United lounges are downright spectacular when compared to:

- Whatever that lounge is near the AA gate at PVG where J/F pax go. It's another one of those shared lounges
- The aforementioned Star lounge in MAD
- The Star lounges at CAI - operated by MS - even the new terminal one is pretty weak. (The old terminal one is literally a single room with a few magazines and soft drinks.)
- The lounge for US Envoy Class at LGW...although that prior to US joining any alliance so I'm sure it's different today
- Most lounges willing to let me in with my Diner's Club card.

Guys, I'm not trying to say that United lounges are terrific. I'm just saying that there's a greater continuum of lounges out there - good and bad - with your standard United Club not at either extreme.

If you want another example of a really good J lounge, I liked the atmosphere/ambiance and food/drink at ANA.

I've always liked LH Sen lounges but LH Biz lounges are so-so...