Polaris lounge access for global service and 1ks as a status benefit?
Feb 11, 2020, 1:32 pm
#151
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Feb 11, 2020, 1:56 pm
#152
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This argument was brought up not to convince people to fly delta but United Can and Should tru to do better on the lounge access front.
Feb 11, 2020, 1:58 pm
#154
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We're going in circles; you're not comparing apples to apples, you need to factor in international itineraries, and as noted, the sheer volume of eligible US-based passengers makes this cost-prohibitive for the big 3 (with a few exceptions noted in this thread). Allowing 1K/GS into the Polaris lounge for domestic itineraries (or even intl Y ones) is not the solution, nor does UA believe it will change customer behavior enough to help their bottom line.
We can agree to disagree on Delta being far better as color me unimpressed with them.
Regardless, the top tier on Delta doesn't get lounge access automatically, it is a choice benefit. And those lounges do not compare to a Polaris lounge.
And I'm not sure what complimentary lounge access American Airlines frequent fliers get, Executive Platinum cost is $550 a year - again, for not a Polaris lounge experience.
I'm also not sure why anyone would advocate for free Polaris lounge access at the 1K level, the Polaris lounges of all things don't need to be overcrowded. Especially at SFO, the Polaris lounge would likely not be able to handle GS members.
Regardless, the top tier on Delta doesn't get lounge access automatically, it is a choice benefit. And those lounges do not compare to a Polaris lounge.
And I'm not sure what complimentary lounge access American Airlines frequent fliers get, Executive Platinum cost is $550 a year - again, for not a Polaris lounge experience.
I'm also not sure why anyone would advocate for free Polaris lounge access at the 1K level, the Polaris lounges of all things don't need to be overcrowded. Especially at SFO, the Polaris lounge would likely not be able to handle GS members.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 11, 2020 at 6:40 pm Reason: Merged consecutive posts by same member; please use multi-quote
Feb 11, 2020, 2:14 pm
#155
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PL access as a GS perk is more interesting because it can't be purchased.
Feb 11, 2020, 2:16 pm
#156
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If they give expanded access, they'll either raise fares or cut services somewhere else.
And if the fact that Delta offers lounge access as a Choices benefit doesn't convince people to fly DL, then that's a pretty good argument that UA needn't bother. Some people want DL's limited GUCs (with no publicly-visible inventory) and a SkyClub membership; others want UA's unlimited PlusPoints and are willing to pay for United Club membership.
Feb 11, 2020, 2:34 pm
#157
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I think you need to check your facts again, HON Circle is much, much more expensive than GS. The only reason they're flying in Y is because F/J isn't available. You can't even earn status miles for HON Circle unless you fly in F/J.
Feb 11, 2020, 2:44 pm
#158
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I think you need to check your facts to earn HON circle points you no longer need to be in F/J.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 11, 2020 at 6:42 pm Reason: Merged consecutive posts by same member; please use multi-quote
Feb 11, 2020, 2:54 pm
#159
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Not sure what you mean by "probably" but definitely UA attracts a lot of GS (including some on this forum!) so obviously free domestic lounge access just isn't that important to some people.
Feb 11, 2020, 3:20 pm
#160
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I think lounge access is very important to most GS however most of them continue to spend money on united because A. they are on OPM or B. they are trapped in a hub.
Feb 11, 2020, 3:23 pm
#161
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Feb 11, 2020, 3:26 pm
#162
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From the LH website:
HON Circle miles can only be earned on Business Class and First Class flights operated by the following airlines: Austrian, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels, Croatia, Dolomiti, LOT, Luxair and some LX code-share flights operated by Edelweiss. HON Circle miles can also be earned with BEST fares on Eurowings flights.
This will be my last post in this thread which seems to stem from a poorly understood concept of premium lounges/overcrowding. There is no need to open Polaris to GS/1K not flying Polaris because it would only apply to a very small segment of the market that flies exclusively domestic flights, and/or non premium fares that will hit the spending thresholds.
Last edited by thejaredhuang; Feb 11, 2020 at 3:33 pm
Feb 11, 2020, 3:30 pm
#163
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You're quoting their older program. Their new program allows for Honors Circle membership based upon the purchase of any fare. But you'd need a lot of flights if you're flying Y.
Feb 11, 2020, 3:44 pm
#164
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Feb 11, 2020, 3:50 pm
#165
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This will be my last post in this thread which seems to stem from a poorly understood concept of premium lounges/overcrowding. There is no need to open Polaris to GS/1K not flying Polaris because it would only apply to a very small segment of the market that flies exclusively domestic flights, and/or non premium fares that will hit the spending thresholds.
There are plenty of GS/1K members in long-haul Y. And there are even more in short-haul Y, because it's entirely feasible to reach 1K with a mix of domestic and international travel.