Kinglobjaw's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘club’

I remember the moment distinctly- I was at the gym. It’s that email ding on the iTouch, that makes me pause for a moment and check my email. Usually, it’s the regular, ie newsletters or updates or sales or spam. This one was different. It’s subject? – “Worldwide access- over 250 clubs“. Very catchy!

Basically, US Airways has improved their already decent Club product by getting rid of pricier membership tiers and offering a single, “all-inclusive” membership. A simple US Airways Club membership will now include:

• Unlimited access to Continental Airlines President’s Clubs with any Star Alliance flight (does not have to be CO)
• Unlimited access to all Star Alliance lounges when on a Star Alliance member flight
• Unlimited access to United Red Carpet Clubs (you must however be flying on United which is what the old rule stated and frankly, I think it’s horrible they kept this requirement since I avoid UA like the plague, among other things :] )
• FREE alcohol! Unlimited beer and house wines. You still have to pay for the premium drinks, but US Airways Clubs are now ahead of United and American lounges. I know this benefit doesn’t do me any good until October 17, 2010, but the benefit is there!

On the other hand membership prices are changing and rising up slightly. Let’s take a look at the new cost structure.

Chairman’s- OLD: $315; NEW: $325

Platinum/Gold/Silver- OLD: $315; NEW: $375

Non-elite member: OLD:  $450; NEW: $450 (correct if this comparison is incorrect).

While the new membership fees are higher, they are still cheaper than United’s membership option. What is neat is there is no application/activation fee. Also, the fact they now offer free alcohol and access to all partner lounges is definitely worth the $10 or $60 increase.

I just wish that they would drop the requirement for the same-day United flights, since I could really use the United RCC at O’Hare’s T2, but I’m always flying out on good ‘ol US Airways.

Just so you know, benefits kick-in on October 30, 2009 and the new Club cards with United’s, Continental’s and Star Alliance’s logo will be sent out in December 2009.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Just got an email from US Airways Club- internet is now free at all US Airways Clubs systemwide. I see it will still be provided by TMobile, so I’m guessing it will be like at the United and AA lounge locations- a day access card. More information found here.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Just got in to PHX on US180 from ORD. Aside from breakfast, I slept through most of the flight. To follow my weight loss ”regime” I took the fruit plate instead of the tasty, yet guilt tripping omelette. Glad I did.

Anyway, my Kona flight leaves from A13, so I’m staying in the lower A concourse US Club, which is the club with that horrible storm damage that took place here in August 2008.

The furniture here looks very nice and modern, but it did get crowded around 7AM. Now, it’s empty as majority of the folks left to SNA- Orange County, CA. Just looked up the flight, it’s US652, a 757 as usual!

More to come later, so stay tuned!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Two hours ago, I mentioned that I renewed my US Airways Club membership and took advantage of a lucrative offer of 1,500 preferred qualifying miles. Just wanted to let you know I got my receipt and shortly after that my 1,500 preferred miles posted to my Dividend Miles account.

Very fast! It seems to me that every day something is improved in US Airways’ systems. Shopping Mall purchases post quicker than last year, car rentals post in days rather than weeks. A big thumbs up to US Airways!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Just got off the phone with an US Airways Club agent to renew my annual membership. Since I wasn’t flying in March or early April of this year, I waited until today to renew. My membership is now valid through April 16, 2010. Same price as last year, $315 + no tax for basic Club membership. Was a pretty long hold until I got an agent (usually they pick up right away- very convenient 1-800-828-8522 with no menu tree, an agent picks up), so maybe a flurry of new members with the two added renewal promotions (either 2 months extra for free or 1,500 preferred qualifying miles, I chose the latter). Both promotions expire July 1, 2009. RNW15 is the code you use for 1,500 preferred qualifying miles which I blogged about a few weeks ago.

As usual, I asked them to email me a receipt and a printout of my membership just incase they want to card me (by card I mean, Club card, not driver’s license/ID). That actually happened to me once in a US Airways Club in PHX. Luckily I had the printout. Was promised card would arrive within 3-4 weeks.

While I connect in PHX next week, I will try out the re-opened lower ‘A’ gates Club (above A7/A9) which was severly damaged during a thunderstorm back in August 2008. Apparently they have brand new furniture in the Club. Anyway, here’s evidence of the damage. When I spoke to the Club agent a few days after the incident, I was told someone could have been seriously injured. Apparently, just seconds before the impact, a snob had to be repeatedly told to move to a different seating area away from the windows. After multiple pleadings, the agent yelled “Move away from the windows, NOW!” to which the passenger finally obliged. Literally seconds later, a big blow came in from outside and the result was this:

Something's Coming! US Airways A7/A9 Club in PHX damaged after August 2008 thunderstorm

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

How secret? I have no idea!

The ‘DR500′ US Airways Club promotion recently expired and I was wondering if they were going to offer anything new for Club renewals. Lo and behold I got a reply from the US Airways Club which made my day. Patience is still a virtue? Guess it still is!

Mr. Kinglobjaw,

Thank you for contacting US Airways Club Services.

The DR500 promotion has expired, but if you renew online and use
promotion code RNW15 we will added 1500 bonus preferred miles to your account.

We appreciate your continued patronage of US Airways.

***** ***********
US Airways Club Services

So now instead of getting 500 EQMs I will be getting 1,500! I didn’t renew in March since my next trip is in late April, so I’ll renew in a few days online to take advantage of the improved offer. Besides, why waste a month of membership if I wasn’t going to use in it March anyway! If anyone else is considering renewing, feel free to use the special promo code- RNW15. I’m sure it isn’t just for Kinglobjaw! If you’re thinking of joining Club for the very first time in your life, 3,000 EQMs for new members is still available until April 30, 2009. More on this here.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

Since I’ve been posting about the Club nonstop for the past few days, I decided to make an About Me type of post. Visited/favorite US Airways Clubs.

Visited US Airways Clubs

• London Gatwick (no longer open)
• Boston
• New York- LGA
• Tampa
• Charlotte (Visited 2 of 2)
• Philadelphia (Visited 2 of 2 + Envoy Lounge)
• Pittsburgh
• Phoenix (Visited 3 of 3)
• Las Vegas
• Los Angeles

The next two I’m most likely to visit this year? DCA and RDU. I want to seem them all, but I’m worried GSO and BUF and BDL might get shut down.

My favorite?

PHL Envoy Lounge is by far the best lounge, but when it comes to regular Clubs, I like TPA (great views) and LAX (generous offerings) the most. The PHX Clubs are pretty nice too.

My least favorite?

The A21 PHX Club, because it’s so tiny and the the concourse B Club in CLT, because it’s also pretty small and service offerings were non-existant both times I was there. Now, even if I’m connecting between two flights in concourse B, I still walk over to the C/D club in CLT. It’s a bit of a schlep, but it’s completely worth it.

An interesting tidbit- of all the questions and emails I get, Club is the most often asked about question (which one to use, worth the entrance fee, can I enter if I’m flying domestic F?)

Want to check out the Clubs through the lens of my camera? Head on over to the Gallery part of Kinglobjaw.com.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

It’s my third post in 48 hours about the US Airways Club. Turns out US has another offer if you join. This one seems to be stackable with other offers, but is only open to Preferred members. Basically, you get free Hilton HHonors Gold VIP if you join the Club. More details available here: http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/dividendmiles/promotions/hiltongold.aspx

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

My Mom just forwaded me an email she received from the US Airways Club department. She was very surprised as she has never gotten an email from the US Airways Club. I guess since she’s never been a member before, I’m sure that’s the reason why she got it. I on the other hand wouldn’t mind getting such a discount when renewing in a few weeks. Here’s the new offer. It’s only going to last for 2 weeks, so those who are considering joining the Club, I say act on it right away!

$215 for annual Club memberships

Become a US Airways Club member and save $175. We value your loyalty and want to reward you with this special offer, but you’ve got to join quickly. You’ve only got until March 16, 2009 and you must join online using promotion code CLB100.

Annual Club membership	$390
Preferred member discount	-$75
Instant savings	-$100
Limited time offer	$215

That’s a new offer which which just came out today. This is in addition the the 3 seperate offers I was blogging about yesterday. Keep in mind, these are not combinable.

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark

I’m not sure if this is highly classified information or not, but the old (current) and new (think: still hidden) USAirways.com have different Club membership promotions. If you’re thinking of taking advantage of one of the offers, I highly suggest you print out a page detailing the promo rules and its expiration date.

The old website shows (can view this here):

Offers/promotions

3,000 Preferred-qualifying miles* for new Club members

New Club members receive 3,000 Preferred-qualifying miles when you buy an annual Club membership between May 6, 2008 and March 31, 2009*. Use promo code NCM3K when you enroll online or call 800-828-8522 to enroll by phone. Read terms & conditions below.

• Enroll online

Renew your membership & get 500 Preferred-qualifying miles

Be sure to use your Dividend Miles number and promo code DR500 when you enroll.

• Enroll online

The new website shows (can view this here):

New Club members, pick your offer:

2 months free* for new Club members

We’re giving you an additional two months for free when you buy an annual membership online between March 1, 2009 and April 30, 2009. Enroll online and use promotion code EXT2.

Or:

3,000 Preferred-qualifying miles* for new Club members

Earn 3,000 Preferred-qualifying miles when you buy an annual membership by March 31, 2009. Enroll online and use promo code NCM3K or call 800-828-8522 to enroll by phone.

• Enroll online

My Club membership just expired at midnight, and since I”m not flying for another 3 weeks I’m going to wait until just before my flights to re-new as that will push back my Club membership expiration date in 2010, so I will definitely want to get my 500 Preferred Qualifying Miles! The promotions rules at the bottom of the page show that the offer expires on March 31, 2009, but what if they replace the old website with the new version before they the promotion expires. Will they remember to update it on the new site…? That’s why I advise those who wish to act on this offer, but want to wait a few more weeks to print this ASAP, as proof, of course!

Have a nice clicK life,

-Mark