Sep 10, 2013, 8:54 pm
Last edit by: J.Edward
This wiki has been moved to the 2014 thread: 2014 United Club (UC) Thread for Changes, News, Features, Competitive Position, etc.
United Club changes (drinks and Wifi) - Sept/Oct. 2013
Sep 4, 2013, 5:42 am
#166
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,335
For the Record
Strictly for archival purposes, here is the "free" drink menu I snapped at the IAH E United Club on September 2, 2013:
Wish I'd tried a Shiner Bock when I had the chance!
Wish I'd tried a Shiner Bock when I had the chance!
Sep 4, 2013, 5:49 am
#167
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
Shiner is a good brew.
Seriously as a beer (not swill) drinker this really has stopped any attempt I will make to attain club membership (through card or purchase).. I know people will say "Its about the agents and why get annoyed over a small thing) well, if I am paying $$$ I don't want to have to pay for the privilege of drinking passable beer. It is just another reflection of the devaluation.. No food of any decency, swill to drink, I will be supporting local cafe's, bars and eateries..
Seriously as a beer (not swill) drinker this really has stopped any attempt I will make to attain club membership (through card or purchase).. I know people will say "Its about the agents and why get annoyed over a small thing) well, if I am paying $$$ I don't want to have to pay for the privilege of drinking passable beer. It is just another reflection of the devaluation.. No food of any decency, swill to drink, I will be supporting local cafe's, bars and eateries..
Sep 4, 2013, 10:26 am
#168
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Shiner is a good brew.
Seriously as a beer (not swill) drinker this really has stopped any attempt I will make to attain club membership (through card or purchase).. I know people will say "Its about the agents and why get annoyed over a small thing) well, if I am paying $$$ I don't want to have to pay for the privilege of drinking passable beer. It is just another reflection of the devaluation.. No food of any decency, swill to drink, I will be supporting local cafe's, bars and eateries..
Seriously as a beer (not swill) drinker this really has stopped any attempt I will make to attain club membership (through card or purchase).. I know people will say "Its about the agents and why get annoyed over a small thing) well, if I am paying $$$ I don't want to have to pay for the privilege of drinking passable beer. It is just another reflection of the devaluation.. No food of any decency, swill to drink, I will be supporting local cafe's, bars and eateries..
Sep 4, 2013, 10:46 am
#169
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: UA PM, DL PM, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 1,293
For those of us used to CO policy, this is a big deal.
For those of us used to UA policy, this might not be.
Either way, I think it is not good to have raised the price for UC and then cheapen the product. JMHO.
Sep 4, 2013, 10:46 am
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,762
What do people think about the fact that one pays a flat rate and get unlimited entries? It's kind of an interesting cost proposition for the airline. I wonder what the makeup of members and entries is per unit revenue from the member? I'd guess that U.S. carriers have a lot more domestic lower-yielding members vs. foreign carriers, but I'm interested to hear what other people think.
I also find the rising membership rates interesting. They are going up way faster than inflation so does this mean that United's costs are going up or does it mean that United is trying to maximize revenue from the club system?
I also find the rising membership rates interesting. They are going up way faster than inflation so does this mean that United's costs are going up or does it mean that United is trying to maximize revenue from the club system?
The "Rest of the world" situation is different, certainly within the EU, the lounge is a big part of "business class" experience, since the seats are Y seats.
I always thought the CO way was worse. I can't count the # of times going through IAH and EWR when the club was basically a drunken frat party. UA was more subdued. Again, given the choice between unlimited garbage and limited coupons for good stuff, I'll take the good stuff any day.
Sep 4, 2013, 10:49 am
#171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Yes and no. Depends on if one was a PC or RCC member. PC was always free alcohol. RCC was not.
For those of us used to CO policy, this is a big deal.
For those of us used to UA policy, this might not be.
Either way, I think it is not good to have raised the price for UC and then cheapen the product. JMHO.
For those of us used to CO policy, this is a big deal.
For those of us used to UA policy, this might not be.
Either way, I think it is not good to have raised the price for UC and then cheapen the product. JMHO.
But I think they would be better served to do things to get people to actually pay for memberships and weed out all the freebie entries.
Sep 4, 2013, 11:12 am
#172
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 1,674
PG is a boutique airline. You're paying for that in your ticket. BTW, which airport? I love PG's Samui and Sukhothai
Sep 4, 2013, 12:33 pm
#173
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: DFW from PDX - UA 1K 2MM,Lifetime HHonnors Diamond, Bonvoy AMB/LT Tit, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 554
Blah
Billows Vodka in the UC in ORD....
Ridiculous.
Ridiculous.
Sep 4, 2013, 12:59 pm
#175
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: DFW from PDX - UA 1K 2MM,Lifetime HHonnors Diamond, Bonvoy AMB/LT Tit, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 554
Blah x 6
Please provide a more comprehensive list!
Complimentary
Vodka: Bellos
Gin: Beefeater for now
Rum:
Whiskey: Out
Beer: Same: Bud Light, Blue Moon, Honkers, Heineken (BT not yet on the change) Although the Heineken is out and no plans for replacement
Red Wine: Same so far (BT not yet on the change)
White Wine: Same so far (BT not yet on the change)
Premium choices and prices too if you can!
Thanks,
Complimentary
Vodka: Bellos
Gin: Beefeater for now
Rum:
Whiskey: Out
Beer: Same: Bud Light, Blue Moon, Honkers, Heineken (BT not yet on the change) Although the Heineken is out and no plans for replacement
Red Wine: Same so far (BT not yet on the change)
White Wine: Same so far (BT not yet on the change)
Premium choices and prices too if you can!
Thanks,
Sep 4, 2013, 1:08 pm
#176
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Thank you.
If everyone else who sees the new plonk could report the same... Appreciated.
If everyone else who sees the new plonk could report the same... Appreciated.
Sep 4, 2013, 1:15 pm
#177
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
UC is a joke... I am flying on Bangkok Airways on a domestic flight and even their food and soft drink offering is better than what is found in the UC. No liquor, but I'd rather decent snacks over liquor if I had to pick one.
And for the wifi, they write down a unique six digit code on your BP or a sheet of paper at the entrance, when the agent scans your BP the computer automatically assigns a pass code, and once you connect to the wifi, a landing page will pop up. Six keystrokes later you are all set.
A lot more efficient than the arcane authentication system UA is about to implement. Not to mention the speed is considerably better.
The kicker, this lounge is available to every single passenger flying on PG.
What is the point of paying for a membership when every one all the way from GS to an once per year flyer can get it for a mere $375
Less than the discount UA gives its elites.
And for the wifi, they write down a unique six digit code on your BP or a sheet of paper at the entrance, when the agent scans your BP the computer automatically assigns a pass code, and once you connect to the wifi, a landing page will pop up. Six keystrokes later you are all set.
A lot more efficient than the arcane authentication system UA is about to implement. Not to mention the speed is considerably better.
The kicker, this lounge is available to every single passenger flying on PG.
What is the point of paying for a membership when every one all the way from GS to an once per year flyer can get it for a mere $375
Less than the discount UA gives its elites.[mine]
Sep 4, 2013, 1:56 pm
#178
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: 1K 1MM; Bonvoy Ambassador; Nat'l EE; Hertz PC; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,465
Now that this is confirmed, I've broke the news to about 15 coworkers who all travel and have memberships. I've gotten 9 responses all of them saying they're not renewing, add myself and that's 10. Hope your pockets feel 5 grand lighter Jeff.
Sep 4, 2013, 2:54 pm
#180
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,637
You might be even more underwhelmed by December. I was in the T6 club at LAX last week talking with a staffer I know well. Seems the news is the T6 club will be closing in December, along with the Global Services club in T7. Didn't get a timeline on that one but was told usage of it (GF club) didn't warrant keeping it open.
The possible good out of this is talk of a second T7 club by the bridge area.
The possible good out of this is talk of a second T7 club by the bridge area.
And then one wonders where the celebs will go.
