When United introduces its new Boeing 787-9 business class next year, flying first from San Francisco to London and Singapore, row 1 will have extra space and extra perks like better wine, amenities and bedding. Customers paying extra for row 1 will be able to use Global Services check-in a possibly even get tarmac transfers on tight connections, though this is not guaranteed.
Before this happens, though, it seems like United has been expanding its capacity for tarmac transfers and to process passengers through Global Services check-in.
- We’ve seen United expand tarmac transfers on a surprise and delight basis to economy customers who are top frequent flyers.
- And we’ve seen business class customers invited on a case-by-case basis to use Global Services check-in, too.
There have been scattered reports of Global Services for a Day treatment, and invitations to use Global Services check-in. The narrative there was,
Global Reception is for [Global Services] “soon for Polaris Studio passengers and invited 1K members.”
A reader who is a MileagePlus 1K, flying Newark to San Francisco in paid business class, received a text inviting him to Newark’s Global Services check-in:
He describes, “This is an old school Polaris ticket (not fancy row 1) – high fare class (J class) to 1K. See..below, welcoming to global services for the day…”
United customers – usually “1K” top elites, flying paid business class – have been reporting extra ‘surprise and delight’ experiences usually reserved for the airline’s truly top Global Services customers who either influence big corporate contracts or spend $60,000 or more a year with the airline (though required amounts vary).
Aww. That’s cute. All I got when I was a 1K was worthless ‘PlusPoints’ that never cleared, and ample complimentary snack boxes (Takeoff was my go-to) and an alcoholic beverage (usually Bombay), while seated in the Exit Row.
Anyone else seen United’s new jet-bridge advertisements… “HECK YEAH, WE FLY THERE.” *nice images of Cape Town, Tokyo, Fairbanks, etc.* (also cute)
@ 1990 — Two tings — 1) WFBF (P-class is pretty cheap on many UA domestic flights), 2) Get a seats.aero Pro subscription to find PZ space and use those PlusPoints! We’ve confirmed all of our PP this year via this method. Yes, it takes some planning around United’s availability, but it is worth the effort. We are using ours to visit FRA/MUC, AKL, and AMS/LHR this year. Be sure to consider the option to buy Premium Economy and use PP to upgrade. This will allow you to stretch your PP further than buying Economy and using PP to upgrade, without spending too much additional cash.
“Aww. That’s cute. All I got when I was a 1K was worthless ‘PlusPoints’ that never cleared, and ample complimentary snack boxes”
You and the fifty thousand other 1K “elites.”
@Gene — Good methods. Thank you for sharing. I tease above, but I did actually use my lowly Premier Platinum 40 PlusPoints this year already, miraculously, just on a domestic flight; it was during the 2022-2024 cycles when I had the 1K 280 PlusPoints each year, most of which were sadly wasted. However, you are still correct… the single best method remains… WFBF!
@David — Will be interesting to see how many choose to ‘cash-out’ their unused PlusPoints on those earned starting this year with the changed terms (new redemption options).
1K here. Have been met just outside the airplane door twice for quick transfers in an EV this year alone: Once in Chicago and once in Denver (award ticket). very helpful expecially at Denver with tight connections between terminals.