Updated Red Carpet Club and International First Class Lounge Access Rules for p.s.
Nov 30, 2009, 4:27 pm
#61
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: TK *G, HHonors Gold, UA 0.547MM and ex-1K but we gave up on each other
Posts: 201
With this change, UA is classifying p.s. flights as international for service and amenities. You cannot use UDU on p.s. flights and you receive lounge access, both in line with international flights. The downside is that you need to use miles or SWU to upgrades, just like international flights. 
This was a R/T SFO-JFK-SFO last week. We used the new passage at SFO between domestic and international because I have a Priority Pass, which works at the international RCC but not the domestic at SFO.
After some discussion, the agent let slip that NC would get us into the domestic RCC, so we went back there. It worked fine, and also at the JFK RCC on the return (but Priority Pass works there too).
Not worth that much though - the food offerings at the JFK RCC were the lamest of any lounge I can remember. And they were out of newspapers - which are no longer carried on the aircraft either.
I asked the agents why the sign outside the RCC says "Star Alliance Gold". They didn't know, but said that SAG has nothing to do with RCC admission.
By contrast (getting a bit OT), Star Gold was enough to get us into Lufthansa First Class lounges last month in Frankfurt and Munich, and the food was great. We even had frankfurters in Frankfurt!
Nov 30, 2009, 5:26 pm
#62
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP, lowly UA 1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold; National EC, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,214
On my recent trip I was upgraded to C both ways...
@LAX got RCC though no drink chits/tmobile card
@JFK got RCC plus chits/tmobile
In neither case did I ask for anything. I just showed them my BP and was either directed in or handed the passes.
@LAX got RCC though no drink chits/tmobile card
@JFK got RCC plus chits/tmobile
In neither case did I ask for anything. I just showed them my BP and was either directed in or handed the passes.
Nov 30, 2009, 7:21 pm
#63
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, SPG Plat
Posts: 171
Ditto...another 1K who doesn't have a membership. I almost never connect when I fly domestically, so there's not much of a benefit. I try to leave as little time at the airport as possible, and even when I have extra time (somewhat frequently these days as I have a highly variable trip to JFK once a week), I am happy to grab a snack at Balducci's. That said, have stopped in the IFL a few times when traveling ps F and it's not bad, but if the RCC is the option, Starbucks has better coffee anyway...
Nov 30, 2009, 8:04 pm
#64
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Is there confirmation of this upgrade policy? We used CR1s to upgrade to NC on p.s. last week, but had been waitlisted for the upgrades two weeks previous.
This was a R/T SFO-JFK-SFO last week. We used the new passage at SFO between domestic and international because I have a Priority Pass, which works at the international RCC but not the domestic at SFO.
After some discussion, the agent let slip that NC would get us into the domestic RCC, so we went back there. It worked fine, and also at the JFK RCC on the return (but Priority Pass works there too).
Not worth that much though - the food offerings at the JFK RCC were the lamest of any lounge I can remember. And they were out of newspapers - which are no longer carried on the aircraft either.
I asked the agents why the sign outside the RCC says "Star Alliance Gold". They didn't know, but said that SAG has nothing to do with RCC admission.
By contrast (getting a bit OT), Star Gold was enough to get us into Lufthansa First Class lounges last month in Frankfurt and Munich, and the food was great. We even had frankfurters in Frankfurt!
This was a R/T SFO-JFK-SFO last week. We used the new passage at SFO between domestic and international because I have a Priority Pass, which works at the international RCC but not the domestic at SFO.
After some discussion, the agent let slip that NC would get us into the domestic RCC, so we went back there. It worked fine, and also at the JFK RCC on the return (but Priority Pass works there too).
Not worth that much though - the food offerings at the JFK RCC were the lamest of any lounge I can remember. And they were out of newspapers - which are no longer carried on the aircraft either.
I asked the agents why the sign outside the RCC says "Star Alliance Gold". They didn't know, but said that SAG has nothing to do with RCC admission.
By contrast (getting a bit OT), Star Gold was enough to get us into Lufthansa First Class lounges last month in Frankfurt and Munich, and the food was great. We even had frankfurters in Frankfurt!
All Red Carpet Clubs are designated as Star Alliance Gold lounge as well, allowing access by *G customers. Not sure what the confusion is.
*G along should not have allowed you into the First Class lounge. Senators lounge maybe, but definitely not FCL or FCT.
Nov 30, 2009, 9:32 pm
#65
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,159
So any other *G can access an RCC, and a 1P/1K can access any other *G lounge, but 1P/1K can't access RCC.
Confused yet?
Nov 30, 2009, 10:15 pm
#66
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York, London, Sydney
Programs: United GS/2MM, DL*P, VS*G, AA*EXP, Avis CHM, Hertz Platinum, Sixt*D, HH*D, HGP*P, Starwood*P
Posts: 9,847
As reported in multiple cases, you are allowed access to RCC as long as you're in C or F on an p.s. flight, regardless of paid or upgraded.
All Red Carpet Clubs are designated as Star Alliance Gold lounge as well, allowing access by *G customers. Not sure what the confusion is.
*G along should not have allowed you into the First Class lounge. Senators lounge maybe, but definitely not FCL or FCT.
All Red Carpet Clubs are designated as Star Alliance Gold lounge as well, allowing access by *G customers. Not sure what the confusion is.
*G along should not have allowed you into the First Class lounge. Senators lounge maybe, but definitely not FCL or FCT.
Dec 4, 2009, 2:29 pm
#67
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: BUR
Programs: UA 1MM, DL former Gold, AA, SPG, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 884
As reported by others already, at JFK a few days ago I received entry, drink chits and tmobile with upgraded C boarding pass. When the flight got delayed, the kind lady gave me two more drink chits. ^^ 
Dec 5, 2009, 11:50 am
#68
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,912
yes, the upgraded C fares from JFK to SFO cleared yesterday, and we went to the RCC. in there now, got free entry, 2 free drink chits each, and one free RCC T-mo internet card each. Should have asked for another. These are good for two years, the drink chits don't seem to expire. Spent about 30 minutes doing some work (using my own broadband for now) and will head to the flight in five.
Nice perky
Nice perky
Dec 5, 2009, 4:22 pm
#69
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 177
Oh, fine!
The only P.S. flights I get to take are redeyes and quasi red-eyes, and in both cases the RCC at LAX closes before I can get to use it...much.
Dec 5, 2009, 4:26 pm
#70
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 746
Not a very useful benefit for me, since my upgrades almost never clear in advance due to last-minute bookings. I'll be at JFK about 3 hours before my flight on 12/7, but without a cleared upgrade I'll have to find somewhere else to work.
(Is the LH lounge in T1 still available to folks on UA?)
(Is the LH lounge in T1 still available to folks on UA?)
Dec 5, 2009, 5:37 pm
#71
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX & EWR/JFK
Programs: Fomerly UA 1K, now Gold... next year, who knows?
Posts: 1,432
I always keep a "one time RCC Pass" with me for times like that. $39 if you buy it in advance. The RCC at JFK is such a huge step up over the rest of the terminal. I can never get to JFK for the 3:30 PM, so it's either the 6 PM or the 8:30 PM and I try and get out of mid-town by 3PM to avoid the worst of the traffic.
Dec 6, 2009, 5:53 pm
#72
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York, London, Sydney
Programs: United GS/2MM, DL*P, VS*G, AA*EXP, Avis CHM, Hertz Platinum, Sixt*D, HH*D, HGP*P, Starwood*P
Posts: 9,847
Dec 7, 2009, 11:56 pm
#74
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SAN
Programs: UA
Posts: 19
Any experiences at LAX RCC with only a C ps boarding pass? Are you able to get drink chits and wifi card?
Dec 8, 2009, 11:46 am
#75
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
Unfortunately I believe that is the case. As a p.s. C passenger this weekend I was allowed RCC access at my origin in JFK, but denied access upon arriving at SFO before my onward connection to final destination.
The SFO RCC woman was adamant that only SFO-JFK p.s. C pax could get RCC admittance without being RCC members... YMMV
The SFO RCC woman was adamant that only SFO-JFK p.s. C pax could get RCC admittance without being RCC members... YMMV
A year or so ago, I flew JFK-LAX/SFO-SNA a number of times in F, and I always got IFL/RCC access at both JFK and the stopover point (SFO/LAX). (I never tried to use the RCC at SNA inbound nor at JFK on arrival.) Has anyone had Tracer_SEA's experience of flying JFK-SFO-XXX and being denied entry at SFO? That would be a pain.