United Airlines is taking care of its Global Services members with a status extension through January 2022 and complimentary access to United Clubs on domestic itineraries.
United Offers Global Services Status Extension
Global Services status is United’s unpublished top-tier status above Premier 1K status. It is driven by spending and includes a number of benefits including easier upgrades, dedicated customer service, and even chauffeured car transfers at certain hubs.
While United extended Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, and 1K status all the way back in April (also through January 2022), it did not address Global Services status. But in an email from Luc Bondar to Global Services members today, United announced they too would receive a status extension.
“Now that we’re in the middle of summer, it’s clear that basing your 2021 Global Services program invitation off of your travel activity this year wouldn’t fairly reward your loyalty to United.”
United may also award Global Services status for those who do not hold it but spend significantly on travel in 2020, with a spokesperson stating:
“It’s still possible to get Global Services status if you don’t have it already; we will still extend Global Services invitations to a small group of members that demonstrate high value in 2020.”
Free United Club Access For Global Services Members, Even On Domestic Itineraries
Starting in January 2021, Global Services members will be allowed to visit United Clubs whenever they are flying, even on domestic itineraries. Class of service does not matter (though a Global Services is not going to stay a Global Services member very long if flying in economy class…).
The only drawback will be that Global Services passengers are not allowed any guests on domestic-only itineraries. When traveling internationally one guest is permitted and United Club members can continue to invite up to two guests or all members of immediate family traveling together.
CONCLUSION
This status extension takes the pressure off of Global Services members to make unnecessary trips this year. It may be bad for United’s short-term bottom line, but I think these high-value customers will reward United with more business when travel eventually picks up again. The new lounge benefit will be helpful for solo travelers but won’t be helpful when traveling with a spouse or colleague.
I was Global Services once. Too bad it was when I was living in Germany and didn’t get to use it as often as I’d liked to. They did take good care of us when the first leg of our award return trip from Sydney to Munich was canceled by Air China. Using the GS check in desk in SFO was a treat too. I was also driven once from a late arrival in LHR to my connection to Munich. Other than that, really didn’t get to take advantage of all the easy domestic upgrades without using RPU’s. The GPUs came in handy though.
Why the United Club restriction? I would have thought that GS members would have complimentary access whenever flying. Seems cheap of UA to not offer that to their best customers.
If you spend $50K/year it’s likely you have a free membership via your company or already get it on int’l J itineraries
To be honest, this is a nice perk, but I don’t know one GS that doesn’t already have a Club membership thru paid, thru a UA credit card, or work pays for it. This sounds great, but prob only effects 10% (maybe) of the GS population.
Last time I was in a Club, there was equal number of passengers to staff. UA isn’t loosing out here.
Working for a fortune 500 company that allow business for long haul but not short haul, no club benefits – this is fantastic.
My 7-8 international long hauls a year qualify me for GS. I have 10+ colleagues in the same situation.
I don’t fly domestic much, but really appreciate this.