Skift Take
United plans on hitting up its loyal customer an additional amount for airport lounge access in 2013. The squeeze is on.
It will become more expensive to take refuge in United Club lounges next year as the airline raised annual rates $25 for individuals and $100 for member-and-spouse packages.
For example, an annual membership for general members and Premium Platinum members would jump $25 to $475 and $400, respectively. That doesn’t include across-the-board $50 “initiation fees.”
Annual rates for members with spouses increase $100 in 2013 to $700 for general members and $650 for Premier Gold members, for example.
United is also discontinuing discounted three-year memberships, although current three-year memberships can run their course, the airline says.
Here’s a chart from United.com detailing the 2013 rates:
| Membership Type | General member | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | Premier Platinum | Premier 1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Member Initiation* | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Annual | $475 | $450 | $425 | $400 | $375 |
| Annual with spouse | $700 | $675 | $650 | $600 | $550 |
| Three-Year | $1,175 | $1,100 | $1,025 | $950 | $875 |
| Three-Year with spouse | $1,950 | $1,850 | $1,750 | $1,650 | $1,550 |
*There is a $50 initiation fee for all new or expired (more than 30 days past expiration) United Club memberships.
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Tags: lounges, united airlines