New job w/ 70% travel weekly:Free lounge access anytime? UA challenge? best tips?
Oct 29, 2014, 11:07 am
#46
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: DFW
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, AA PLT, DL Silver
Posts: 427
100% agree with this. If one didn't know the inner workings of my consulting firm, "money saving perks are a non issue" might seem to apply.
But for sure whether you are taking a train, taxi, or limo to the airport for instance (all of which would get approved without issue), these costs are absolutely considered and your expenses are certainly compared with your peers. Your total compensation can/will be effected.
If you have the opportunity to spend less of your company's money, take it. Now if it is going to cost you billable hours or limit productivity, then that's justifiable. But don't think that the bottle line dollars aren't important to someone, somewhere in an executive office.
Oct 29, 2014, 4:21 pm
#47
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,690
The UC is vastly preferable over trying to work at a gate, and for IRROPS, the inside agents are a good perk to get you home.
Oct 29, 2014, 5:08 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,712
I pay for the lounge for IRROPS handling. If I don't have work to get done, I'd prefer to sit at any airport bar. The drinks are cheaper and better and at least some of the company is usually cuter.
Oct 29, 2014, 6:11 pm
#49
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LAX,SNA,SAN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LP, Hertz Gold
Posts: 861
UA 1k line takes care of me without doing nothing. Maybe lucky or easy rebookings but it has always got me rebooked with new BP on phone before I ever knew there was a problem. Of course I could see where the lounge desk could help with IRROPS but I would rather work with 1k line any day of the week for this. My experience.
Listen if you like the lounge then awesome. Personally, I think you are being duped into a water down product and I could never ever recommend this price/purchase to a colleague.
Could you imagine a hotel lounge serving cheese and crackers and chex mix as your meal. So many people in here say 'head over to this lounge', much better spread and chairs and drinks choices. It's an inferior product, period, and I do not accept that level of product with that price.
Can you sit there with a straight face and recommend the UA lounge purchase to a friend? I cannot.
Listen if you like the lounge then awesome. Personally, I think you are being duped into a water down product and I could never ever recommend this price/purchase to a colleague.
Could you imagine a hotel lounge serving cheese and crackers and chex mix as your meal. So many people in here say 'head over to this lounge', much better spread and chairs and drinks choices. It's an inferior product, period, and I do not accept that level of product with that price.
Can you sit there with a straight face and recommend the UA lounge purchase to a friend? I cannot.