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 11, 2013, 10:43 am
#481
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 2,842
I've decided that this isn't about saving money on the drinks served. It is rather about chasing so many people to the better stuff that they'll have essentially killed off the "free drink" benefit without actually doing so. Very clever of them. The next improvement we'll hear about will be something like:
"due to rapidly decreasing call for the free alcohol options, we're removing this underutilized benefit."
"due to rapidly decreasing call for the free alcohol options, we're removing this underutilized benefit."
Sep 11, 2013, 10:46 am
#482
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 8,037
Two nights ago at the large EWR club in the C Terminal I got a (small) glass of Heineken. Today's bartender informed me that as of yesterday everything but Bud Light costs.
I got us each a screwdriver instead (please don't tell me what their well vodka is) and we're working up to powerful thirst as we fly EWR-HKG in a couple of hours.
We dropped our club membership of many years back in December. Of course, we're not flying UA nearly as much and, no, we're not missing it.
I got us each a screwdriver instead (please don't tell me what their well vodka is) and we're working up to powerful thirst as we fly EWR-HKG in a couple of hours.
We dropped our club membership of many years back in December. Of course, we're not flying UA nearly as much and, no, we're not missing it.
"Some people like to really save money on vodka and go for the $10 or less liters like McCormick, Popov and Hawkeye. Unless you use a filtering system of your own like the VodkaStick or want an enormous hangover tomorrow, I recommend you stay away from those. The cost savings is not worth it."
Sep 11, 2013, 10:51 am
#483
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NY
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 2
McCormicks ... REALLY???!!! How about serving Nighttrain or Thunderbird (if they are still on the market)
Sep 11, 2013, 10:54 am
#484
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAS - I'm All In!
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott PP
Posts: 3,639
For those that wanted to know what the free whiskey was, I posted it yesterday morning (albeit 15 pages in this thread ago). Its Seagram's 7.
The real question is, what is worse McCormick's Vodka/Gin or the House of Stuart Scotch. For me that is an easy answer b/c I'm a dark liquor drinker.
The real question is, what is worse McCormick's Vodka/Gin or the House of Stuart Scotch. For me that is an easy answer b/c I'm a dark liquor drinker.
Last edited by trekwars2000; Sep 11, 2013 at 11:03 am
Sep 11, 2013, 11:00 am
#485
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS MVPG100K, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,489
Thanks. I'll reply to your post rather than ordering another round. 
Maybe UA can add travel-size Vodkasticks to their next mileage catalog. 
From an article on finding the best cheap vodka...
"Some people like to really save money on vodka and go for the $10 or less liters like McCormick, Popov and Hawkeye. Unless you use a filtering system of your own like the VodkaStick or want an enormous hangover tomorrow, I recommend you stay away from those. The cost savings is not worth it."
"Some people like to really save money on vodka and go for the $10 or less liters like McCormick, Popov and Hawkeye. Unless you use a filtering system of your own like the VodkaStick or want an enormous hangover tomorrow, I recommend you stay away from those. The cost savings is not worth it."
Sep 11, 2013, 11:06 am
#486
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,429
Maybe this is an opportunity to offer all of McCormick's super classy product's like Tarantula and Tequila Rose among others.
Although I have ties to people that live near and work for the distillery so I guess I shouldn't complain too much.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:07 am
#487
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
To Whom It May Concern,
I am really appalled at United's decision to downgrade the quality of complimentary liquors at the United Club. The products you have chosen are not fit for consumption by anyone who is able to afford (or justify) a United Club membership. Your are insulting us and clearly your objective is to make the complimentary offerings so foul that people have two choices; pay up (for insanely overpriced better products) or stop drinking. There is a third option; cancel the United Club membership. This is a seriously bad decision and I assure you that it is not being taken lightly by members.
And, on top of that, to issue a press release that implies United has enhanced the United Club experience; do you think your members are idiots?
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:08 am
#488
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
Nastygram e-mail sent. I quoted their reponse form letter back to them (the one that histerically mentions "Our primary goal at the United Club is to offer you the highest quality of service", ) curious to see how they respond.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:11 am
#489
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PBI / FLL / YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Delta Plat, AA Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 1,983
Done.
To Whom It May Concern,
I am really appalled at United's decision to downgrade the quality of complimentary liquors at the United Club. The products you have chosen are not fit for consumption by anyone who is able to afford (or justify) a United Club membership. Your are insulting us and clearly your objective is to make the complimentary offerings so foul that people have two choices; pay up (for insanely overpriced better products) or stop drinking. There is a third option; cancel the United Club membership. This is a seriously bad decision and I assure you that it is not being taken lightly by members.
And, on top of that, to issue a press release that implies United has enhanced the United Club experience; do you think your members are idiots?
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
To Whom It May Concern,
I am really appalled at United's decision to downgrade the quality of complimentary liquors at the United Club. The products you have chosen are not fit for consumption by anyone who is able to afford (or justify) a United Club membership. Your are insulting us and clearly your objective is to make the complimentary offerings so foul that people have two choices; pay up (for insanely overpriced better products) or stop drinking. There is a third option; cancel the United Club membership. This is a seriously bad decision and I assure you that it is not being taken lightly by members.
And, on top of that, to issue a press release that implies United has enhanced the United Club experience; do you think your members are idiots?
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:15 am
#490
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 527
As a form of protest, order several free gin and tonics and then leave them untouched on the tables in the club. Maybe with so many wasted drinks they will reconsider their new swill policy.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:17 am
#491
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
Since I am a Gin and Tonic drinker I searched for a review of McCormicks Gin
McCormick's Gin
ESTIMATED PRICE: $4 to $6
TASTES SORT OF LIKE: Domestic abuse
MAY CAUSE BEHAVIOR SUCH AS: Increased WWF/NASCAR viewership and spouse-beating
PROS: Science has as of yet been unable to uncover any benefits to this liquid.
CONS: Awful, awful gin. All McCormick's hard liquor is Christ-punchingly bad. Unless you live in a trailer home and spend your evenings in a rocking chair watching TNN, you have no excuse to be drinking this.
NOTES: I'm serious, man. Just......don't.
McCormick's Gin
ESTIMATED PRICE: $4 to $6
TASTES SORT OF LIKE: Domestic abuse
MAY CAUSE BEHAVIOR SUCH AS: Increased WWF/NASCAR viewership and spouse-beating
PROS: Science has as of yet been unable to uncover any benefits to this liquid.
CONS: Awful, awful gin. All McCormick's hard liquor is Christ-punchingly bad. Unless you live in a trailer home and spend your evenings in a rocking chair watching TNN, you have no excuse to be drinking this.
NOTES: I'm serious, man. Just......don't.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:18 am
#492
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 27
Sent:
Hello,
I am exceptionally disappointed with the recent changes to the alcohol offerings at the United Clubs. Calling this an "enhancement" is just disingenuous. I can't believe that the only complimentary beer now is Bud Light, with you now charging $3 for a 6oz glass of anything else on tap. That is at least as expensive as any airport bar, with a far worse selection. The changes to the spirits is even worse, with you charging more money in the club, that I pay for the privilege to enter, than what you charge on the plane, or what any airport bar charges.
I will be downgrading my United Club Card and I will look to get a new card from Citi or American Express that provides lounge access, because your product is just not worth the money any longer.
Hello,
I am exceptionally disappointed with the recent changes to the alcohol offerings at the United Clubs. Calling this an "enhancement" is just disingenuous. I can't believe that the only complimentary beer now is Bud Light, with you now charging $3 for a 6oz glass of anything else on tap. That is at least as expensive as any airport bar, with a far worse selection. The changes to the spirits is even worse, with you charging more money in the club, that I pay for the privilege to enter, than what you charge on the plane, or what any airport bar charges.
I will be downgrading my United Club Card and I will look to get a new card from Citi or American Express that provides lounge access, because your product is just not worth the money any longer.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:19 am
#493
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
Sep 11, 2013, 11:20 am
#494
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
Does anyone know how to start a Twitter or other social medial campaign to get this viral? #unitedclubdowngrade, perhaps?
Sep 11, 2013, 11:31 am
#495
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Someone should post a comment about it on their Facebook wall, it will get a lot of comments, maybe from there it will bring some traction to get UA to respond more appropriately than the canned "we value your feedback" form response.