United club / lounge
Oct 17th, 2019, 03:53 AM
#1
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United club / lounge
My wife and I are United Mileage Plus members. We have purchased high priced Economy Plus round trip tickets from Houston to London, will we be allowed to use the United lounge facilities, do we have to request it?
Oct 17th, 2019, 06:40 AM
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Unless I’m very mistaken or things have recently changed being a United Mileage Plus member and/or purchasing Economy Plus seating doesn’t give you access to the United lounge. The benefits you get from those two “programs” have to do with using priority check-in and boarding lines at the airport, preference in selecting seats, and getting better meal service and beverages while in flight.
If you want to use the lounge you have to have a lounge membership or purchase a day pass.
If you want to use the lounge you have to have a lounge membership or purchase a day pass.
Oct 17th, 2019, 10:01 PM
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No, you won't have club access but in all honesty you are not missing much. The quality of the UCs has really gone down over the last couple years - low end beverages, measly food offerings, crowded lounges. Luckily, IAH now has a number of decent dining and drinking options that would likely cost not much (if any) more than club passes.
Oct 19th, 2019, 04:27 AM
#10
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Thanks again. We will traveling to join a luxury Rhine Cruise out of London. I was thinking of paying the $90 per person for trip access (Houston and Heathrow) as a surprise for my wife. Considering the comments above, would I be wasting my money?
Last edited by limey10; Oct 19th, 2019 at 04:28 AM. Reason: Typo
Oct 19th, 2019, 05:39 AM
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Now to answer your question, it depends on how long you plan to be at the airport using the lounge and whether or not you think the time you spend is worth the money - only YOU can answer that question. Let's say you'll be in the lounge at IAH for 1 hour - that means you'll be paying $45/PP for the privilege of sitting in slightly more comfortable chairs and having a few complementary snacks and drinks. Likewise, on the way back in Heathrow you have to way the cost per person per hour.
It all comes down to how you value your money and what you spend it on.
Some people will tell you to splurge others who are more frugal will tell you it's a waste of money. You decide!
Oct 19th, 2019, 03:34 PM
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No, you won't have club access but in all honesty you are not missing much. The quality of the UCs has really gone down over the last couple years - low end beverages, measly food offerings, crowded lounges. Luckily, IAH now has a number of decent dining and drinking options that would likely cost not much (if any) more than club passes.
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/5-best-united-clubs/
Last edited by jacketwatch; Oct 19th, 2019 at 03:36 PM.
Oct 19th, 2019, 05:45 PM
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Yes, but...
Generally thats true. The UC in ORD is not much really. The free whiskies are Old Razor Blades. However OTOH the UC in LAX is really good. The Polaris lounge in ORD is a whole different level from the UC. There are free premium drinks and they have sit down service for food too.
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/5-best-united-clubs/
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/5-best-united-clubs/
The LHR UC is actually one of if not the nicest in the system. It is in T2 from which your flight will likely depart. It would make a nice surprise for your wife if you have a bit of time to kill before your flight. The UCs at IAH...eh, not so much.
Oct 20th, 2019, 04:36 AM
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I'll have to think about it. It would make for an all round complete luxury trip and I have lost $180 in two hours at a casino before, so it wouldn't be the first time I've thrown my money away! This time I may get some brownie points, as long as she doesn't know what I paid !
Oct 20th, 2019, 12:08 PM
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Ok, final act. Just to make other nieve travelers aware. I decided to go ahead with my trip pass on United. Online it showed $60 per person for a TRIP pass, when I went forward it looked liked they were going to charge me $60 per leg. I called customer service and she confirmed that it was in deed $120 per person for both legs. I explodedand accused United of criminal deception, she gasped and said nothing as I hung up. I guess we'll just have to rough it. Just to clarify why this was important, we are both 80 years old and unfortunately, we have to be careful with our travel exertions.
Oct 22nd, 2019, 12:47 PM
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Limey,
If you anticipate paying for lounge access, you may not be stuck with United. You may be able to buy a pass to one of the other lounges at IAH or LHR. Google the airport and "buy lounge access" to see what's available.
If you anticipate paying for lounge access, you may not be stuck with United. You may be able to buy a pass to one of the other lounges at IAH or LHR. Google the airport and "buy lounge access" to see what's available.
Oct 25th, 2019, 02:50 PM
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