Latest news with #UnitedClub
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United unveils new Polaris business class cabins with huge suites — how can you book them?
If you've been deciding which airline to go with, now is the perfect time to consider United. Along with the United credit cards relaunch, you can expect new United Polaris suites, including the brand-new United Polaris Studio suite. This new business class suite is part of United Airlines' unveiling of their United Elevated interior, which encompasses a premium experience and new offerings on incoming United Boeing 787-9 planes. Apart from United Polaris Studio, the United Elevated interior includes upgrades and enhancements to United Polaris, United Premium Plus, and United Economy. Three popular ways to earn points or miles for United Polaris award flights include: Earning United miles directly from United credit cards Earning United miles transferred from Chase credit cards Earning Aeroplan miles transferred from Amex credit cards or Capital One credit cards Why we like it: The United Explorer Card is one of the lowest-cost options available for earning United miles on everyday purchases and still getting a free checked bag on United flights. You get United priority boarding privileges and two United Club one-time passes after each card we like it: The United Club Card is the go-to option if you want United Club membership as part of your card benefits. It has a high annual fee, but the United Club access and other premium benefits should be more than enough value to offset the cost for frequent we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the most popular travel credit cards available because of its low annual cost and loads of useful benefits, including purchase and travel protections. In addition, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to the United MileagePlus program, giving you opportunities to redeem Chase points for United Polaris we like it: The Capital One Venture Rewards makes it easy to earn 2x valuable Capital One miles on all eligible purchases, regardless of the spending category. You can then transfer your miles to the Air Canada Aeroplan program if you have a United Polaris redemption in mind that you want to we like it: The Amex Gold Card offers a high rewards rate in everyday bonus categories, paving the way for boosting your points bank on purchases you already make. You can transfer Membership Rewards points to Air Canada Aeroplan to book United Polaris award will start adding 787-9s with Elevated interiors to its fleet in 2025, but you won't be able to fly on one until 2026 — and only for select international flights: San Francisco to Singapore San Francisco to London To get ready for the launch of Elevated planes, let's see how you can find deals on United Polaris award flights. United MileagePlus and Air Canada Aeroplan are two of the best awards programs for finding and booking United Polaris award flights. Through United, you can find United Polaris flights from San Francisco (SFO) to London (LHR) for as low as 80,000 miles. Through Aeroplan, they go as low as 70,000 miles. United Polaris Studio suites are located in the first row of each business class section, and there are eight seats available. You can expect these seats to be priced higher than standard United Polaris. Why? Because they're better. United Polaris Studio suites are larger, and six out of eight include an ottoman with a seatbelt where a companion can join you during the flight. Each suite features a 27-inch 4K OLED touchscreen (the largest among U.S. carriers) and convenient features, such as Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, and multiple outlets. You also get an upgraded amenity kit, including Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ luxury skincare products and United-branded playing cards. Your in-seat amenities include noise-canceling headphones, hoodie pajamas and slippers, and Saks Fifth Avenue bedding. And there's caviar. United Polaris Studio customers get Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service and Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé. In addition, they get exclusive entrée options and a curated specialty snack box. So, is United Polaris old news with the introduction of the new United Polaris Studio suites? Nope! United is upgrading all the United Polaris products to suites on the new 787-9s. The new standard in United Polaris seats has sliding doors, and every suite has all-aisle access. Each suite has a 19-inch 4K OLED touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity, as well as wireless and other charging options. United Polaris customers now have the opportunity to choose whether they want more privacy with seats that face the window or the center of the plane. They can choose seats that face the aisle. Middle seats that face the aisle have a divider that can be lowered to bed height, perfect for loved ones traveling together. United Polaris customers can also access a new onboard grab-and-go snack bar, featuring drinks and specialty snacks. The Elevated interior overhaul isn't only about business-class seats. United Premium Plus seats are getting major upgrades, including a 16-inch 4K OLED screen, wireless charging, and a privacy divider with a reading light, along with dedicated holders for water bottles and headphones.. Planes with the Elevated interior will be some of the first United wide-body planes to have free Starlink internet for United MileagePlus members. United Economy Plus and United Economy passengers don't have to miss out either. Some of the upgrades in these sections include 13-inch 4K OLED screens, Bluetooth connectivity, and six outlets for phones and other devices per row. According to United, the company has invested more than $150 million in food and beverage enhancements in 2025. Some of the tasty upgrades coming to planes with Elevated interiors include*: New menus New dishware with dishes, glassware, cutlery, linens, and seasonings Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service (United Polaris Studio) Post-dessert (United Polaris Studio) Curated specialty snack box (United Polaris Studio) Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé (United Polaris Studio) Wine offerings (United Polaris) Regional menus (United Polaris) Grab-and-go snack bar (United Polaris) Fresh salads with premium dressing (international Economy) More entrée choices and new desserts (international Economy) Coursed appetizer that's served before full lunch and dinner (international Economy) *Actual services depend on fare class. Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to the Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United unveils new Polaris business class cabins with huge suites — how can you book them?
If you've been deciding which airline to go with, now is the perfect time to consider United. Along with the United credit cards relaunch, you can expect new United Polaris suites, including the brand-new United Polaris Studio suite. This new business class suite is part of United Airlines' unveiling of their United Elevated interior, which encompasses a premium experience and new offerings on incoming United Boeing 787-9 planes. Apart from United Polaris Studio, the United Elevated interior includes upgrades and enhancements to United Polaris, United Premium Plus, and United Economy. Three popular ways to earn points or miles for United Polaris award flights include: Earning United miles directly from United credit cards Earning United miles transferred from Chase credit cards Earning Aeroplan miles transferred from Amex credit cards or Capital One credit cards Why we like it: The United Explorer Card is one of the lowest-cost options available for earning United miles on everyday purchases and still getting a free checked bag on United flights. You get United priority boarding privileges and two United Club one-time passes after each card we like it: The United Club Card is the go-to option if you want United Club membership as part of your card benefits. It has a high annual fee, but the United Club access and other premium benefits should be more than enough value to offset the cost for frequent we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the most popular travel credit cards available because of its low annual cost and loads of useful benefits, including purchase and travel protections. In addition, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to the United MileagePlus program, giving you opportunities to redeem Chase points for United Polaris we like it: The Capital One Venture Rewards makes it easy to earn 2x valuable Capital One miles on all eligible purchases, regardless of the spending category. You can then transfer your miles to the Air Canada Aeroplan program if you have a United Polaris redemption in mind that you want to we like it: The Amex Gold Card offers a high rewards rate in everyday bonus categories, paving the way for boosting your points bank on purchases you already make. You can transfer Membership Rewards points to Air Canada Aeroplan to book United Polaris award will start adding 787-9s with Elevated interiors to its fleet in 2025, but you won't be able to fly on one until 2026 — and only for select international flights: San Francisco to Singapore San Francisco to London To get ready for the launch of Elevated planes, let's see how you can find deals on United Polaris award flights. United MileagePlus and Air Canada Aeroplan are two of the best awards programs for finding and booking United Polaris award flights. Through United, you can find United Polaris flights from San Francisco (SFO) to London (LHR) for as low as 80,000 miles. Through Aeroplan, they go as low as 70,000 miles. United Polaris Studio suites are located in the first row of each business class section, and there are eight seats available. You can expect these seats to be priced higher than standard United Polaris. Why? Because they're better. United Polaris Studio suites are larger, and six out of eight include an ottoman with a seatbelt where a companion can join you during the flight. Each suite features a 27-inch 4K OLED touchscreen (the largest among U.S. carriers) and convenient features, such as Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, and multiple outlets. You also get an upgraded amenity kit, including Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ luxury skincare products and United-branded playing cards. Your in-seat amenities include noise-canceling headphones, hoodie pajamas and slippers, and Saks Fifth Avenue bedding. And there's caviar. United Polaris Studio customers get Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service and Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé. In addition, they get exclusive entrée options and a curated specialty snack box. So, is United Polaris old news with the introduction of the new United Polaris Studio suites? Nope! United is upgrading all the United Polaris products to suites on the new 787-9s. The new standard in United Polaris seats has sliding doors, and every suite has all-aisle access. Each suite has a 19-inch 4K OLED touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity, as well as wireless and other charging options. United Polaris customers now have the opportunity to choose whether they want more privacy with seats that face the window or the center of the plane. They can choose seats that face the aisle. Middle seats that face the aisle have a divider that can be lowered to bed height, perfect for loved ones traveling together. United Polaris customers can also access a new onboard grab-and-go snack bar, featuring drinks and specialty snacks. The Elevated interior overhaul isn't only about business-class seats. United Premium Plus seats are getting major upgrades, including a 16-inch 4K OLED screen, wireless charging, and a privacy divider with a reading light, along with dedicated holders for water bottles and headphones.. Planes with the Elevated interior will be some of the first United wide-body planes to have free Starlink internet for United MileagePlus members. United Economy Plus and United Economy passengers don't have to miss out either. Some of the upgrades in these sections include 13-inch 4K OLED screens, Bluetooth connectivity, and six outlets for phones and other devices per row. According to United, the company has invested more than $150 million in food and beverage enhancements in 2025. Some of the tasty upgrades coming to planes with Elevated interiors include*: New menus New dishware with dishes, glassware, cutlery, linens, and seasonings Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service (United Polaris Studio) Post-dessert (United Polaris Studio) Curated specialty snack box (United Polaris Studio) Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé (United Polaris Studio) Wine offerings (United Polaris) Regional menus (United Polaris) Grab-and-go snack bar (United Polaris) Fresh salads with premium dressing (international Economy) More entrée choices and new desserts (international Economy) Coursed appetizer that's served before full lunch and dinner (international Economy) *Actual services depend on fare class. Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to the Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Forbes
13-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
5 Major Airline And Hotel Loyalty Program Changes For 2025
Airlines and hotels make regular updates to their loyalty programs, but they are not always good news for consumers. Airlines and hotels are constantly making updates to their loyalty programs, and for consumers, it feels like that means downgrading their benefits rather than improving what's on offer. While the barrage of changes can be hard to keep up with at times (particularly because some airlines make little advance warning of negative changes while trumpeting the positive ones), it is important to follow along so you won't be surprised on your next trip. These are five of the biggest loyalty program changes in recent months and how you can make the best of them on your next trip. United Airlines Boeing 737 departing Vancouver International Airport Accessing a United Club just got a lot more expensive and a lot harder, unless you have a United co-branded credit card that comes with club access. The cost for lounge membership is increasing to $750 for individual access (or you can pay 94,000 miles) or $1,400 for All Access membership that allows you to bring a guest and also use other Star Alliance lounges. If you prefer to pay in miles, the cost is 140,00 miles for All Access membership. The worst part about these changes is that members with the basic plan can no longer bring a guest and are no longer granted access to Star Alliance lounges as a club member. United Clubs have been getting significant upgrades in recent years with new lounges opening in its major hubs like Denver and Chicago O'Hare. It has also been adding innovative grab-and-go lounges for travelers with short connections. Inside, the offering has grown to include hot buffets and upgraded menu choices. United Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner The good news: Lounge access becomes much cheaper if you are approved for the United Club credit card, which has an annual fee of $695. This includes guest access, which is half the cost of paying for the All Access plan. Also, these changes only apply to new members. If you already have a membership, these adjustments will only go into effect once your renewal year comes up. While United co-branded credit cards are raising their annual fees, they also come with a bevy of new perks, especially for cards like the United Quest card. These include credits for travel credits for United and JSX flights, hotel stays, rideshare services and grocery deliveries, depending on the card. 'When forced with a choice between paying more for club access, or having the same access for less by having the credit card, many consumers are likely to obtain the credit card, which will help drive spending and loyalty to the brand,' says travel expert Jamie Larounis of A KLM Boring 737 in the SkyTeam livery One of the three major alliances, SkyTeam has updated its lounge access rules for many of its member airlines and airports. This includes imposing a three-hours-before-departure time limit at your origination city. In other words, you can only enter a SkyTeam lounge (based on entry credentials like a premium cabin ticket or having SkyTeam Elite Plus status) within three hours of departure. If you are making a connection between flights, this restriction is waived. SkyTeam founding member Delta Air Lines has long had this rule, and now its partners are imposing a similar restriction. The alliance's online lounge finder, which frequent travelers describe as not being a reliably updated resource when it comes to determining which airlines have access to which lounges in certain airports, still does not have the latest access details. The rules for inviting a guest have also changed. Now, guests of a SkyTeam Elite Plus member must be traveling on the same flight. Air Europa is a member of the SkyTeam alliance. The good news: If you are traveling domestically on a SkyTeam airline, SkyTeam Elite Plus members now have access to many lounges. Previously, SkyTeam was the only alliance to withhold lounge access when on domestic itineraries. This applies to most members (except those traveling domestically in the U.S. on Delta or within Argentina on Aerolineas Argentinas). 'This is a meaningful shift in SkyTeam's lounge access policy,' says Business Traveler magazine's aviation director Enrique Perella. 'For the first time, most SkyTeam Elite Plus members can access lounges on domestic itineraries—a benefit long overdue.' For example, if flying from Paris to Nice on Air France, SkyTeam Elite Plus members can now use an Air France lounge. Or if a top Air France elite status member is flying domestically on Delta within the U.S., they can use a Delta lounge. American Airlines planes at Miami International Airport American Airlines and World of Hyatt have removed several popular benefits from their reciprocal relationship: namely the opportunity to earn Hyatt points for every dollar spent on American and vice versa. There was also a shared elite status match for some program members that offered status in one program based on your status in another. These perks were replaced with a la carte benefits that are now tiered by how much you spend with either brand. This includes being able to select a free World of Hyatt redemption night when reaching certain Loyalty Points awards with American or being able to select preferred seats with American or elite status when reaching certain travel thresholds with Hyatt. World of Hyatt has also made annual updates to its award chart, which has increased the cost of many redemptions at popular hotels, but also reduced them at others. Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, a famous luxury palace hotel, is part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt The good news: World of Hyatt is the only hotel program to still use a transparent award chart, giving its members an easy-to-understand system when it comes to redeeming points. And when staying at new hotels in its program, members can earn bonus points for each stay. World of Hyatt will even give you bonus points for working out on a Peloton bike at participating hotels. Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300 After giving members more than a year's notice, Delta is making big changes to how members access its Sky Clubs. This follows entry restrictions added previously limiting members access to three hours before their first departure (waived during connections) and dropping the option to purchase a day pass at reception. Now, those accessing the lounge using The Platinum Card from American Express can only visit ten times a year without paying an additional fee. Delta Reserve Cardholders can only visit 15 times a year without an extra fee. They can bring a guest, but have to pay a fee for them to enter. Delta Airlines Boeing 767 airplane landing at Schiphol airport near Amsterdam. Still, according to experts, lounges appear full. Delta has significantly upgraded the food, beverage and amenity roster, which means travelers are more inclined to spend their time there. 'We've still seen crowding issues even after Delta tightened access to its lounges,' says Larounis. The good news: if you spend more than $75,000 a year on either card, you can visit as many times as you want when traveling Delta or a SkyTeam partner. Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 airplanes at Atlanta Airport The airline is making sweeping changes to its business model, eliminating free checked bags and adding assigned seats (including fees to select preferred seating). 'There's going to be a big drive towards status and obtaining the co-brand credit card, to help ease some of the potential costs associated with bag and seat fees,' says Larounis. He believes that some changes are forthcoming with status benefits and more credit card perks that will further incentivize flyers to obtain status and apply for these credit cards. Southwest still offers free checked bags to some travelers. As of now, two free checked bags are still a perk for elite status members, credit cardholders and those that buy the highest fare. The airline is also adding a new basic economy fare with fewer frills and more restrictions. Larounis adds, 'holding A-list status is going to be the new sweet spot to avoid having to pay these new fees, but of course not every flyer will be able to obtain this entry level status.' The good news: Southwest still has one of the best perks in travel for frequent flyers with its Annual Companion pass that allows a second person to fly free and just pay the taxes.
Bloomberg
24-03-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Stock Movers: Tesla, United, Intuitive Machines
- Tesla retail fans pushed shares as much as 12% higher today during trading. The company has long had an ardent fan base of individual investors who hang on Elon Musk's every word on X, the social-media platform he owns. They analyze Tesla in great detail in online forums and largely function as a hype crew for the stock. - United Airlines will begin charging customers more to access its airport lounges to help combat a rise in overcrowding since the pandemic. Individual United Club memberships will now cost $750 or 94,000 reward miles a year for MileagePlus loyalty program members, the company said in a message to customers on Monday. The company is also adding a new 'All Access' membership tier priced at $1,400 or 175,000 miles that extends lounge access to certain guests traveling with a member. - Space exploration company Intuitive Machines shares were up as much as 23%, the most intraday in two months, after management said its 4Q backlog has increased 22% year-over-year, marking the highest quarter-ending backlog in company history. During the earnings call, management said they see opportunity in the change of US administrations and the ensuing efforts to revamp government, including NASA.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United Airlines Stock Rises as Airline Raises Credit Card, Club Access Fees
United Airlines stock surged Monday after the carrier rolled out new features and raised the fees for its Chase co-branded credit cards. Co-branded credit cards are a profit engine for the four major U.S. airlines, which all lost money last year on strictly transporting passengers. The carrier also increased the cost of accessing its United Club airport Airlines (UAL) shares jumped nearly 6% Monday as the airline rolled out changes to its JPMorgan Chase (JPM) co-branded credit cards, including new perks for cardholders and higher fees. Co-branded credit cards have been instrumental in keeping U.S. airlines profitable. The four biggest carriers—United, Delta Air Lines (DAL), American Airlines (AAL), and Southwest Airlines (LUV)—all lost money transporting passengers last year. However, the airlines make up for this by selling frequent-flyer miles to credit-card companies at advantageous terms, with the card issuers then offering the miles as rewards to cardholders. The United cards' new benefits include hotel, rental car, and rideshare credits that vary by card level, as well as complimentary Instacart+ subscriptions that vary in duration. The United Explorer Card now comes with a $150 annual fee, up from $95, while its Quest and Club level cards now cost $350 and $695, respectively, up from $250 and $525. Access to the airline's in-demand United Club airport lounges will also be changing. Until now, the carrier had sold one kind of United Club membership, with the annual fee (ranging from $550 or 75,000 MileagePlus miles to $650 or 85,000 miles) determined by MileagePlus status level. Membership included entry for up to two guests and access to other Star Alliance airline lounges. Effective immediately, United will have two-tiered plans: individual membership costing $750 or 94,000 miles (no guest access, no discounts for higher-tier elite members, access just for United Clubs), and All Access plans for $1,400 or 175,000 miles (up to two guests, discounts for elite members, and access to other Star Alliance lounges). As Gary Leff of travel site View From the Wing writes, someone with United MileagePlus Premier 1K status "goes from $550 to $1,200 to keep the benefits they have currently." Leff adds that "customers are going to pay more—to United, or United and Chase—if they want continued lounge access. However, the card becomes even more the 'better deal' than before." Despite their surge Monday, United shares are down more than 18% thus far in 2025. Read the original article on Investopedia Sign in to access your portfolio
