Airline lounges used to be a guaranteed way to escape the airport chaos. Comfortable seating, decent food and drinks, power outlets, and a quiet atmosphere made them a welcome respite. But these days? Overcrowding and restrictive access rules are turning many lounges into just another frustrating part of the airport experience.
Most lounge networks have been overwhelmed by demand, largely driven by credit cards that offer access as a perk. We’ve seen this with Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass locations. But if there’s one lounge system that’s become especially frustrating to deal with, it’s the United Club.
United Is Making It Harder—Even If You Have a Pass
Once upon a time, holding a United co-branded credit card that came with two United Club passes per year felt like a solid value. But not anymore. As of May 1, 2025, United has implemented new restrictions that make those passes much harder to use:
- They can only be used within three hours of your scheduled flight departure.
- They’re not valid at Club Fly locations (United’s grab-and-go lounges).
- They’re non-transferable, so you can’t share them with a friend or family member.
That means if you were hoping to use your pass during a long travel day or give it to someone else, you’re out of luck. And even if you play by all the new rules, you still might get turned away because the lounge is full.
I’ve personally seen signs at multiple airports, including Orlando and Newark, saying that the lounge isn’t accepting day-pass holders due to capacity. It’s frustrating, especially when you’ve made plans around having lounge access, only to be denied entry.
The “Upgrade” to Paid Membership Isn’t Much Better
United also introduced two new tiers of lounge membership in 2025:
- Individual Membership: $750/year (or 94,000 miles), United Club access only, no guests allowed.
- All-Access Membership: $1,400/year (or 175,000 miles), includes two guests and access to Star Alliance lounges.
If you hold the United Club Infinite Card ($695 annual fee), you do get lounge access for yourself and one guest. But if you want All-Access level benefits, you’ll need to either have Premier Gold status or higher, or spend $50,000 on the card annually. That’s a steep price to pay for lounge access.
Meanwhile, Other Lounges Aren’t Exactly a Bargain Either
United isn’t alone in tightening access. Capital One just announced major changes to its lounge access starting February 2026. Venture X cardholders will lose complimentary guest privileges unless they spend $75,000 a year on the card, and authorized users will cost $125 each per year to provide lounge access. Lounges are harder to access, more expensive, and more crowded than ever.
Final Thought
With all the restrictions and uncertainty, I’m not interested in chasing United Club access anymore. Whether it’s a “free” pass from a credit card or a paid membership, the value just isn’t there for me. I’d rather grab a seat near the gate, pay for a burger and a beer, and avoid the hassle of waiting in line just to be told the lounge is full. At least that way, I know what I’m getting.
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