Review: United Club Houston Airport

Ben Schlappig
August 13, 2017
15

United Club Houston bottom line

In terms of quality, I’d say United Clubs are marginally better than American Admirals Clubs and significantly worse than Delta SkyClubs. I like the new United Club design, even if it doesn’t feel especially high end or seem like it will age very well. The food spread in United Clubs is a bit better than in Admirals Clubs, though it’s amazing the degree to which Delta SkyClubs blow away the lounges offered by the other two US global carriers. There are several ways to visit these lounges, some as easy as a credit card with lounge access.

I guess United’s argument is that they have Polaris Lounges for their international business class passengers (well, only one lounge so far, really), while Delta only has SkyClubs for all passengers eligible for lounge access.

Where do you think United Clubs rank compared to other US lounges?

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Matthew Guest
January 29, 2023, 1:59 pm

I travel a lot all over the globe and domestically. I use VIP lounges if I have a layover. The Houston United Club isn’t much better than being in the airport. There are no showers and only one community bathroom for men and women. There are no “quiet” areas like in most lounges. The whole place is gray chairs and LED lights. You cannot rest on the floor or use two chairs to prop legs...
I travel a lot all over the globe and domestically. I use VIP lounges if I have a layover. The Houston United Club isn’t much better than being in the airport. There are no showers and only one community bathroom for men and women. There are no “quiet” areas like in most lounges. The whole place is gray chairs and LED lights. You cannot rest on the floor or use two chairs to prop legs up I slightly understand this but nobody tells you this and it’s typical in most lounges so when you are chastised by the attendants it’s kinda like really? I will go to a different lounge next time I stay. The setup is really poor and not at par with the others.

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JBagwell Guest
August 22, 2017, 6:13 pm

@Bobby: Please don't associate any CO comments towards with the "new United". Wonderful airline that should've never merged with such an antiquated, hard-headed airline.

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Bobby Guest
August 14, 2017, 11:29 am

I 100% agree with your statement "it doesn’t feel especially high end or seem like it will age very well. ".

Yes, I can see it now. 20 years from now the design will have remained, and UA will have no plans for a refresh or a renovation. That is typical UA (well, CO).

I agree that Delta SkyClubs are much better. Much much better. I think the best USA domestic airline lounge is...
I 100% agree with your statement "it doesn’t feel especially high end or seem like it will age very well. ".

Yes, I can see it now. 20 years from now the design will have remained, and UA will have no plans for a refresh or a renovation. That is typical UA (well, CO).

I agree that Delta SkyClubs are much better. Much much better. I think the best USA domestic airline lounge is the Delta SkyClub at SFO. The food at the SFO SkyClub has always been amazing, and I believe it is done by a different caterer than what other SkyClubs use. Unfortunately the food has dropped a few notches over the past few months, but the food is still much better than anything offered at any other USA domestic UA Clubs.

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UA-NYC Diamond
August 14, 2017, 8:32 am

Also, the fact that with a paid membership, I can still only get Bud or Bud Lite swill as the house beer is a total joke. A couple outstations *may* offer Blue Moon, but that is a rarity.

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Carrie Gold
August 14, 2017, 7:02 am

@Paul - Thank you for your perceptive comments. I have questioned the use of 'associate' for some time but presumed it was an 'american' term and thus remained in silent bewilderment.

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schar Guest
August 14, 2017, 12:26 am

Who can access this lounge?

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SFO-FF Guest
August 13, 2017, 9:40 pm

I think it's unfair to claim SkyClubs are THAT much better. Agree with @UA-NYC that it's a sad miss they didn't ace prepared food. By far the thing I'm most frustrated with is that I can't even get a simple salad with protein in there. But all that said, the new clubs are light, airy, and frankly the house wine is drinkable (like honestly, that should get some praise) - when it comes down to...
I think it's unfair to claim SkyClubs are THAT much better. Agree with @UA-NYC that it's a sad miss they didn't ace prepared food. By far the thing I'm most frustrated with is that I can't even get a simple salad with protein in there. But all that said, the new clubs are light, airy, and frankly the house wine is drinkable (like honestly, that should get some praise) - when it comes down to it I'm there for fast wifi, a glass of wine, and the ability to take a call in a quiet space and United knowing that has aced it.

I always thought United was the worst but having been forced to fly them this year because I moved to SF I realized that they aren't any better than AA. Wish you could give them a fair review - for instance, I love the club bartenders they really carry the brand well.

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Tony Guest
August 13, 2017, 9:18 pm

I don't see anything in here that an Admirals Club doesn't have, and at least you can order ala carte food options in the admirals club. Are there any foods that can be ordered in United Clubs?

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Tom Move Guest
August 13, 2017, 7:47 pm

" though it’s amazing the degree to which Delta SkyClubs blow away the lounges offered by the other two US global carriers."

Really? I think the SkyClubs are overcrowded sh#$holes with terrible offerings. Shows how people see things differently.

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Brent Guest
August 13, 2017, 4:20 pm

Unfortunately this new club always seems to be completely full when I swing by. The other club in Terminal C is usually less crowded. Used to be the other way around before this new one was renovated and the new C gates opened up.

Also, I believe this club used to have showers before it was renovated. I remember showering there on a few occasions.

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Chris M. Member
August 13, 2017, 3:59 pm

@Lucky - There is a pretty easy way to avoid the long security line after clearing immigration at IAH. Instead of following the signs for connecting flights, head for the exit. After you exit, take the escalator up one level, and you will find the security lines for Terminal E. These are much shorter and have Pre-Check.

IAH used to be my home airport.

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Paul Diamond
August 13, 2017, 12:41 pm

@ Lucky
"We presented our inbound boarding passes to the associates at the desk"

I'm curious why you call them "associates". To me, an "associate" is someone who is a bit detached from the organisation (an "associate professor" is someone without tenure, so not a permanent part of that university). Is that the meaning you are intending to give? Or are you using that word as a euphemism to avoid writing "staff" (I'm not...
@ Lucky
"We presented our inbound boarding passes to the associates at the desk"

I'm curious why you call them "associates". To me, an "associate" is someone who is a bit detached from the organisation (an "associate professor" is someone without tenure, so not a permanent part of that university). Is that the meaning you are intending to give? Or are you using that word as a euphemism to avoid writing "staff" (I'm not sure why you'd want to avoid writing "staff". And it has less than half the letters of "associates", so it'd be more efficient for you when you're typing...).

Personally, given how disempowered most frontline staff are, I'd refer to them by the old-fashioned term of "company servants": which is technically correct, and emphasises that most of us in our working lives are mere corporate drudges. You being a notable exception.

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UA-NYC Diamond
August 13, 2017, 9:53 am

IF UA had installed hot food prep in all their new/renovated clubs like they did w/ORD B6, THEN you could say it was truly striving for greatness and matching DL SkyClubs. But of course, they saw the add'l cost and now have quit on the effort. A recurring theme...

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W Diamond
August 13, 2017, 9:11 am

@Lucky - What airline would you say has the best lounge?

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BrooklynBoy Gold
August 13, 2017, 9:05 am

There are showers in the United Club in the E concourse at IAH. I haven't been to this lounge that you reviewed; I think it's gorgeous!

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Matthew Guest

January 29, 2023, 1:59 pm

I travel a lot all over the globe and domestically. I use VIP lounges if I have a layover. The Houston United Club isn’t much better than being in the airport. There are no showers and only one community bathroom for men and women. There are no “quiet” areas like in most lounges. The whole place is gray chairs and LED lights. You cannot rest on the floor or use two chairs to prop legs up I slightly understand this but nobody tells you this and it’s typical in most lounges so when you are chastised by the attendants it’s kinda like really? I will go to a different lounge next time I stay. The setup is really poor and not at par with the others.

JBagwell Guest

August 22, 2017, 6:13 pm

@Bobby: Please don't associate any CO comments towards with the "new United". Wonderful airline that should've never merged with such an antiquated, hard-headed airline.

Bobby Guest

August 14, 2017, 11:29 am

I 100% agree with your statement "it doesn’t feel especially high end or seem like it will age very well. ". Yes, I can see it now. 20 years from now the design will have remained, and UA will have no plans for a refresh or a renovation. That is typical UA (well, CO). I agree that Delta SkyClubs are much better. Much much better. I think the best USA domestic airline lounge is the Delta SkyClub at SFO. The food at the SFO SkyClub has always been amazing, and I believe it is done by a different caterer than what other SkyClubs use. Unfortunately the food has dropped a few notches over the past few months, but the food is still much better than anything offered at any other USA domestic UA Clubs.