Sep 10, 13, 9:54 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 17, 13, 2:40 pm
#1021
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: AUS
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 108
I think this might be the driver for me to even cancel my Explorer card. The two lounge passes used to be nice, but I actually lost this year's pair and haven't even noticed. I just went and bellied up to a better bar for a few hours, and got out with a $40 tab for a real lunch and good beers. Otherwise, I don't get much from the Explorer card I don't get from my Gold status. I like the lack of foreign transaction fees, but I'm sure I can find a replacement card for that. Is there any other killer app I'm missing?
Sep 17, 13, 2:47 pm
#1022
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, BA Silver, Marriott Plat., Hertz Pres. Circle, Avis First
Posts: 868
Originally Posted by DCEsquire
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.
Sep 17, 13, 2:50 pm
#1023
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, BA Silver, Marriott Plat., Hertz Pres. Circle, Avis First
Posts: 868
Originally Posted by gglave
Maybe it's an American cultural thing (perhaps all wrapped up in the puritanism around alcohol), but the whole notion of 'drink chits' just feels petty to me - Like something you'd hear about at the Dunder Mifflin 'Holiday Party.'
Sir, I have this 'chit' - May I please have a drink?
Sir, I have this 'chit' - May I please have a drink?
Sep 17, 13, 2:58 pm
#1024
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC S100K, SPG G, Hilton G,Nexus/GE, Amex MR Plat, Hyatt Plat,IHG Plat E
Posts: 4,225
I feel your pain
While we love to complain about AC, the lounges are definitely better - relatively less crowded, better maintained and way better selection of liquor and generally self service (snacks and liquor) too. Last time I used a UA lounge I was honestly considering just heading back out to a restaurant. I am looking forward to visiting the Turkish lounge in Istanbul soon - they have a chef, pool tables, etc.
Sep 17, 13, 3:01 pm
#1025
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS 2MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 39
Originally Posted by Muckus
Yeah, all of this is annoying for those of us in the US, but just imagine what these practices loom like to the European or Asian business traveler! Drink chits (in the old days)? Paying for drinks in the lounge? The very poor quality of the drinks, the food, etc.? At least the decor is getting a bit better in places, but in general our international colleagues must be shocked when they see these clubs...
Most of the folks on this topic know this "new" model couldn't/wouldn't fly in Europe or Asia. The changes would just be too drastic to comprehend.
Sep 17, 13, 3:34 pm
#1026
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,588
Originally Posted by Muckus
I could have the timeline wrong in my head, but I think it has been some years since they sold life memberships, whereas the complementary alcoholic drinks were only introduced recently (at United clubs). I understand that drinks were already complementary at CO clubs before the merger, and maybe they sold life memberships more recently, but from the United side I don't think one could have bought a life membership believing adult beverages would be of decent quality and free...
Sep 17, 13, 4:40 pm
#1027
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 493
Originally Posted by gglave
Maybe it's an American cultural thing (perhaps all wrapped up in the puritanism around alcohol), but the whole notion of 'drink chits' just feels petty to me - Like something you'd hear about at the Dunder Mifflin 'Holiday Party.'
Sir, I have this 'chit' - May I please have a drink?
Sir, I have this 'chit' - May I please have a drink?
Sep 17, 13, 6:01 pm
#1028
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 209
Originally Posted by Muckus
I could have the timeline wrong in my head, but I think it has been some years since they sold life memberships, whereas the complementary alcoholic drinks were only introduced recently (at United clubs). I understand that drinks were already complementary at CO clubs before the merger, and maybe they sold life memberships more recently, but from the United side I don't think one could have bought a life membership believing adult beverages would be of decent quality and free...
Sep 17, 13, 6:24 pm
#1029
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Silver
Posts: 5,596
Originally Posted by vernonc
While we love to complain about AC, the lounges are definitely better - relatively less crowded, better maintained and way better selection of liquor and generally self service (snacks and liquor) too. Last time I used a UA lounge I was honestly considering just heading back out to a restaurant. I am looking forward to visiting the Turkish lounge in Istanbul soon - they have a chef, pool tables, etc.
US-based lounges have far more throughput and flight volumes to deal with, and that obviously stops them putting decent self-serve liquor or anything remotely edible (ok, baby carrots are fine) out for the masses to attack and hit their bottom-line. I visited the AC in Toronto for US Departures weekly for 2 years and never saw the volumes I see these days in a UC. And I loved that lounge! A better comparison is DL/AA - and this is where UA is now dropping well behind. There's no way I'd pay for a UC membership these days.
Sep 17, 13, 6:34 pm
#1030
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,673
Though I agree it is petty, it fits in perfectly with the new United as everything about the new United is now cheap and petty.
Sep 17, 13, 6:45 pm
#1031
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
Programs: UA - 1MM, DL Diamond, AS MVP75, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,588
Originally Posted by seanp7
I don't think TK (yes, IST is pretty excellent) or AC are valid comparisons, though. Virtually ANY international lounge in a decent sized city is going to be better than any UC. I'm thinking here even the smaller BA & QF lounges too. There are exceptions, as always (TG domestic was poor on a recent trip).
US-based lounges have far more throughput and flight volumes to deal with, and that obviously stops them putting decent self-serve liquor or anything remotely edible (ok, baby carrots are fine) out for the masses to attack and hit their bottom-line. I visited the AC in Toronto for US Departures weekly for 2 years and never saw the volumes I see these days in a UC. And I loved that lounge! A better comparison is DL/AA - and this is where UA is now dropping well behind. There's no way I'd pay for a UC membership these days.
US-based lounges have far more throughput and flight volumes to deal with, and that obviously stops them putting decent self-serve liquor or anything remotely edible (ok, baby carrots are fine) out for the masses to attack and hit their bottom-line. I visited the AC in Toronto for US Departures weekly for 2 years and never saw the volumes I see these days in a UC. And I loved that lounge! A better comparison is DL/AA - and this is where UA is now dropping well behind. There's no way I'd pay for a UC membership these days.
Sep 17, 13, 6:47 pm
#1032
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: vx diamond
Posts: 377
In cleveland for star golds a phrase of the day is how you login.
Sep 17, 13, 7:21 pm
#1033
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 16,904
Originally Posted by jfk747
In cleveland for star golds a phrase of the day is how you login.
Sounds like the French Resistance during WWII.
Sep 17, 13, 7:34 pm
#1034
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Silver
Posts: 5,596
Originally Posted by andyh64000
The LH lounges in FRA are every bit as busy as domestic UCs.
I'm not saying I support any of it, of course.
Sep 17, 13, 7:55 pm
#1035
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA Gold, UA MM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,328
Originally Posted by SEA1K4EVR
Bacardi is $9??? Compared to the other premium liquors this is a joke. You can buy Bacardi for $15.99 per 1.75L in CA/AZ/NV.. probably even less elsewhere. Hardly premium.
Anyone know what the new comp rum is? They had Cruzan before they changed to Bacardi.. I hope they bring it back. I like Cruzan.
Anyone know what the new comp rum is? They had Cruzan before they changed to Bacardi.. I hope they bring it back. I like Cruzan.
