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, 8:41 pm
#211
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
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.
Aug 17, 2015, 8:53 pm
#212
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,969
Not sure if it was a non-rev or revenue passenger, though.
=======
What about non-rev's, or people that have a standby pass (but not a boarding pass), or flying charter/private (who AMEX allows in)?
I am a lifetime member and am not happy about this. I sometimes travel as a non-rev and use the club.
Aug 17, 2015, 8:54 pm
#213
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
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.
Aug 17, 2015, 9:36 pm
#214
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,199
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.
So, if I read Insider's statement correctly, the only actual change here is the elimination of gate passes? If so, why even bother with the policy change? Were so many people using gate passes every date and filling up the clubs? I just cannot possibly imagine this to be the case.
Aug 17, 2015, 9:42 pm
#215
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
The only reason you had a paid UC membership was to use the club when you were not flying via gate passes?
So, if I read Insider's statement correctly, the only actual change here is the elimination of gate passes? If so, why even bother with the policy change? Were so many people using gate passes every date and filling up the clubs? I just cannot possibly imagine this to be the case.
So, if I read Insider's statement correctly, the only actual change here is the elimination of gate passes? If so, why even bother with the policy change? Were so many people using gate passes every date and filling up the clubs? I just cannot possibly imagine this to be the case.
Aug 17, 2015, 10:04 pm
#217
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,331
As a UC member, IMHO, this should have minimal impact....Unless there are people who have obtained a stack of passes and have nothing to do but making a day trip to visit their favorite local airports that has a UC.
Aug 17, 2015, 10:47 pm
#218
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
I wish I had anticipated this downgrade when I spent thousands for a lifetime pass several years ago. I feel like I was taken advantage of, but then, that is all UA seems to do these days, engender ill will.
For the first time in 10 years or so, on Friday I will be flying FC not in UA, but on DL. I look forward to comparing the trip, especially the interaction with the people of DL.
For the first time in 10 years or so, on Friday I will be flying FC not in UA, but on DL. I look forward to comparing the trip, especially the interaction with the people of DL.
Aug 18, 2015, 5:37 am
#219
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: VA, USA
Programs: Marriott LTT, United Club Life Member, UA *S
Posts: 995
Where is the problem that needed fixing here? Other than LGA club outside of security (which could be addressed separately), why institute a change that so angers the paying customers?
Aug 18, 2015, 5:51 am
#220
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,864
A very small percentage of users must have been abusing the system. Some people will go to great lengths for free alcohol.
Aug 18, 2015, 6:16 am
#221
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: san antonio, texas
Programs: 3.2MM AA, 1.4MM UA,StwdLftPlt
Posts: 1,586
Informal observation over several hours of both busy and quiet times at the IAD clubs: 97% of visitors are scanning boarding passes for entry; 3% are presenting Chase one-day passes; 0% presenting just a membership credential and ID (who might be airport or airline employees).
Where is the problem that needed fixing here? Other than LGA club outside of security (which could be addressed separately), why institute a change that so angers the paying customers?
Where is the problem that needed fixing here? Other than LGA club outside of security (which could be addressed separately), why institute a change that so angers the paying customers?
It does seem like this decision is a solution looking for a problem. I have never sensed in the many lounges that I have visited that airline/airport employees are a significant part of the daily visitors.
Aug 18, 2015, 6:28 am
#222
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RDU
Programs: UA Plat 2MM, Delta Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott cardboard
Posts: 1,699
The one at LGA is right next to an AMEX lounge. We used to use the UC when flying AA RDU-LGA, but now it's AMEX all the time. I do use the UC in PHL, and I"m glad my AA bp will still work.
Aug 18, 2015, 6:35 am
#223
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: TX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 446
I wonder if it was airport employees who figured out that they could have free alcohol after their shift.
In the late 90's a friend of a friend used to pre party at the ATL United Club and take Marta into town to a bar.
In the late 90's a friend of a friend used to pre party at the ATL United Club and take Marta into town to a bar.
Aug 18, 2015, 6:40 am
#224
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: UA-1Kmm, AA-EX Plt mm-, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 1,093