Aug 17, 2015, 2:32 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Email from United sent to United MP Club Cardmembers 18 Aug 2015
Signs were first noticed starting 13 Aug 2015 at various clubs
Posting by UA Insider 17 Aug 2015
For general questions on UC access, see Consolidated "United Club Access Questions" Thread
Update about United Club access
Dear XXXXX,
We've been working on a variety of improvements to our United ClubSM program. To provide a more productive and relaxing experience, we're investing more than $100 million in renovating existing locations and building new spaces with expanded seating areas, more power outlets and upgraded Wi-Fi. We're also investing in a brand new complimentary food menu that you can now find at our hub locations across the U.S. and will be available soon at the rest of our locations.
To maintain and further improve the United Club experience, we're announcing the following change to our program:
■ Effective August 18, 2016, a same-day boarding pass for all United Club customers, including members, will be required for United Club access.
United Club membership is a benefit of your United MileagePlus® Club Card. With a United Club membership, you can still bring your spouse and children under 21, or up to two guests, into any United Club location.
Thank you for being a United MileagePlus® Club Cardmember, and we look forward to creating an even more comfortable and premium United Club experience for you.
Learn More
Dear XXXXX,
We've been working on a variety of improvements to our United ClubSM program. To provide a more productive and relaxing experience, we're investing more than $100 million in renovating existing locations and building new spaces with expanded seating areas, more power outlets and upgraded Wi-Fi. We're also investing in a brand new complimentary food menu that you can now find at our hub locations across the U.S. and will be available soon at the rest of our locations.
To maintain and further improve the United Club experience, we're announcing the following change to our program:
■ Effective August 18, 2016, a same-day boarding pass for all United Club customers, including members, will be required for United Club access.
United Club membership is a benefit of your United MileagePlus® Club Card. With a United Club membership, you can still bring your spouse and children under 21, or up to two guests, into any United Club location.
Thank you for being a United MileagePlus® Club Cardmember, and we look forward to creating an even more comfortable and premium United Club experience for you.
Learn More
I noticed this at JFK (that's ironic...) yesterday--
Someone else noted the sign at LGA in the United Club Access Thread ....
Someone else noted the sign at LGA in the United Club Access Thread ....
Hi everyone, some answers for you on this new policy:
- What about meetings/conference rooms? Will gate passes still be issued?
Customers can still reserve a conference room to use, with or without a same-day boarding pass. We will no longer issue gate passes for other uses.
- What about access after a redeye flight? Will this qualify as a "same-day" BP?
Yes, you will still be eligible to access the United Club after arriving off of a redeye flight.
- Will I be able to come in if I’m flying on another carrier?
Yes, you may use a same-day boarding pass on any carrier.
- What if my flight departs early in the morning, the following day (e.g. 12:30am)?
Yes, you will still be eligible to access the United Club.
Starting 18 Aug 2016:United Club Access (including members) Only w/ UA/*A Same-Day BP
Aug 17, 2015, 4:35 pm
#196
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: COS/DEN
Programs: UA 1P (w/ no expectations whatsoever); Marriott Gold; Hilton Silver; Hertz Pres
Posts: 693
All in all, I paid for a membership without this requirement. Granted, the scenarios without a same-day BP would be slim for me. I'd like to be able to access the facility with simply just only the membership...
Aug 17, 2015, 4:42 pm
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Aside from lifetime members, this is ample notice for anyone to ride their existing membership out under the current policies, since this change doesn't kick in until August 2016.
Is it just me (and I can't believe I'm saying this), but I think UA is getting beaten up a bit too much over this.
Aug 17, 2015, 4:44 pm
#198
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,024
Aug 17, 2015, 4:50 pm
#199
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: EWR
Posts: 2,112
Aug 17, 2015, 5:02 pm
#200
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
You paid for a membership, and they gave a year's notice. If you don't like it, don't renew.
Aside from lifetime members, this is ample notice for anyone to ride their existing membership out under the current policies, since this change doesn't kick in until August 2016.
Is it just me (and I can't believe I'm saying this), but I think UA is getting beaten up a bit too much over this.
Aside from lifetime members, this is ample notice for anyone to ride their existing membership out under the current policies, since this change doesn't kick in until August 2016.
Is it just me (and I can't believe I'm saying this), but I think UA is getting beaten up a bit too much over this.
I see it from both sides, we the customer are for sure overreacting, to this change, but also, I don't see the benefit to United for the change. As many have pointed out here, it's very easy to just buy a fully refundable ticket, and refund it if you need to meet someone and have access to the post security areas of the airport. So, what is really accomplished here? Just another customer hostile move.
Aug 17, 2015, 5:21 pm
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,016
Not saying it's so, but seems like UA posted the change and then looked to FlyerTalk to see where special situations might exist and what exceptions might be made.
Trash, from the East wall counter at the (former) LAX FCL, eating Skittles...
Aug 17, 2015, 5:34 pm
#202
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 2,837
Will I be able to enter after arrival of "any" United flight? I have on occasion needed to take an early flight and get to destination airport 2 or 3 hrs early. Rather stay in club until a reasonable time prior to getting rental car and going to meeting. (Lifetime member and million miler) hoping United REALLY doesn't want to annoy me by taking away this occasional use
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 17, 2015 at 7:02 pm Reason: repaired quote
Aug 17, 2015, 5:39 pm
#203
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
Will I be able to enter after arrival of "any" United flight? I have on occasion needed to take an early flight and get to destination airport 2 or 3 hrs early. Rather stay in club until a reasonable time prior to getting rental car and going to meeting. (Lifetime member and million miler) hoping United REALLY doesn't want to annoy me by taking away this occasional use
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 17, 2015 at 7:02 pm Reason: repaired quote
Aug 17, 2015, 5:52 pm
#204
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
Aug 17, 2015, 5:59 pm
#205
Join Date: Nov 2001
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, DL Plat,Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott PP, National EE,Hertz PC
Posts: 679
This really seems to me like an attempt to prevent employees from using the lounge (either airport or flight crew).
I once asked at the Amex lounge why the need for a boarding pass and was told that exact reason...
I once asked at the Amex lounge why the need for a boarding pass and was told that exact reason...
Aug 17, 2015, 6:32 pm
#206
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
My money is on it seemed like a good idea since DL was doing it, so little thought was given to the decision. I do appreciate the year in advance notice, to be fair.
Aug 17, 2015, 6:44 pm
#207
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
My money is on it seemed like a good idea since DL was doing it, so little thought was given to the decision. I do appreciate the year in advance notice, to be fair.
Aug 17, 2015, 8:18 pm
#209
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
The only thing it really manages to do, is alienate a small percentage of customers who did enjoy the benefit. But, seems to be the mission statement at United: We're not happy, till you're not happy. Fly Friendly.
Aug 17, 2015, 8:37 pm
#210
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 1,281
Well thanks UA, so gate passes will disappear which means my membership will go away. This means UA you are now out some money as frankly, I am one of your cheap Club members since I don't drink, and frankly the munchies don't do much for me.
But I shall thank you for one thing. Fully refundable fares will now be purchased to get me past security and thus immediately canceled after getting in. By doing so, I will now hold up a seat that UA could have potentially sold, as well as now causing your agents to take my phone call and process my cancellation. Labor surely can't be cheap.
Since I'm a glass half full guy, I see a major plus that purchasing a refundable ticket has verses the gate pass....I now will get TSA Pre. Thankfully, this will come in handy since UA is shuttering so many of the premier security lines now. Maybe this is flyer friendly of you. See you on the other side UA (of security checkpoint that is) without you taking my annual dues and spending more money on me.
But I shall thank you for one thing. Fully refundable fares will now be purchased to get me past security and thus immediately canceled after getting in. By doing so, I will now hold up a seat that UA could have potentially sold, as well as now causing your agents to take my phone call and process my cancellation. Labor surely can't be cheap.
Since I'm a glass half full guy, I see a major plus that purchasing a refundable ticket has verses the gate pass....I now will get TSA Pre. Thankfully, this will come in handy since UA is shuttering so many of the premier security lines now. Maybe this is flyer friendly of you. See you on the other side UA (of security checkpoint that is) without you taking my annual dues and spending more money on me.