When you fly International First Class, you expect a certain level of benefits for the cash or points that you shelled out for your flight. Well, what happenes if you fly International First Class or Business class and there is no arrival lounge for you to freshen up in after your 12+ hour long flight?
How To Get United To Pay For Hotel Room On Arrival Internationally
Point Me To The Plane writes in Little Known Perk: United Will Pay for a Hotel Room on Arrival from International Flights that when this scenario happens you might have an option on United for their GlobalFirst or BusinessFirst (their international First or Business Class) passengers. Point Me To The Plane writes, that when you fly GlobalFirst or BusinessFirst to a destination that does not have an arrival lounge or partner lounge available that, “United will get you a room (or access to a gym) at a nearby hotel, so that you can freshen up. For example, in Brussels, United will provide a room at the Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel.”
You will need to ask for this benefit before you depart on your international flight. You likely will have to work on this with several United agents before you find one in the know. This benefit is also not available in all airports. The list is available here.
According to United’s site:
United Global FirstSMÂ Lounge
The United Global First Lounge is an oasis of service and privacy. Tailored to the needs of United Global First customers on long-haul international flights*, we offer personalized services, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and premium beverages.
Access policy
The following customers may access the United Global First lounge by showing their United boarding pass for a flight arriving or departing on a same-day (within 24 hours) itinerary.
- United Global First customers traveling on long-haul international flights*
- Star Allianceâ„¢ First customers departing on international flights
These eligible United Global First Lounge visitors are allowed one adult or child to accompany them as a guest.
*Long-haul international flights are between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East or South America.
Global Services members departing Frankfurt, Germany or Munich, Germany and traveling in United Global First may access the Lufthansa First Class Lounge. Some restrictions apply.
Arrivals facilities
An Arrivals facility is a retreat where United Global First and United BusinessFirst customers arriving by noon on a same-day ticket may freshen up with a shower. Guests can enjoy a breakfast and use complimentary Wi-Fi at some locations. Start your day refreshed at an Arrivals facility.
Before their departing international flight, United Global First and United BusinessFirst customers must ask a United representative at the airport to access the Arrivals facility. Access is subject to availability. Customers cannot bring guests into the Arrivals facilities.
Bottom Line
This is a really great piece of information for anyone who flies United Internationally in GlobalFirst or BusinessFirst to Europe. Regardless of if this is hard to get United to honor or not, it is great information and definitely something worth asking for if you are interested.
About The Weekly Flyer
The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.
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It is not always a hotel; in some locations it is airport lounge access. And it is typically only for a couple hours in the morning; you don’t get a room for the whole day. Finally, while the rules may say no guests allowed that’s more the policy at locations where it is a lounge (e.g. FRA) than where it is a hotel.
This was a benefit CO offered for a long time and, though it went dark for a bit immediately post-merger, is still available today.
Anything like this on
Delta business class to Milan ?
Or
British airways to London ?
Both from NY