Jul 7, 2022, 11:56 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Why / When would you like to use a shower at a UA lounge / club?
Presently for UCs, only the C123 EWR UC has showers
All the Polaris lounges have showers
The SFO T2 MLL has showers
Reported the new DEN UC will have showers and showers will be introduced at hub UCs when remodeled
Presently for UCs, only the C123 EWR UC has showers
All the Polaris lounges have showers
The SFO T2 MLL has showers
Reported the new DEN UC will have showers and showers will be introduced at hub UCs when remodeled
Showers removed from all domestic United Clubs (and now returning to EWR, others?)
Feb 2, 2018, 12:15 am
#151
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Showers are a niche product. Do the math. There's only so many showers stalls. There's exponentially more people flowing through clubs. Sure, they're nice when you want one, but I can see why airlines don't invest heavily in them. They're a space and resource-consuming product that's only used by a fraction of people.
Feb 2, 2018, 4:58 am
#152
Join Date: Mar 2009
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UA is making and has made improvements in the UC, albeit without showers. I like the improvements with new furniture, outlets, etc. although it was VERY much needed anyway.
The Polaris lounges could possibly work for me as I usually connect into hubs off international where I need the shower, which arriving business class passengers are allowed access. It is the domestic flights where I don't have a big need, but would be nice. Thus I want and need to take a shower as an arriving international passenger and hope to use the Polaris lounge or other *A lounge at that airport with a shower.
The Polaris lounges could possibly work for me as I usually connect into hubs off international where I need the shower, which arriving business class passengers are allowed access. It is the domestic flights where I don't have a big need, but would be nice. Thus I want and need to take a shower as an arriving international passenger and hope to use the Polaris lounge or other *A lounge at that airport with a shower.
Feb 2, 2018, 5:43 am
#153
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Showers are common internationally in lounges in major airports around the world, particularly where people fly in on red-eyes and continue on. It's only civilized.
Domestically they should be mandatory in all airports that are major international hubs and airports where you have red-eye arrivals.
Sad to see UA's policy here. CO was much better on this.
Domestically they should be mandatory in all airports that are major international hubs and airports where you have red-eye arrivals.
Sad to see UA's policy here. CO was much better on this.
Feb 2, 2018, 6:53 am
#154
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UA is making and has made improvements in the UC, albeit without showers. I like the improvements with new furniture, outlets, etc. although it was VERY much needed anyway.
The Polaris lounges could possibly work for me as I usually connect into hubs off international where I need the shower, which arriving business class passengers are allowed access. It is the domestic flights where I don't have a big need, but would be nice. Thus I want and need to take a shower as an arriving international passenger and hope to use the Polaris lounge or other *A lounge at that airport with a shower.
The Polaris lounges could possibly work for me as I usually connect into hubs off international where I need the shower, which arriving business class passengers are allowed access. It is the domestic flights where I don't have a big need, but would be nice. Thus I want and need to take a shower as an arriving international passenger and hope to use the Polaris lounge or other *A lounge at that airport with a shower.
As an example, if you arrive in Chicago (ORD) as a final destination, the lounge is not accessible at all, as it is air-side for domestic departures.
Feb 2, 2018, 9:11 am
#155
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
I can see how it's kinda logical in terms of product differentiation. Let's face it, United Clubs don't exactly say 'premium' in any regard and it's always amazing how crowded and downright unpleasant these lounges can get. It makes sense to consolidate the actual premium features under Polaris lounge branding and to improve them significantly under that umbrella. They're basically dividing the lounge offering into the more plebeian club and the patrician Polaris. Now whether that's fair or not is a moot point..the whole industry is structured around the differentiation between 'classes' of customers. United now thinks that someone spending big bucks on a Polaris seat deserves better than your average status or club card holder. Of course, lounge feature differentiation isn't new - see LH's differentiation between First Class lounge, Senator lounge and business lounge.
Feb 2, 2018, 10:20 am
#156
Join Date: Mar 2009
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Just to make sure you are not disappointed, be aware thet entry into Polaris lounge for arriving passengers is only if you arrive on United metal. No Star Alliance Gold access as an arrival lounge. And you also need to be able to physically get to the lounge, dependent on your ticket specifics.
As an example, if you arrive in Chicago (ORD) as a final destination, the lounge is not accessible at all, as it is air-side for domestic departures.
As an example, if you arrive in Chicago (ORD) as a final destination, the lounge is not accessible at all, as it is air-side for domestic departures.
Apr 15, 2018, 5:54 pm
#157
Join Date: May 2015
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UA still advertises showers "*Available at select locations"
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...amenities.aspx
Domestically SFO arrivals lounge is the only one and it's closes at noon.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...amenities.aspx
Domestically SFO arrivals lounge is the only one and it's closes at noon.
Apr 15, 2018, 6:07 pm
#158
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UA still advertises showers "*Available at select locations"
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...amenities.aspx
Domestically SFO arrivals lounge is the only one and it's closes at noon.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...amenities.aspx
Domestically SFO arrivals lounge is the only one and it's closes at noon.
Apr 15, 2018, 8:00 pm
#160
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Kansas City, MO
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Posts: 150
UA still advertises showers "*Available at select locations"
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...amenities.aspx
Domestically SFO arrivals lounge is the only one and it's closes at noon.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...amenities.aspx
Domestically SFO arrivals lounge is the only one and it's closes at noon.
Apr 16, 2018, 2:54 pm
#162
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K and MM
Posts: 174
How many people complaining now about removing showers are also complaining about not enough seats to handle club members?
Since Polaris lounges will have showers, the only people who will be affected by showers being eliminated are the subset of passengers who (1) are in economy and (2) transiting with enough time to take a shower between legs or arriving at their final airport and wanting to take a shower before heading to their final destination.
I think the bean counters carefully looked at what members were using the showers and in what circumstances they were being used,and determined that the number of passengers taking showers in these circumstances who would not have Polaris access was small. International J pax have the Polaris showers. People flying on business coming in for a morning meeting generally have their employers arrange early checkins at the hotel before a morning meeting. I'm guessing United determined that most of the high value flyers the company is trying to attract and retain weren't talking advantage of the showers.
Wouldn't club experience be enhanced for the overwhelming majority of Club users by taking that shower space over and making a better "other than shower" experience for the United Club members?? And if by some chance the savings on the high cost of maintenance and operation of showers was spent toward offering a better experience for the Club members in terms of furnishings, foods, personnel, even better (yeah, I understand that this is unlikely).
In any event, I support removal of showers, if the upshot is more space in the United clubs to accommodate normal uses by me and other members who rarely take showers at clubs but are always looking for space to set down in. To quote Spock - "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" ; )
Since Polaris lounges will have showers, the only people who will be affected by showers being eliminated are the subset of passengers who (1) are in economy and (2) transiting with enough time to take a shower between legs or arriving at their final airport and wanting to take a shower before heading to their final destination.
I think the bean counters carefully looked at what members were using the showers and in what circumstances they were being used,and determined that the number of passengers taking showers in these circumstances who would not have Polaris access was small. International J pax have the Polaris showers. People flying on business coming in for a morning meeting generally have their employers arrange early checkins at the hotel before a morning meeting. I'm guessing United determined that most of the high value flyers the company is trying to attract and retain weren't talking advantage of the showers.
Wouldn't club experience be enhanced for the overwhelming majority of Club users by taking that shower space over and making a better "other than shower" experience for the United Club members?? And if by some chance the savings on the high cost of maintenance and operation of showers was spent toward offering a better experience for the Club members in terms of furnishings, foods, personnel, even better (yeah, I understand that this is unlikely).
In any event, I support removal of showers, if the upshot is more space in the United clubs to accommodate normal uses by me and other members who rarely take showers at clubs but are always looking for space to set down in. To quote Spock - "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" ; )
Apr 16, 2018, 3:47 pm
#163
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
How many people complaining now about removing showers are also complaining about not enough seats to handle club members?
Since Polaris lounges will have showers, the only people who will be affected by showers being eliminated are the subset of passengers who (1) are in economy and (2) transiting with enough time to take a shower between legs or arriving at their final airport and wanting to take a shower before heading to their final destination.
I think the bean counters carefully looked at what members were using the showers and in what circumstances they were being used,and determined that the number of passengers taking showers in these circumstances who would not have Polaris access was small. International J pax have the Polaris showers. People flying on business coming in for a morning meeting generally have their employers arrange early checkins at the hotel before a morning meeting. I'm guessing United determined that most of the high value flyers the company is trying to attract and retain weren't talking advantage of the showers.
Wouldn't club experience be enhanced for the overwhelming majority of Club users by taking that shower space over and making a better "other than shower" experience for the United Club members?? And if by some chance the savings on the high cost of maintenance and operation of showers was spent toward offering a better experience for the Club members in terms of furnishings, foods, personnel, even better (yeah, I understand that this is unlikely).
In any event, I support removal of showers, if the upshot is more space in the United clubs to accommodate normal uses by me and other members who rarely take showers at clubs but are always looking for space to set down in. To quote Spock - "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" ; )
Since Polaris lounges will have showers, the only people who will be affected by showers being eliminated are the subset of passengers who (1) are in economy and (2) transiting with enough time to take a shower between legs or arriving at their final airport and wanting to take a shower before heading to their final destination.
I think the bean counters carefully looked at what members were using the showers and in what circumstances they were being used,and determined that the number of passengers taking showers in these circumstances who would not have Polaris access was small. International J pax have the Polaris showers. People flying on business coming in for a morning meeting generally have their employers arrange early checkins at the hotel before a morning meeting. I'm guessing United determined that most of the high value flyers the company is trying to attract and retain weren't talking advantage of the showers.
Wouldn't club experience be enhanced for the overwhelming majority of Club users by taking that shower space over and making a better "other than shower" experience for the United Club members?? And if by some chance the savings on the high cost of maintenance and operation of showers was spent toward offering a better experience for the Club members in terms of furnishings, foods, personnel, even better (yeah, I understand that this is unlikely).
In any event, I support removal of showers, if the upshot is more space in the United clubs to accommodate normal uses by me and other members who rarely take showers at clubs but are always looking for space to set down in. To quote Spock - "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" ; )
Apr 16, 2018, 7:17 pm
#165
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
Sure, not all shower spaces are equal. There have been times however when I have been so thankful to be fresh.
Last edited by anc-ord772; Apr 16, 2018 at 7:54 pm