Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > United Airlines | MileagePlus
Reload this Page >

United Club, another change that I think you'll like (d/credit for prem. bar drinks)

United Club, another change that I think you'll like (d/credit for prem. bar drinks)

Old Jul 30, 2012, 12:34 pm
  #1  
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,836
United Club, another change that I think you'll like (d/credit for prem. bar drinks)

(Please feel free to merge this if there already is another relevant thread, I didn't see it.)

Effective August 1, no cash for premium drinks in the United Club. Truly a minor inconvenience for most but it's just another customer unfriendly activity to add to the list. Bet it really cuts down on tips for the bartenders too.

Here's the body of the email I got:

United Club to accept only credit and debit cards for premium bar purchases

We want to inform you that effective August 1, 2012, United ClubSM will accept only credit and debit cards as forms of payment for premium liquors and fine wines. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards will all be accepted for these purchases.

In addition to premium bar service, United Club offers select complimentary beverages, as well as light snacks, high-speed wireless Internet access and more.

Thank you for being a United Club member.
RichardInSF is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 12:37 pm
  #2  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,424
Originally Posted by RichardInSF
(Please feel free to merge this if there already is another relevant thread, I didn't see it.)

Effective August 1, no cash for premium drinks in the United Club. Truly a minor inconvenience for most but it's just another customer unfriendly activity to add to the list. Bet it really cuts down on tips for the bartenders too.

Here's the body of the email I got:
Maybe it won't cut down on tips.
Here in NYC, cab drivers have found that average tips are larger when passengers pay by credit card.

I don't really see it as being customer unfriendly. It seems pretty consistent with trends toward credit cards over cash. It's already old news on aircraft.
IFlyHarder is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 12:42 pm
  #3  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,419
Eliminating choices most often equals customer-unfriendly results.
cesco.g is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 12:47 pm
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Southern California
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, Marriott Titanium & LT Platinum, Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 713
Does that mean bartenders won't be able to take cash tips either?
LagunaBeach is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 12:47 pm
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
What about when you're not paying?

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.
villox is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 1:06 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 330
Originally Posted by IFlyHarder
Maybe it won't cut down on tips.
Here in NYC, cab drivers have found that average tips are larger when passengers pay by credit card.

I don't really see it as being customer unfriendly. It seems pretty consistent with trends toward credit cards over cash. It's already old news on aircraft.
Funny but I mostly use cabs while abroad and often in countries where cabbie tipping isn't done or expected which I kind of like as I have rarely had a cab ride in the USA that the driver went out of his way to get a tip!

That being said, I think this will have a negative effect on the U Club bartenders tips, at least at first. I am much more prone to tip with cash when getting a drink when the service is good even if I use a CC because the tip jar is right there in front of me! But that is just me, and I admit I have a daughter who is a server so I think of her! I guess I will adjust.

Business travelers might expense a drink at the club but not want to add a tip as it raises the bar for expenses.

Not suggesting anyone cheat the IRS but cash tips are not always declared as income and CC ones are.

Many establishments do not tip out staff on a daily basis, some do it on a weekly or monthly one so the staff may have less change in their pockets at the end of the day.

Some establishments take a percentage of the tips. Not sure what the policy is for U Club employees.

I would imagine that the U Club bar staff pools tips with others in the service end of the club like the busing staff and cleaning staff.
Chrisinhouston is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 1:09 pm
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 282
Made sense on the planes as there are so many flights a day and just the pure complexity of accounting and making change etc.

But in the Clubs -- please there are not that many Clubs that they can't adequately account for a cash drawer.

I typically prefer to pay with cash for my alcohol at bars... don't know exactly why but maybe that is how I was conditioned.

This just seems like a way for Management to be a little more lazy.
mccullo3 is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 1:12 pm
  #8  
Moderator: United Airlines
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,574
Originally Posted by mccullo3
.... This just seems like a way for Management to be a little more lazy.
One of the unstated but rumored reason for cash only on the planes was "loss management of cash."
It may also play a part in this decision. real or perceptive

Corporate entities (especially their accounting departments) do not like cash due to its lack of tractability.
WineCountryUA is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 1:13 pm
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: The World.
Programs: UA MP/UC - "RIP Tulip Plat"
Posts: 1,225
Originally Posted by villox
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 love tipping as much as the next guy, and it's a sad day when UA makes it harder to tip- but I'm not gonna drop a benefit that was over-paid for just because UA screws over the bar keeps. Hopefully I'll remember to carry smaller bills.
UAL4life is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 1:14 pm
  #10  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,419
Bartender honesty! I gotta believe they want to control bartenders more to avoid cash "disappearing".
cesco.g is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 1:21 pm
  #11  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Originally Posted by UAL4life
I love tipping as much as the next guy, and it's a sad day when UA makes it harder to tip- but I'm not gonna drop a benefit that was over-paid for just because UA screws over the bar keeps. Hopefully I'll remember to carry smaller bills.
Don't you always carry small bills on a trip?

luggage handler checking luggage, skycap on arrival helping with luggage, rental car bus driver, valet, bell boy, etc. etc. etc.

A bunch of $5's and $1's are something I always make sure to have ready for any trip.



If United no longer gives the bartender a cash drawer, don't worry, they'll quickly learn to bring their own 'change drawer' to help facilitiate any tipping customer!
LarkSFO is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 1:32 pm
  #12  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 2,842
Someone once told me that if you pay a tip as part of a CC transaction the person has to claim that tip on their Income tax. If it is cash then there isn't much of a trail and thus no one claims it.

Regardless I doubt I'll ever pay for alcohol at the club. Although I thought it could have been an opportunity to reintroduce the UA branded card discount.
nova08 is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 1:37 pm
  #13  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tulsa, OK
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,264
I don't see this as a big deal. The world is evolving to a cashless model. I hardly carry any with me.
fieldeng is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 1:38 pm
  #14  
jyh
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 193
I thought alcohol was free in the old President's Club? No?
jyh is offline  
Old Jul 30, 2012, 1:40 pm
  #15  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 2,842
Originally Posted by jyh
I thought alcohol was free in the old President's Club? No?
They offer Premium wines and liquors at a cost.
nova08 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.