Nov 4, 2018, 10:34 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Effective November 1, 2019, United Club customers, including members and their guests, and one-time pass holders will need to provide a same-day boarding pass for travel on United, Star Alliance™ or a contracted partner for entry into all United Club locations. Admittance to United Club locations is permitted only at the departure and arrival airports for United, Star Alliance™ or a contracted partner operated flights.
"Contracted partner" appears to refer to non *A partners and those flights will need to be on a UA ticket to qualify.
*A partner flights also qualify even if not on a UA ticket.
"Admittance to United Club locations is permitted only at the departure and arrival airports for United, Star Alliance or a contracted partner operated flights" appears to mean that passengers are only permitted to access the United Club at the airport(s) at which their same-day flight either arrives or departs.
This requirement also applies to guest(s).
This thread has had two parallel discussions, which will become even more confusing as the new UC access policy is implemented, so the original thread has been split into two separate threads.
Lifetime Member Edition: UC access changes Nov 1, 2019 (same day BP on UA or partner) will be for the discussion of if UA should offer an exception to the new UC access policy (only with same day BP with UA or partners) for Lifetime United Club members.
This thread will continue as the discussion thread for the base policy and issues in its implementation. But please discuss the lifetime membership concerns in the other thread.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Lifetime Member Edition: UC access changes Nov 1, 2019 (same day BP on UA or partner) will be for the discussion of if UA should offer an exception to the new UC access policy (only with same day BP with UA or partners) for Lifetime United Club members.
This thread will continue as the discussion thread for the base policy and issues in its implementation. But please discuss the lifetime membership concerns in the other thread.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Club member/one-time pass access changes Nov 1, 2019 (same day BP on UA or partner)
Nov 1, 2019, 1:17 pm
#286
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Gold Star, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,690
They seem to differentiate between premium cabin and everyone else on the website.
For Polaris and "United Business":
It doesn't say "and arrival" for any other group of people (*A Gold, United Club members, etc.).
For Polaris and "United Business":
It doesn't say "and arrival" for any other group of people (*A Gold, United Club members, etc.).
Admittance to United Club locations is permitted only at the departure and arrival airports for United, Star Alliance or a contracted partner operated flights.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ges/rules.html
It definitely includes arriving customers too for Club members,
For UA*G: (departure airport can be different from that of the United Club location being entered)
This could be interpreted to mean all clubs along the travelers same day INTL routing.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...es/access.html
For OAL*G: Star Alliance member airline and departing from the same airport
In this example one flying MCO-ORD would only have access at MCO unless connecting further from ORD. Clarifies it clear that departing from the same city required.
Nov 1, 2019, 2:46 pm
#287
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,715
There aren't that many lifetime members in the first place. Of those who are flying, the vast majority of them will be using UA/*A on days that they're using the club anyway. As has been pointed out, the UCs are located for maximum convenience for UA travelers. At some outstations (like AUS), that's not a huge impediment -- but, again, how many lifetime members are in the Austin airport at any given time, no matter what airline?
The most crowded clubs, for obvious reasons, are the hub airports, and I doubt that many people are trying to get to the hub airport clubs when not traveling UA. Even in airports where everything is airside, UA generally has the entire terminal to itself / *A. So, you're talking about changing terminals just to get to a UC.
Nov 1, 2019, 3:07 pm
#288
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Gold Star, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,690
I have no idea, but I'm 100% certain it's the case.
There aren't that many lifetime members in the first place. Of those who are flying, the vast majority of them will be using UA/*A on days that they're using the club anyway. As has been pointed out, the UCs are located for maximum convenience for UA travelers. At some outstations (like AUS), that's not a huge impediment -- but, again, how many lifetime members are in the Austin airport at any given time, no matter what airline?
The most crowded clubs, for obvious reasons, are the hub airports, and I doubt that many people are trying to get to the hub airport clubs when not traveling UA. Even in airports where everything is airside, UA generally has the entire terminal to itself / *A. So, you're talking about changing terminals just to get to a UC.
There aren't that many lifetime members in the first place. Of those who are flying, the vast majority of them will be using UA/*A on days that they're using the club anyway. As has been pointed out, the UCs are located for maximum convenience for UA travelers. At some outstations (like AUS), that's not a huge impediment -- but, again, how many lifetime members are in the Austin airport at any given time, no matter what airline?
The most crowded clubs, for obvious reasons, are the hub airports, and I doubt that many people are trying to get to the hub airport clubs when not traveling UA. Even in airports where everything is airside, UA generally has the entire terminal to itself / *A. So, you're talking about changing terminals just to get to a UC.
Silly UA standing their ground making sure LT members don't have access to cubes of cheese when on another carrier.
Nov 1, 2019, 3:36 pm
#289
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Same deal at ATL, the UA Club is there to accommodate UA fliers as is the Admirals Club across from it. Few AA pax might access the UA Club and vice versa, mainly departing or arriving at ATL. Both AA and UA use the North half of Concourse T with no other tenants. DL pax using the South end of T gates have a long trek and I doubt anyone connecting DL to DL will take the train to use those AAirline loUAnges.
In any event, you would be surprised the numerous situations where you can find yourself being close to a UC whilst flying non *. Some examples:
- LAS - UC in Concourse D shared by AA, DL, F9, HA, etc.
- PHL - UC easily accessible from non * flights.
- ORD - Terminal 2 has several UCs and it's my understanding that it's not all UA that flies out of that terminal
- LAX - Terminal 7 has their new lounge and T7 is located quite close airside to T6 which boasts AS, Thomas Cook, etc.
- DCA - Reagan Airport Terminal 2 shared with UA, AS and DL
- LHR - Terminal 2 shared with EI
Safe Travels,
James
Nov 1, 2019, 3:50 pm
#290
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
*in an airport where its convenient.
I still come down all the time to where's the real harm? I think its stupid and dishonest that they changed the terms, but really , realistically, who is losing out here and on what? If I'm flying DL or AA, or a LCC, I'm probably flying out of another terminal, usually a schlep or worse, a security re-clear. For what? some mediocre F&B? You guys aren't poor grad students.
I still come down all the time to where's the real harm? I think its stupid and dishonest that they changed the terms, but really , realistically, who is losing out here and on what? If I'm flying DL or AA, or a LCC, I'm probably flying out of another terminal, usually a schlep or worse, a security re-clear. For what? some mediocre F&B? You guys aren't poor grad students.
Safe Travels,
James
Nov 1, 2019, 3:53 pm
#291
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Gold Star, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,690
I could be mistaken here but doesn't a UC membership give you access to all *A lounges in addition to UCs? How does access work in those cases? I know the *A website says in theory on a paid membership you need to be flying * to access said lounges however I wonder if the terms back then gave an explicit carve out for these people.
In any event, you would be surprised the numerous situations where you can find yourself being close to a UC whilst flying non *. Some examples:
Gotta save that cheese for the Senator mouse
Safe Travels,
James
In any event, you would be surprised the numerous situations where you can find yourself being close to a UC whilst flying non *. Some examples:
- LAS - UC in Concourse D shared by AA, DL, F9, HA, etc.
- PHL - UC easily accessible from non * flights.
- ORD - Terminal 2 has several UCs and it's my understanding that it's not all UA that flies out of that terminal
- LAX - Terminal 7 has their new lounge and T7 is located quite close airside to T6 which boasts AS, Thomas Cook, etc.
- DCA - Reagan Airport Terminal 2 shared with UA, AS and DL
- LHR - Terminal 2 shared with EI
Gotta save that cheese for the Senator mouse
Safe Travels,
James
Yep, MCO concourse shared by AA and some B6, 3M, F9, NK etc.
The mouse holding SEN status will be deemed inadmissible by the CBP Agriculture so he won't be eating cheese which can instead be given to LT members (perhaps there's even a mouse with one) before his UA flights.
Nov 1, 2019, 3:56 pm
#292
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,252
As someone who is a poor grad student I resent those remarks! Every time I fly I look forward to maxing out my use of lounges. I have and will continue to switch terminals if it means I can access the *A lounge at LAX with its wonderful food and showers, the SEN lounge at IAD/EWR for its wonderful food and YUL INTL MLL for the shower and food!
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
Nov 3, 2019, 12:48 am
#293
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,206
This threadhas had two parallel discussions, which will become even more confusing as the new UC access policy is implemented, so the original thread has been split into two separate threads.
Lifetime Member Edition: UC access changes Nov 1, 2019 (same day BP on UA or partner) will be for the discussion of if UA should offer an exception to the new UC access policy (only with same day BP with UA or partners) for Lifetime United Club members.
This thread will continue as the discussion thread for the base policy and issues in its implementation. But please discuss the lifetime membership concerns in the other thread.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Lifetime Member Edition: UC access changes Nov 1, 2019 (same day BP on UA or partner) will be for the discussion of if UA should offer an exception to the new UC access policy (only with same day BP with UA or partners) for Lifetime United Club members.
This thread will continue as the discussion thread for the base policy and issues in its implementation. But please discuss the lifetime membership concerns in the other thread.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Nov 4, 2019, 5:30 pm
#294
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,763
As someone who is a poor grad student I resent those remarks! Every time I fly I look forward to maxing out my use of lounges. I have and will continue to switch terminals if it means I can access the *A lounge at LAX with its wonderful food and showers, the SEN lounge at IAD/EWR for its wonderful food and YUL INTL MLL for the shower and food!
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
Nov 4, 2019, 8:04 pm
#296
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K; DL DM; IHG Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold; Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 241
Wording from their T&C for the Club:
Admittance to United Club locations is permitted only at the departure and arrival airports for United, Star Alliance or a contracted partner operated flights.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ges/rules.html
It definitely includes arriving customers too for Club members,
For UA*G: (departure airport can be different from that of the United Club location being entered)
This could be interpreted to mean all clubs along the travelers same day INTL routing.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...es/access.html
For OAL*G: Star Alliance member airline and departing from the same airport
In this example one flying MCO-ORD would only have access at MCO unless connecting further from ORD. Clarifies it clear that departing from the same city required.
Admittance to United Club locations is permitted only at the departure and arrival airports for United, Star Alliance or a contracted partner operated flights.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...ges/rules.html
It definitely includes arriving customers too for Club members,
For UA*G: (departure airport can be different from that of the United Club location being entered)
This could be interpreted to mean all clubs along the travelers same day INTL routing.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...es/access.html
For OAL*G: Star Alliance member airline and departing from the same airport
In this example one flying MCO-ORD would only have access at MCO unless connecting further from ORD. Clarifies it clear that departing from the same city required.
I thought I had read though the T&C. Apparently not (or... this has been recently updated).
I'm still skeptical...
Will report back later this month.
I've written in twice about this and was told both times that I wouldn't be allowed access to the United Club unless my onward boarding pass was with UA or a *A partner (even though I am an annual member and had arrived at HKG from a UA flight).
Nov 5, 2019, 7:10 am
#297
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Gold Star, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,690
Whoa!
I thought I had read though the T&C. Apparently not (or... this has been recently updated).
I'm still skeptical...
Will report back later this month.
I've written in twice about this and was told both times that I wouldn't be allowed access to the United Club unless my onward boarding pass was with UA or a *A partner (even though I am an annual member and had arrived at HKG from a UA flight).
I thought I had read though the T&C. Apparently not (or... this has been recently updated).
I'm still skeptical...
Will report back later this month.
I've written in twice about this and was told both times that I wouldn't be allowed access to the United Club unless my onward boarding pass was with UA or a *A partner (even though I am an annual member and had arrived at HKG from a UA flight).
It could be due to HKG not seeing many terminating passengers using the UC as an arrivals lounge it confuses them.
Nov 6, 2019, 5:45 pm
#298
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 35
Partner Lounges
I use my United Club Membership to access the Alaska Lounge in the Anchorage airport as it is a partner lounge. I can't remember what I usually scan (I'm sure a boarding pass) - I'm headed out of Anchorage soon but I've hit 1K and I'm taking Delta. Will I be able to enter by showing by United Club Card (digital) or will they want a United Boarding Pass?
The digital card does say "Physical card needed to access Star Alliance and partner lounges" but I've never had it with me before. I wonder if I'll be able to enter or not? I know the written guidelines I'm just wondering if anyone has first hand experience? (As it relates to the changes effective 11/1/19)
The digital card does say "Physical card needed to access Star Alliance and partner lounges" but I've never had it with me before. I wonder if I'll be able to enter or not? I know the written guidelines I'm just wondering if anyone has first hand experience? (As it relates to the changes effective 11/1/19)
Nov 6, 2019, 6:20 pm
#299
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Gold Star, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,690
I use my United Club Membership to access the Alaska Lounge in the Anchorage airport as it is a partner lounge. I can't remember what I usually scan (I'm sure a boarding pass) - I'm headed out of Anchorage soon but I've hit 1K and I'm taking Delta. Will I be able to enter by showing by United Club Card (digital) or will they want a United Boarding Pass?
The digital card does say "Physical card needed to access Star Alliance and partner lounges" but I've never had it with me before. I wonder if I'll be able to enter or not? I know the written guidelines I'm just wondering if anyone has first hand experience? (As it relates to the changes effective 11/1/19)
The digital card does say "Physical card needed to access Star Alliance and partner lounges" but I've never had it with me before. I wonder if I'll be able to enter or not? I know the written guidelines I'm just wondering if anyone has first hand experience? (As it relates to the changes effective 11/1/19)
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Nov 6, 2019, 6:22 pm
#300
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,835
I use my United Club Membership to access the Alaska Lounge in the Anchorage airport as it is a partner lounge. I can't remember what I usually scan (I'm sure a boarding pass) - I'm headed out of Anchorage soon but I've hit 1K and I'm taking Delta. Will I be able to enter by showing by United Club Card (digital) or will they want a United Boarding Pass?
The digital card does say "Physical card needed to access Star Alliance and partner lounges" but I've never had it with me before. I wonder if I'll be able to enter or not? I know the written guidelines I'm just wondering if anyone has first hand experience? (As it relates to the changes effective 11/1/19)
The digital card does say "Physical card needed to access Star Alliance and partner lounges" but I've never had it with me before. I wonder if I'll be able to enter or not? I know the written guidelines I'm just wondering if anyone has first hand experience? (As it relates to the changes effective 11/1/19)