United Club - Worth it for 2013-2014?
Dec 24, 2012, 9:44 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
You can renew anytime. I don't expire until July, but just sprang for the 3-year which should kick in when my old term expires.
Dec 24, 2012, 11:03 am
#17
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Dec 24, 2012, 11:47 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Hoboken, NJ; Pembroke Pines, FL
Programs: CO Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,939
I'm not really into applying for credit cards and taking the hit on my credit to get freebies (w/ the exception of the amazing Venture card match my miles thing a couple of years back). I'm not sure why this particular card is a good deal anyway, since it costs more over three years than if I just buy the Club membership separately...
My SPG AMEX card offers many of the same benefits + others so I'm pretty pleased with it.
My SPG AMEX card offers many of the same benefits + others so I'm pretty pleased with it.
That said, I too have the SPG card and pay the annual fee. I do this to keep my business and personal charges separate and so I put up with two annual fees.
Do you own a business? If so, you can expense the card fee which is a big value compared to the club fee which you can't expense.
Dec 24, 2012, 12:41 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: UA PM, DL PM, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 1,293
Dec 24, 2012, 4:07 pm
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,617
You must not have visited any AC's lately - the new one at SFO is much better than any UC, and the ACs at ORD and DFW are equal if not better than any UC - they have showers, for example, something you won't find at any domestic UC.
Dec 24, 2012, 7:36 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Pikes Peak COS
Programs: 3 Month Delta Plat, UA PP 2.4mm, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HH Lifetime Diamond, National EE
Posts: 426
Actually I have, and we each have things we value more than others. I fly domestic only so no need for showers. Free snack selection is worse, same amount of uncontrolled kids running around. Same level of cleanliness. I have not visited the new one in SFO yet so I will be sure to check it out.
Dec 24, 2012, 9:12 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
SunLover
Dec 24, 2012, 9:18 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
I am a UC member that, due to going gold, I am not renewing..
My best benefits have been from partner lounges on int flights...
I am not renewing mainly due to the UCs being terrible value domestically.. the number one reason being no announcements in the lounge which lead me to leaving the lounge on time, trekking to the gate and having to wait at the gate due to a delay..
other big reasons for not renewing:
*No showers
*Food sucks big time
*Over crowded
*disgusting restrooms no better than the terminal
*no outside food
*no food for sale
*Making gold..
Airport vendors will be getting my $$ now
My best benefits have been from partner lounges on int flights...
I am not renewing mainly due to the UCs being terrible value domestically.. the number one reason being no announcements in the lounge which lead me to leaving the lounge on time, trekking to the gate and having to wait at the gate due to a delay..
other big reasons for not renewing:
*No showers
*Food sucks big time
*Over crowded
*disgusting restrooms no better than the terminal
*no outside food
*no food for sale
*Making gold..
Airport vendors will be getting my $$ now
Dec 24, 2012, 10:50 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K/MM, AA GLD
Posts: 1,709
The UCs at EWR and IAH have showers (and how I wish the renovated ORD T2 club would've had a shower or two...or that any other UA hub would get showers at the clubs).
Last edited by rob_flies_ua; Dec 24, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Dec 25, 2012, 12:23 am
#25
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
I love United...but I find it beyond belief that UC's in ORD do not offer showers. I willl change my FT sig and keep it that way if others do the same. It will say "United Clubs in ORD should offer showers." Anyone with me?
Dec 25, 2012, 12:40 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SAN, ONT
Programs: UA Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis President's Club
Posts: 119
The club card could be your Visa/MC unless you prefer your Venture card. The club card also offers 1.5 pts/dollar of spend. You should really check out the other threads for full details on the card. I think you should analyze the Club Card in the context of it being one of your primary cards, not as one you have just for the United Club benefit. That is, you should consider replacing all your existing cards with the Club Card. The economics of this are better.
That said, I too have the SPG card and pay the annual fee. I do this to keep my business and personal charges separate and so I put up with two annual fees.
Do you own a business? If so, you can expense the card fee which is a big value compared to the club fee which you can't expense.
That said, I too have the SPG card and pay the annual fee. I do this to keep my business and personal charges separate and so I put up with two annual fees.
Do you own a business? If so, you can expense the card fee which is a big value compared to the club fee which you can't expense.
I am not self-employed and am required to charge all work related air and lodging to a company issued card. If I got the Club card it would mean I would ditch the SPG card as my main personal card, and I just think the SPG card is more useful. If Club card came with some PQM earning opportunities it would be a different story...
I think US or AA or someone has/had a card like that...
Last edited by iluv2fly; Dec 25, 2012 at 6:37 am Reason: merge
Dec 25, 2012, 1:12 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
t a club benefit. I consider it more of a tease, as I almost never qualify for entry (and when I did my flight was delayed past closing time).
Dec 25, 2012, 1:08 pm
#29
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Dec 25, 2012, 4:07 pm
#30
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 173
The only time the United Club card makes sense is when you can get the first year annual fee waived. If that offer is not available, then I would go for the 3-year membership if lounging in one of the restaurant/bar or gate area is not your cup of tea.
My UA Club membership is set to expire at the end of April, so I got screwed with the rate increase. I am not sure if it is worth renewing
It is nice being able to use the US Club in PIT. Oh well.
P.S. If you are a 1K and you have a Chase UA co-branded card, you will get $60 statement credit every year. I know this does not apply in the OP's case, but I thought I'd point this out for those who are 1Ks trying to decide whether s/he should get the card or renew the card.
My UA Club membership is set to expire at the end of April, so I got screwed with the rate increase. I am not sure if it is worth renewing
It is nice being able to use the US Club in PIT. Oh well.P.S. If you are a 1K and you have a Chase UA co-branded card, you will get $60 statement credit every year. I know this does not apply in the OP's case, but I thought I'd point this out for those who are 1Ks trying to decide whether s/he should get the card or renew the card.