United Club pricing increases [Effective June 11, 2015]
Jun 12, 2015, 2:48 pm
#91
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
SunLover
Jun 12, 2015, 2:57 pm
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
In the 60's or 70's my father paid $300 for a lifetime United Club (Red Carpet Club) membership. And no, I did not leave any 0's off.
Jun 12, 2015, 4:27 pm
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,850
Jun 12, 2015, 5:24 pm
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Taking 1965, those $300 would be $2,257.80 in today's money (per http://www.dollartimes.com/inflation...=300&year=1965). Hope he got (gets) to enjoy it for many years.
Jun 12, 2015, 5:33 pm
#95
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 1,281
Also, I don't think the PQDs are really driving a ton of people out (there was another thread that discussed that). Some, yes, but not a lot.
This modest price increase isn't going to drive the majority of the population away....we are all suckered into UA and UA knows they can pull another penny out of our ears still.
Jun 12, 2015, 6:07 pm
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,057
"A change in Admirals Club membership eligibility was made in 1967 when American established an open policy of accepting dues-paying members – a policy that remains in effect today. The dues in 1967 were $25 per year, or $250 for a lifetime membership. Almost all Admirals at the time decided to pay the fees and retain their memberships."
Jun 12, 2015, 6:16 pm
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Pretty amazing. Apparently you could also get an AA Admirals Club lifetime membership for only $250 back in 60's. From their history page --
"A change in Admirals Club membership eligibility was made in 1967 when American established an open policy of accepting dues-paying members – a policy that remains in effect today. The dues in 1967 were $25 per year, or $250 for a lifetime membership. Almost all Admirals at the time decided to pay the fees and retain their memberships."
"A change in Admirals Club membership eligibility was made in 1967 when American established an open policy of accepting dues-paying members – a policy that remains in effect today. The dues in 1967 were $25 per year, or $250 for a lifetime membership. Almost all Admirals at the time decided to pay the fees and retain their memberships."
Jun 12, 2015, 7:30 pm
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Jun 12, 2015, 7:31 pm
#99
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Honolulu / DC
Programs: UA 1K /2mm / Marriott Lifetime Titanium , Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,051
2 things in this smart....the further erosion of life time Premier Executive benefits (now gold with less and less to show for it) and the crimp on the lifetime members who spot their infrequently flying alone spouses the membership (and at the previous discounted gold rate...).
Jun 12, 2015, 7:33 pm
#100
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Honolulu / DC
Programs: UA 1K /2mm / Marriott Lifetime Titanium , Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,051
Jun 12, 2015, 9:00 pm
#102
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
I'll bet those of us who really struggled mentally with whether or not to buy a lifetime membership near the top (I got mine for $4,200 in 2010) are thankful that we sucked it up. I've put mine to good use, and while it will still take a few more years for me to break even, my genetics may have me living another 50 or 60 years. 
I wonder how many lifetime UC members there are, and how many of us are still flying regularly?
I wonder how many lifetime UC members there are, and how many of us are still flying regularly?
Jun 13, 2015, 5:09 am
#103
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,251
in theory at least
i'm chintzy and i will never pay $500/yr or $50 or $20/visit to access a lounge even if i travel every week. this is mostly out of stubborn principle (i mean, i'm a star gold..do you see how nicely golds are treated in asia?). but i imagine a lot more people would not care.
Last edited by cur; Jun 13, 2015 at 5:17 am
Jun 13, 2015, 6:48 am
#104
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Just Switched from AA to UA - Lounge experience so far...
I just switched from AA to UA. EP on AA now only Gold on United...so far the lounge experience has not even come close to meeting my expectaton. No seats, food offerings are poor, current (or future) services are NOT worth the new $550.00 per year. Oh, and if you don't want to "enjoy" the stale bagel sticks and canned fruit...you have to leave the club to eat because no outside food allowed... 
. When asked why...UA customer service indicated it was "too smelly".
Really questioning my switch...and its only been 2 months.
. When asked why...UA customer service indicated it was "too smelly". Really questioning my switch...and its only been 2 months.
Jun 13, 2015, 11:29 am
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
I just switched from AA to UA. EP on AA now only Gold on United...so far the lounge experience has not even come close to meeting my expectaton. No seats, food offerings are poor, current (or future) services are NOT worth the new $550.00 per year. Oh, and if you don't want to "enjoy" the stale bagel sticks and canned fruit...you have to leave the club to eat because no outside food allowed... . When asked why...UA customer service indicated it was "too smelly".
Really questioning my switch...and its only been 2 months.
. When asked why...UA customer service indicated it was "too smelly". Really questioning my switch...and its only been 2 months.
If you were EXP on AA why are you only Gold on UA? You could do a challenge for better status. Or are you still flying AA and UA is only a backup?