I wrote about an upcoming change to United’s lounge access policy in 2016 which will limit admittance to only those with a same-day boarding pass, even if they are members. The new policy left many unanswered questions and United finally got me back to me with an answer to my questions–
What about meetings/conference rooms? Will gate passes still be issued?
Customers can still reserve a conference room to use, with or without a same-day boarding pass. We will no longer issue gate passes for other uses.What about access after a redeye flight? Will this qualify as a “same-day” BP?
Yes, you will still be eligible to access the United Club after arriving off of a redeye flight.Will I be able to come in if I’m flying on another carrier?
Yes, you may use a same-day boarding pass on any carrier.What if my flight departs early in the morning, the following day (e.g. 12:30am)?
Yes, you will still be eligible to access the United Club.
The key takeaway is that that United will only issue gate passes for meetings/conference rooms, but not for other purposes. Access will still be available after redeye flights, if flying another carrier (I thought this was already clear), and if your flight departs after midnight and you wish to use the lounge the previous day.
Star Alliance Lounge Access Policy
United has updated the wording of its lounge access policy for United and non-United Star Alliance Gold Members, but the policy remains essentially unchanged.
For United Star Gold members–
A valid Star Alliance Gold membership card and a boarding pass for travel within 24 hours on an international1 flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline (does not have to be the same itinerary)
OR
A boarding pass showing Star Alliance Gold status, for travel within 24 hours on an international1 flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline (does not have to be the same itinerary)
1 The guest must also be traveling on a flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline and departing from the same airport.
For non-United (other airlines) Star Gold members–
A valid Star Alliance Gold membership card and a same-day boarding pass for travel on a flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline and departing from the same airport
OR
A same-day boarding pass showing Star Alliance Gold status, for travel within 24 hours on a flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline
1 The guest must also be traveling on a flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline and departing from the same airport.
The 24-hour rule represents a slight modification to the previous language. If you have a United Star Gold card, it means you can be departing on American from Los Angeles to Dallas to catch the Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt and still have access in LA. With a non-UA Star Gold card, you also only need a same-day Star Alliance boarding pass: you need not fly Star Alliance at the airport you are trying to gain lounge access too as long as you will travel on Star Alliance later in the day.
What This is Really About: Employee Access
Here’s my theory — these changes are targeted at United employees and other pass riders. I have followed up with United on this and am awaiting response, but I am thinking this policy is going to be like the American Express Centurion Lounge access policy which only allows access upon presentation of a same-day confirmed boarding pass. I’ve been told at SFO (UA’s largest west coast hub) that this is specifically to limit employee access.
Imagine this — employees at United and other airlines get pretty good NRSA (non-revenue, space available) benefits and many put them to good to use. You would be surprised at how many United employees are United Club members, for there is nothing like lounge access especially if you are trying to fly standby hub-hub on a busy day and may be waiting for hours between missed flights. Lounge access becomes invaluable and I could be wrong, but I think this is actually UA’s target.
Conclusion
Changes are not as bad as we thought for most travelers, but still an illogical way to reduce lounge crowding. Let’s see if “confirmed” boarding passes will be required: if so, we know the true reason behind the change.
Glad to hear this!
But I may not get this: does “employees” mean flight attendants or ground stuff? Don’t flight attendants deserve a good rest in the lounge before or between flights?
@Me: Employees mean all UA employees, whether ground staff, FAs, pilots, or executives.
@ME FAs and pilots have access to crew lounges in hub locations.
It may be the case that United will become more strict on barring access for non revenue fliers. However, in my experience with Amex, I have never been denied Centurion lounge access with my platinum card and AA D2 standby pass!
I’ve been a paying member of the Presidents club and now the United Club for over sixteen years. I am also a pilot and a commuter. Lounge access is the only sanity I enjoy at the airport. Would be a shame to require a confirmed seat.
I purchased a first class domestic with connection to Mex City on AA/USAir. Hadn’t flown AA for years and didn’t realize that even revenue F/J ticket holders can’t get into the Admirals Club on soley domestic routes incl. to Canada/Mexico/Caribbean – save for a few exceptions. I had access at the MEX and PHX Admirals Club as MEX is an exception. The PHX clubs were jammed. I can see why they want to cull access, but F/J revenue tickets should have access sans the annual fee/daily fee.
If flying non rev or on a buddy pass and you are a PAYING member of the United Club or the Amex platinum or black card you deserve to be in. You PAID for access. This same day confirmed reservation is utter rubbish.
I have a united gold status membership. I travelled on a non star alliance airline holding same day boarding ticket. I was refused entry to use the United Lounge at Heathrow Airport. This is contrary to the reply given by United. Can You email a copy of that letter that United replied to your unanswered questions confirming the use of the united lounge?
Because as a gold you are entitled access while on a star alliance international flight.. that’s a clear policy, this is talking about people who paid for memberships but are traveling on other airline
Has anyone considered the rather warped and US-centric interpretation of the word “International” in this policy? International is defined as among or between more than one nation.
The United Lounge policy, however, views travel outside the U.S. as International. So a U.S. resident with Star Alliance Gold, traveling in Europe, will always have lounge access. since they are about to board a flight “to or from a destination outside the U.S.” https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/lounge/access.aspx#fn01
What this does not take into account is that for me, residing in Israel, all my travel within the U.S. is international (by more balanced definitions), regardless of whether i am leaving the U.S. the same day.
I would be interested if you or anyone else has considered this.
Joey