Why are UA clubs at EWR (Major hub) so very poor compared to AA clubs?
May 19, 2013, 8:09 am
#46
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Also, all the 3 cabin action in and out of NYC is mostly focused on JFK.
May 19, 2013, 8:18 am
#47
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To tell you the truth, though, I did not move to AA for the superior AC and Oneworld lounges. Despite the increased crowding and scaled-back food selection post-merger, the United Clubs still seemed worth using and I wrongly assumed that others were no better. (LH Senator lounges were crowded, too, but I did have a thing for beer and sausages first thing in the morning.
) I moved to AA simply to regain some of the other pmUA benefits that were being eliminated, and then was pleasantly surprised to discover their superior lounge network, especially as an EXP.Perhaps AA thinks that keeping their lounges attractive (along with many of their terminals I've visited, compared to UA these days), will help to retain and attract more profitable customers whose revenue will cover the costs. UA seems to prefer customers who want to feel special, but really have little basis for comparison. Maybe the UA model will prove successful, but it's not the one I would willingly choose.
May 19, 2013, 10:39 am
#48
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There are quite a few restaurant choices there, and I'd rather sit at an empty gate than deal with the crowds inside the club.
May 19, 2013, 1:16 pm
#49
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If the lounge dragons want to start thinning out the clubs at EWR by making hourly sweeps and booting every obnoxious b*sterd on a cell phone, that would be fine with me.
May 19, 2013, 1:24 pm
#50
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. . . However if you compare UA's GFL to AA's Flagship Lounge, they are quite competitive. Especially at ORD, UA's GFL has showers whereas AA's FL doesn't. UA has real "champagne", whereas AA only has "sparkling" wine. You have to even ask an attendant for bottled water at AA's ORD FL. UA's GFL is less crowded because entrance is based on traveling on an international F ticket on a 3-class plane, and not just top level elite status on OW.
Last edited by burlax; May 19, 2013 at 1:29 pm
May 21, 2013, 5:17 am
#51
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I have been a member of AA Admirals Club for years.
I visited the IAH Club in Terminal E for the first time last week.
I thought that the woman who admitted me was very nice. I was on a paid F ticket to South America, and she never questioned my eligibility. However, I was surprised not to be offered a drink coupon.
However, the Club seemed overcrowded, and I did not like the coffee-shop area near the bar at all. Was extremely crowded and noisy.
I visited the IAH Club in Terminal E for the first time last week.
I thought that the woman who admitted me was very nice. I was on a paid F ticket to South America, and she never questioned my eligibility. However, I was surprised not to be offered a drink coupon.
However, the Club seemed overcrowded, and I did not like the coffee-shop area near the bar at all. Was extremely crowded and noisy.
If I'm leaving on a flight from E, I always go directly to the 3rd level at the UC.
I agree that the EWR clubs are not wonderful. However, for me, the IAD UC's still win the prize for the worst clubs in the system. I always feel like I'm in a homeless shelter when there. Fixing IAD is the priority in my book. YMMV.
Last edited by iluv2fly; May 21, 2013 at 7:12 am Reason: merge
May 21, 2013, 5:33 am
#52
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Why are UA clubs at EWR (Major hub) so very poor compared to AA clubs?
Yes, but IAD has the LH lounge (when it's practical). If .bomb wants to keep pushing my routes through EWR on international itineraries they should try for on-time connections and a decent lounge.
Last edited by glasnost7; May 21, 2013 at 3:49 pm
May 21, 2013, 5:37 am
#53
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In the meantime, I guess we have to be happy with the new furniture they put in the IAD clubs.
May 21, 2013, 5:41 am
#54
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May 21, 2013, 5:45 am
#55
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May 21, 2013, 6:47 am
#56
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EWR and UA are my home airport/airline for a couple of years now. Before I flew DL (NW) out of SEA for 14 years. After the merger DL did a great job upgrading their lounges and actually had some which where not bad in the first place. Most of the time I was looking forward spending time in the lounge (e.g.new SEA, NRT, BOS). Now at EWR, most of the time I do not bother, except when flying SK/LH. Very crowded, but still what a difference.
May 21, 2013, 8:57 am
#57
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Hint. Head up to the 3rd floor. Always quieter than the main 2nd floor part of the club. Only limitation is there is no bar on the 3rd level so you have to go to the 2nd level to get a drink. There is coffee and snacks on the 3rd level however.
If I'm leaving on a flight from E, I always go directly to the 3rd level at the UC.
If I'm leaving on a flight from E, I always go directly to the 3rd level at the UC.
The EWR clubs are somewhat sadder, but the one at C-1 is -- for my money -- better than the one by C-3. Smaller, yes, but typically calmer (except during the evening rush to Europe). Typically the only time I venture into the C-3 club is when I want a shower.
May 21, 2013, 9:42 am
#58
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All the airports are starting to meld in my head; I can't recall which domestic airport has the UC in the basement, but that's the one that wins the 'most like a cafeteria' award for me.
The only positive is that the fountain drinks are self-serve there (ala SFO).
My favorite, believe it or not, is LGA. Never crowded, fantastic staff, self-serve drinks (in bottles & cans) and even a camera so I can monitor the line at security (since it is a landside lounge.)
The only positive is that the fountain drinks are self-serve there (ala SFO).
My favorite, believe it or not, is LGA. Never crowded, fantastic staff, self-serve drinks (in bottles & cans) and even a camera so I can monitor the line at security (since it is a landside lounge.)
May 21, 2013, 10:00 am
#59
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May 21, 2013, 10:39 am
#60
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