Polaris lounge access for global service and 1ks as a status benefit?
Sep 10, 2019, 10:40 am
#77
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That's an assumption that is likely to be only partially true. Anyone who owns/manages their own business is also spending their own money, and everyone needs to consider how much is recharged to clients. It's rarely black/white my money/OPM. But regardless of that, what does it matter? UA doesn't care where the money comes from, as long as money comes, and better regularly at that.
It would be interesting to see what would happen UA decided to up the $ requirement significantly for flyers who were bound to UA for travel via corporate contract anyway. The GSs I know probably would be unhappy with their loss of FF godliness, but they'd still have to fly UA for the most part. What would be left would the GSs who actually have more discretion in their spending and would be a higher ROR relative to the benefits doled.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Sep 10, 2019 at 11:44 am
Sep 10, 2019, 10:49 am
#78
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Sep 10, 2019, 11:02 am
#79
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Sep 10, 2019, 11:27 am
#80
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The original comment was just stating that of UA really wanted to open up to PL lounge to more people (without creating overcrowding) they can just build more lounges similar to how it is currently done with many *G lounges outside the US. It is not an insurmountable task, it just depends how much UA wants to spend.
And yes it is about $$$$ as is also true for the multiple other non-*G lounges in the *A system.
Sep 10, 2019, 2:35 pm
#82
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Sep 10, 2019, 6:44 pm
#83
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SilverKris Lounge at T2 is average.
I read that T3 Silverkris and Krisflyer Gold Lounges will be going through major renovations soon.
Sep 10, 2019, 7:13 pm
#84
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Sep 11, 2019, 8:21 pm
#85
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Crowding issues, declining quality of PLs, etc. aside, there is simply no financial benefit to UA opening access up to 1Ks or GSs. They want to encourage people to buy int'l J, not Y. And it's not like anyone (who already flies enough to have GS or 1K status) is going to throw a whole bunch more business UA's way because they can have access to these lounges even when flying coach.
If anything, and I know this will be heresy here on FT, they need to crack down on the current access rules perhaps only allowing paid tickets and not upgrades, op-ups, etc. The nice thing about the old GFLs was that there were so few seats that qualified that they could actually deliver an impressive lounge product. There are so many int'l Polaris seats that they can't deliver a decent lounge experience (as has happened with the UCs) as it is.
If anything, and I know this will be heresy here on FT, they need to crack down on the current access rules perhaps only allowing paid tickets and not upgrades, op-ups, etc. The nice thing about the old GFLs was that there were so few seats that qualified that they could actually deliver an impressive lounge product. There are so many int'l Polaris seats that they can't deliver a decent lounge experience (as has happened with the UCs) as it is.
Sep 11, 2019, 8:27 pm
#86
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If anything, and I know this will be heresy here on FT, they need to crack down on the current access rules perhaps only allowing paid tickets and not upgrades, op-ups, etc. The nice thing about the old GFLs was that there were so few seats that qualified that they could actually deliver an impressive lounge product. There are so many int'l Polaris seats that they can't deliver a decent lounge experience (as has happened with the UCs) as it is.
Sep 11, 2019, 8:29 pm
#87
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Can't argue with you there, Kacee. But I wonder if they spend the same $$ on drastically fewer passengers in the Polaris lounges, would the quality not improve?
Sep 11, 2019, 8:31 pm
#88
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They're having a record year, and it's nothing but cut and devalue.
Sep 15, 2019, 10:58 am
#90
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I have been to a Polaris Lounge probably 100 times or more. I have encountered loud kids 2-3 times. neither time they were running around. You're timing must be terrible. I also find the food and service to be very good. I have been to the HON lounge and it is superior, but I would expect that from a First Class lounge vs. a Business Class Lounge.