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, 7:19 pm
#46
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: At home in the PNW
Posts: 51,829
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, 7:30 pm
#47
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: PA
Programs: Platinum SPG, Marriott Platinum, United 1K, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum,
Posts: 128
While it's incredible how a posted sign is the method used to communicate, at least this can't be blamed on the merger.
However, I recently spent time in the DEN East Club which is desperately in need of furniture renovation. I would be embarrassed to bring family and/or friends there.
United should spend more time and money on aggressively pursuing club renovations and in improving communication, but that's been suggested on FT many times before.
However, I recently spent time in the DEN East Club which is desperately in need of furniture renovation. I would be embarrassed to bring family and/or friends there.
United should spend more time and money on aggressively pursuing club renovations and in improving communication, but that's been suggested on FT many times before.
Aug 14, 15, 7:31 pm
#48
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL GM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing
Posts: 9,191
I think it must have been my fault. Mrs. 5k was flying out of JFK on NH earlier this week so I cleared security with her in Terminal 7 and guested her in to the United Club with my UC card.
The place was packed....me and Mrs. 5k and at least.... well, one receptionist and one bartender. I guess with only 2 people in the Club it wasn't sufficiently exclusive.
The place was packed....me and Mrs. 5k and at least.... well, one receptionist and one bartender. I guess with only 2 people in the Club it wasn't sufficiently exclusive.
Aug 14, 15, 7:49 pm
#49
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,563
I was starting to think UA had learned its lesson about being penny-wise and pound foolish, when they started improving some of the food offerings and reinstating some of the pmUA policies, but apparently I was wrong.
I suppose some accountant figured out that the price increase didn't quite make up for the renewals they'd lose, so they need to cut another 5 cents per UC member by not letting people in after an overnight flight.
Aug 14, 15, 7:51 pm
#50
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,725
That's very interesting.
I have been told twice in the last few months (once a week ago), once in SEA and once in ORD that I was not allowed to enter because I had a ticket on another airline. So they're thinking about it. In fact, last week they offered to sell me a pass for $35, but I blustered my way in. At the time I thought that this was quite an increase in annual membership costs - from 7 one-day passes to 15 - but maybe it's instead a way to monetize UC members: charge them $35 if they have a ticket on another airline.
I have been told twice in the last few months (once a week ago), once in SEA and once in ORD that I was not allowed to enter because I had a ticket on another airline. So they're thinking about it. In fact, last week they offered to sell me a pass for $35, but I blustered my way in. At the time I thought that this was quite an increase in annual membership costs - from 7 one-day passes to 15 - but maybe it's instead a way to monetize UC members: charge them $35 if they have a ticket on another airline.
Aug 14, 15, 7:54 pm
#51
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 7
Very unhappy to hear this. I don't see how people can justify $450 credit card annual fee or even $550 club annual fee if we can not access clubs without a boarding pass.
As soon as this news is confirmed, I will not renew my chase club credit card.
Just to remind UA manegement, I have a prestige card of $350 annual fee (of which $250 usable on airtickets) and some very generous Priority Pass privileges. And it earns 3.15 points per dollar on any airline/hotel spending.
As soon as this news is confirmed, I will not renew my chase club credit card.
Just to remind UA manegement, I have a prestige card of $350 annual fee (of which $250 usable on airtickets) and some very generous Priority Pass privileges. And it earns 3.15 points per dollar on any airline/hotel spending.
Aug 14, 15, 7:57 pm
#52
Moderator: United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.9MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 63,174
Aug 14, 15, 8:25 pm
#54
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 339
Aug 14, 15, 8:35 pm
#55
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: AS MVP; UA Silver; HHonors Silver; HyattGP Platinum; Hertz PC
Posts: 113
I refuse to believe that there is huge amount of non-flying UC members who are gate-passing into clubs across the system. UAInsider needs to give some sort of clarification as to why they needed to make this move. Why eliminate a perk that is used rarely, if ever, by 99% of UC members? How does this benefit UA's bottom line?
Aug 14, 15, 8:35 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
Aug 14, 15, 8:37 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: LAX
Posts: 2,081
That's very interesting.
I have been told twice in the last few months (once a week ago), once in SEA and once in ORD that I was not allowed to enter because I had a ticket on another airline. So they're thinking about it. In fact, last week they offered to sell me a pass for $35, but I blustered my way in. At the time I thought that this was quite an increase in annual membership costs - from 7 one-day passes to 15 - but maybe it's instead a way to monetize UC members: charge them $35 if they have a ticket on another airline.
I have been told twice in the last few months (once a week ago), once in SEA and once in ORD that I was not allowed to enter because I had a ticket on another airline. So they're thinking about it. In fact, last week they offered to sell me a pass for $35, but I blustered my way in. At the time I thought that this was quite an increase in annual membership costs - from 7 one-day passes to 15 - but maybe it's instead a way to monetize UC members: charge them $35 if they have a ticket on another airline.
Aug 14, 15, 8:37 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,975
Absolutely agree! Why spend $450 on a United Mileage Plus Club card that won't get you into a United Club if you're travelling on someone else's metal? Maybe United can now merge with Delta - they are both just as worthless when it comes to their respect for their customers.
Aug 14, 15, 9:08 pm
#59
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,535
Gate pass is still needed. I have arrived on a flight, gone to local hotel, then later came back to meet people in the lounge. That would qualify since I would still have a same day boarding pass - although earlier in the day.
Same policy at the AmEx Centurion Lounges, but then again it is not a paid membership club.
Maybe they should let you in with a paid membership (regardless) and only require a boarding pass when you are using a credit card membership (but then Chase Club Card gives you an actual United membership card). Unlike AA Citibank which you use the actual CC for admission.
Same policy at the AmEx Centurion Lounges, but then again it is not a paid membership club.
Maybe they should let you in with a paid membership (regardless) and only require a boarding pass when you are using a credit card membership (but then Chase Club Card gives you an actual United membership card). Unlike AA Citibank which you use the actual CC for admission.
Aug 14, 15, 9:12 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,734
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.
That's very interesting.
I have been told twice in the last few months (once a week ago), once in SEA and once in ORD that I was not allowed to enter because I had a ticket on another airline. So they're thinking about it. In fact, last week they offered to sell me a pass for $35, but I blustered my way in. At the time I thought that this was quite an increase in annual membership costs - from 7 one-day passes to 15 - but maybe it's instead a way to monetize UC members: charge them $35 if they have a ticket on another airline.
I have been told twice in the last few months (once a week ago), once in SEA and once in ORD that I was not allowed to enter because I had a ticket on another airline. So they're thinking about it. In fact, last week they offered to sell me a pass for $35, but I blustered my way in. At the time I thought that this was quite an increase in annual membership costs - from 7 one-day passes to 15 - but maybe it's instead a way to monetize UC members: charge them $35 if they have a ticket on another airline.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 15, 15 at 8:35 am Reason: discuss the issue, not the poster
