United Club changes (drinks and Wifi) - Sept/Oct. 2013
Jan 28, 14, 1:29 am - Wikipost
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Sep 16, 13, 5:36 pm
#991
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Globalist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,174
Originally Posted by entropy
I'd bet money that those passholders consume more alcohol per visit (substantially) than the 1K's.
Sep 16, 13, 6:27 pm
#992
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Moreland Hills (CLE)
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1.3MM Gold, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discv, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 5,514
Letter Sent To Vino Volo "Possible Marketing Opportunity"
Today, aacharya and I sent the following letter to Vino Volo:
Dear Sir or Madame:
As frequent flyers we have visited many of your locations, including Cleveland, Houston, Denver, Newark, San Francisco, and others. However, we, as United Club members, also visit the United Club at these and other locations due to the complimentary wine/beverages.
On September 9th 2013, United Airlines significantly downgraded the complimentary wine and other beverage selections at its airport clubs. Nearly all items that were previously free to club members are now priced at or above “airport” retail. Higher quality wines (and liquor) that were previously priced just above cost are now significantly more expensive.
You may want to consider this a marketing opportunity as many United Club members are furious over this reduction in benefits. Members pay an annual membership fee (~$400) and now must pay above market prices for wine at the United Club (where no food is allowed). However, you offer a better selection of wines, at a lower price, AND have the option of ordering food.
Perhaps you could promote a “Get $x off your first glass of wine when showing your United Club membership card”, or provide United Club members a short promotion as Reserve members? I am sure many of us would spend more than $300 at your establishments now.
Attached is the wine selection and price list that other frequent flyers have compiled.
Thank you for providing a consistent and high quality product.
Best wishes for continued success.
Billiken and aacharya
Dear Sir or Madame:
As frequent flyers we have visited many of your locations, including Cleveland, Houston, Denver, Newark, San Francisco, and others. However, we, as United Club members, also visit the United Club at these and other locations due to the complimentary wine/beverages.
On September 9th 2013, United Airlines significantly downgraded the complimentary wine and other beverage selections at its airport clubs. Nearly all items that were previously free to club members are now priced at or above “airport” retail. Higher quality wines (and liquor) that were previously priced just above cost are now significantly more expensive.
You may want to consider this a marketing opportunity as many United Club members are furious over this reduction in benefits. Members pay an annual membership fee (~$400) and now must pay above market prices for wine at the United Club (where no food is allowed). However, you offer a better selection of wines, at a lower price, AND have the option of ordering food.
Perhaps you could promote a “Get $x off your first glass of wine when showing your United Club membership card”, or provide United Club members a short promotion as Reserve members? I am sure many of us would spend more than $300 at your establishments now.
Attached is the wine selection and price list that other frequent flyers have compiled.
Thank you for providing a consistent and high quality product.
Best wishes for continued success.
Billiken and aacharya
Sep 16, 13, 6:30 pm
#993
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,811
Originally Posted by Akulashark
Emailed Smi/J about this issue. I had an executive assistant type call me back. She said he has noted our disappointment and will discuss it with the executive staff.
She told me they are investing $50M in updating the clubs. I cut her off and said that they won't be getting it back very soon by charging for cheap beer and all of us leave.
She told me they are investing $50M in updating the clubs. I cut her off and said that they won't be getting it back very soon by charging for cheap beer and all of us leave.
Sep 16, 13, 8:35 pm
#994
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 2.9MM, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador (Lifetime Titanium) Elite
Posts: 1,930
Originally Posted by jfk747
Well with lax ifl soon to close one fewer lounge.Would be curious on the new login procedure for web access for star gold.
Sep 16, 13, 8:40 pm
#995
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,811
Originally Posted by st530
when was this announced? and why??
http://boardingarea.com/thewandering...on-the-dollar/
Also -- http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ited-club.html
However, like sbm12 speculates, there MAY be a section for an IFL (although it hasn't been announced yet).
Sep 16, 13, 8:44 pm
#996
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 69,211
Originally Posted by st530
when was this announced? and why??
Sep 16, 13, 9:05 pm
#997
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: 1K; Starwood Gold; Avis Preferred; Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,711
Originally Posted by andyh64000
United gave me a full refund after I threatened to dispute it.
My membership expires in December. I don't intend on renewing it but might reconsider if they institute some sort of chit policy or had something else of value to offer beyond wi-fi.
Sep 16, 13, 9:42 pm
#998
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Plat, DL SIlver
Posts: 7,135
I'm sorry to hear ya'll got the same screwing that we did at DL. It's a shame.
Sep 16, 13, 10:22 pm
#999
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 16,379
In reference to the Wikipost: is beer not available at all in the DEN clubs?
Sep 16, 13, 11:28 pm
#1000
Join Date: May 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, IHG Spire Elite, National EE
Posts: 197
Originally Posted by kale73
In reference to the Wikipost: is beer not available at all in the DEN clubs?
Sep 16, 13, 11:52 pm
#1001
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Moreland Hills (CLE)
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1.3MM Gold, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discv, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 5,514
Originally Posted by kirkwoodj
Nicely done! Appreciate the effort. ^
Sep 17, 13, 12:13 am
#1002
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Gold
Posts: 174
Originally Posted by coutura
It is available. It was just left off the "Regional" beers list. Judging by what they had pre-changes, it'll likely be Blue Moon and Heineken for the premium, Bud Light for free, and possibly Coors Light for free (I think another poster mentioned this).
I have a TATL biz flight out of there tomorrow, so I'll have to stop by to see the carnage first hand. This will absolutely remove my incentive for me to go to the DEN UC. I guess as a *G 1K without a membership who normally flies paid C, I guess they got what they wanted... argh where is my AA match?
Sep 17, 13, 9:49 am
#1003
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,080
Originally Posted by iahphx
Yeah, as that price list shows, the price difference between bad keg beer and good keg beer is tiny -- even negative in this case. Hard to understand why UA would want to offer an inferior product in what's supposed to be an upscale lounge if it's not going to save them money.
I also can't understand why they'd offer BOTTLED beer complimentary and charge for draft beer. I'd have to believe that a bottle of MGD costs significantly more than a St. Arnold's draft to pour. It just doesn't make any sense: UA is just looking cheap and spending more money.
I also can't understand why they'd offer BOTTLED beer complimentary and charge for draft beer. I'd have to believe that a bottle of MGD costs significantly more than a St. Arnold's draft to pour. It just doesn't make any sense: UA is just looking cheap and spending more money.
Sep 17, 13, 10:23 am
#1004
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,869
Wow.. So they give away Woodford on the plane in F, but charge $11 dollars for it at the club. Their free selection is complete garbage. Looks like they have some kind of "back room deal" with McCormick's. Yuck.
Sep 17, 13, 10:25 am
#1005
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 20,958
Originally Posted by DelrayChris
Wow.. So they give away Woodford on the plane in F, but charge $11 dollars for it at the club. Their free selection is complete garbage. Looks like they have some kind of "back room deal" with McCormick's. Yuck.
