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 26, 2018, 11:14 pm
#301
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Feb 28, 2018, 9:13 am
#302
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Are “Lifetime Flight Miles” calculated as PQM?
Feb 28, 2018, 9:15 am
#303
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Feb 28, 2018, 10:42 am
#305
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LAX,SNA,SAN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LP, Hertz Gold
Posts: 861
"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."
This can't be right. My buddy 1K cleared on Y fare and I sat number one, again, with M fare.
This can't be right. My buddy 1K cleared on Y fare and I sat number one, again, with M fare.
Feb 28, 2018, 2:02 pm
#306
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
- All Global Services members (presumably prioritized similar to other members below), including those awaiting a CPU.
- For CPU eligible flights, Premier 1K members on eligible Y-, B- and M-class fares that were not cleared at time of booking are prioritized by fare class and then time of request.
- All travelers on waitlisted Global Premier Upgrades, Regional Premier Upgrades (where valid) and MileagePlus Upgrade Awards: Prioritized by Premier status of the traveler, then fare class and then time of request. There is no priority difference between GPU, RPU & MUA requests.
- For CPU eligible flights all remaining Premier members: Prioritized by Premier status of the traveler and fare class (award tickets are considered the lowest fare class)
Feb 28, 2018, 2:05 pm
#307
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
United needs to republish the upgrade rules. Not even GS agents understand them anymore. Of course they will likely not do this since Kirby wants to squeeze every $ out of people and realizes if they publish what they are actually doing, nobody would continue to buy expensive fares.
Feb 28, 2018, 2:10 pm
#308
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
It seems to still be true outside of 24 hours. Unless the cabin is wide open, they hold off doing upgrades and within 24 hours, status seems to mean nothing.
United needs to republish the upgrade rules. Not even GS agents understand them anymore. Of course they will likely not do this since Kirby wants to squeeze every $ out of people and realizes if they publish what they are actually doing, nobody would continue to buy expensive fares.
United needs to republish the upgrade rules. Not even GS agents understand them anymore. Of course they will likely not do this since Kirby wants to squeeze every $ out of people and realizes if they publish what they are actually doing, nobody would continue to buy expensive fares.
Sounds here like it is lumping all PN requests together and sorting by fare class, not by status and then by fare class as it is supposed to.
Feb 28, 2018, 2:14 pm
#309
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Per the GS Benefits website (mystatus.united.com/gs) it still lists this for within 24 hours: "Priority over all other customers on day of departure".
Sounds here like it is lumping all PN requests together and sorting by fare class, not by status and then by fare class as it is supposed to.
Sounds here like it is lumping all PN requests together and sorting by fare class, not by status and then by fare class as it is supposed to.
- If there are seats available and nobody uses an instrument or miles, then the order they publish is followed.
- Anyone (with or without status) can use an instrument or miles to claim the first class seats - all will go ahead of a GS, unless the GS uses miles or an instrument. I've confirmed this with United and many many GS agents. Buy-ups are also competing for seats. Given all this, the likelihood that there will be first class seats left at departure is very low.
Feb 28, 2018, 2:43 pm
#310
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
The way it works within 24 hours is this:
- If there are seats available and nobody uses an instrument or miles, then the order they publish is followed.
- Anyone (with or without status) can use an instrument or miles to claim the first class seats - all will go ahead of a GS, unless the GS uses miles or an instrument. I've confirmed this with United and many many GS agents. Buy-ups are also competing for seats. Given all this, the likelihood that there will be first class seats left at departure is very low.
- If there are seats available and nobody uses an instrument or miles, then the order they publish is followed.
- Anyone (with or without status) can use an instrument or miles to claim the first class seats - all will go ahead of a GS, unless the GS uses miles or an instrument. I've confirmed this with United and many many GS agents. Buy-ups are also competing for seats. Given all this, the likelihood that there will be first class seats left at departure is very low.
I played the game myself last week for my spouse (also a GS) ... I called in and removed the instrument that was waitlisted at T-25. Checked him in at T-24 and he was #2 on the upgrade list on the app. At T-20 PN=1, I called in and reapplied the instrument and secured him the 1 seat available, jumping the list. When you can't beat 'em, join 'em ... because I doubt this approach is changing.
Feb 28, 2018, 4:26 pm
#311
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LAX,SNA,SAN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LP, Hertz Gold
Posts: 861
When I did OLCI I went to number one. After a while I saw his name on the UPG list in the app. He had Y fare and I had M fare. He did not buy up. He got the last seat and me ending up Number 1 again.
FYI, Number 1 again for tomorrow and I have M fare. Went from 4 available to 16 FULL in an hour. I am not happy but there is nothing I can do.
FYI, Number 1 again for tomorrow and I have M fare. Went from 4 available to 16 FULL in an hour. I am not happy but there is nothing I can do.
Feb 28, 2018, 4:40 pm
#312
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: UA GS and 1.8MM miler, AA 2.5MM Lifetime Plat, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 39
Mid-year Qualification?
Apologies as I am sure this has been asked and answered in the past..but I've been away the past two years 
. I was GS 2012-2014 (if I remember correctly QPD of about $50K/year (UA metal) home base EWR) and them from 2015-first half of 2017 travel completely curtailed (had opportunity to serve our country but meant my international travel went to almost $0 and none of it high fare/revenue) - re-entered the private sector in Q4 2017 and in that Q racked up enough spend/miles to end year at $32,000/198,000 miles the vast majority of it in Q4. I knew that those were nowhere near qualifying numbers (on total spend as I tend to believe that is the key focus as opposed to CPM/RPM), but since I had previously been multi-year GS and I could point to the fall off occurring as I served the country and as soon as I was back in private sector the spend ramped up quickly, thought I would ask for review. Not surprisingly, after review the request was declined (but they were kind enough to review). Then a friend who has been multi-year GS told me about the Q challenge - basically an invitation to spend $15,000 in one Q (I think this year majority of initial challenges are Feb 1 - May 1) and get GS status (again focus on spend not miles so could be one RTW F ticket or 300 Economy-plus domestic tickets). So I wrote back in and asked for a challenge (knowing I would easily blow past the $15,000 in three months). Again, request reviewed and denied (got letter mentioning trend in spending over recent years (which is no surprise as I had pointed that out to them initially anyway).
My question is (sorry for long intro) - can people qualify for GS mid-year? I know you can for the other status levels but those are strict formulaic calculations (miles and/or miles and PQD for 1K) - not so for GS. YTD so far I've achieved $31,000 PQD and 150,000 PQM (all UA metal). The trend does not appear (unfortunately) to be letting up for rest of year and have already booked (but not ticketed yet) an equal amount of PQM and PQD in Q2 2018. If the expected travel materializes I would expect to make GS at end of year for 2019 (although who knows if they end up averaging years might not.). Fighting uphill battle with firm as everyone else with similar travel pattern is AA/OneWorld with a few CK in the mix. I am a 2.5MM lifetime Plat on AA and could easily be EXP and perhaps have someone at the firm push for CK recognition as well, but frankly I switched to Continental (and then United) about 10 years ago and have never looked back. Trying to convert a few more to UA and being able to demonstrate GS status would help.
Any new (or lapsed) GS qualifiers received their status upgrade mid-year?
Thanks!
. I was GS 2012-2014 (if I remember correctly QPD of about $50K/year (UA metal) home base EWR) and them from 2015-first half of 2017 travel completely curtailed (had opportunity to serve our country but meant my international travel went to almost $0 and none of it high fare/revenue) - re-entered the private sector in Q4 2017 and in that Q racked up enough spend/miles to end year at $32,000/198,000 miles the vast majority of it in Q4. I knew that those were nowhere near qualifying numbers (on total spend as I tend to believe that is the key focus as opposed to CPM/RPM), but since I had previously been multi-year GS and I could point to the fall off occurring as I served the country and as soon as I was back in private sector the spend ramped up quickly, thought I would ask for review. Not surprisingly, after review the request was declined (but they were kind enough to review). Then a friend who has been multi-year GS told me about the Q challenge - basically an invitation to spend $15,000 in one Q (I think this year majority of initial challenges are Feb 1 - May 1) and get GS status (again focus on spend not miles so could be one RTW F ticket or 300 Economy-plus domestic tickets). So I wrote back in and asked for a challenge (knowing I would easily blow past the $15,000 in three months). Again, request reviewed and denied (got letter mentioning trend in spending over recent years (which is no surprise as I had pointed that out to them initially anyway).My question is (sorry for long intro) - can people qualify for GS mid-year? I know you can for the other status levels but those are strict formulaic calculations (miles and/or miles and PQD for 1K) - not so for GS. YTD so far I've achieved $31,000 PQD and 150,000 PQM (all UA metal). The trend does not appear (unfortunately) to be letting up for rest of year and have already booked (but not ticketed yet) an equal amount of PQM and PQD in Q2 2018. If the expected travel materializes I would expect to make GS at end of year for 2019 (although who knows if they end up averaging years might not.). Fighting uphill battle with firm as everyone else with similar travel pattern is AA/OneWorld with a few CK in the mix. I am a 2.5MM lifetime Plat on AA and could easily be EXP and perhaps have someone at the firm push for CK recognition as well, but frankly I switched to Continental (and then United) about 10 years ago and have never looked back. Trying to convert a few more to UA and being able to demonstrate GS status would help.
Any new (or lapsed) GS qualifiers received their status upgrade mid-year?
Thanks!
Feb 28, 2018, 5:13 pm
#313
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
It is very rare, but there are scattered cases of it happening, including to my boss -- usually at the "mega-spend" level of >$100k by July, and comes as an invitation, not as a result of a request.
Mar 1, 2018, 12:52 pm
#314
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
My Marriott status dropped from Platinum to Gold today, per the change in the GS perk. My linked SPG account, however, is still at Platinum. Anyone know if this will stick or just take awhile to do a sweep and knock SPG back to gold too?
Mar 1, 2018, 6:14 pm
#315
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.
Funnily enough I just got a re-invitation to Platinum from Marriott in the mail today. It did state that the reasons were due to my loyalty to Marriott and spend on a Marriott Credit Card. In my case the JPMorgan Ritz Carlton Rewards Card. I stayed maybe 15 nights in Marriott/Starwood hotels in 2017.
Adam