Relaxation at a United Airlines Club Lounge is now going to cost regular airlines.
United reviews its program of participation in the living room, reducing the amenities and increasing the cost of entry into the dozens of united clubs worldwide, including locations in Tokyo, Chicago and Los Angeles.
At a time when lounges are more demanding than ever, united travelers who buy annual entries can now expect to pay more for less.
The United Club’s participation previously included unlimited visits to United Clubs Worldwide, entry for two visitors – either two adults or an adult and dependent children under 21 years – and access to participating lounges belonging to other airlines in Star Alliance, in the international group. Prices vary depending on the state of faith, ranging from $ 550 or 75,000 miles to $ 650 to 85,000 miles per year.
Now, United introduces a two -level participation plan. Individual participation, which allows an unlimited registration member only in United Club sites, will cost $ 750 or 94,000 miles. The All Access Membership will be $ 1,400 or 175,000 miles and covers two adults (or adult and dependent children) and provides an entrance to a star alliance and other partners’ lounges. Discounts are available for elite status holders.
For the United Club credit card holders, who pay an annual fee of $ 525, Club’s participation was free. The annual fee has increased, from today, to $ 695. The UNITED Club Card, which previously costs $ 450 and also included free participation in the Club, will also be $ 695.
The airline reported in an email to customers that changes in the club were designed to “continue to improve your experience”, noting that the new levels were “tailored to your travel needs”. New policies are valid on Monday, but today’s members will not see immediate changes. Their benefits remain until their participation is obtained.
While the United Club participation will remain free for the United Club or United Club Business Carders, they will receive an entrance for a visitor and dependent people under 18 years of age in United Clubs, but not in Star Alliance and other partners’ lounges. Card holders will unlock all access entries if they spend $ 50,000 on their cards each year or if they are elite status with the airline.
The popularity of the airport lounges has grown in recent years, it may be powered by the desire of pandemic and traveler for more natural space.
Travelers visit lounges in larger numbers and even arrive at the airport earlier to enjoy these sites, said Jeremy Dalkoff, Vice President of Collinson International, a company that exploits priority lounges and other lounge sites. Collinson reported a 30 percent increase in living room and travel experiences last year, including sleep and spa reservations, compared to the same period in 2023.
Some travelers have complained that the lounges are overcrowded and no longer feel exclusively. This has led some operators to limit who can enter and how often they can visit. In February, Delta Air Lines introduced new restrictions on Sky Club lounges, limiting card holders who had previously unlimited entrance. Since January, Capital One no longer gives some card holders free entrance to its lounges.
At the same time, operators such as other credit card banks have entered the industry or opened more lounges and competing with airlines for travelers. Last year, Chase Sapphire opened lounges in Phoenix and San Diego and, more recently, opened one in Philadelphia. Capital One opened a lounge in Las Vegas last month.
About 40 % of lounge visits are driven by credit cards, such as those offered by airlines, followed by 35 % of the lounge participation, according to March 2024 analysis by the industry consultants. Day Pass visits generally represent the smallest slice of the living room visits.
The lounges “become branding icons to attract premium class passengers and cultivate credit card portfolios with co-names,” the report said.
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