Aug 17, 15, 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 14, 15, 4:46 pm
#31
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
SunLover
Last edited by SunLover; Aug 14, 15 at 4:58 pm Reason: Link added
Aug 14, 15, 4:58 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, BA
Posts: 194
That sign was posted in the IAD United Clubs late yesterday afternoon. Seems poorly worded too since 99.99% of the folks who might want to get into the UC have boarding passes - do they mean to restrict it to *A boarding passes? Agents working there (some I know for many years) indicate that this is a result of all the Chase passes being used (and widely available on eBay and craigslist).
Like a previous poster, I am a lifetime member, and will be very unhappy with this change. Would love to hear something from the UA lurker here. Will current members be grandfathered into the old policy? How about lifetime members?
Like a previous poster, I am a lifetime member, and will be very unhappy with this change. Would love to hear something from the UA lurker here. Will current members be grandfathered into the old policy? How about lifetime members?
Aug 14, 15, 5:00 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: PHL, EWR
Programs: UA Gold; AA; Amtrak Select Plus;HH Diamond;Hyatt Disc;Hertz PC;Johnnie Walker Gold
Posts: 2,341
This is a real downgrade. 
For those of us who fly out of non-hub airports that have United Clubs, being able to access the club as a member but when flying another airline was a significant benefit. I can't count the number of times I've seen people exit the United Club at PHL and turn left (toward the C gates) rather than right (toward the D gates and UA flights).
For those of us who fly out of non-hub airports that have United Clubs, being able to access the club as a member but when flying another airline was a significant benefit. I can't count the number of times I've seen people exit the United Club at PHL and turn left (toward the C gates) rather than right (toward the D gates and UA flights).
Aug 14, 15, 5:10 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,563
Like others have said, I don't get the purpose of this. I've had a paid annual membership for probably 5-6 years. Typically about 50 club visits per year. During that time, I've used a club exactly two times that would fit this criteria.
First was on an arrival at ORD (my final destination) when I went into the club with a family member who was continuing on to her home town, and I waited with her during the layover. Second, was in LHR to use the shower after a 5 am arrival when LHR was my destination.
This has to affect approximately 0.000000001% of UC visits. Why would they even bother to enforce it?
This seems to serve no practical purpose except to make members angry because it's another ridiculous cut in benefits.
First was on an arrival at ORD (my final destination) when I went into the club with a family member who was continuing on to her home town, and I waited with her during the layover. Second, was in LHR to use the shower after a 5 am arrival when LHR was my destination.
This has to affect approximately 0.000000001% of UC visits. Why would they even bother to enforce it?
This seems to serve no practical purpose except to make members angry because it's another ridiculous cut in benefits.
Aug 14, 15, 5:11 pm
#35
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Gold, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,345
I haven't run into that on the west coast at least. I often use my UC pass even when not flying UA if the UC is close to my departing gate.
Aug 14, 15, 5:45 pm
#36
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TUS and any place close to a lav
Programs: UA 1.6MM
Posts: 5,420
I would like to see some sort of policy confirmation and clarification from UAInsider.
The roll out of new food to the non-hub clubs seems to have stalled.
Our membership prices have increased.
And, now our access to the club (as members) has been curtailed.
The roll out of new food to the non-hub clubs seems to have stalled.
Our membership prices have increased.
And, now our access to the club (as members) has been curtailed.
Aug 14, 15, 6:28 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,183
Rather odd that they posted this a full year and a week ahead of time. Did someone make a mistake on the year and this actually takes place next week?
Aug 14, 15, 6:34 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
Yes, it would seem another change we are going to like, is loss of gate passes with membership. This was a big benefit I used often, to meet family and friends at the gate, and also to see them off. Yet another reason to continue my departure from United. Yippee I can save that money now as well, United just loves to make is easy for me to keep my money in my pocket.
Aug 14, 15, 6:46 pm
#42
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 5,760
Aug 14, 15, 6:58 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
Aug 14, 15, 7:11 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,734
This is a real downgrade. For those of us who fly out of non-hub airports that have United Clubs, being able to access the club as a member but when flying another airline was a significant benefit. I can't count the number of times I've seen people exit the United Club at PHL and turn left (toward the C gates) rather than right (toward the D gates and UA flights).
For those of us who fly out of non-hub airports that have United Clubs, being able to access the club as a member but when flying another airline was a significant benefit. I can't count the number of times I've seen people exit the United Club at PHL and turn left (toward the C gates) rather than right (toward the D gates and UA flights).
Aug 14, 15, 7:17 pm
#45
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.034MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 51,470
No we can't. At a max of two passes per person per year, and many (or most) of those going to people who already have access, I'd say this probably accounts for no more than 2% of all lounge-goers. There are probably more Aegean fake-Golds taking advantage than Chase passes.
I'm betting it's probably really a "no more gate passes" policy.
I'm betting it's probably really a "no more gate passes" policy.
