Here's the thing about that part of that though, AA gives all CKs access to the Flagship First lounge and they are at totally pleasant capacity 95% of the time. The only time I have ever had to try to "hunt" for a seat is 1-2 times a year during major weather events when flight banks begin to pile up. The Flagship lounges are materially larger than the Polaris lounges with better food and drink. UA is a larger airline than AA with more INTL business class seats and yet they chose to build smaller lounges that are less well appointed for those people. AA understands that CKs can fly up front with anyone and that giving me INTL lounge access when I'm flying to Minneapolis means they get 60%+ of my spend while UA gets 40% when the timing/routing is just clearly superior to AA, when UA used to get 100%.

I don't get why you think it's so ridiculous that a GS would want a better lounge experience than the United Club when other comparable airlines offer just that. IMHO that's a totally reasonable expectation if its something that I receive and enjoy with a competitor. I agree with you that United probably lacks the ability to offer it, but that's on them, not on me for valuing it.