Originally Posted by
blueturtle91
My plan is to maximize the profits through the UA cards, upgrading after maximizing benefits and requesting annual fees to be waived.
What possible reason could Chase have to agree to your request once they figure out what you're doing? Generally, a card change does not qualify for the bonus; if you want to open it as a separate account -- and you're allowed to do so -- so be it, but expecting Chase to keep giving you things for free seems like you're setting yourself up for disappointment.
Originally Posted by
blueturtle91
Does United follow 24/5 rule,btw?
It's a Chase rule, not a United rule. And, yes, it applies.
Originally Posted by
blueturtle91
Is this a viable strategy to maximize miles and benefits?
Not really, but if you enjoy it, go for it. I'm still trying to wrap my head around why you would do this in order to fly an airline that provides service you consider subpar. It seems like a lot of work for little to no benefit.
Honestly, the best strategy to maximize benefits is (a) stop reading reddit; (b) figure out where you actually need or want to travel; (c) research the airline(s) that will give you the service and price that you find valuable, and then (d) figure out what benefits you can get either organically or with limited extra effort.
Originally Posted by
blueturtle91
Am I missing anything or are there any flaws in my logic?
Yes, there is a flaw in your logic: you're using list price to account for value. For example, you state that you will "break even" if you make nine lounge visits -- which is broadly true, when compared to the $59 one-time pass. However: (a) those passes are readily available for about $20 on eBay (watch out for copies, though); (b) there is absolutely nothing in the United Club worth $59 to me. In fact, I allowed two of my free visit passes to expire last year because there was no point to entering a very crowded, loud space and hover around looking for a place to sit. (Admittedly, LAX does hav one of the nicer clubs in the system). To me, United Club access is worth very little. Now, I want to be clear; that's a personal thing, and I don't question the decision of people who do find It worthwhile; they've made a different calculation. But you're forgetting that price and value are not synonymous, and you're accepting UA's number uncritically.
Originally Posted by
blueturtle91
Any suggestions how to maximize the profit from United Club membership?
It is a club membership. It isn't something one profits from. Here I feel like you might mean "value," rather than "profit." But the only real way to increase the value of the membership is either to drink a lot -- I'm not recommending that; it's illegal for UA to allow you fly while intoxicated and people do get taken off planes -- or to fly more frequently, leading to more visits. Again, fly more frequently on an airline that you don't like.
Originally Posted by
blueturtle91
Can I access a United Club upon arrival at my destination, or only before departure?
As I answered on the other thread, United Club can be accessed at both departure and arrival of a *A flight, assuming you have physical access to the club location. (In other words, if you arrive at an airport and have to go through customs, and you don't have an onward flight, you can't get to where the club is).
Originally Posted by
blueturtle91
Besides lounge access, what other benefits come with United Club membership?
None. That is specifically what the membership grants: club access.