I got the UC card, primarily for
- UC access as UA is my carrier (based at WAS)
- Paying for UA flights given the extra points
Given that I recently made GS, UC access is less important, and the PQPs the card earns are not considered for GS renewal. I just asked my wife to get the card instead, and may become a dependent on hers (and cancel mine). By and large, non-upgraded UC lounges SUCK. (Some notable exceptions with historical charm include DCA and SFO.) The upgraded lounges at DEN and EWR set a new standard. There is almost always a better paid for alternative at IAD.
I am considering the Sapphire card for their flagship lounges. Almost every card I have gives me PP membership, so that alone seems like a weird reason to join. However, most of us here will easily clear the $300 travel credit making the annual cost of the card a doozy. One should consider the point to spend ratio, but I probably won’t, preferring to put points into my wife’s UA account.
AMX plat is probably worth it for their primary rental car insurance alone. Additionally, there are some lounges I would like to check out, particularly now that I learned it has Delta access. #firstworldproblems
Originally Posted by
sfvoyage
To clarify:
AC MLL: Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders flying on Air Canada or a Star Alliance member airline can access the lounge with one complimentary guest.. Departing or in-transit pax only
The Club: flying any airlines, arrival pax also admitted
Most (but not all) on this board will already be *A Gold, so not a strong reason for Sapphire.
Never even knew you could go to the UC when flying a different airline… But when I do, there is usually no US around anyway (SLC, I am looking at YOU).
Originally Posted by
as219
Apart from UC membership, it has preferential PQD earning rates (1/$15). I wouldn't make it over the 1K hump without it...
True. Up to 1K, this is a super valuable benefit!
Originally Posted by
findark
The Club Card has few real benefits other than a United Club membership. It is the most cost-effective method of Club membership.
The CSR is a fairly popular Chase card with a lot of benefits, but does not convey a significant amount of lounge access at airports.
I don't think these cards are directly comparable.
Agree on Apples & Oranges.
- The Club Card is obviously intended as an UC card. In addition people might like the PQP earning ability, as well as the 4x points on UA tickets.
- The Sapphire card has good point earnings in general, for those who optimize on that. However, given the $300 travel credit, if you frequent airports with the their flagship lounges, this may be what gets you over the hump. Priority Pass definitely shouldn’t, since that is as common as confetti t a wedding (used to be).
Originally Posted by
uastarflyer
Club Card only worth it if plan to have enough waiting time in areas with UA clubs.
The sign up bonus kinda sorta offsets 2 years of Annual Fee if you want to look at it as a 2 year probationary period to see if you find the value.
Agreed. But given that this is the UA forum, I would hazard a guess that many of us spend a decent amount of time waiting around for United flights…