Originally Posted by
uanj
If we go back to pre-COVID times, I cannot see United granting additional access to any lounges, United Club or Polaris. It would especially impact Polaris. LAX was already too small, EWR gets crowded before the European flights and even the massive SFO lounge could be incredibly busy. The service would just get worse.
And why would United do this? A certain number of GS would take up say Polaris access and give up Plus Points. Nearly all the seats are still going to be given to people who were lower on the upgrade list and lounge usage increases. Net increase in expenses plus more pressure on the lounges.
United would do this go give GS more options just like delta and american do with choice benefits. I absolutely think United could win this trade off. Assuming the average GS visits the Polaris lounge 30 times (this acounts for not always being in a airport with one. Not always wanting to walk to one getting to airport late, short connection, etc. and putting a average visit cost of 40 dollars. Both of these estimates are on the high side btw that is 1200 dollars. I guarantee United’s liability for 500 plus points is higher than 1200 bucks.