Review: the United Airlines Global Services lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2

This is our review of the United Airlines Global Services lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 2.

It is part of our collection of UK airport lounge reviews.  You can see our full list of UK airport lounge reviews here.

Formerly a First Class lounge, it was rebranded once United dropped First Class. It now acts as a tranquil haven for United’s invite-only Global Services members as well as an overflow space for United MileagePlus Premier 1K. In British Airways parlance, that would effectively be Executive Club Premier (invite only, rules here) and Gold Guest List members only – an exclusive group.

Having never been inside this part of the lounge before I was surprised by its size – it is much bigger than I expected. This is part of the attraction, as it never feels full, no matter how busy the United Club lounge next door is.

You can’t normally access the lounge unless you meet the criteria above, but United allowed me to visit as part of my review series. Our first article, on the United Club lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2, is here.

Where is the United Global Services Lounge at Heathrow?

The United Global Services lounge is in the same location as the United Club, out in the 2B satellite terminal.

That means it’s a bit of a walk from security (and you have to walk – Terminal 2 has no shuttle train) although as all United flights depart from 2B this is not a problem. You need to make the trek eventually, and once you are in the lounge you are close to your gate. It is probably about a 10 minute walk – simply follow the signs for B gates:

Once you emerge in Terminal 2B from the concourse level turn right. The lounge entrance is just opposite Gate 46:

Take the lift or the stairs up and you are greeted with the United Club reception. Ignore this and turn 180 degrees to your right and you’ll see a small corridor and another smaller reception desk:

This is the United Global Services Lounge. It is open from 5am until 6pm daily.

Inside the United Global Services Lounge in London

Like the United Club and the other airline lounges at Heathrow T2B, the Global Services Lounge stretches across a large span of windows with views across the tarmac towards the main terminal building.

It is probably half as big as the United Club lounge (reviewed here), which is itself probably the largest lounge in the terminal. There are a number of different spaces, including this sort of ‘indoor’ room:

On the other side you have a series of booths with heritage photos from United’s history:

…. and, by the window, plenty of armchairs:

In the centre of the lounge is this funky round wine room:

and

To the right of this you have another few rows of armchairs, as well as (in the distance) the dining area with the Big Ben clock face:

Here is a closer look:

To be honest, having a giant replica of the Big Ben clock would not have been my design choice but I think it works very well. It gives the lounge some character and local flair without going all Cool Britannia.

This area also features the buffet, drinks selection and restaurant-style seating.

Food and drink in the United Global Services Lounge at Heathrow

Speaking of the buffet, it’s a relatively compact offering with a far smaller selection than the United Club next door. If you are hungry, you may want to head in there first.

The United First lounge used to offer table service with an a la carte menu. I’m told this has become a covid casualty and I’m not certain they will ever bring it back, which seems a shame.

I was in the lounge for the breakfast service, so hot items included scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, baked beans and mushrooms:

There was also a selection of cheese and cold cuts:

…. plus a handful of pastries / muffins:

Despite being a small selection, I thought the food was good.

The offering is better when it comes to drinks, with all spirits and wines available for self-pour, unlike in the United Club where you need to ask at the bar.

A selection of wines were open in an ice bucket, including a bottle of prosecco:

…. for some reason, the Champagne (Rodier) is in a separate fridge together with the beers and ciders.

If that didn’t tickle your fancy, you could also pour yourself a mixed drink with some of the spirits available:

Conclusion

In the grand scheme of things, the United Global Services Lounge is one that very few people have the chance to see inside thanks to its particularly restrictive entry requirements. Most people will be in the United Club next door.

Pulling back the curtain, it is clear that the attraction of the lounge is not necessarily in its food or drinks offering, which whilst good is small. Rather, it is the amount of space per passenger, and the relative quietness compared to next door, which makes it so pleasant.

I think I counted about 10 people when I left the lounge at 9:30am – for a space with 50+ seats. I can’t imagine it ever gets busy, even when the United Club is absolutely heaving. In contrast, this is the picture of tranquillity.

It would be good if United brought back the a la carte menu and perhaps opened it up to a few more status cardholders. In some ways this is a fabulous space that feels underutilised, which is a shame.

Travelling from Heathrow Terminal 2? Here are your lounge options ….

At Heathrow’s Terminal 2 you currently have eight lounges to choose from.

Our overview of the best airline lounges at Heathrow Terminal 2 is here, or you can read individual reviews of all the lounges here:

• Aer Lingus Lounge review
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge review (Star Alliance)
• Lufthansa Business Lounge review (Star Alliance)
• Plaza Premium Lounge review
• Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge review (Star Alliance)
• Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge review (Star Alliance)
• United Club lounge review (Star Alliance)
• United Global Services Lounge review (Star Alliance)

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How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (April 2024)

Here are the four options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,300 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.

You also get access to Eurostar, Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines lounges.  Our American Express Platinum review is here. You can apply here.

If you have a small business, consider American Express Business Platinum instead.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.

Additional lounge visits are charged at £24.  You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network.  Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £195 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.