Review: United Global Services Lounge London (LHR)

I spent most of my London layover in the so-called “Global Services” section of the United Club, which (eventually) will no longer be a separate section but instead merged into the rest of the lounge.

If you visit today, you’ll see that “Big Ben” has been removed from the wall (hopefully only temporarily!) and the lounge is preparing to knock down walls such that this private space will no longer be exclusive.

At one point, United floated plans for a Polaris Lounge in LHR, but that will not happen at this point. For now, Global Services and some Premier 1Ks are directed over to this section of the lounge and you can probably gain access yourself by asking nicely.

As for amenities, they are largely the same as the main club. Food is identical, but liquor is self-serve versus behind a staffed bar. Back when this was an international first class lounge, a full a la carte menu was available, but that ended during the pandemic and never returned.

It was very quiet during my stay and I appreciated that.

This area has its own restrooms, but if you need to shower, you’ll have to visit the main part of the lounge.

My prior review is below.

I was invited to use the Global Services Lounge before my recent United Airlines flight from London Heathrow, a unique concept to LHR that also serves as an occasional overflow lounge for Premier 1K members.

United Global Services Lounge London (LHR) Review

This lounge within a lounge in London Heathrow Terminal 2 was once called the Global First Lounge and made available to travelers in international first class. When United eliminated its first class product, it left a dilemma for this space: it was too small to become a Polaris Lounge. Instead, it became a lounge for Global Services members, United’s invite-only top status tier that is determined based upon annual (or earning four million lifetime miles on United Airlines).

These days, it offers a tranquil space for not only Global Services members, but lucky 1K members when the main part of the lounge (which I reviewed here) is crowded. I happened to arrive during a crowded period in the afternoon before my flight to Los Angeles and was invited to use the Global Services side. You’ll find down a hall and around the corner from the check-in desk.

The biggest selling point of this lounge is how quiet it is, but I love the design and space…the Big Ben clock face adorning one wall is just beautiful and the use of trees and wine bottles to separate different sections of the lounge creates a very nice environment.

There’s even a little quiet area with a pair of lounge chairs:

Prior to the pandemic, the difference between the two lounges was that the Global Services side offered an a la carte menu. During my visit, one of the lounge catering workers told me that a la carte menus would be returning soon. That was in early June and it is now July 2022 and we have yet to see the menus return.

Currently, you’ll find the same selection of food and drinks that you will find on the other side of the lounge, though the bar is self-serve here. That food, by the way, is delicious and better than anything currently served onboard in United’s Polaris Business Class.

Gaining access to this lounge has become a delicate matter on FlyerTalk, with some 1K members offended they were not given the invite. My only advice is that we 1K members (myself included) should never ask for access. Access is currently granted as a “surprise and delight” courtesy and if we want it to remain that way, we best not stake out entitlement claims over access. Agent do have discretion in letting passengers use the Global Services Lounge. Let’s keep it that way by not pushing the envelope and demanding access when we are not entitled to it…

A few other notes:

• There are no showers in this lounge, but there are restrooms
• This side of the lounge may operate on more limited hours than the main lounge
• Global Services members are permitted to invite a guest or companions traveling on the same itinerary

CONCLUSION

This is a cool lounge that I hope to receive an invite to during my next trip through London…but I won’t bank on it. As of now, there is no set rules for entry beyond being a Global Services members, but many 1Ks, including this one, have been invited to check it out. The good news for those who do not get the invite is that there is no currently difference between the two lounges in terms of amenities beyond the self-serve bar.

For a review of the main United Club at London Heathrow, please click here.

> Read More: United Club London (LHR) Review