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
#991

#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

#993
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,811
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.

#994
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.0 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador (Lifetime Titanium) Elite, AA Gold
Posts: 2,016

#995
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,811
They are combining all three lounges in LAX (sbm12's blog post):
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).
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).

#996
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 69,211
They are going to consolidate the T6 and T7 lounges into one new lounge above the current T7 concourse eventually. It is going to be 3x the size of the current lounge so probably a win in terms of space but a loss in terms of available services in T6.

#997
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: 1K; Starwood Gold; Avis Preferred; Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,713
Good to know. After looking into this further (and particularly for the folks that purchased lifetime club memberships) when it was free drinks - I would seriously consider seeking a refund.
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.
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.

#998
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: Non-Affiliated
Posts: 7,174
I'm sorry to hear ya'll got the same screwing that we did at DL. It's a shame.

#999
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 16,921
In reference to the Wikipost: is beer not available at all in the DEN clubs?

#1000

Join Date: May 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, IHG Spire Elite, National EE
Posts: 197
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).

#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

#1002
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Gold
Posts: 174
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?

#1003
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,101
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.

#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.

#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: 21,004
Hey now, UA isn't that classy in F...Woodford is a (great) DL thing
