Close User Name Password
Travel alerts straight to your inbox:
 

Tags: / / / /

Lounging at The Airport: United's Red Carpet Club

April 29, 2009 at 11:08 AM | by kjb | 4 Comments

Airport lounges promise respite from the sad public seating at the gates and the unhealthy diet offerings of the terminal food courts. But of course, at a premium price. All week long at Jaunted we will be detailing what it costs to lounge at the big domestic airline lounges. Got any suggestions or tips? Let us know.

United Red Carpet Club
· How Much: $39 for an individual day pass when you book online; it's $50 if you buy a pass at the club, or 7,000 miles. If you like what you see, an annual membership will set you back $525 if you have no status with the airline. If you're flying on a international business or first class ticket, you'll be welcomed inside as well.
· Internet Access: Free WiFi in all of the clubs located in the US. If you're not a full-time member of the club, you'll need to ask for an access card at the entrance desk. They brag about having the availability of power outlets too.

Keep reading after the jump for more

· Beverages: Complimentary soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea and cappuccino. No free adult beverages here, unless you are good at sweet-talking the bartender.
· Snacks: You'll get the usual snack items here like chips, nuts, and maybe some fruit. The club usually will have some breakfast pastries during the morning, and will switch things up for the afternoon.
· Other Amenities: Morning newspapers and other magazines are available, but no specific mention of US Weekly. Free local telephone calls, in case your Blackberry is broken. Conference rooms are available too, for a fee.
· What To Watch Out For: There's over 30 domestic clubs, with more than one where United has a larger presence like SFO and ORD. If you're a full-time member of the Red Carpet Club, you can have access to the US Airways Club, if you had to fly with them instead.

Are you a frequent visitor to the United Red Carpet Club Lounges? Tell us what you like or dislike in the comments below.

Related Stories:
·United Red Carpet Club [Official Site]
·Lounging at The Airport: American Airlines Admirals Club [Jaunted]
·Airport Lounges coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a lounge in IAD: Erik Charlton]

4 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. juliana

    Jaunted Contributing Editor

    that looks...

    like the saddest airport lounge. and i'm not saying that bc its United but because seriously, this lounge is best described as "forlorn."
    April 29, 2009 at 11:20 AM
  1. kjb

    Jaunted Contributing Editor

    ...that's what happens without free booze

    If they offered free drinks like some of the other airlines, all those burgundy chairs would be flipped upside-down fo' shure.
    April 29, 2009 at 1:16 PM
  1. egw

    Jaunted Editor

    ridiculous

    What is the $50 for if there are no free drinks? Sadly I just looked up the Delta Sky Club lounge for JFK and same deal, a "full-service bar" at which my money is presumably as good as a bar outside of JFK. At least Untied has free WiFi. Sheesh.
    April 29, 2009 at 8:23 PM
  1. erdehoff

    Jaunted Member

    Free access

    Little-known fact: Star Alliance Gold members (including United elites with Premier Executive status or higher) are entitled to free Red Carpet Club access at the international gateway airport when flying internationally in any cabin (including economy) AND are entitled to two free drink vouchers for the lounge. Not all RCC reception agents are aware of this (especially the free drink thing) -- you may have to get them to look at the rules. Be persistent.
    May 18, 2009 at 11:31 AM

Leave a Comment

Not yet a member? Click here to become a member.

Already a member? Log in below:

Comment with your Facebook account.