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On my way to a conference in Scottsdale, I stopped by the United Club℠ near Gate C33 at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). This lounge is in need of some remodeling as it has looked pretty much the same since it was a Continental President’s Club. Additionally, the lounge felt crowded (even though it wasn’t) and dirty with trash on the floor and the buffet fairly picked over.
Access
Access is granted for those with United Club℠ memberships, day passes from Chase co-branded credit cards or purchased for $59, Global Services® members, United passengers with Gold or higher status traveling internationally, international business or first-class passengers traveling on a Star Alliance flight, and Star Alliance Gold members regardless of class flown. You can find more information about these lounges and their access rules here. When you approach the lounge, you need to check in at the desks on either side of the entrance before entering the United Club℠. The desk pictured above was also staffed with an agent to assist passengers.
Anthony’s Take: When flying United domestically, I make a point to stop by the United Clubs℠ to get some work done, relax, and have a snack or drink. This lounge has tired decor, trash on the floor, and a meager buffet. It’s in need renovations and upgrades to make it a space that passengers would want to spend time in. This United Club℠ was not pleasant and I spent a short time here before going to sit by the gate.
Bar
In the back righthand corner of the lounge, you’ll find a small bar. There is a small variety of paid and complimentary beer, wine, and spirits here. The free offerings are pretty basic, but the paid selections are not too badly priced.
A coffee machine was found at the end of the buffet.
A table near the buffet held water, drip coffee, condiments, and hot water for tea. This lounge does not have a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine or soda machine and must be requested at the bar.
Food
The food in the United Clubs℠ was dramatically improving over the past few years. It seems that improvements have been abandoned and the offerings are being cut back again. United was working to keep up with what Delta is offering in the Sky Clubs®, but it seems like they might have given up. I visited during dinner and found a few hot dishes, salad ingredients, soup, sandwiches, fruit, and a few desserts. The buffet felt mostly picked over and unkempt with food spilled and not cleaned up.
Mac & Cheese
Pulled Chicken
Buns and condiments for the Pulled Chicken
Baked Potato Soup
Sandwiches
Salad ingredients
Cheese, crackers, and dried fruit
Fresh whole fruit
Around the corner from the main buffet, there were some snack dispensers and desserts.
Lay’s Baked Chips
Key Lime Pie and Pound Cake
Seating & Decor
This is a large lounge with lots of smaller spaces for working and relaxing. There are lots of seating configurations throughout. When I visited, it wasn’t too crowded and there were many options. Even though lots of the chairs were open, it felt busy and loud. The carpets had litter on them throughout the lounge and nothing felt particularly clean.
The cleaning robot was parked in a corner.
There is a small TV room tucked behind a wall before the buffet.
There are multiple workstations throughout the lounge.
The main room (where you’ll find the bar and buffet) has the most seating with many seats also having outlets.
There are also a few chairs near the front desk and departures boards.
Amenities
This United Club℠ offers free Wi-Fi, restrooms, and the food and beverages mentioned above. There are no showers or other amenities here.
Overall Impression:
The United Club℠ near Gate C33 provides basic amenities like food, drinks, and Wi-Fi. It’s a shame that United is essentially going through the motions these days and not investing where it should. When I fly United, I’ll be back, but it’s a place to pass time instead of something to look forward to when flying.
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