United Club, another change that I think you'll like (d/credit for prem. bar drinks)
Jul 30, 2012, 1:43 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SF
Programs: UA MM, AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTP, HH Dia
Posts: 1,132
. Not going to affect my United Club behavior in the slightest. If they're lazy and forget to bring change for the start of their shifts, it'll cost them, but I'm guessing it won't happen very frequently.
Jul 30, 2012, 1:46 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
If they're eliminating the ability to pay in cash, it seems reasonable to assume they're eliminating the cash drawers as well? Sometimes the bartenders have had to go in there to get me change so that I can tip them.
I guess if enough people have tipped earlier on it's fine, but I could see it slightly cutting down on the ability for people taking advantage of the free drinks who don't have change to tip especially early in the day.
I guess if enough people have tipped earlier on it's fine, but I could see it slightly cutting down on the ability for people taking advantage of the free drinks who don't have change to tip especially early in the day.
I agree that they will do a little better with CC payers. That said, I would assume a big portion of their customers pay with a CC now, so it probably won't make much difference.
The COPA club in PTY does not take cash because they only have free drinks, and I have noticed that those bartenders are tipped regularly.
Jul 30, 2012, 2:12 pm
#18
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Dumb question: To run a debit/credit card the merchant has to pay a merchant processing fee, usually between 2 and 4%. By eliminating all cash for these purchases, won't United be losing money (in however small increments) as now all purchases, not just some, are subject to this fee?
Jul 30, 2012, 2:18 pm
#19
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA
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Dumb question: To run a debit/credit card the merchant has to pay a merchant processing fee, usually between 2 and 4%. By eliminating all cash for these purchases, won't United be losing money (in however small increments) as now all purchases, not just some, are subject to this fee?
2) It all depends on how much cash is "misplaced" by bar staff.
Jul 30, 2012, 2:18 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Dumb question: To run a debit/credit card the merchant has to pay a merchant processing fee, usually between 2 and 4%. By eliminating all cash for these purchases, won't United be losing money (in however small increments) as now all purchases, not just some, are subject to this fee?
Jul 30, 2012, 2:56 pm
#21
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
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While there may be some theft in most every business involving cash, that is only one of the many costs of cash handling.
Having cash on hand, having change on hand, counting it, depositing it, etc., are all costs associated with cash handling.
The money doesn't deposit itself, and that armored truck doesn't pull up for free.
Jul 30, 2012, 2:57 pm
#22
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: UA Gold 1.6 MM
Posts: 240
When do the swipe fees start?
As far as tipping goes, my first three years in the workforce were in a tips-only job. As a result I'm very tip conscious and have overtipped my whole life. But everybody likes a little spiff on their pay whether it's waitstaff or a big time banker, don't they? And I figure people whose jobs involves tips might need an extra buck or twenty more than I will miss it.
Jul 30, 2012, 3:10 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K MM, Subway Club Member
Posts: 1,988
Hopefully they make sure all the clubs are set up to allow for tips. The club in BOS does not allow tips on credit card. You just get a regular reciept vs. the one common at bars where you can add a tip before signing.
Jul 30, 2012, 3:33 pm
#25
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Dumb question: To run a debit/credit card the merchant has to pay a merchant processing fee, usually between 2 and 4%. By eliminating all cash for these purchases, won't United be losing money (in however small increments) as now all purchases, not just some, are subject to this fee?
Just like they did in the cabin when they went cashless up there.
Jul 30, 2012, 4:26 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2003
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It depends on their agreement, but I would bet that United is paying considerably less than that and probably a flat fee on debit cards. The actual money loss will probably easily be offset by the savings in the cost of handling, storing, depositing, and all the rest of the stuff they have to do with cash.
Just like they did in the cabin when they went cashless up there.
Just like they did in the cabin when they went cashless up there.
Jul 30, 2012, 5:28 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Are the club employees unionized?
Jul 30, 2012, 8:04 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
As a rule, anybody who works for tips and hustles just a little will get paid better than somebody on a fixed wage in a similar role. Just ask anybody in the restaurant industry.
Jul 30, 2012, 8:15 pm
#29
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