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]
Apr 23, 2018, 6:52 pm
#451
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Question: a few days ago, somebody told me that he got the highest level of UA membership through work by just flying one trip to Asia in Polaris Business. He did not even know the full name of the highest level, just the word "Global". Do people who get Global Services in this manner get GPUs? Did I miss the opportunity to ask him to apply 2 of his GPUs to one of my trips (where there is PN>0) and I would give him 2 of mine in return?
Apr 23, 2018, 7:13 pm
#452
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
Question: a few days ago, somebody told me that he got the highest level of UA membership through work by just flying one trip to Asia in Polaris Business. He did not even know the full name of the highest level, just the word "Global". Do people who get Global Services in this manner get GPUs? Did I miss the opportunity to ask him to apply 2 of his GPUs to one of my trips (where there is PN>0) and I would give him 2 of mine in return?
Apr 23, 2018, 7:47 pm
#453
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Funny, that's what my wife said when I mentioned it. But she seems to think that everybody I know lacks common sense. Comes with my profession.
Apr 23, 2018, 8:47 pm
#454
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
The only thing I can think of is his company was given x number of GS statuses based on their spend with UA. Then his company decided to give it to him for any variety of reasons. Otherwise, I'm with your wife
Apr 23, 2018, 8:59 pm
#455
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,404
I'm guessing the traveler got a GS nomination from his employer.
Apr 24, 2018, 6:33 am
#456
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Apr 24, 2018, 4:11 pm
#457
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
Some years ago, some FTers reported receiving UA 1P early (before EQM threshold, probably PQM back then) by taking 2 full fare C/F trips TPAC. 1 for GS sounds too low.
Apr 24, 2018, 8:43 pm
#458
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 4
Yes, as soon as you get nominated and the request is processed, you get 6 GPUs and 2 RPUs. The nominated GS status will expire in the next year or the following year depending on when during the calendar year you were nominated. If the person was nominated in Q1 of this year, their status (and GPU/RPUs) probably will expire 1/2019.
Apr 25, 2018, 10:52 pm
#459
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
GS access to Polaris Lounge at EWR/SFO
I think upthread the consensus guess is no, but has anyone definitively received an answer if GS flying front cabin on a PS flight will have access to the Polaris lounges in SFO or EWR?
Apr 26, 2018, 8:47 am
#460
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
If you're flying United, Polaris Lounges are for Polaris passengers, period. PS flights are not Polaris, so no (unless you're connecting to/from a Polaris flight).
Apr 26, 2018, 11:55 am
#461
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,178
LH Frankfurt F Lounge
I used the LH F lounge in Frankfurt this morning; had the whole lounge to myself for a few hours. This is the second time I've used the GS perk for admittance and worry it'll be my last with F going away on UA.
In a Polaris world, I wonder how things will shake out for top LH an UA customers with regards to reciprocal lounge access.
In a Polaris world, I wonder how things will shake out for top LH an UA customers with regards to reciprocal lounge access.
Apr 26, 2018, 12:23 pm
#462
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cape Cod MA
Programs: GS, 3 MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 752
I used the LH F lounge in Frankfurt this morning; had the whole lounge to myself for a few hours. This is the second time I've used the GS perk for admittance and worry it'll be my last with F going away on UA.
In a Polaris world, I wonder how things will shake out for top LH an UA customers with regards to reciprocal lounge access.
In a Polaris world, I wonder how things will shake out for top LH an UA customers with regards to reciprocal lounge access.
Apr 26, 2018, 1:51 pm
#463
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I used the LH F lounge in Frankfurt this morning; had the whole lounge to myself for a few hours. This is the second time I've used the GS perk for admittance and worry it'll be my last with F going away on UA.
In a Polaris world, I wonder how things will shake out for top LH an UA customers with regards to reciprocal lounge access.
In a Polaris world, I wonder how things will shake out for top LH an UA customers with regards to reciprocal lounge access.
Apr 26, 2018, 3:01 pm
#464
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
Question about those dedicated check-in area for GS... i.e, they have one in domestic of SFO Ter3.
If a GS is travelling with a guest, can the GS bring the guest through the dedicated GS check-in?
If a GS is travelling with a guest, can the GS bring the guest through the dedicated GS check-in?
Apr 26, 2018, 3:11 pm
#465
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,454