Originally Posted by OffAtTango

If you're willing to splurge a little bit, I personally belive the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and the United MileagePlus Club Card is the perfect combo for a United pilot. United and Marriott are very tight with eachother, so most our layover hotels are Marriott properties. I always book a Marriott property when I have an uncommutable trip, and depenidng the current promo can earn up to 21 points for every $1 spent on a room. I have aquired enough points for multiple free nights and have only hard this card for 6 months. The Marriott card automatically upgrades your account to Platinum Elite, giving you club access when available. On top of that, there's an annual $300 dining credit and annual free night award so the card practically pays for itself. With regards to the United Club Card, if you are a commuter it is amazing. Get to a hub 2 hours before your trip? Have a long sit in a hub? Throw on a jacket and get a free meal + coffee in the club. With how expensive airport food is, this card too will pay for itself fairly quickly.

Originally Posted by whatarefacts

Do you not need a ticket to enter the club?

Originally Posted by Swakid8

I have been evaluating applying for the Marriott Brilliant Card myself. Mainly to get club access and free breakfast. I too use Marriott for getting hotel rooms as a commuter. This is something I will likely pull the trigger on at the end of the year. The MP Club Card ontop of the Brilliant card might be a steep price. I'll have to activate my club passes my from MP explorer card to see what the food situation is like in the UAL club.

Originally Posted by ThumbsUp

If you are already getting Platinum+ on your stays with marriott, the Brilliant card offers you most very little benefit. The Boundless offers you 15 nights elite credit annually and a free stay for $95/year. So basically the free night pays for the card. The intro bonus points offer is also 30k higher right now than the brilliant, so even if you aren't platinum, sign up for the cheaper card, get the bonus and do a product upgrade.

Originally Posted by Swakid8

I have been evaluating applying for the Marriott Brilliant Card myself. Mainly to get club access and free breakfast. I too use Marriott for getting hotel rooms as a commuter. This is something I will likely pull the trigger on at the end of the year. The MP Club Card ontop of the Brilliant card might be a steep price. I'll have to activate my club passes my from MP explorer card to see what the food situation is like in the UAL club.

Originally Posted by Seminole00

The food situation is meh. Powdered eggs and sausages in the morning with some fruits and yogurt. Chicken strips, (sometimes carnitas) salad bar, hot soup and sandwiches starting at 1100. Plus bread, pastries, bagals, cheese/crackers and snacks during all hours of the day. Nothing too exciting but more than adquate for a hungery commuter who don't wish to spend $28.75 in SFO for a meal after the "employee discount".

Originally Posted by Swakid8

Shoot, the ability to have access to a salad bar is a great deal. Wife and I will need to sit down and mull over our options….