Col Ronson

Basically anyone can get into the club these days by buying a one time pass or getting it free from their credit card. This is basically the norm for US lounges.

Basically 90% of other international airlines, you can't use a lounge unless you're flying in a premium cabin or you're an elite member. Many international lounges don't sell one-day passes or even yearly memberships so traffic isn't bad.

aacharya

I think we've noted a few times here that the number of people who use those passes is not a significant contributor (defined as more than 20%) to the United Club attendance.

DCEsquire

This is the first trip to SFO since I decided *not* to renew my United Club membership. Boy am I glad I didn't waste my money. I'm leaving out of gate 67 in the spanking new wing of Terminal 3.

The place is incredible and beats any UA lounge I've ever been in. Lots of plugs, spaces to do work, free WiFi and just a great vibe. They even have a yoga room if you are so inclined!

Nice write up here.

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/articl...ff-5173681.php

eghansen

July 5, I was flying GDL-IAH-SAN in a paid first p-class ticket. I missed my connection to SAN and the next flight was delayed 1 1/2 hours. (There had been a massive thunderstorm earlier in the day with diversions so everything was a mess.) I was leaving from gate C44 at 9:30 pm, so I decided to visit the United Club for the first time in my life.

When I got to the check-in counter, there was a big sign which read "No Outside Food Allowed". I thought that was reasonable until I got inside and realized that there also should have been a sign reading "No Inside Food Available". The refreshment bar looked like something you would see in the break room at a prosperous law firm. There was only hot coffee and tea. No sodas, soda fountain or bottled water (or ice for that matter) available anywhere. The food was mostly of the hermetically sealed type with a 6 month shelf life and not much of that.

There was the usual instance of United trying to make something out of nothing. There were some cookies available with a prominent sign which read "These cookies baked especially for United Airlines". They looked like ordinary cookies to me.

There was bar with two people sitting at it. As far as I could figure out, the only things available for free were domestic beer and two types of white wine. All other drinks were for the same price charged in economy on board an airplane.

Opposite the bar was a large cafe-type area with tables and chairs. It was completely deserted. Since there is no food available and you can't bring any in, I did not see the point of the cafe area.

The leather chairs were very comfortable and about 30% of them were occupied. This was at about 8:15 pm. The terminal outside the Club was packed. The airport had been closed earlier in the day for the storm and many many flights were running very late. All the restaurants and food courts were packed with people.

Just down the corridor from the Club was a place called Le Grande Comptoir which is a "French wine bar, cafe and restaurant". It looked far more interesting than the Club I was just in. It has a full bar, fifty different types of wine and eggs benedict for $15. The ratings websites all give it 3-4 stars out of five.

Which brings me to my first question: Why on God's green earth would anybody pay $495 per year for a United Club pass? My second question is: Given how busy the terminal was at that time and how empty the club was, Are there very many people paying for club passes anymore?

P.S. On my flight IAH-SAN I got to sample what will always be known to me as the "Bette Midler snack".

mapu

Your first visit to an airline lounge in the US, right?

mduell

IAH is pretty much closed up and dead by 8pm, so I'm not surprised the one of four UCs was only a third full.

No-name wells are also available free of charge, but they're awful.

I cancelled my UC membership after waiting out the merger to see if they'd fix the clubs. Instead I saw more downgrades and no consistency.

mahasamatman

Our definitions of "prosperous" must differ greatly. If I was paying for a high-priced lawyer and found the selection to be like that, I would run away. Fast and far.

You must not have looked very hard. While there is (thankfully in my opinion) no bottled water, if any of the other items aren't at the self-serve area, they're always available at the bar (for free).

mgcsinc

I say this as someone who has been around top law firms for nearly my entire life, most recently as a client: what on earth are you talking about?

cova

The UC is comparable with other USA domestic lounges. Free bar brand liquor and wine and snacks only. AA has food for purchase at the Admiral's Clubs (like a restaurant) - sandwiches, salads, etc.

UC has best breakfast items - including cereal, yogurt, rolls, bagels, etc. AA only has small pastries for free in the morning, but then in the late afternoon AA serves veggies and olives.

But USA lounges are no where similar to international lounges.

PV_Premier

to answer the question simply, it's because people keep paying for access either via day passes, memberships, or CC annual fees. then once inside, they're still paying for overpriced drinks from surly bartenders. UC is apparently bringing in enough money to continue to justify its existence. if it didn't, you can bet the clubs would all be boarded up tomorrow.

RJ1

Well, not exactly "free" since there is the presumed tip for the bartender for anything them may dispense for you (soda, etc.), or even water if they don't have a self-serve container out.

RJ1

I am cancelling my $395 Chase United Club card this month for the same reason.

StingWest

Not sure what the above comment means...

To some people, just getting out of the normal airport hubbub is worth the price of entry. Many corporations give it as a perk to their employees. Some people, including me, got it for free after flying 2,000,000 miles on UA. (actually, they were kind and gave it to be for 1.8 MM)

Everyone has their own value equation, but I can bet that few people go to a UA club for the food.

I don't think I would pay $495/year, but other road warriors with heavy domestic travel might have a different take.

UA-NYC

I get it for free (so guilty of adding to the list of folks who renew on autopilot every year, despite the crap quality) but I make it a point to never buy drinks in there...I'd rather go out in the terminal for decent food & will pay for my drinks there.

airplanegod

I don't think this is limited to UA, I think US, DL, and AA all have lackluster lounges compared to foreign airlines. I actually do here good things though about Alaska's lounge.