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]
Mar 14, 2018, 7:35 pm
#361
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Sorry for not responding sooner. Poorly trained agent..... Second time this month I have had an issue using GS benefits for award tickets. The other was an agent that didnt know about the benefit for opening award space for a companion when i had a revenue biz class ticket.
My rule of thumb is if they sound remotely confused by the request or say they need to ask a Supervisor, I politely say I need to call back. Then I do. Can save a lot of time. What I do agree with is that the overnight crew these days seem particularly strong when calling the GS line.
Mar 15, 2018, 5:47 am
#362
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS 4MM
Posts: 583
Marriott Platinum no longer a GS benefit???
For the past 2-3 years my wife and I have enjoyed Platinum Elite status at Marriott through United and GS. Now we find we're Gold Elite. Has there been a systematic devaluation of this benefit? Too bad if it is, as there's a real improvement from Gold to Platinum.
Mar 15, 2018, 5:50 am
#363
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Yes. They are no longer offering Platinum. Devaluation.
Mar 15, 2018, 6:18 am
#364
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 183
Sorry for not responding sooner. Poorly trained agent..... Second time this month I have had an issue using GS benefits for award tickets. The other was an agent that didnt know about the benefit for opening award space for a companion when i had a revenue biz class ticket.
Mar 15, 2018, 7:34 am
#365
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: dark side of the moon
Programs: papa card, UA 1K
Posts: 707
Marriott Platinum was an extremely minor benefit of GS ..... I flip between Platinum and Gold regularly without batting an eyelid... I don't get it. Maybe this deserves it's own thread.
Mar 15, 2018, 9:09 am
#366
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS 4MM
Posts: 583
I wouldn't call it extremely minor, but agree it's not the end of the world to lose it! I have a hard time building hotel status on my own since most travel is to attend conferences where I need to stay where they put me, and the inviting organization pays the room charges (so no points; good thing that's not how it works for the airlines!). I liked having the automatic club access and late checkout whenever I did stay at Marriott property. Is that part of gold benefit as well?
Mar 15, 2018, 9:48 am
#367
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Marriott Plat on the other hand always seemed rather irrelevant.
Mar 15, 2018, 10:56 am
#368
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
SPG Platinum has some real benefits over gold at some hotels (e.g. option to take free breakfast at the StR new york is worth probably $50-$60/nt). Then again my first StR stay as a gold I was upgraded to a multi-room suite as good as my best upgrade in 5 years as a gold sooooo.
Marriott Plat on the other hand always seemed rather irrelevant.
Marriott Plat on the other hand always seemed rather irrelevant.
Mar 15, 2018, 12:21 pm
#369
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Agreed, was responding to the comment that "Marriott Platinum is an extremely minor benefit" by pointing out that SPG Platinum, an extension of the Marriott Platinum under the current regime, is in my view quite valuable over gold.
Mar 20, 2018, 6:23 pm
#370
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Mileage Plus, Global Services
Posts: 22
Does anyone know if there is an alternative Global First lounge at SFO? I understand that the original lounge has been converted to Polaris (Business) lounge while the others are being renovated...
Mar 20, 2018, 7:08 pm
#371
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Indiana
Programs: United GS 1.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 533
GS phone line cannot connect given the high call volumes presumably due to the travel waiver? This is the first time for me that it would not even connect to the queue.
If a GS cant even get on the phone queue, how about everyone else?
If a GS cant even get on the phone queue, how about everyone else?
Mar 20, 2018, 7:12 pm
#372
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 302
Im also on hold it claimed one minute wait but.......
Mar 20, 2018, 7:20 pm
#373
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Indiana
Programs: United GS 1.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 533
out of the 5 times i tried, i got connected the 4th time in queue and then it said 15-20 minutes. After the 5 minute mark, it disconnected saying call volume is too high and to call back later.
I tried right after and it still does not put me in the queue.
I tried right after and it still does not put me in the queue.
Mar 20, 2018, 7:45 pm
#375
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 302
36 minutes in and get a message my expected hold time is 3 minutes.
39 minutes in and expected wait time is now 5 minutes
1:10 in and its now saying 15-20 minutes......
About to give up and then fight with them tomorrow if the availability disappears.
and after 2 hours on hold disconnected. Fantastic
39 minutes in and expected wait time is now 5 minutes
1:10 in and its now saying 15-20 minutes......
About to give up and then fight with them tomorrow if the availability disappears.
and after 2 hours on hold disconnected. Fantastic
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 20, 2018 at 11:49 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member