb 16, 2012 at 8:22 am
#69
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: PHL
Programs: US-G/*G, SPG-G, MR-G, Avis-F
Posts: 162
I guess everyone has their own unique needs. If you see no value in a club membership, there is none. If you do see value (whatever your value proposition is), then the 5K PQM's will just increase that for you.
For me, this promotion was a loss for US. I would have renewed my membership anyway. Getting the 5K PQM's will make re-qualifying for <some level of Preferred Status in 2012> that much easier.
As I said before, if you have the need to rationalize it down to nickels and dimes... it's probably not right for you.
For me, this promotion was a loss for US. I would have renewed my membership anyway. Getting the 5K PQM's will make re-qualifying for <some level of Preferred Status in 2012> that much easier.
As I said before, if you have the need to rationalize it down to nickels and dimes... it's probably not right for you.
#70
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,660
I think it also comes down to whether you are currently a member or not. I have been a Club member for just two years. But I don't particularly relish the idea of losing that ... unless my travel dries up into just a handful of trips per year.
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
You have to keep it in perspective though.
European Frequent Flyer Programs are much more difficult to earn in and the focus is much moreso on premium cabin and full fare economy customers. On Miles & More most discount economy fares do not earn any miles, and middle buckets (M, H, etc...) only get 50%. With the push for the high value market their elite thresholds are significantly higher and do not correspond to the tiers of any US Carrier. On Lufthansa, the basic FO tier would be reasonable for most business travelers, but even the middle tier would be difficult unless corporate is paying for J or he or she is flying transatlantic more than once a month.
It's a far cry from anything we have in the States - even those traveling primarily for leisure can usually earn enough for an award ticket or upgrade over time and sometimes snag Silver or Gold with nearly all fares (except for unpublished and non-rev fares) earning miles and PQM's.
European Frequent Flyer Programs are much more difficult to earn in and the focus is much moreso on premium cabin and full fare economy customers. On Miles & More most discount economy fares do not earn any miles, and middle buckets (M, H, etc...) only get 50%. With the push for the high value market their elite thresholds are significantly higher and do not correspond to the tiers of any US Carrier. On Lufthansa, the basic FO tier would be reasonable for most business travelers, but even the middle tier would be difficult unless corporate is paying for J or he or she is flying transatlantic more than once a month.
- Frequent Traveler has similar benefits to our Silver at 30,000 miles but does include lounge access on the LH network (Star Silver)
- Senator the next level up is equivalent to Chairman's at 100,000 miles and has similar benefits to CP (SWU's, guaranteed reservations, etc...) plus access to Senator Lounges and any *A Lounge (Star Gold)
- HON Circle at 600,000 miles (in 24 months) is for ultra high value customers and includes things such as a personal escort to the plane, limousine pick-up on the tarmac at certain German Airports and the First Class Terminal. It's closest equivalent would be United Global Services or American's Concierge Key, but it blows both those programs away. There's probably more 100 HON members but I doubt its much more.
It's a far cry from anything we have in the States - even those traveling primarily for leisure can usually earn enough for an award ticket or upgrade over time and sometimes snag Silver or Gold with nearly all fares (except for unpublished and non-rev fares) earning miles and PQM's.
#72
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BGM/ PHL
Programs: US (Silver, *A Silver), AA, Starbucks (Gold)
Posts: 2,242
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
#74
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 819
AMAZING response from Club Customer Service
I ordered online on 2/14 and when I didn't receive any email or even a pending charge on my credit card after 24 hours, I called in. The agent said they were all processed manually and asked if I'd like to hold on while she processed mine? I said sure, and the miles posted immediately and she said my membership was active, even though I would not get the card for 4 weeks. Quite speedy, really. Only 6 minutes on the phone total!
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
For me? Yes. Even back in my Silver days, it was worth it.
A comfortable seat, away from the herds and myriad cell phone screamers... alone that is almost worth the price of admission.
Then, add in the lack of tourists (with their generally misbehaved/crying children), not sitting next to the person eating the smelly food out of a Styrofoam container, not sitting on the floor near the single power outlet at the gate, not having to pay the one drink minimum to sit in the bar (which is often times overcrowded)...
Add to that a generally clean restroom, access to an agent for any ticketing needs, free wifi, newspapers and magazines, coffee, juice and minor snacks. A free drink, if you so desire is also available in many clubs.
If you have to assess a "cost per entry" to it, you are really missing the point. It's just a nicer experience, than standing in line at the bus stop, that our airports have become. And, if you are willing to pay for that experience, I say: go for it.
I would not cancel my membership, unless it became a financial hardship. And, at $350-ish/year... that's somewhat unlikely.
A comfortable seat, away from the herds and myriad cell phone screamers... alone that is almost worth the price of admission.
Then, add in the lack of tourists (with their generally misbehaved/crying children), not sitting next to the person eating the smelly food out of a Styrofoam container, not sitting on the floor near the single power outlet at the gate, not having to pay the one drink minimum to sit in the bar (which is often times overcrowded)...
Add to that a generally clean restroom, access to an agent for any ticketing needs, free wifi, newspapers and magazines, coffee, juice and minor snacks. A free drink, if you so desire is also available in many clubs.
If you have to assess a "cost per entry" to it, you are really missing the point. It's just a nicer experience, than standing in line at the bus stop, that our airports have become. And, if you are willing to pay for that experience, I say: go for it.
I would not cancel my membership, unless it became a financial hardship. And, at $350-ish/year... that's somewhat unlikely.
I'll usually stop in even if I only have 20-30 minutes for a clean restroom and quick snack.