This trip was booked at the last minute out of whim and it happened during one of the busiest holidays in the U.S. - the weekend of the 4th of July.
SFO-LAS on UA Y - you are here LAS-SFO on UA Y+ - click here.
I left work at 15:00 and quickly stopped by my mobile phone company in order to purchase a new unit since the old one broke down just the night before. It was busy at the store and when I was done it was around 16:00. I then went home to pack my bags and drove off to the PARK SFO garage to drop off my car. The garage was already full and it took me a good 25 min. to find a spot. When I arrived at the airport, I went straight to the Premier Access line and thankfully it was not that busy. The regular line next to us was another story.
It did not take long to clear security and once inside I headed to the UA Club to meet my party. The dragon at the counter was robotic and indifferent. He scanned my boarding pass and said thanks when he returned my CM Platinum card. Inside it was crowded but there were several empty chairs in the back and around the bar area. The club by the rotunda has not been remodeled yet and still retains it "maritime" theme.
UA Club
Furniture showing some "wear and tear".
I paid a visit to the buffet and I noticed that the improvements that were advertised about a year ago have taken a step back. There were two types of soup - tomato bisque and garden vegetable, one kind of snack mix, salad, shredded carrots, crudites, chopped tomatoes, cookies, lemon bars and fresh fruits The hummus and Texas "caviar" were not available. To this day I have not seen the salami slices anywhere and I'm beginning to think that this is an "urban legend". In addition, the juice dispensers were not working and the coffee machine only had three types of hot beverages with hot water being one of them.
Buffet.
Beverages.
I sat by the window and at least the views were decent.
This one is dedicated to Numero_2.
My selections.
We left the lounge at 50 min. before boarding time and arrived at the gate with plenty of time to spare. I went to the podium to remind the agents that I was traveling with a passenger that needed extra assistance and they advised me that they have noted the request and will let us know when the time comes to board. I must say that if there are any improvements at UA, this was evident at the gate with friendly and smiling agents that truly made a stressful experience more bearable.
On the way to the gate.
Gate area with a promotional bear.
My plane.
True to his word, an agent invited us to board first before the general announcement was made. A crew member greeted us as we walked aboard and we quickly settled into our tight seats.
Pocket literature.
Mood lighting.
Service on this short trip consisted of beverages and a pack of Asian style snack.
The flight was uneventful and we arrived 2 minutes behind schedule at 23:03 instead of 23:01.
***BONUS***
We did some hotel hopping at two hotels. I will cover the first one which is Bellagio. We took a taxi and it ended up costing around $26 (EUR 23.52) with tips included. On our return from the other property the driver took the freeway route and that ended up being $35 with tips (EUR 31.06), so if you ever take a taxi tell the driver to avoid taking the freeway.
Bellagio.
As expected during the holiday weekend, it was very busy during check-in. Thankfully a representative distributed bottles of water to those waiting in line and the agents were professional. We were upgraded to a quiet room in the Spa Tower.
Check-in.
Room.
Outside next morning.
Pool.
Lobby exhibition.
Buffet @ Bellagio. Decent selection but functional ambience.
Seafood appetizer.
Roasted leg of lamb main dish.
Dessert.
Jean Philippe Patisserie. Great pastry shop inside the Bellagio. Expensive but worth it in my humble opinion.
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Verdict
United
6.4/10
Cabin6.5
Cabin crew8.0
Entertainment/wifi5.0
Meal/catering6.0
United Club - 3 - Concourse E
6.4/10
Comfort7.0
Meal/catering6.0
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Services6.5
San Francisco - SFO
9.4/10
Efficiency9.0
Access9.5
Services9.0
Cleanliness10.0
Las Vegas - LAS
8.5/10
Efficiency8.0
Access8.0
Services9.0
Cleanliness9.0
Conclusion
I thought that the UA Club catering during this particular visit has taken a step back compared to last year when the enhancements were announced. The malfunction of the beverage machines compounded to the poor impression and hopefully this is a one "off" type of situation while they upgrade the buffet according to the signs posted. Some staff members have an indifferent and at times grumpy attitude. I witnessed a teenage girl ask for something and one of the staff members replied "I'll do it later"
This was a typical short flight with minimum service, just a beverage pass with a snack. You can't ask for much for a flight of this length. Flight attendants were efficient and courteous which is a plus.
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Why am I not surprised to see such a poor catering in the UA Club?
Staying at the Bellagio is a good idea. That's the problem with huge hotels, long waiting line for check-in. At least, bottles of water were distributed, and that's a good point. I would nevertheless have prefered a lap dance with a showgirl (LOL)
Nice to see that your experience with UA was passable. While I applaud their efforts to improve their service, my biggest criticism of UA now would be the new god-awful slimline seats. I HATE those seats. They're like sitting on park benches. I think that they are excruciatingly uncomfortable!! I wish they would return to the seats on the sUA aircraft. Those were really nice. In any event, thanks for your report.
“I headed to the UA Club to meet my party” - The fiesta just follows you everywhere ;)
“said thanks when he returned my CM Platinum card” - I normally get a “thanks for being a *A Gold” from UA agents
“To this day I have not seen the salami slices anywhere and I'm beginning to think that this is an "urban legend”." - I’ve had them in IAD^^ Love the “out of order” signs at the buffet^^ The offering in the lounge doesn't seem to change, only the way they present the food (which does look improved to days of yore)
“and a pack of Asian style snack.” - Must have been leftovers from a flight from NRT^^ But in all seriousness, recently UA has started using flavored mixes as opposed to the bland stuff you get on other carriers (if the other carriers even often snacks with the drink service…).
The more I see these new UA cabins, the less I like them. I’d rather have the old CO checkerboards than the new plastic ones. The new AA cabins on the other hand, are much nicer visually.
"I normally get a “thanks for being a *A Gold” from UA agents" - I bow to the king. ;) :P
"But in all seriousness, recently UA has started using flavored mixes as opposed to the bland stuff you get on other carriers " - They get an "A" for effort, unlike AA with their boring pretzels all the time (except for breakfast from what I read but I can't confirm on that).
"The more I see these new UA cabins, the less I like them." - Wait until you see the one on my return flight. I think change might be in the air.
I recently had my first ever flight on United Airlines, so I had a good base to see what UA is like. I guess you had a pretty ordinary experience with UA. The Boeing Sky Interior looks oh so lovely as ever!
I think the best thing about that particular UA Club are the views to the tarmac. UA has 3 clubs in SFO and I would love to visit the newest one in the domestic side.
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13 Comments
Staying at the Bellagio is a good idea. That's the problem with huge hotels, long waiting line for check-in. At least, bottles of water were distributed, and that's a good point. I would nevertheless have prefered a lap dance with a showgirl (LOL)
Thank you Adan
- I'm sure this is very easy to arrange in LAS. ;)
Thanks for your comments Bernard.
I know these A343s quite well. ^^
The flight and lounge are very basic. Didn't you try the wifi with onboard entertainment broadcasted ?
I am usually not a big fan of onboard entertainment and prefer to read a book or magazine.
Thanks for stopping.
Thanks for commenting.
“I headed to the UA Club to meet my party”
- The fiesta just follows you everywhere ;)
“said thanks when he returned my CM Platinum card”
- I normally get a “thanks for being a *A Gold” from UA agents
“To this day I have not seen the salami slices anywhere and I'm beginning to think that this is an "urban legend”."
- I’ve had them in IAD^^ Love the “out of order” signs at the buffet^^ The offering in the lounge doesn't seem to change, only the way they present the food (which does look improved to days of yore)
“and a pack of Asian style snack.”
- Must have been leftovers from a flight from NRT^^ But in all seriousness, recently UA has started using flavored mixes as opposed to the bland stuff you get on other carriers (if the other carriers even often snacks with the drink service…).
The more I see these new UA cabins, the less I like them. I’d rather have the old CO checkerboards than the new plastic ones. The new AA cabins on the other hand, are much nicer visually.
- I bow to the king. ;) :P
"But in all seriousness, recently UA has started using flavored mixes as opposed to the bland stuff you get on other carriers "
- They get an "A" for effort, unlike AA with their boring pretzels all the time (except for breakfast from what I read but I can't confirm on that).
"The more I see these new UA cabins, the less I like them."
- Wait until you see the one on my return flight. I think change might be in the air.
Thank you for your visit Michael.
- if you read the bonus in my last FR you'd know ;)
I recently had my first ever flight on United Airlines, so I had a good base to see what UA is like. I guess you had a pretty ordinary experience with UA. The Boeing Sky Interior looks oh so lovely as ever!
Looking for forward to more!
Cheers.
Domestic travel in the U.S. is not the most memorable experience, but it is always a thrill to try a new airline. ;)
Not the best lounge but you managed to snap some nice spotting shots.
A very clean, fresh and modern 737 with BSI. The seats look sleek IMO.
It seems like you had a pretty standard flight with UA, the new cabin was a plus.
Your bonus made me hungry :), thanks for sharing!
Have a good one, see you!
I think the best thing about that particular UA Club are the views to the tarmac. UA has 3 clubs in SFO and I would love to visit the newest one in the domestic side.
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