United Airlines operates two gas station minimarts inside of their hub airports. They are branded “Club Fly” and open to United Club members. The first one is in Denver near gate B60 and it opened nearly three years ago. A second one opened earlier this year on Houston Intercontinental’s B concourse. I visited the one in Denver last week.
To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with a gas station minimart. Those – along with 7/11’s – are big business! They meet a need in the marketplace. But that’s the best way to think of their “grab ‘n go” operation for club members.
It’s a place to pick up packaged food, like chips, veggies, fruit and sad salads. What people like best is (1) the barista made coffee, and (2) free food since you really aren’t supposed to take food from United’s regular clubs (but people still do).
- United’s Club Fly doesn’t take guest passes. It’s open to individual members, Club Card cardmembers with one guest, and All Access club members with two guests.
- Eligible premium cabin international travelers can also do the grab ‘n go (but the food isn’t as good, even, as what you’ll get on the plane).
The space isn’t designed for lingering, though there’s some seating, some electric outlets, and it’s attractively designed.
There was literally nothing I wanted here. I didn’t take a single item. That said, you can live on it in a pinch.
The space creates an interesting conundrum, though? How much can you take?
- They don’t provide bags! That’s probably intentional!
- Probably fine to take as much as you can carry.
- But not to fill up a backpack or even laptop bag?
Entry is all self-serve. There are no agents to assist with bookings (the primary benefit of an airline club lounge in many ways). The space is small and designed for a quick pop in, just like a convenience store.
American Airlines had similar offerings on a pop up basis when lounges were being renovated several years ago, such as the A club at DFW and also at LaGuardia (but with agent assistance). Delta has offered grab ‘n go for those foregoing actual lounge entry as a way to reduce lounge crowding.
Air Canada has a similar concept. But the food isn’t close to as good as Capital One’s to go section of its lounges (even though I think those have declined since first being introduced four years ago).
It meets the needs of some customers, and that’s great. Certainly a family on the go can do better here, at a better marginal cost ($0) than loading up at the newstand. The club member goes in while the family waits outside, and returns having hunted and gathered with a big haul.
If you see the value here, how much do you think is fair to take with you?
A single drink, piece of fruit and a single snack item being held in hands as you leave. Max. Period. That is a welcome member benefit. Anything more from other is seen as an ending to this benefit and deserve shaming. People can’t have good things these days and the freebie crowd are the worst.
once you involve America’s favorite 4 letter “f” word, FREE , all bets are off. Greed kicks in and self control takes a hike.
I’ve laughed more than once going into a Costco at the beginning of summer when they put out the patio furniture. I saw a family seated at a patio display table 5 kids , 3 adults having a meal made of samples from all the departments in the store.. they weren’t shy about getting 3rds and 4th helpings..
Since my most traveled route on this selection is DEN – ORD (from a connection that lands in the regional ghetto of B concourse), if I’m in Y, I grab two cans of Coke, a bag of chips, and one item that catches my attention. I don’t attempt to do my weekly shopping in there.
How much is too much? Depends how much you can eat (or carry). Define your policies more specifically if you want exact results… and also… LeT tHe FrEe MaRkEt DeCiDe!
I have an addiction to cookies, and those are still ones I’d pass on. Shelf stable cookies are the worst.
That said, is that cous-cous? I’d try that, along with the grapes and cheese (presumably, cheddar).
Also, if you’re going to offer packaged potato chips, why be so cheap with the selection? Just cart them out and place 20 varieties around the space to be picked over, like the fresh fruit apparently were.
The chicken Caesar salad and the chicken pesto wrap are pretty good!
We seen adequate evidence over the years that a segment of the users would happily take everything there if they could cart it off.
Why anyone thinks a comment on free markets is relevant here is puzzling.
I prefer eating a United Airlines sad salad instead of United Airlines sad sushi. I enjoy the barista-free push-button crappachino machine. Pro tip: Take a can of a cool refreshing beverage like a Coke or Fresca that you will leave with your departure gate agent as a token of your appreciation for them working your flight and not mandating you gate check your carry-on..
It’s so curious food stuff that folks would never buy becomes a value when it’s free. I understand we nibble on questionable meals in flight from boredom but other than water I don’t see the excitement in this. My title company offers an international candy shop (can’t figure that out either) but you’re invited to hoard pricey chocolates like Halloween candy. And yeah, I’ve done just that!
Alaska has something similar in PDX
The Club Fly in IAH has MUCH MUCH better food… fresher, better sandwiches, better salads, pastries, cold quiche-like things, etc.
I’m intrigued how people think this stuff is “free”
Regardless of how you get it, club access is far from free