There has been no official United announcement, but via this FlyerTalk thread, according to several FlyerTalkers’ conversations with United employees at p.s. cities (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco), the airline will begin to offer Red Carpet Club (RCC) access to 1K and Global Service Mileage Plus members booked in business class or tickets upgraded to business class. Currently, only passengers booked in p.s. first class have RCC access, and also have International First Class lounge access.

A nice enhancement, if true – which, according to multiple UA employees, the change is certainly imminent. We’ll have to wait and see if 1K (and Global Service members!) in Economy class will obtain RCC access, as well.

I do worry, though, as with all United announcements, of what passengers must relinquish in exchange for the enhancement. United works similar to the law of conservation of energy, except with enhancements: “The number of enhancements in the universe is constant, and enhancements can neither be created, nor destroyed.” Like a change in energy, if United adds something somewhere, that energy has to come from someplace – usually equating to a removal of benefits elsewhere. They never really give anything away for free. Sadly, I’m a bit worried that this change might be the consolation of United removing the ability to readily upgrade on p.s. flights next year, except with a Systemwide Upgrade, or miles and a co-pay. For those that are intrepid enough to upgrade under the new draconian price schemes, access to the RCC might be the consolation prize.

We’ll see – but, again, if that’s the peace offering for losing p.s. upgrades – well, I think UA could offer something better for such a grave change.