Why does it always seem that when airlines do something for your convenience, it means they’re planning to take money out of your wallet?
United Airlines’ latest offering for Red Carpet Club members is touted as just that, a “new convenience,” but it may cost members unnecessary extra money.
The Red Carpet Club is a nice option for frequent travelers, providing a comfortable place to sit and work, which is usually far less frenetic than the boarding areas. In addition, there are limited free snacks and beverages, and more recently, free Wi-Fi. Membership is generally $500 a year, with discounts for frequent fliers.
But even most frequent fliers don’t fly every month. I have been a Red Carpet member for some years. If, however, my membership expires before a month that I don’t expect to need the Club, I wait to rejoin until I plan to travel, so as not to pay for days I won’t need. I have advised clients to do the same thing.
Now United’s new policy threatens to make that option more difficult.
In a letter reminding Red Carpet members to renew, the airline states that “as a new customer convenience, memberships renewed with a credit card will now automatically renew each year.”
This fee will be refundable if the member calls within the first seven days of the new membership period, assuming they notice that they have been charged.
Granted, the Red Carpet Club is an addicting habit for travel, especially these days with seemingly constant airport chaos. But as to the “convenience” factor, it has already been possible for members with expired memberships to renew on the spot when they enter the Club. Or to sign up online before a flight.
In an era of ever-increasing penalties, paying for a few months of Red Carpet Club membership that will go unused might seem like a small annoyance, but it’s hard to see how this really is a benefit, except to United’s bottom line.
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
