Jan 1, 2018, 6:41 am
Last edit by: flyerbjorn
United Global Services ("GS") is the highest tier of MileagePlus elite status. It is by invitation only, reviewed annually -- the invite criteria is not public but seems to require substantial annual spending with UA both in terms of absolute dollar amounts and purchasing higher fare classes (higher cpm - cents per mile). There are also reports of GS status being comped by UA Marketing to VIPs in companies who sign corporate travel deals with UA, and also to those individuals that purchase an annual PassPlus enrollment of $50k or greater. The sole published way to qualify is to become a 4MM, having flown 4 million BIS miles on UA metal (plus additional grandfathered credits at the time of the UA/CO merger).
GS have enhanced services / benefits over 1Ks. There is little said publicly by UA on GS benefits and/or qualification.
Last years' thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2017]
Thread on 2017 Global Services Notifications
Thread on 2017 Qualifying Discussion
Known facts concerning qualification and eligibility from United:
Global Services recognizes the extraordinary dedication of our top flyers. We consider a number of factors beyond the usual Premier-qualifying criteria.
We look at your travel spend on United-operated flights relative to that of other top Premier flyers over recent consecutive years.
Usually, members invited to Global Services tend to consistently purchase premium cabins or fully refundable tickets.
We look at your travel spend on United-operated flights relative to that of other top Premier flyers over recent consecutive years.
Usually, members invited to Global Services tend to consistently purchase premium cabins or fully refundable tickets.
Published Benefits
Full detail of published benefits can be found at https://mystatus.united.com/gs [MP credentials login required, existing GS only]
Shortlist (incremental/different to 1K):
- Dedicated phone number, usually answered on the first ring, and generally by specially-trained GS agents. Some exceptions occur, especially during busy periods (such as when weather waivers are in effect)
- Dedicated email address for MileagePlus and other inquiries, usually answered personally within hours
- Dedicated check-in at main airport stations, including private Global Reception centers at major hubs, providing priority TSA security access. May bring guests/companions into Global Reception areas or dedicated GS checkin lanes who are traveling on same itinerary as GS member.
- Instrument-supported upgrades (GPU/RPU) clear into PN class rather than PZ class for other elite tiers, which usually have much better availability. Instruments drawn from the GS member account and applied to other reservations will also clear into PN class.
- Complimentary Premier Upgrades (CPUs) cleared beginning 120 hours prior to flight departure (versus 96 hours for 1K) for GS member and up to one other traveling on same PNR
- Highest-priority when waitlisted for Upgrades, Award Travel, and Sold-out Flight Availability. GS members clear before any other status level or full-fare customers.
- Priority Boarding, among the first to board the aircraft (currently after unaccompanied minors, people with disabilities and/or need more time boarding, Active-Duty Military, and now prior to families with children under age of 2)
- Priority handling in event of IRROPS, including next flight guarantee in case of re-accommodation, overseen by dedicated team of location-based GS Customer Service Agents (identified via gold scarves/ties)
- Mercedes-Benz Tarmac Transfer for tight connections between flights at major hubs (cannot be requested in advance)
- Access to United Arrivals Lounge at SFO when arriving from international flight, regardless of cabin class (no guests permitted)
- Access to Arrivals Lounge at LHR T2 when arriving from inbound UA-operated intercontinental flight, regardless of cabin (no guests permitted, must present Boarding Pass or physical GS card)
- Access to Lufthansa / Swiss Welcome (arrival) Lounges in FRA and ZRH for same-day inbound UA intercontinental flight, regardless of cabin (no guests permitted, must present physical GS card)
All benefits noted below require calling a GS agent:
- GS can create saver economy award space (XN) if T inventory is available. United-operated flights only. Update 12 Dec 2018: Only for GS member + 1 companion.
- GS can create saver business award space (IN) if PZ inventory is available. United-operated flights only.
- GS can upgrade economy awards (XN or YN) into Business / First with a GPU if PN inventory is available, provided both instrument and miles drawn from GS member account. United-operated flights only.
- GS can confirm any waitlisted instrument-supported upgrade within T-72 hours to flight departure provided at least 2 (two) J class premium seats remain for sale after the upgrade is processed and they are at the top of the waitlist.
- GS are entitled to one Saver Award seat in the same class of service with their purchase of any premium cabin fare. GS agents can open space if it is not available provided that at least 2 seats remain for sale afterwards. United-operated flights only.
- GS can upgrade a companion with an instrument (GPU/RPU) from Economy to Business / First when flying on a paid premium cabin fare, even if PZ or PN is not available, as long as J > 2 after upgrade processed. Companion needs to be ticketed in W class or higher on international cash fare itineraries, or ticketed in X/XN for upgrades from award tickets. GS can also open economy award space for the companion to allow for the upgrade with instrument, even if XN or T are unavailable.
- (Note: Only ONE of the two above options can be exercised per premium fare purchased.)
- GS can buy up from Basic Economy fares, which is usually forbidden
- GS can access VIP Lounges (former Global First Lounges) in NRT, LHR, and HKG when booked in Polaris Business on an international itinerary. One guest permitted (two guests if a United Club member). Not accessed if booked in United Economy.
Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions [2018]
Jan 22, 2018, 11:51 am
#136
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 400
GPU exp 1/18
Any chance that I can apply a GPU exp 1/18 on a return on 2/2 where my outbound leaves 1/30? This would be from J (Z fare) to F.
Jan 22, 2018, 11:57 am
#137
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Jan 22, 2018, 12:05 pm
#138
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,860
[CONFIRMED] GPU's expiring Jan, 31 2018 can be extended (re-qual GS/1Ks max 2 GPU'S)
Jan 22, 2018, 12:15 pm
#139
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 570
Miles + Instrument Upgrade
Hi All- Could anyone confirm that it is actually possible to upgrade the X/XN economy saver award using a GPU/RPU where the original miles were debited from one GS account and the instrument came from a different GS account? I always thought it had to be the SAME account but in the 2017 benefits thread someone mentioned they just have to be GS accounts but not necessary the single account.
Jan 22, 2018, 3:02 pm
#140
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,258
Hi All- Could anyone confirm that it is actually possible to upgrade the X/XN economy saver award using a GPU/RPU where the original miles were debited from one GS account and the instrument came from a different GS account? I always thought it had to be the SAME account but in the 2017 benefits thread someone mentioned they just have to be GS accounts but not necessary the single account.
Jan 22, 2018, 4:06 pm
#141
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Jan 22, 2018, 5:13 pm
#142
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: Hyatt Globalist | Jumpseat Platinum
Posts: 546
Out of curiosity, Have any of you ever used the crew-phone to GS reservations line benefit on the 75K?
A colleague and I were talking about it the other day, and they'd never seen or heard of it being used. I've heard it mentioned once in initial training, then never again. I don't see a mention of it at all in this thread.
A colleague and I were talking about it the other day, and they'd never seen or heard of it being used. I've heard it mentioned once in initial training, then never again. I don't see a mention of it at all in this thread.
Jan 22, 2018, 5:42 pm
#143
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Out of curiosity, Have any of you ever used the crew-phone to GS reservations line benefit on the 75K?
A colleague and I were talking about it the other day, and they'd never seen or heard of it being used. I've heard it mentioned once in initial training, then never again. I don't see a mention of it at all in this thread.
A colleague and I were talking about it the other day, and they'd never seen or heard of it being used. I've heard it mentioned once in initial training, then never again. I don't see a mention of it at all in this thread.
Jan 22, 2018, 5:57 pm
#144
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: Hyatt Globalist | Jumpseat Platinum
Posts: 546
The crew phone is a (satellite?) phone from the cabin that the FAs can use to contact certain departments - in both emergency and non emergency situations. The 75K is the sUA 757-200 (28 F/C /114 Y). We're told in initial (and it's in the manual) that if a GS member has issues with a reservation that can't be resolved on .com via the wifi, then they are allowed to use that phone to call into the Reservations department so long as the plane is over a certain altitude and the Capt. approves -- but no one I know seems to have ever placed one of these calls for a customer, and it doesn't seem to be a listed benefit in the wiki, so I wondered if this was one of those instances where the company tells FAs one thing, and passengers another.
Jan 22, 2018, 6:18 pm
#145
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
The crew phone is a (satellite?) phone from the cabin that the FAs can use to contact certain departments - in both emergency and non emergency situations. The 75K is the sUA 757-200 (28 F/C /114 Y). We're told in initial (and it's in the manual) that if a GS member has issues with a reservation that can't be resolved on .com via the wifi, then they are allowed to use that phone to call into the Reservations department so long as the plane is over a certain altitude and the Capt. approves -- but no one I know seems to have ever placed one of these calls for a customer, and it doesn't seem to be a listed benefit in the wiki, so I wondered if this was one of those instances where the company tells FAs one thing, and passengers another.
Jan 23, 2018, 6:05 am
#146
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
Jan 23, 2018, 6:05 pm
#147
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 639
funny--I'm on a 757-200 now and the wifi is pretty bad. I was actually trying to look at a flight on .bomb and gave up
Jan 23, 2018, 6:30 pm
#148
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
The crew phone is a (satellite?) phone from the cabin that the FAs can use to contact certain departments - in both emergency and non emergency situations. The 75K is the sUA 757-200 (28 F/C /114 Y). We're told in initial (and it's in the manual) that if a GS member has issues with a reservation that can't be resolved on .com via the wifi, then they are allowed to use that phone to call into the Reservations department so long as the plane is over a certain altitude and the Capt. approves -- but no one I know seems to have ever placed one of these calls for a customer, and it doesn't seem to be a listed benefit in the wiki, so I wondered if this was one of those instances where the company tells FAs one thing, and passengers another.
Jan 23, 2018, 10:41 pm
#149
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 659
"Hello Captain - yes there is a customer who wants to use the Sat phone. Why? Um, he says something about not being able to apply an upgrade to his saver award.Yes sir, I know, but the manual says... yes I know but he claims it's an emergency. Something about "arrr wan" - yeah I don't know "
