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 13, 2013, 2:11 pm
#856
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
ops, well that would explain the addiction I have to their hummus...and I'm guessing the soups are made in house too, which explains my addiction to some of those incredibly delicious soups.
Sad to say, I've actually scheduled connections on AC so I had time to spend in the MLL having lunch and working. They are probably the best domestic-style lounge in the industry.
Sad to say, I've actually scheduled connections on AC so I had time to spend in the MLL having lunch and working. They are probably the best domestic-style lounge in the industry.
And ditto LH lounges. I know this is no incentive to the airline but when transiting Canadian or German ports I bump up connection times by about an hour.. just pleasant places to be..
Not to mention the Koru club lounge in Sydney..
*sigh* Americans put up with such crap.
Sep 13, 2013, 2:56 pm
#857
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: DL 4MM/PM, UA 1MM/Gold, AA Paper
Posts: 1,386
Chase Response
Dear OrlandoFlyer,
Thank you for your message to Chase regarding the United
MileagePlus� reward program for the account ending in
XXXX.
Our goal is to provide you with the unparalleled service
you deserve. We sincerely apologize if the service you
recently received was not of that quality. As our valued
Cardmember, your comments are critical to our service
efforts, and we deeply appreciate you taking the time to
share your experience with us. Please be assured that I
have forwarded your comments to the appropriate management
of Chase for their review.
Your MileagePlus Club Card grants you, the primary
Cardmember, membership to the United Club, with full
access to all United Club locations. Enjoy the comforts
and luxuries of the United Club with complimentary bar
service, light snacks, Wi-Fi, and more. As the primary
Cardmember, simply present your United Club membership
card and a valid ID when you arrive, and you and your
eligible travel companions are invited to work or relax in
the Club. Your United Club membership gives you access to
all United Club locations and participating Star Alliance�
affiliated lounges worldwide.
For the most up to date information regarding these
benefits, please visit our website at
www.UnitedExplorerCard.com/ClubBenefits.
Should you need further information please contact the
United Club Service Center at 1-866-UA-CLUBS
(866-822-5827) and a representative will be happy to
assist you.
Keep in mind, the annual fee on the American Express
Platinum Card is $450 which is more than the Club Card?s
fee of $395. While American Express offers many great
benefits, they do not offer the types of benefits United
Travelers value and receive their United Club Card; such
as first and second checked bags free, Premier Access
benefits, and no mileage expiration. The Club Card is
accepted at twice as many locations as American Express
Cards. That means twice the opportunities to earn miles
where ever you go!
It has been my pleasure to assist you. If you have any
further questions, please reply using the Secure Message
Center.
Thank you,
XXXXXXXXX
Senior Service Specialist
1-800-436-7927
Thank you for your message to Chase regarding the United
MileagePlus� reward program for the account ending in
XXXX.
Our goal is to provide you with the unparalleled service
you deserve. We sincerely apologize if the service you
recently received was not of that quality. As our valued
Cardmember, your comments are critical to our service
efforts, and we deeply appreciate you taking the time to
share your experience with us. Please be assured that I
have forwarded your comments to the appropriate management
of Chase for their review.
Your MileagePlus Club Card grants you, the primary
Cardmember, membership to the United Club, with full
access to all United Club locations. Enjoy the comforts
and luxuries of the United Club with complimentary bar
service, light snacks, Wi-Fi, and more. As the primary
Cardmember, simply present your United Club membership
card and a valid ID when you arrive, and you and your
eligible travel companions are invited to work or relax in
the Club. Your United Club membership gives you access to
all United Club locations and participating Star Alliance�
affiliated lounges worldwide.
For the most up to date information regarding these
benefits, please visit our website at
www.UnitedExplorerCard.com/ClubBenefits.
Should you need further information please contact the
United Club Service Center at 1-866-UA-CLUBS
(866-822-5827) and a representative will be happy to
assist you.
Keep in mind, the annual fee on the American Express
Platinum Card is $450 which is more than the Club Card?s
fee of $395. While American Express offers many great
benefits, they do not offer the types of benefits United
Travelers value and receive their United Club Card; such
as first and second checked bags free, Premier Access
benefits, and no mileage expiration. The Club Card is
accepted at twice as many locations as American Express
Cards. That means twice the opportunities to earn miles
where ever you go!
It has been my pleasure to assist you. If you have any
further questions, please reply using the Secure Message
Center.
Thank you,
XXXXXXXXX
Senior Service Specialist
1-800-436-7927
Also as 1K I get to check 3 bags for free, so I could not care less about the ability to check 2 bags for free because I have the Presidential Card.
Also, as I fly a lot my expiration date on my miles is always being updated, so I could not care less about getting non-expiring miles because I have the Presidential Card.
Forgot membership to the United Club now, which in this latest enhancement has been significantly devalued, which I have because I have the Presidential Card.
I guess I have just convinced myself that the Presidential Card is no longer worth $395.00 a year!
Sep 13, 2013, 2:58 pm
#858
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA, OGG(I wish)
Programs: was UA 1K now Gold, cuz UA 1.3 MM; HA,DL,AS (no status in these), Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,238
Sep 13, 2013, 3:06 pm
#859
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dog House
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, AA EXP, WN A-List, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,245
a) my company stopped paying for club access (as they had done for years)
b) it was free for the first year which enabled me to keep club access!
But there's no way in he** that I'm paying $400 out of my own pocket for a crap United Club experience.
I can imagine the folks at the Chase Customer Retention Department trying to beg you to keep the card....and you have to tell them about McCormack's Gin and how it can eat through your stomach lining.
Sep 13, 2013, 3:26 pm
#860
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
Again, Chase missed the point of my email about the latest United "enhancement". Amex maybe more expensive in their yearly fee, but you get $200 of incidental expenses on the airline of your choice, making the real cost of it $250 a year, plus a Priority Pass membership.
Also as 1K I get to check 3 bags for free, so I could not care less about the ability to check 2 bags for free because I have the Presidential Card.
Also, as I fly a lot my expiration date on my miles is always being updated, so I could not care less about getting non-expiring miles because I have the Presidential Card.
Forgot membership to the United Club now, which in this latest enhancement has been significantly devalued, which I have because I have the Presidential Card.
I guess I have just convinced myself that the Presidential Card is no longer worth $395.00 a year!
Also as 1K I get to check 3 bags for free, so I could not care less about the ability to check 2 bags for free because I have the Presidential Card.
Also, as I fly a lot my expiration date on my miles is always being updated, so I could not care less about getting non-expiring miles because I have the Presidential Card.
Forgot membership to the United Club now, which in this latest enhancement has been significantly devalued, which I have because I have the Presidential Card.
I guess I have just convinced myself that the Presidential Card is no longer worth $395.00 a year!
Sep 13, 2013, 3:31 pm
#861
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 527
Well I'm having a Varnish & Tonic now. With a good gin this drink has a pleasant taste to me. This drink does not. This will be the last Varnish & Tonic I will drink at the clubs...though I plan to order many more in the future as my form of protest.
Sep 13, 2013, 3:43 pm
#862
Join Date: May 2008
Location: 39°51'31"N 104°40'23"W
Programs: UA 1.5K MM/SPG Plat/Various Random Golds lol
Posts: 1,071
UA just continues to go down the toilet.
I would love to have someone make a website that displays UA's management gaffes/decisions/PR releases that is kept up to date like a timeline of stickies, and also have a section showing overall effect on the company by graphing quarterly PRASM, EPS, stock price, etc. Or if not that, then at least showing the correlation to how their downgrading of services to flyers is making their earnings better (?)
I see it as win-win. A website like that will either expose the joke UA has become, OR I can own some stock and revenue share in all of Jeff's decisions to "make shareholders happy". I may not get a decent well drink in a club, but my stock went up today! lol
I would love to have someone make a website that displays UA's management gaffes/decisions/PR releases that is kept up to date like a timeline of stickies, and also have a section showing overall effect on the company by graphing quarterly PRASM, EPS, stock price, etc. Or if not that, then at least showing the correlation to how their downgrading of services to flyers is making their earnings better (?)
I see it as win-win. A website like that will either expose the joke UA has become, OR I can own some stock and revenue share in all of Jeff's decisions to "make shareholders happy". I may not get a decent well drink in a club, but my stock went up today! lol
Sep 13, 2013, 4:56 pm
#863
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
There is a fine line between taking care of the shareholders and taking care of the customers. If you are on that line then both sides are happy. Right now Jeff S seems to be pushing so far to the side of the shareholders he is forgetting that without the customers there will be no inline to make the shareholders money. So yes, the stock is doing ok but at some point the loses will continue to mount up and the investors will realize this ain't such a good airline after all, lets put our money elsewhere.
Jeff has messed over customers and investors, and much of labor is not very happy. He is getting multi-million dollar pay days for his savvy leadership, so at least someone is making out well.
Sep 13, 2013, 5:00 pm
#864
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,908
I don't think anyone in the investment community who is not related to UAL thinks they are doing well. Stock is dramatically underperforming DL this year, and nothing about the stocks price suggests the street believes that UAL will stop underperforming anytime soon.
Jeff has messed over customers and investors, and much of labor is not very happy. He is getting multi-million dollar pay days for his savvy leadership, so at least someone is making out well.
Jeff has messed over customers and investors, and much of labor is not very happy. He is getting multi-million dollar pay days for his savvy leadership, so at least someone is making out well.
Sep 13, 2013, 5:09 pm
#865
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,185
On my phone so I can't edit the wiki but at ORD right now and Bud Light is free and $3 for 6oz is Heineken, Goose Island, and Sam Adams.
Sep 13, 2013, 5:11 pm
#866
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,554
Wonder where UA Insider is. Would be interesting to hear his/her explanation of United's use of the word "ehancement".
We need to develop a United dictionary to interpret their coded messages:
Enhance = downgrade
Premium = overpriced
"You'll really like" = you will throw up when you read the details
Club = Ripoff
We need to develop a United dictionary to interpret their coded messages:
Enhance = downgrade
Premium = overpriced
"You'll really like" = you will throw up when you read the details
Club = Ripoff
They are indeed, and I won't be renewing my UC membership because of it.
Sep 13, 2013, 5:19 pm
#868
Join Date: May 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 151
The Cost of Beer
After my disappointing visit to the UC last night in DEN where they proudly offered complimentary Bud Light and Coors Light, I thought I'd check to see what the difference in price is between the complimentary beer and the more drinkable beers that United wants to charge for. The retail pricing I used for the comparison is from BevMO. United pays significantly less than I would buying a keg, further lowering the cost of a beer.
Keg of Heineken - $142.99 (1689 ounces) or $0.0846 per ounce.
United 6 oz. pour = $0.50
Bud Light - $58.99 (992 ounces) or $0.059 per ounce.
United 6 oz. pour = $0.36
Price difference - $0.14 a glass. Are things really that bad for United? For $400 a year I can't have a drinkable beer? Maybe their strategy is that we'll all pay for drinks, ignoring the free swill.
After my disappointing visit to the UC last night in DEN where they proudly offered complimentary Bud Light and Coors Light, I thought I'd check to see what the difference in price is between the complimentary beer and the more drinkable beers that United wants to charge for. The retail pricing I used for the comparison is from BevMO. United pays significantly less than I would buying a keg, further lowering the cost of a beer.
Keg of Heineken - $142.99 (1689 ounces) or $0.0846 per ounce.
United 6 oz. pour = $0.50
Bud Light - $58.99 (992 ounces) or $0.059 per ounce.
United 6 oz. pour = $0.36
Price difference - $0.14 a glass. Are things really that bad for United? For $400 a year I can't have a drinkable beer? Maybe their strategy is that we'll all pay for drinks, ignoring the free swill.
Sep 13, 2013, 5:22 pm
#869
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 621
Not much different to report in the reply I received from Chase:
Dear Mr RJ1,
Thank you for contacting Chase about your United
MileagePlus® Club credit card account.
Our goal is to provide you with the unparalleled service
you deserve. As our valued Cardmember, your comments are
critical to our service efforts, and we deeply appreciate
you taking the time to share your experience with us.
Please be assured that we have forwarded your comments to
the appropriate management of Chase and United.
For the most up to date information regarding the benefits
included with your Club card, please visit our website at
www.UnitedExplorerCard.com/ClubBenefits.
If you have any further questions, please reply using the
Secure Message Center.
Thank you,
[name redacted]
Customer Service Specialist
Dear Mr RJ1,
Thank you for contacting Chase about your United
MileagePlus® Club credit card account.
Our goal is to provide you with the unparalleled service
you deserve. As our valued Cardmember, your comments are
critical to our service efforts, and we deeply appreciate
you taking the time to share your experience with us.
Please be assured that we have forwarded your comments to
the appropriate management of Chase and United.
For the most up to date information regarding the benefits
included with your Club card, please visit our website at
www.UnitedExplorerCard.com/ClubBenefits.
If you have any further questions, please reply using the
Secure Message Center.
Thank you,
[name redacted]
Customer Service Specialist
Sep 13, 2013, 5:41 pm
#870
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: UA MM 1K, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 61
There is always a cost cutting measure when there is an improvement to anything but WOW... well drinks for everyone. I miss the 18yr old scotch I used to get. 