The Gate Passes mentioned in Post #3 and Post #4 above are truly an unpublished United Club benefit. Here is a link to the FT thread on the subject.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ub-access.html
At the AA Admirals Club, one still needs to reserve 24 hours in advance for a "business meeting".
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
I am life members of both, but travel much less now that I am back on the mainland, so it is good to know how to try to get my money's worth. Not as convenient as the old airside SFO CO President's Club, though.
I will need to keep the ClubAcela in mind the next time I am at Union Station in Washington, DC.