Darlox

While there's no way to confirm this, I suspect the answer is pretty simple. UA is making a lot of ancillary revenue with the "You're In" stuff, and collecting the fees for an enormous number of travelers to filter through the club. At the same time, they figure (and are probably correct) that most paying members are getting their membership through some means other than coughing up $400/year personally (company, credit card, etc...)

So by squeezing the clubs, they cut costs and (they believe) still get to collect the admission fees and partner affinity benefits of an endless parade of one-off flyers who aren't in the clubs enough to realize that a) this isn't typical of global airline lounges, and b) don't spend enough time there to be cheesed off by having to pay something for booze on top of their "free" admission.

Meanwhile, LH and other airlines still tightly control access to their clubs, and only high-revenue ticket passengers, or high-frequency loyalty travelers, can hope to get in. That crowd also tends to drink less, on the whole, and demand a higher-quality product when they do.

So when you're making several thousand dollars off of premium cabin customers, giving them top-shelf liquor for free is a low-cost proposition. When you're making pennies off of N-bucket flyers twice a year, who have a $95/year credit card, and are more likely to have 4 drinks prior to takeoff on their couples golf-outing to Hawaii, suddenly booze is a cost center.

I think this is a reaction to the underlying model UA has chosen to follow, and they probably couldn't care less if they lost a few thousand paying members, whose $400/year is no longer their primary revenue source!

halls120

When I first joined the RCC, I was flying at least once a month, and the free wf-fi alone almost made it a cost-effective buy. When you topped it off with reasonably priced drinks, decent snacks, and IROPS help, it was worth it. Now, as the benefits are slowly reduced, I won't be renewing my membership when it expires. Most every airport I fly to has free Wi-Fi, my work IPad is cell equipped, and there is far better food outside the UC than in it, and now that they have downgraded the drinks, it's a waste of time and money to use it.

texas gold

This is interesting as none of the major European carriers allow purchased memberships. One cannot simply pay for lounge access, except on single use entrances at some outsourced lounges (ServisAir in AMS being one of them). So the LH model only allows their top customers or top flyers entrance. LH also has three types of lounges: Business Class, Senator and First/Honour.

Would this make more sense for UA? Keep the membership model on UC's, but add a more exclusive lounge for 1K, GS and all BusinessFirst/First flying customers?

entropy

the European model is different.. worse onboard 'domestic' (intra-EU) product but you get a decent lounge on the departure side for business class.

I prefer the American model for lounge/onboard balance. The overall experience has been nothing but a race to the bottom however, in everything but the flatness of the seats in J.

I can't help but think that a lot of the paid business traffic will be put off by the changes, from what is already a sub-par product.

texas gold

But back to the lounge. Is it really so difficult for UA to offer some improvements in the overall lounge experience? Most airports nowadays have interesting food/drink options, many offer free Wi-Fi or establishments that do and in general are far more comfortable than a UnitedClub. This latest "change we will like" is just another downgrade.

lensman

Let's try to keep this thread about the changes to the United Club wifi and drinks.

OB Club: Could someone provide a comparison of UA, DL, AA and US club drink policies and offerings? Has UA gone from first to worst?

golfingboy

US - House red or white and domestic beer on tap. US is currently the worst of the pack when it comes to drinks, but their snacks are better.

I used to frequent DL SkyClubs, before the notion of buying a drink came along (several years ago), but have not been there since they downgraded their complimentary offerings, so can't comment much there.

DCEsquire

Actually, I'm very interested if anyone has successfully gotten a pro-rata refund. Normally I would say that this would be a highly likely remedy except J$ being the crafty lawyer that he is essentially got you to agree to pay him without him giving you a guarantee that you will get anything in return.

According to the TOS:

United reserves the right to modify pricing, benefits, services, hours, club locations and reciprocal lounge agreements at any time with or without written notice to its members and customers.

http://www.united.com/cms/en-us/prod...nitedclub.aspx

mgcsinc

Meh. At the risk of sounding like a 1L (which I'm not), that term tries to do to much, and I think it probably fails to accomplish much at all, for that reason.

cranky1K

Yes! Excellent idea!

LordTentacle

Its called the GF lounge and it already exists

The one in SFO is pretty nice IMHO, not nearly as good as some of the other first lounges floating around but amazing by Merikan standards

iahphx

Yeah, isn't this a classic contract of adhesion -- it wouldn't seem to be enforceable. Like what if NOTHING was free at the bar anymore. Tough luck?

I would think that if the recent changes are considered "material" -- and they seem to pass that test to me -- UA would seem to be legally required to refund your membership fee pro rata.

Besides, is this really the kind of publicity UA would want? Maybe the lowest level customer service agents wouldn't understand it, but I would think as you moved up the food chain, any manager with half a brain would say, "Oh, I'm sorry you don't like our Club enhancements. I would be happy to refund the remaining months of your membership."

astroflyer

How would you all feel about drink tickets? As odd as it is, I find myself pining for the old days of 2 drink tickets/person. I do remember some really annoying rules being enforced at various times, namely whether you got tickets at the origin or the transoceanic gateway, etc. What about giving everyone 2 free drink tickets for any of the formerly "complimentary drinks." Then everyone will get some reasonable amount for free and maybe anyone who wants more than that should be willing to shell out a bit of cash.

sierranevada

Is there still a discount if you pay with the Explorer card? If so, how much?

mgcsinc

See the wikipost above.