The Application for Membership procedure for 2009 is very different than a year ago. Membership cards are no longer free, and are no longer automatic.

Teacher cards are W120,000, a special price approved by USS. Teachers, as with all members, are expected to utilize the facilities four (4) times or more each month as an agreement of membership.

All applications for 2009 must be accompanied by two (2) ID photographs, business card (if available) and application fee. Applications not accepted will have fee refunded.

USS memberships have been reduced by roughly 75% for 2009, making it more important than ever before that those who support USS have opportunities to utilize the facilities. In 2008, more than 80% of the teachers holding membership cards utilized the Seamen's Club fewer than 12 times.

Commercial individual memberships are W240,000, and Corporate Membership is W650,000 for 2009. As with teachers, commercial and corporate members are expected to utilize the Seamen's Club at least four times monthly.

Maybe it's just me, but this seems to be a really messed up business model. Charge an exorbitant amount for membership and then force members to come an 52 times/year. I mean...why force people to come after you get their membership due?

This might be a good policy for a gym, though. Might get people working out more often

Wow. Here's a sure-fire way to reduce patronage to a place that's already dead most nights of the week.

Well, that does it for me. And I've been one of the most staunch supporters of the place til now.

What's the sign in policy with an existing member?

Well, the manager can't discuss it, but bear in mind that this is a United States government NGO, non profit, set up by the US Congress during WW II, whose existence is dependent on the current SOFA agreement . The Club is like an American Navy base. The "teacher memberships" were never exactly determined by treaty. They were a kindness to the expats in the area. I am sure the Club would prefer having an open door policy, but it's not up to them.

It's just too bad for them that I don't want to pay 120K for the occasional hamburger...and then lose my membership for not going enough.

Who wants to hit TGIF? It's only about 13k for a huge yummy burger...and you can go any time and as often as you like with no membership fees. Imagine that.




Sorry busanfoodguy...I really enjoyed the Christmas buffet there last year, but their membership policies really rub me the wrong way.

Or you could go to Krazee Burger or Breeze Burn if burgers are your thing.

I heard this a while back, and to be honest, my wife and I have sort of slowly lost interest in the place over the past few years, so we don't see it as such a big loss. Considering how important it used to be, I think after a year of virtually no walk-in business, they'll recind their decision or else close the thing down. If it's about money, I seriously doubt that they're making that much money with the corporate rates.

It's one less eatery in the city, but for my money, it was just cool to go there every 4th Sunday when you knew that (a) you wouldn't be hasseled there, ( it wouldn't be louder than a first-year keg party, and © that you weren't getting ripped off by the prices.

A lot of people refuse to bother with Costco for much the same reason; "I have to pay to come in even before I've eaten anything?"

RIP, Seamen's club. End of an era.

When you walk in to the Pier 3 Club, there is a door guard who asks you to sign in to a register and log your membership number.

If you go to the Pier 8 Club, the small one, there is no door guard or register.

Yes, I understand this. In the past he has always allowed my friend who has membership to sign me in on her membership. Any idea if this is going to continue or does everyone have to have a membership?

I called the Club. Anyone with a membership can bring guests, as many as you want.