Sep 10, 2013, 8:54 pm
Last edit by: J.Edward
This wiki has been moved to the 2014 thread: 2014 United Club (UC) Thread for Changes, News, Features, Competitive Position, etc.
United Club changes (drinks and Wifi) - Sept/Oct. 2013
Sep 10, 2013, 2:58 pm
#391
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
I'm going to speak with my feet next March when my Pres Plus renewal is due. In addition to comp UC access, the only reason I have been keeping the card (which I switched to solely as a result of Amex Plat getting the ax by the new United) is for the PQM bonus which helps me maintain gold status. I'm sure the PQM benefit are the next ball to drop, but that's another topic.
Charging $9 for a Dewars you can buy in-flight for $7 and $11 for a glass of Mark West Pinot when an entire bottle can be had in any wine shop for around $10 is downright insulting. The premium wine program (i.e. Chateau Montelena, Stag's Leap, etc) was a great value and very fine amenity, but now that's gone too.
More than 75% of my travel is between EWR and PBI and given all the recent changes that I was supposed to 'like', I have been contemplating moving my personal travel to PBI over to Jet Blue, reinstating my Amex Platinum (whose FHR program blows aways Chase's "Luxury" hotel offering), and move my very occasional corporate travel over to Delta and/or American.
I flew in paid F down to PBI last Friday evening - the beef burrito offered for dinner was disgusting, made Chiplotle's seem like a 5 star restaurant, and is far below the quality offered on this route back in the CO days. This coupled with the now instituted UC 'enhancements' are pretty much the nail in the coffin for me.
Charging $9 for a Dewars you can buy in-flight for $7 and $11 for a glass of Mark West Pinot when an entire bottle can be had in any wine shop for around $10 is downright insulting. The premium wine program (i.e. Chateau Montelena, Stag's Leap, etc) was a great value and very fine amenity, but now that's gone too.
More than 75% of my travel is between EWR and PBI and given all the recent changes that I was supposed to 'like', I have been contemplating moving my personal travel to PBI over to Jet Blue, reinstating my Amex Platinum (whose FHR program blows aways Chase's "Luxury" hotel offering), and move my very occasional corporate travel over to Delta and/or American.
I flew in paid F down to PBI last Friday evening - the beef burrito offered for dinner was disgusting, made Chiplotle's seem like a 5 star restaurant, and is far below the quality offered on this route back in the CO days. This coupled with the now instituted UC 'enhancements' are pretty much the nail in the coffin for me.
With United Clubs, you need to become accustomed to PBR, and not travel to PBI...
Sep 10, 2013, 3:04 pm
#392
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: West Palm Beach FL, USA
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, Hyatt GLobalist
Posts: 138
Even more so if you considered how much they have been pumping the Chase Mileage Plus / Club Cards and all the neat little benefits - United Club access, free drinks etc, etc. Get everyone in and then subtantially de-value the product. Nice bait and switch, Jeff.
Sep 10, 2013, 3:07 pm
#393
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,192
Sep 10, 2013, 3:24 pm
#394
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,418
I am amused that there is a whole thread of outraged people angered by higher alcohol prices in the United Club. I don't visit the club to imbibe in spirits and judging by what I see inside most other visitors do not either. This change has no impact on most of us so I doubt it will cause the majority of folks to cancel their memberships.
My wish is that the food selections would improve. Having just returned from Europe, those foreign clubs/lounges remind me of how poorly stocked the American clubs are when it comes to food.
My wish is that the food selections would improve. Having just returned from Europe, those foreign clubs/lounges remind me of how poorly stocked the American clubs are when it comes to food.
I guess there's nothing I can really do because I get my lounge visits comped with my 1K status and my elite status on Turkish. But, seriously, if I had to pay for what I was getting from a UA Club, I'd save the money and just sit at an airport bar when I wanted a drink and/or a snack.
Sep 10, 2013, 3:29 pm
#395
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: West Palm Beach FL, USA
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, Hyatt GLobalist
Posts: 138
http://www.airspacelounge.com/jfk/
PBI (i.e. Palm Beach International) does not currently have nor do I expect it to ever have a UC. Small airport with virtually no security lines so no need to get there early and hang out an airline club.
Have no idea what PBR is and why I should acquaint myself with it. Can you please explain? I travel to PBI from NYC frequently as I have a vacation home there.
Sep 10, 2013, 3:32 pm
#396
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
PBR is Pabst Blue Ribbon... Which is the beer that will be served when UA further lowers complimentary alcoholic standards...
Hopefully you will not have to actually acquaint yourself with it...
Sep 10, 2013, 3:45 pm
#397
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K MM, Subway Club Member
Posts: 1,988
Based on what I've seen at bars in Brooklyn and SF I suspect UA may attempt to charge a premium for PBR.
Sep 10, 2013, 3:48 pm
#398
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: A festering pit; a pustule of a fistula set athwart the miasmic swamps of the armpit of the Gulf of Mexico - a Godforsaken wart upon a dark crevasse of the World. (IAH)
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, BA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 31,403
Sep 10, 2013, 3:54 pm
#399
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,431
Imagine this: in most of the world, airline lounges have both decent booze and decent food. Indeed, the only lounges I've found to POSSIBLY be worse than a United Club (and we're now getting pretty close) are the domestic lounges of some Chinese airlines.
I guess there's nothing I can really do because I get my lounge visits comped with my 1K status and my elite status on Turkish. But, seriously, if I had to pay for what I was getting from a UA Club, I'd save the money and just sit at an airport bar when I wanted a drink and/or a snack.
I guess there's nothing I can really do because I get my lounge visits comped with my 1K status and my elite status on Turkish. But, seriously, if I had to pay for what I was getting from a UA Club, I'd save the money and just sit at an airport bar when I wanted a drink and/or a snack.
Sep 10, 2013, 3:57 pm
#400
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,037
I got another response asking me to be patient while the Management team reviews my email.
Sep 10, 2013, 4:05 pm
#401
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
I got this as a response (sent to the unitedclub email not 1Kvoice). I'd place it along with others that have been received in the canned and useless category. What a joke. The guy at AAdvantage though seemed quite interested in having me match over to EXP so we'll see if that leads anywhere. Can't do anything if you don't speak with your wallet.
Hello Mr. FlyerDude88
Thank you for contacting the United Club Service Center.
Our primary goal at the United Club is to offer you the highest quality of service. We continually work toward that purpose and it is through the constructive comments from our most important customers that we are able to provide the comforts and conveniences that you prefer. The feedback you have provided in your correspondence will be forwarded to the appropriate department for consideration.
Your continued support of the United Club Program and United Airlines is very important to us and we look forward to serving you again in the near future.
Regards,
XXXXXX XXXXXXX
United Club
Hello Mr. FlyerDude88
Thank you for contacting the United Club Service Center.
Our primary goal at the United Club is to offer you the highest quality of service. We continually work toward that purpose and it is through the constructive comments from our most important customers that we are able to provide the comforts and conveniences that you prefer. The feedback you have provided in your correspondence will be forwarded to the appropriate department for consideration.
Your continued support of the United Club Program and United Airlines is very important to us and we look forward to serving you again in the near future.
Regards,
XXXXXX XXXXXXX
United Club
Sep 10, 2013, 4:11 pm
#402
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, Marriott Tit
Posts: 18,231
12 fl. oz. is being optimistic. 
Sep 10, 2013, 4:35 pm
#403
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: West Palm Beach FL, USA
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, Hyatt GLobalist
Posts: 138
Ahhh...good old Blue Ribbon...haven't had one of those in years! Guess I should sit back for now and be thankful while I enjoy my frothy, complimentary (for now) Bud Light as I ponder my exit plan. Cheers.
Sep 10, 2013, 4:37 pm
#404
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JAC - and a little SEA
Programs: UA GOLD (1MM)
Posts: 160
Ditto for me.......
Dear salty749:
Thank you for contacting the United Club Service Center.
Our primary goal at the United Club is to offer you the highest quality of service. We continually work toward that purpose and it is through the constructive comments from our most important customers that we are able to provide the comforts and conveniences that you prefer. The feedback you have provided in your correspondence will be forwarded to the appropriate department for consideration.
Your continued support of the United Club Program and United Airlines is very important to us and we look forward to serving you again in the near future.
Regards,
United Club
Dear salty749:
Thank you for contacting the United Club Service Center.
Our primary goal at the United Club is to offer you the highest quality of service. We continually work toward that purpose and it is through the constructive comments from our most important customers that we are able to provide the comforts and conveniences that you prefer. The feedback you have provided in your correspondence will be forwarded to the appropriate department for consideration.
Your continued support of the United Club Program and United Airlines is very important to us and we look forward to serving you again in the near future.
Regards,
United Club
Sep 10, 2013, 5:00 pm
#405
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Programs: UA scumbag. Global Entry. Piggly Wiggly loyalty card.
Posts: 21
Saint Arnold's is in the UC at IAH!
http://blog.chron.com/beertx/2013/09...ercontinental/
However, I suspect that it will not be comped, and they will probably charge $10 a pint for it. Still, good news. Saint Arnold beer is one of the great things about H-town.
http://blog.chron.com/beertx/2013/09...ercontinental/
However, I suspect that it will not be comped, and they will probably charge $10 a pint for it. Still, good news. Saint Arnold beer is one of the great things about H-town.