Is the "United Club" worth it for 2012?
Oct 26, 2011, 3:03 pm
#31
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,156
For business travel too, I will strongly consider SQ. I never once looked at anything but UA. That period of time is over. (I can pick anyone as long as fare is within reason of lowest available fare)
March 2012 (+/-) is when the new worse rules go into effect for MP
* ANA would be an option, but UA pockets 50% on the Japan routes, I don't want them to collect a penny. So SQ it is.
Oct 26, 2011, 3:17 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BNE/OOL temporarily-permanently at CAK/PIT
Programs: UA*1K & UA Club, National Ex. Elite, Hertz Pres. Circ., Amex Plat., CLEAR
Posts: 1,703
Personal choice due to Mileage Plus reducing bonus miles for Gold and E+ access for Silver, and making upgrades much harder for even 1K. That moves all my family travel off UA onto SQ*.
For business travel too, I will strongly consider SQ. I never once looked at anything but UA. That period of time is over. (I can pick anyone as long as fare is within reason of lowest available fare)
March 2012 (+/-) is when the new worse rules go into effect for MP
* ANA would be an option, but UA pockets 50% on the Japan routes, I don't want them to collect a penny. So SQ it is.
For business travel too, I will strongly consider SQ. I never once looked at anything but UA. That period of time is over. (I can pick anyone as long as fare is within reason of lowest available fare)
March 2012 (+/-) is when the new worse rules go into effect for MP
* ANA would be an option, but UA pockets 50% on the Japan routes, I don't want them to collect a penny. So SQ it is.
Oct 26, 2011, 3:23 pm
#33
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
I'm definitely not renewing in December. I've found that of my last ten trips, I only went in the RCC once or twice.
Seating? Nothing special.
WiFi? Have a hotspot on my phone.
Drinks? Not a fan of the free stuff. Drinkable beer and wine costs, and better is often had outside the club.
Irrops access to agents? This is the ONE thing that gave me pause - but I often arrange my alternate plans via 1K line anyway. Will continue to do that.
I doubt I'm really going to miss it much.
Seating? Nothing special.
WiFi? Have a hotspot on my phone.
Drinks? Not a fan of the free stuff. Drinkable beer and wine costs, and better is often had outside the club.
Irrops access to agents? This is the ONE thing that gave me pause - but I often arrange my alternate plans via 1K line anyway. Will continue to do that.
I doubt I'm really going to miss it much.
Oct 26, 2011, 3:32 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Summit County UT
Programs: Delta PM Hilton Diamond Bonvoy Ti/LTP Hertz PC
Posts: 636
I did this every Monday morning for 4 months in EWR, and now I'm doing the same in ATL... so I had to buy a sky club membership too. I consider both a bargain and the free booze and live service in irrops are just bonuses
Oct 26, 2011, 4:02 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
Oct 26, 2011, 4:17 pm
#36
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Tucson, AZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, AA LT Gold, Radisson Gold, Hertz PC, HP Masters emeritus (sigh)
Posts: 445
I went to the SEA RCC on a Priority Pass card a few years ago, had a canceled flight and the agent refused to help. She said I had to call the 1P line.
I left wondering what the value was of joining the RCC and have never joined it.
I left wondering what the value was of joining the RCC and have never joined it.
Oct 26, 2011, 4:43 pm
#37
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
That's odd. I have usually had great results getting rerouted at a RCC. Was it specifically because of the priority pass?
Oct 26, 2011, 4:55 pm
#38
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: DL-PM | UA-1K | HH-Gold
Posts: 938
I'm going to guess that this is because you inquired at the front desk? The check-in dragons are supposed to avoid helping with irrops so they can efficiently get people into the club. The back-desk is usually for irrops. I may be misinterpreting your experience but I would be surprised if you were refused service by one of the dedicated CS agents in the club. That would be rather unfortunate.
Oct 26, 2011, 4:58 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,686
I previously used the US Air $250 special, but when it expired earlier this month I bought the 3 year pclub deal ($975 for Premier Golds) after I mentally counted 11 visits with no other entry criteria (Intl/*A) in the next 4 months.
Oct 26, 2011, 8:24 pm
#40
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,037
I'm going to guess that this is because you inquired at the front desk? The check-in dragons are supposed to avoid helping with irrops so they can efficiently get people into the club. The back-desk is usually for irrops. I may be misinterpreting your experience but I would be surprised if you were refused service by one of the dedicated CS agents in the club. That would be rather unfortunate.
Oct 26, 2011, 11:10 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
Without either service improvements or bonuses/rate reductions for doing so, I will not be renewing my "United Club" membership when it expires later this year. My answer (YMMV, of course) is NO, it is not worth it (as it stands now) for me in 2012.
Oct 26, 2011, 11:23 pm
#42
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Tucson, AZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, AA LT Gold, Radisson Gold, Hertz PC, HP Masters emeritus (sigh)
Posts: 445
Maybe she was just having a bad day...
Oct 27, 2011, 7:19 am
#43
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: DL-PM | UA-1K | HH-Gold
Posts: 938
Thanks for jogging my memory, it's been over a year since I've been in that lair beneath the escalators.
Oct 27, 2011, 9:25 am
#44
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,037
Nov 10, 2011, 2:14 pm
#45
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: ORD, MBS
Programs: UA Plat., 1.52 MM
Posts: 2,053
Hostile Reception in RCC Con F
I have been an RCC member for over 10 years.
I found value in the membership during irregular operations.
Yesterday(Wedndsday) I changed my mind:
ORD was hell post messy Tuesday rain storms.
I entered the RCC next to Conc F gate 2 at 12:59PM. There were customers in line by the counter. The matron looked at me obliquely - a "dirty look" - and announced loudly: "There is no more space in this lounge. Try to walk to lounges in Conc B."
I sensed nothing but anger and hostility.
I did what I was told - got out of this lounge.
Thank you United!
I found value in the membership during irregular operations.
Yesterday(Wedndsday) I changed my mind:
ORD was hell post messy Tuesday rain storms.
I entered the RCC next to Conc F gate 2 at 12:59PM. There were customers in line by the counter. The matron looked at me obliquely - a "dirty look" - and announced loudly: "There is no more space in this lounge. Try to walk to lounges in Conc B."
I sensed nothing but anger and hostility.
I did what I was told - got out of this lounge.
Thank you United!