Originally Posted by jsloan

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.


It's a Chase rule, not a United rule. And, yes, it applies.


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.


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.


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.


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).


None. That is specifically what the membership grants: club access.

Originally Posted by notquiteaff

Occasionally Chase offers upgrade bonuses for partner cards. They are pretty small compared to what you’d get for opening a new account. And I don’t know/recall if I ever received an upgrade offer for my Gateway and Explorer cards.

Basically, the OP’s plan will not work.