ATL, BWI, DFW, and MSP Red Carpet Clubs to Close
Jul 15, 2008, 3:13 pm
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
msp was a great lounge.. with the 500 mile gone, this is the only city in the midwest that i actually fly UA and not WN (no southwest) That club was great with friendly people.. it always seemed pretty full. with hourly flights to ord. this makes my rcc membership useless.. no more rcc for me.. aug 08 and i'm done...
The cheapest option will get me this fall, even the extra legroom doesn't really matter for this short flight. Heck, maybe I'll DRIVE.
Jul 15, 2008, 3:54 pm
#92
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
Shame about MSP. It is a really nice club. The idea of using the Humphrey terminal - well, anyone know what it's like?
Jul 15, 2008, 5:08 pm
#93
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BWI (Annapolis) & PWM (Bailey Island)
Programs: AA LT Gold (MM), WN A-List, Fairmont L/T Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 884
Just got this reply: "I will forward your comments regarding the closing of the Baltimore and Atlanta clubs to the appropriate department within United and United Red Carpet. Customer feedback is important as well as useful in future business decisions. Your continued loyalty as a Premier member is important to us."
From my message: "I think this is my first time ever writing in regarding being unhappy with United, so I must apologize. Please do not close the BWI or ATL RCC's. Relaxing at the BWI RCC is like an oasis in a vast wasteland that is Baltimore. I can understand the need to cut costs, but there are other ways to do it and keep these clubs open. This makes me so sad that I will probably not renew my membership at the end of this year. I love United and the RCC otherwise, but please PLEASE keep these clubs open (esp since I'm moving to BWI this fall). Thanks! UNHBuzzard"
Very cookie cutter reply.
From my message: "I think this is my first time ever writing in regarding being unhappy with United, so I must apologize. Please do not close the BWI or ATL RCC's. Relaxing at the BWI RCC is like an oasis in a vast wasteland that is Baltimore. I can understand the need to cut costs, but there are other ways to do it and keep these clubs open. This makes me so sad that I will probably not renew my membership at the end of this year. I love United and the RCC otherwise, but please PLEASE keep these clubs open (esp since I'm moving to BWI this fall). Thanks! UNHBuzzard"
Very cookie cutter reply.
Jul 15, 2008, 5:27 pm
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,930
Why would US & UA both close their lounges at BWI? Totally weak. I'll have to pour out some of my Red Carpet Ale in memory of the RCC there. The BWI RCC was also an added bonus whenever I flew FL as well. The only thing I like about ATL is flying out of the T-Gates on UA. Since I'm shortly moving to the BWI area this fall & my main routes are ATL/BOS, I may have to go DL... eep. Wow, this makes me totally sad. I'm def writing in to the RCC customer service to complain about this. 99.9% chance I won't be renewing.
At least there is still a nice USO lounge at BWI--the hours, IMO, were so odd at the BWI RCC anyway. It was always closed when I flew the evening BWI-LAX flight at 7pm.
Jul 15, 2008, 7:28 pm
#95
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DEN, or so it says...
Programs: UA1K/RCC, Avis CHM, NWA Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 2,890
Just got this reply: "I will forward your comments regarding the closing of the Baltimore and Atlanta clubs to the appropriate department within United and United Red Carpet. Customer feedback is important as well as useful in future business decisions. Your continued loyalty as a Premier member is important to us."
Very cookie cutter reply.
Very cookie cutter reply.
Jul 15, 2008, 9:02 pm
#96
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SJC/SFO/OAK
Programs: BD Gold (and future SEN), 0.2MM AA EXP, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,107
Jul 15, 2008, 9:53 pm
#97
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: USA
Programs: UA/CO(1K-PLT), AA(PLT), QR, EK, Marriott(PLT), Hilton(DMND)
Posts: 9,538
Here's my response. it's alright I suppose, though lacking in the "here's some miles and a travel certificate to shut up". dept..
Dear [PhlyingRPh],
I regret to learn from your email about your dissatisfaction with the recent announcement for closure of the four US Red Carpet Clubs.
Dr. [PhlyingRPh], I can understand how such closure can be frustrating from our customer's point of view and cause concern. While it was a difficult decision to make, United had to take into consideration factors such as customer usage and operating costs. Although, I can't undo the disappointment you have expressed at this point of time, please be assured that I have forwarded your valuable comments to our Senior Management for their internal review and will help us evaluate our decisions that impact your choice of airline.
Additionally, I regret learning of your disappointment with the reduced number of flights, downgrading of remaining services to United Express, closure of Premier passenger checkpoint lines, to mention some few, and rest assured I will share your comments with the Senior Management for their information and internal reviews.
Your satisfaction with United's service matters to us and I appreciate your taking the time to let us know your thoughts.
Regards,
[Customer Service]
United Airlines Executive Service
Dear [PhlyingRPh],
I regret to learn from your email about your dissatisfaction with the recent announcement for closure of the four US Red Carpet Clubs.
Dr. [PhlyingRPh], I can understand how such closure can be frustrating from our customer's point of view and cause concern. While it was a difficult decision to make, United had to take into consideration factors such as customer usage and operating costs. Although, I can't undo the disappointment you have expressed at this point of time, please be assured that I have forwarded your valuable comments to our Senior Management for their internal review and will help us evaluate our decisions that impact your choice of airline.
Additionally, I regret learning of your disappointment with the reduced number of flights, downgrading of remaining services to United Express, closure of Premier passenger checkpoint lines, to mention some few, and rest assured I will share your comments with the Senior Management for their information and internal reviews.
Your satisfaction with United's service matters to us and I appreciate your taking the time to let us know your thoughts.
Regards,
[Customer Service]
United Airlines Executive Service
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jul 16, 2008 at 3:38 am Reason: language
Jul 15, 2008, 10:03 pm
#98
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: UA Global Services, Bonvoy LT Titanium, National EE
Posts: 887
Great - just got my reply too...nice form letter. 
BTW just realized - how come I got Customer Relations and you (PhlyingRPh) got Executive Service? :-P
Dear (SamZeb),
I regret to learn from your email about your dissatisfaction with the recent announcement for closure of the Red Carpet Club at Atlanta.
(SamZeb), I can understand how such a decision can be frustrating from our customer's point of view and cause concern. While it was a difficult decision to make, United had to take into consideration factors such as high fuel costs, customer usage, operating costs and alignment with corporate strategy. Although, I can't undo the disappointment you have expressed at this point of time, please be assured that I have forwarded your valuable comments to our Red Carpet Club Management for their internal review and will help us evaluate our decisions that impact your choice of airline.
As a 1K member of our Mileage Plus Program, you are especially important to United and I appreciate your taking the time to let us know your thoughts.
Regards,
XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
United Airlines Customer Relations
I regret to learn from your email about your dissatisfaction with the recent announcement for closure of the Red Carpet Club at Atlanta.
(SamZeb), I can understand how such a decision can be frustrating from our customer's point of view and cause concern. While it was a difficult decision to make, United had to take into consideration factors such as high fuel costs, customer usage, operating costs and alignment with corporate strategy. Although, I can't undo the disappointment you have expressed at this point of time, please be assured that I have forwarded your valuable comments to our Red Carpet Club Management for their internal review and will help us evaluate our decisions that impact your choice of airline.
As a 1K member of our Mileage Plus Program, you are especially important to United and I appreciate your taking the time to let us know your thoughts.
Regards,
XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
United Airlines Customer Relations
Jul 15, 2008, 10:07 pm
#99
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Jul 15, 2008, 10:20 pm
#100
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: USA
Programs: UA/CO(1K-PLT), AA(PLT), QR, EK, Marriott(PLT), Hilton(DMND)
Posts: 9,538
I paid the $249 this year for Executive Service Access (TM). The chief benefit is that when the customer service agent replies to one of my emails, he clicks a red "send" button awkwardly offset to the left of the white send button. It really makes me feel important though.
Last edited by PhlyingRPh; Jul 15, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Jul 16, 2008, 1:38 pm
#101
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
What's also disturbing about the BWI closing is that there isn't a CO President's Club there. ATL and DFW have one. So when the CO hook up goes through, at least you could have gone to the President's Club (maybe only when flying CO as it looks it will be, but frankly I am usually flying CO when at BWI).
Jul 16, 2008, 2:06 pm
#102
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.
Programs: (ಠ_ಠ)
Posts: 9,077
What's also disturbing about the BWI closing is that there isn't a CO President's Club there. ATL and DFW have one. So when the CO hook up goes through, at least you could have gone to the President's Club (maybe only when flying CO as it looks it will be, but frankly I am usually flying CO when at BWI).
Jul 16, 2008, 3:35 pm
#103
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
When miles are redeemed UA recognizes the revenue associated with the liability. It's not much revenue, but it is revenue never the less.
Jul 16, 2008, 3:36 pm
#104
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BWI (Annapolis) & PWM (Bailey Island)
Programs: AA LT Gold (MM), WN A-List, Fairmont L/T Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 884
What's also disturbing about the BWI closing is that there isn't a CO President's Club there. ATL and DFW have one. So when the CO hook up goes through, at least you could have gone to the President's Club (maybe only when flying CO as it looks it will be, but frankly I am usually flying CO when at BWI).
graham.atkinson [at] united.com (VP Customer Experience, UA Dept Code WHQPO, reports to pete.mcdonald [at] united.com, Chief Administrative Officer)
Also, jerry.thomas [at] united.com (Manager Airport Lounges, UA Dept Code WHQPS)
Hope this helps!
Last edited by UNHBuzzard; Jul 16, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Jul 16, 2008, 4:25 pm
#105
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Continental Gold Elite, United Premier Executive
Posts: 6,766
What's also disturbing about the BWI closing is that there isn't a CO President's Club there. ATL and DFW have one. So when the CO hook up goes through, at least you could have gone to the President's Club (maybe only when flying CO as it looks it will be, but frankly I am usually flying CO when at BWI).