Topic of the Week: Are United Clubs More Crowded?

Yes, totally. In San Francisco I now have twice been in with all chairs taken and the food bar basically empty…

This would seem unlikely. First, there’s basically been no capacity growth — which would mean more passengers to fill lounges.

Second, about a year before the merger deal was announced, CO joined the Star Alliance. With reciprocal lounge access, that might have slightly bumped up lounge visitation. But even that was probably minor: the CO members were still mostly flying from CO’s hub airports, and still using their lounges.

I don’t believe that one, very-expensive credit card that gives you unlimited lounge access is particularly popular — and wouldn’t simply replace folks who would otherwise buy lounge membership. I guess UA does include a couple of passes with their other credit cards, but I doubt this is enought to materially increase lounge crowdedness.

A more accurate indicator would be how many lounge memberships UA is selling. Anyone have stats on that?

Perhaps the reason for the perceived crowding is actually that UA is seeing an increase business travelers. Usually those are the ones that will use a club since we can just charge it back to the travel budget.

The last club I was in was the Alaska Air Boardroom in Seattle thanks to a free pass I got from Cranky. It was an absolute zoo. That is my experience with most club lounges, so I’m not a big enough fan to purchase membership anymore, nor do I fly as much as I used to.

What card gets you club access? Is this a premium card with a high annual fee or more of the standard airline card with a nominal or no annual fee? I know the Platinum Amex advertises that it’ll get you into any club anytime…all for that $450 annual fee which IMO keeps the riff raff out. I’d consider if I were traveling more (I get a mailing from them almost weekly). My std. Delta Amex just gave me several free pass coupons back when I got the card. Nice, but nothing that would crowd the clubs.

I for one think the clubs are largely over priced, at least the ones I’ve been in; Delta, UA, AA. It’s more humane than the bus station look of the outside terminal but annual/daily rates seem way too high for a couple free drinks and a nicer chair to lounge around in. Free wi-fi and a newspaper isn’t really a big seller for me. I for one would welcome the clubs either going more up market and keeping the current elitism, or opening them up to the more “casual” business travelers (i.e. lower prices) and stay as-is. I’ve never felt crowded in a club so I think the airlines have room to fill and potentially make some more $$$ on volume.

The United Club at NRT has been standing room only most of the time when I’ve gone through there (about twice (coming and going) a quarter this past year). The bank of several 747s and 777s meeting each other to/from Asia and the US all arrive and depart within a 4-5 hour period (or less) and there isn’t an empty chair to be found until the major flights have departed. With only minimal food offerings, a comfortable seat is about the only thing that makes that club attractive. So, don’t buy a membership just so you can use the NRT club.

Writing as a lifetime Red Carpet member, the difference to me is international versus domestic club rooms. Everywhere we have been overseas, the club rooms have been great with good food, drinks, and sometimes even showers. Most recently we spent five hours at the Star Alliance/ Maple Leaf Club in Vancouver because of weather. If you have to be stuck somewhere, it was a positive experience.

However, the domestic clubs generally feel cheap. They are crowded and the snacks are minimal. Don’t know if this is because of credit card guests, the merger, or probably just penny-pinching.

I flew through ORD twice last week to and from MCO. I didnt really see that full of a club as I have seen in ATL or LAX. The club on the south side of concourse B was pretty empty where my wife and I went into the corner to read her nook and me on my ipad. Then on the way home the concourse F club was full, but its a very small lounge, but we found a table to sit at near the bar.

The question is what is the point of a lounge? Seriously. In an era of being able to tote ones office in ones hands lounges will have to adapt to accomodate the connected traveler beyond snacks and free booze.

I joined the RCC over 30 years ago when a lifetime membership including your spouse was only $250. Now it seem anyone can join even though you aren’t a FF and just buy UAL’s Credit card. The clubs are crowded and exclusiveness is lost.