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]
Feb 12, 2018, 10:14 am
#226
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
You are listed in the correct way — if it says “PN requested” that should give you more comfort - in fact, I call at times when it just lists “upgrade requested” to confirm it is indeed listed for PN. I frequently see this on Award itineraries where I have applied an instrument - I think the manual application procedure requires agents to list what class you are waitlisted for. Either way, you’re on the list. PN is cleared before R.
Will cross my fingers and call at T-72 if it hasn't cleared yet. After 16 hours on the Dreamliner in Polaris, economy on the last leg would be nice to avoid.
Feb 12, 2018, 12:40 pm
#227
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,423
Yes, the difference between "PN class requested" and "Upgrade requested" is whether the system knows the unique ID of the instrument which supported the upgrade request.. usually when done manually it does not (same for R).
Feb 12, 2018, 4:22 pm
#228
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
GS been downgraded to Marriott Gold? What does this mean for Exec Lounge Access which is a valuable perk?
Feb 12, 2018, 6:51 pm
#230
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 94
The big difference is in the matched status to SPG where Platinum gets lounge but Gold does not.
Feb 13, 2018, 3:28 pm
#231
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot LT Titanium/Hertz PC/UA 1MM 1K
Posts: 131
I am on a flight from MXP to EWR on 6/3 where I used 2 GPU's on a converted T fare. Flight is currently P9, PN0 as it has been for the past few weeks. Does this mean I need to call to make sure this clears into PN rather than R? Reservation only says GPU's used for "Upgrade Requested".
Feb 13, 2018, 3:58 pm
#232
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,423
I am on a flight from MXP to EWR on 6/3 where I used 2 GPU's on a converted T fare. Flight is currently P9, PN0 as it has been for the past few weeks. Does this mean I need to call to make sure this clears into PN rather than R? Reservation only says GPU's used for "Upgrade Requested".
Feb 13, 2018, 4:05 pm
#233
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,301
I am on a flight from MXP to EWR on 6/3 where I used 2 GPU's on a converted T fare. Flight is currently P9, PN0 as it has been for the past few weeks. Does this mean I need to call to make sure this clears into PN rather than R? Reservation only says GPU's used for "Upgrade Requested".
Feb 13, 2018, 8:53 pm
#234
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NY
Programs: UA GS & 3MM, HHONORS Diamond
Posts: 66
Just received my Marriott "Gold" kit today. Platinum was fun while it lasted...Was a nice perk.
Feb 14, 2018, 1:25 am
#235
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: UA MileagePlus 2MM
Posts: 1,567
In any case I often feel room upgrades I have gotten are worse than what I booked - I research my hotels a lot!
Adam
Feb 14, 2018, 4:57 pm
#237
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tri Valley Area Northern CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 579
As a 1k flyer, I could not remember the last time I was upgraded on a 320, let alone a 319. However, as a GS, I've been upgraded on all my 319/320 flights (often at the 120 hour window). The difference is huge.
Feb 14, 2018, 6:19 pm
#238
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: UA MileagePlus 2MM
Posts: 1,567
@adambrau : Marriott status lasts until the end of February as compared to airline status which typically last until the end of January.
Feb 15, 2018, 8:18 am
#239
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
I recently went from 1k to GS by reaching 4 million miles. As a 1k flying on discounted domestic fares (G, K), I was upgraded about 10-15% of the time. Now as a GS, sitll flying on discounted domesitc fares, the uprgrade % has reversed. My upgrade rate is running about 90%, even with frequent SDC. My only 2 misses this year have been on a SDC flight and a IAH/SFO flight on a 757 with 16 lie flat first class seats. Even on the lie flat flight, I was only aced out by a GS couple.
As a 1k flyer, I could not remember the last time I was upgraded on a 320, let alone a 319. However, as a GS, I've been upgraded on all my 319/320 flights (often at the 120 hour window). The difference is huge.
As a 1k flyer, I could not remember the last time I was upgraded on a 320, let alone a 319. However, as a GS, I've been upgraded on all my 319/320 flights (often at the 120 hour window). The difference is huge.
Luckily most of my long flights this year will be in paid J, but (as someone stated to me several weeks ago), I have a lot of BG1 and E+ to look forward to on my domestic Y bookings until I satisfy the challenge or qualify again at the end of this year.
Congrats on the 4MM, by the way.
Feb 15, 2018, 8:47 am
#240
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
I recently went from 1k to GS by reaching 4 million miles. As a 1k flying on discounted domestic fares (G, K), I was upgraded about 10-15% of the time. Now as a GS, sitll flying on discounted domesitc fares, the uprgrade % has reversed. My upgrade rate is running about 90%, even with frequent SDC. My only 2 misses this year have been on a SDC flight and a IAH/SFO flight on a 757 with 16 lie flat first class seats. Even on the lie flat flight, I was only aced out by a GS couple.
As a 1k flyer, I could not remember the last time I was upgraded on a 320, let alone a 319. However, as a GS, I've been upgraded on all my 319/320 flights (often at the 120 hour window). The difference is huge.
As a 1k flyer, I could not remember the last time I was upgraded on a 320, let alone a 319. However, as a GS, I've been upgraded on all my 319/320 flights (often at the 120 hour window). The difference is huge.