United Airlines opens its second grab-and-go 'lounge' in Houston today
If you like the option of just grabbing a quick drink or snack between or before flights rather than going through the traditional airline lounge experience, then you were probably excited when United Airlines opened its first grab-and-go Club Fly location at Denver International Airport (DEN) in 2022.
For fans of the grab-and-go concept, there's some good news to share: The airline's second Club Fly location has just opened within Terminal B at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
While the Denver location was themed to evoke ski chalet vibes given its mountain-adjacent location, the Houston Club Fly has a sleeker, futuristic design as an homage to Houston's "Space City" reputation.
View this post on Instagram
But since it is what's on the shelves that really counts in a space that isn't really designed for lounging around, below are some examples of what you can expect to find stocked at the Houston Club Fly.
- Warmed pastries
- Wraps
- Salads
- Sandwiches
- Cookies
- Chips
- Cans of soda
- Personalized coffee-based beverages crafted by baristas
- Fresh-squeezed orange juice
For pastries that are better when heated, such as the ham-and-cheese croissant I got to sample, you can take it to the counter and have them heat it up for you.
In addition to the menu of lattes, cappuccinos and freshly squeezed OJ, there are also a couple of seasonal drinks that will rotate through. Currently, the seasonal favorites are a lavender matcha latte and the Blueberry Acai "Galaxy" Latte (there's that space theme again).
The latter (served warm or iced) was a big hit at the preview event.
There are no seats or public restrooms in this Club Fly, though there is a standing counter off to the side with a few outlets in case you really want to eat and then run.
While it remains to be seen just how busy this location will be, especially while it is the only open United club in Terminal B for the time being, United has shared that the Denver location has seen 300,000 visitors since it first opened in late 2022. If demand is similar in Houston, that would average out to several hundred guests per day. Terminal B at IAH will eventually be home to the largest United Club in the system when it opens in 2026.
Access to the United Club Fly locations is the same as for the traditional United Clubs, except that no complimentary guests are permitted into Club Fly.
While there are no other specific location announcements for additional Club Fly locations available at this time, United has shared that it is committed to this concept, so it would not surprise us if the concept continues to expand across more locations.
"Club Fly has been an awesome test for us, but we committed as we launched it in Denver. This was not just a trial; this was a full commitment that we were going to continue to learn from", Alex Dorow, United's head of lounges, previously shared with TPG's Zach Griff.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees