lensman

You're even worse at $5 a visit!

I'm assuming ~ $300 of the fee goes to UA for club membership.

Me, OTOH with my 10 visits a year? My $30 a visit is subsidizing all of you!

PaulInTheSky

If you are traveling frequently in domestic, yes; however, for people who travel mostly international, in general, no.

xkr0p

If you travel domestic and super frequently i could see justifying it, but I think getting the club chase card would still be a better deal because of the benefits and getting the extra miles... internationally definitely not, assuming you have *g

DCEsquire

After UA began outrageous drink prices (see related thread) I decided to let my club membership lapse. I just got this email trying to entice me back. I'm struggling to try to justify the (now) $500 price. Apparently if I join before January 31st they will waive the $50 initiation fee. I guess I forgot they even had an initiation fee!

According to UA I visited the club 20 times in 2013. I probably guested 2-3 times. Without the free or reduced price drinks I'm thinking my 25 dollars a trip could be better used in the terminal.

Curious how many others are letting their club membership lapse and if anyone has any convincing arguments as to why one should stay.

ps. I'm *Gold so I don't really see any benefit when I travel internationally - and when I do I usually fly in "C".

MBS MillionMiler

I'm torn with this every year (well, I did buy the 3-year at the deadline last year). I don't really drink, so the alcohol change doesn't really affect me much. It's not for the food (I can't stand anything they serve in the clubs after the bagels are done for the day at 11AM).

For me, it comes down to the access to relatively short customer service lines. I've been saved more than once this past year with 300-people deep CS lines 'outside', to get waited on relatively quickly. Plus, I've made friends with quite a few RCC agents at ORD and LAS.

noah

I got it free last year with a free United Club card. It came in handy a number of times, but it wasn't worth it enough for me to renew when it came up again. When I do have time at airports, I typically like to have a meal and a drink and both of those are in much better supply outside the Club than within.

WineCountryUA

I keep it because I still prefer the UCs over the terminal or a restaurant and the ability to access the agents when needed. 90% travel is domestic. Understand the international clubs are better but the options are limited for domestic travel. It is worth of me. But each needs to make their choice and understand their choice may be different than mine. BTW I don't drink alcoholic items while traveling -- so cost in the UC is a non-issue for me.

pros & cons galore in
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...th-2013-a.html
and some in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ct-2013-a.html

LaserSailor

Very similar calculation for me. I always renewed with miles since I couldn't use the ones I accumulated, and spending miles always trumps after tax cash. Later in career, UC club became a paid perk, but even then I took cash and used miles for same reason.

My spend on the UC Club card is high enough to make the card, Club free over other cards...so for the next 5 years or so that will be it for me.

CMK10

I luckily rode enough Amtrak last year that I'm Select Plus for this year and will get free United Club access. It's a nice perk but still nothing I'd pay for anymore.

mgcsinc

You just made me realize that, with my PQD-waiving spend planned for next year, I should maybe get the club card...

I take Amtrak every day, but sadly do so using a Metrolink (LA commuter rail) monthly pass, so no love for me.

cranky1K

Probably closer to 1cpm.

LaserSailor

Yeah, but you don't get flamed as much if you say it's 2cpm

DCEsquire

Thanks WineCountry and mccullo3! I hadn't thought about the Chase Card. I assume I can switch my current card. The no foreign transaction fee item is pretty significant. I signed up for the Marriott Card (given the UA partnership) which also has no transaction fees. Maybe I will switch out the cards since I don't charge that much to Marriott and I charge all my United purchases to the United card. No foreign transaction fees can add up to several hundreds of dollars for me too.

glasman19

I typically don't use forums to air my complaints, but today I am.

I'm @ FFL and arrived at the club only to be told by the attendant that the club was full and there may not be any seats. She was spot on! What a zoo this place is. It reminded my of my college days when my buddies and I would fight to see who could maneuver threw the crowds to obtain that 1st brew. As there wasn't a seat to be found, I left drink less and upset that I forked out good money for the membership.

As I now sit in the terminal using the slow but free wifi I start to ponder:

1. How many guests gain entrance due to their CC?
2. Is it this bad at the other legacy carriers?
3. Is it time to take by business elsewhere?
4. Or do I just check it off like a flight delay due to bad weather?

Time will tell. I'm going back for a photo.

CaptKornDog

Just give it 6-12 months. UA will likely copy DL's new club admission policies (for better or worse). Some will be ecstatic, some furious.