If you're hungry, United Clubs are actually better than before the pandemic -- here's why
While I've flown a number of times in the last 18 months, I haven't visited a United Club since ... March 2020. But on a recent trip to Turks and Caicos, we had time to pop into United Clubs both before our flight out of Houston (IAH) and then again when landing back in the U.S. in Washington-Dulles (IAD).
I went in just hoping for a cup of Illy coffee and a nicer-than-the-terminal restroom. But what I found surprised me. The truth is that that the pandemic has actually improved the United Clubs, at least as far as I'm concerned. Here are the things that stood out from my experience.
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United Club changes
Before my visits, I already knew that there were pandemic-era changes to the United Clubs. But seeing is believing. Both United Club locations I visited were quite busy during Labor Day weekend, so it wasn't a good place to go if you were looking to get away from crowds on those dates.
We still decided to brave it, though, for the chance to snag some snacks and have a place to sit that wasn't in the main concourse of an airport.
The first thing I noticed was that the pre-packaged food, especially at the Houston location, was much better than I remember. During our 9:00 a.m. visit, there were both breakfast and lunch options available.
If you were in the mood for breakfast, there was a hot sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich that tasted like a McDonald's biscuit. Which is to say it certainly wasn't healthy, but it tasted pretty decent.
Related: Here are the U.S. airline lounges that have reopened
A few minutes later, out came egg, sausage and cheese breakfast burritos.
For those who preferred lunch-related items to eat later, there were pre-made containers of fruit and cheese, a pinwheel sandwich snack pack and a variety of turkey sandwiches on offer right around the corner closer to the bar.
Related: Ultimate guide to United Club access
Sure, none of these items was beyond amazing in quality, but they were the sort of dishes that would probably sell for about $10 each out in the airport terminal, and they were easy to eat in the lounge, or carry with you onto your flight.
Those previously mentioned items were the highlights in my mind (er, stomach), but between the two clubs we visited, there were also packaged fruit, muffins, chips, salsa, veggies and even gummy candy treats.
This food selection in the United Club obviously isn't on par with what you will find with the fresh, chef-curated options in an Amex Centurion Lounge. However, being able to grab a cheese and fruit package to enjoy along your journey was actually pretty fantastic, and in some ways handier, than a traditional airline lounge buffet offering that has to be consumed at that moment.
While I"m not in favor of increasing packaging and waste at airline lounges, given that we're likely to see these materials as necessities for health and sanitation for the duration of the pandemic, at least it makes it easier to "grab and go" with food from United Clubs.
Bottom line
Knowing that I can pop into a United Club and snag something delicious to enjoy along the way actually makes the club a much more useful resource for me than it was before the pandemic. It also sets my mind at ease since it means I don't have to plan on camping out in the lounge and spending time there among other travelers during the pandemic just in order to get something to eat.
If you want United Club access, know that membership comes with the United Club Infinite Card, or you can get a two, annual one-time passes with select United co-branded credit cards including the United Explorer Card.
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Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
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Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: 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.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: 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.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees