Hot chocolate locked up!
Feb 4, 2014, 12:21 pm
#46
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: All of them, UA-Plat, 1MM*G
Posts: 882
May I guess that if you ask UA who are the UC freeloaders, they will say that it is the 1K guys who pay $400 for a membership and visit UCs 100 times/year and eat 2 snacks each time -- and not the kettles who pay $500 for a membership and visit UCs 10 times and take out 5 snacks.
Their biggest profitability issues probably come from flat-rate memberships more than from differential per-visit consumption.
Their biggest profitability issues probably come from flat-rate memberships more than from differential per-visit consumption.
Feb 4, 2014, 12:25 pm
#47
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Tx
Programs: AA, UA, WN
Posts: 812
HA provides free food on the JFK-HNL flight and offer a premium BOB service. As evidenced UA doesn't try to compete on service in many markets...so par for the course.
Lets not forget that pmUA tried to get rid of transatlantic meals so the "competition theory" be damned.
Lets not forget that pmUA tried to get rid of transatlantic meals so the "competition theory" be damned.
Feb 4, 2014, 12:25 pm
#48
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
May I guess that if you ask UA who are the UC freeloaders, they will say that it is the 1K guys who pay $400 for a membership and visit UCs 100 times/year and eat 2 snacks each time -- and not the kettles who pay $500 for a membership and visit UCs 10 times and take out 5 snacks.
Their biggest profitability issues probably come from flat-rate memberships more than from differential per-visit consumption.
Their biggest profitability issues probably come from flat-rate memberships more than from differential per-visit consumption.
Feb 4, 2014, 12:29 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,320
I, too, have seen someone grab handfuls of milano cookies and stuff them into all his jacket pockets...and that was at SFO. I was so blown away by his brazeness that I could barely describe it to my wife. At least I am teaching my kids how to behave responsibly in this world, and they are more gracious guests at UA Clubs than some adult pigs will ever be.
If I am paying several hundred dollars for the UC membership, isn't that fair to grab a little snacks (I am not talking about emptying the entire tray !) to go with me ?
Last edited by ORDnHKG; Feb 4, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Feb 4, 2014, 12:41 pm
#50
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 429
I say go for it! United is trying to take money from you every chance they get, its up to you to maximize the value you receive.
Feb 4, 2014, 12:52 pm
#51
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AA-Gold 0.425MM), AS MVP Gold, National EE, Marriott Titanium (LT-G), UA Silver
Posts: 1,136
Feb 4, 2014, 1:08 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,320
So how come when you go to LH FCL/FCT or even UA IFL in HKG, everybody sit down to have a full breakfast/lunch/dinner, then they can still go to the buffet to have a whole plate of food, but it can still maintain the high quality, what gives ?
You know that the amount of drinks and food consume in the FCL/FCT could easily cost as much as $50 per pax ? So compare to a few packs of milanos in the UC, which costs more ?
Did you notice some big airports actually provide 3oz zip-log bags right before security, for people that forget to put their carryon liquids separately ? (SFO used to provide this, but I haven't seen them lately, but now I had seen those bags appear in IAD)
I just took one bag and and empty several pepperridge farm cookies in the zip log bag along with several cheese cubes, I don't even need to bring my own bag !
Last edited by iluv2fly; Feb 4, 2014 at 1:20 pm Reason: merge
Feb 4, 2014, 1:58 pm
#53
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BRU
Programs: UA 1K | Bonvoy Ambassador | WN A-List | Avis First | Hertz PC
Posts: 60
Feb 4, 2014, 6:41 pm
#54
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 429
You should have come over and said hello, I love meeting other flyertalkers!!
Feb 4, 2014, 7:06 pm
#55
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
A handful of Milano cookies basically means 2 or 3 packs, and how do you know if the person could be in a hurry and no time to consume in the lounge ? What's the difference if you consume 3 packs of Milano cookies in the club vs taking 3 packs of cookies to go ? Or should they have a rule saying 1 snack item and 1 glass of soda per customer and no refills ?
Are you still sticking with your story? What's the difference between eating 20 packs of cookies there vs taking them with you?
Feb 4, 2014, 7:16 pm
#56
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Feb 4, 2014, 8:22 pm
#57
Join Date: May 2011
Location: California
Programs: UA 1K/MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 246
Feb 4, 2014, 8:34 pm
#58
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold-MM, AA Gold-MM, F9-Silver, Hyatt Something, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,404
Feb 4, 2014, 9:00 pm
#59
Formerly known as UATexasFlyer
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: AUS
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Natl. Car Exec Elite, UA 1MM, *G
Posts: 451