United Club vs. Priority Pass
Mar 17, 2015, 3:00 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
Yes, Pearl Lounge in KWI is quite nice....(and was behind passport control)
Last edited by Cargojon; Mar 19, 2015 at 11:45 am Reason: fix typo on Kuwait airport code
Mar 18, 2015, 9:16 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,682
This is not a "versus" situation, they sorta complement each other in my travels, with LAX (AS lounge) being a common US example.
Mar 19, 2015, 11:46 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
Mar 19, 2015, 12:16 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: Million Miles achieved | 2017 Delta Platinum, United NADA, Global Entry, PreCheck, NEXUS
Posts: 1,295
Mar 19, 2015, 12:52 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,083
It really depends on what airports you will be in, and then what terminal(s) you will be using at those airports (lounge access usually isn't worth it if in another terminal where you have to go through security again to access it). Also, if you will be flying international business or first to those airports and have access through your tickets. Then work back from what lounges you want to use that your ticket will not get you into, and then figure out how to access those with this or that card or membership. (Love the Centurions - more please.)
For me, I have the UC credit card and PP Select through Amex Plat and that takes care of me pretty much anywhere I am going to be. And *A Gold helps out occasionally, too.
For me, I have the UC credit card and PP Select through Amex Plat and that takes care of me pretty much anywhere I am going to be. And *A Gold helps out occasionally, too.
Mar 19, 2015, 10:31 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: AS MVP 100K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, UA 1MM,
Posts: 1,707
I got the full PP using Marriott points since I have plenty of those and I wouldnt be able to forgive myself for spending cash or miles on a UA Club.
The only difference from my domestic travel is when you check in at the front desk, instead of swiping your boarding card, they swipe the PP card. Occasionally, it wont read and they have to type it in.
Apr 16, 2015, 8:45 am
#22
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
We regret to inform you that United Club lounges, one of our partners, have unfortunately chosen to no longer participate in the Priority Pass lounge access program, effective May 15th 2015....this does mean that our Members will no longer have access to United Club’s 49 lounges (41 located in 26 airports in the US and 8 at international locations)
Apr 16, 2015, 10:27 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
Technically no refund is available, but I wonder if they will make an exception given how large a hit this is for some people.
Apr 16, 2015, 11:31 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,682
No difference for folks who have PP thru Amex Platinum, but can see that might be a bummer. At least the number of "The Club at XXX"s is growing, all that I can think of in places with UCs.
Apr 16, 2015, 3:42 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Programs: AC 75K, Hertz President’s Circle, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 10,068
This does suck as options have just dwindled. Mind you, United is not my fave airline so in general not a huge loss and there are alternatives for Amex Plat/Priority Pass in the locations I frequent the most like Seattle, San Francisco and Laguardia.
Apr 16, 2015, 4:26 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,716
Did some searching and found a variety of older threads, but nothing that specifically helped.
I am MP Plat (*G) and a United Club member (paid, not through the Chase card). I have had my UC membership for many years. I fly domestically for work often (few times a month) and internationally (a few times a year). Work trips are always booked in coach.
For fun, I fly domestically and internationally. Lots of small weekend trips and a couple big international trips each year. I try to fly at least business (paid) for fun (assuming its not insanely expensive).
I find the convenience (and customer service desks) of the UCs good, but lacking in drinks, food, atmosphere, maintenance, etc. Some additional club choice would be nice. The UC membership is more expensive than the PP, but PP has a guest fee. However, most of my work travel, I am alone. So, I am not sure this would be that big of an issue. I guess I am willing to pay for guests for the few times I am with others.
I am MP Plat (*G) and a United Club member (paid, not through the Chase card). I have had my UC membership for many years. I fly domestically for work often (few times a month) and internationally (a few times a year). Work trips are always booked in coach.
For fun, I fly domestically and internationally. Lots of small weekend trips and a couple big international trips each year. I try to fly at least business (paid) for fun (assuming its not insanely expensive).
I find the convenience (and customer service desks) of the UCs good, but lacking in drinks, food, atmosphere, maintenance, etc. Some additional club choice would be nice. The UC membership is more expensive than the PP, but PP has a guest fee. However, most of my work travel, I am alone. So, I am not sure this would be that big of an issue. I guess I am willing to pay for guests for the few times I am with others.
Another option if you use Chase is to get a JPM Palladium card which has a steep fee that includes both LC and UC (the latter is free but must be requested). A private banker may credit a % of the fee and there are other benefits.
For your overseas leisure trips, you will find that many C tickets include lounge access, so that will not be a problem for you.
Note: According to VFTW, PP cardholders will no longer have access to any UCs, as of May 15:
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....om+the+Wing%29
May 2, 2015, 1:51 pm
#27
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: AS MVP 100K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, UA 1MM,
Posts: 1,707
I had purchased my Priority Pass with my Marriott Points. When I called Marriott Rewards with the news that United Club was ending its agreement, and leaving all of my frequent ariports without coverage, they promptly refunded me my points. I am about half way through the year with Priority Pass and still have it to use in a select few airports. Makes me feel a little better about the change.
Anyone call PP to try to get their membership $$$ back from them yet? Curious of how PP is handling this.
Anyone call PP to try to get their membership $$$ back from them yet? Curious of how PP is handling this.
May 24, 2015, 10:20 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, IHG Diamond AMB, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, National EE
Posts: 1,083
I had purchased my Priority Pass with my Marriott Points. When I called Marriott Rewards with the news that United Club was ending its agreement, and leaving all of my frequent ariports without coverage, they promptly refunded me my points. I am about half way through the year with Priority Pass and still have it to use in a select few airports. Makes me feel a little better about the change.
Anyone call PP to try to get their membership $$$ back from them yet? Curious of how PP is handling this.
Anyone call PP to try to get their membership $$$ back from them yet? Curious of how PP is handling this.
Truth of the matter is I fly exclusively domestic routes on UA, so my only options are United Clubs. What a huge waste of money this was. I can't even dispute the CC charge given it was more than 60 days ago. Now I'm spoiled and have gotten used to being able to access the UCs, but can't legitimize spending $525 for a UC membership.
May 24, 2015, 10:28 pm
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423
May 24, 2015, 10:47 pm
#30
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,777