News and notes from around the interweb:
- United is adding a celebrity chef and mixologist for its clubs.
Celebrity chef Art Smith will contribute to menu planning and design, renowned mixologist Adam Seger will oversee upgraded spirits programs and bartender training, and Disney Institute will provide world-class hospitality training and support for all Sodexo employees working in United Club locations.
- Preferred Hotels iPrefer now gives out room upgrades at the base membership level.
- Uber driver confessions
- 30 years ago United took over Pan Am’s Pacific routes
- The Uber executives facing jail time in France because “you need to have a qualification and respect the rules.”
Tried to check out the Uber Confessions story, but can’t. What does “No hotlinking, please.” mean?
I do know it means I can’t see the story…..LOL
I signed up for iprefer back in 2012 solely to get a free upgrade, this isn’t a new change. Just joining the loyalty program and booking the hotel directly got us from a garden view suite to an ocean cottage at the Hotel Hana Maui. I had stumbled on this benefit but it saved us over $400.
To have a celebrity chef, don’t you have to, um, serve food? I know UA is trying to improve the offerings at the United Clubs (after hitting rock bottom a year or two ago), but I don’t think they’re quite ready for a celebrity chef. And I guess a “mixologist” is nice, but I’d rather have something complimentary to drink that isn’t swill.
Still, while skeptical, I can’t complain about any airline that wants to make their lounges nicer. And UA’s announcement seems to suggest that the rise of the AMEX Centurion Lounges is making the airlines up their own game.