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]
May 18, 2018, 3:38 pm
#526
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
+1 .. Lately I have received exceptional service when flying in Y. Yesterday IAH-BOS.. got the lagunitas ale and pepperoni pizza.. then had the F FA ask me if I wanted anything else (I was in bulkhead row7).. asked for wine and she brought me some from F and had a couple of refills 
May 18, 2018, 4:40 pm
#527
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
)
May 20, 2018, 3:18 pm
#528
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
I’m GS flying with two companions SFO-HKG on a K fare. I can’t buy up to W or J for this project. Is there anything GS can do to help me get upgraded? I assume no since this fare is dirt cheap, but I have a pile of GPUs doing nothing for me right now and was really hoping to check out the new Polaris lounge…
May 20, 2018, 3:36 pm
#529
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,043
I’m GS flying with two companions SFO-HKG on a K fare. I can’t buy up to W or J for this project. Is there anything GS can do to help me get upgraded? I assume no since this fare is dirt cheap, but I have a pile of GPUs doing nothing for me right now and was really hoping to check out the new Polaris lounge…
Miles & copay upgrade?
May 21, 2018, 12:00 am
#530
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 575
I’m GS flying with two companions SFO-HKG on a K fare. I can’t buy up to W or J for this project. Is there anything GS can do to help me get upgraded? I assume no since this fare is dirt cheap, but I have a pile of GPUs doing nothing for me right now and was really hoping to check out the new Polaris lounge…
May 21, 2018, 6:21 am
#531
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: UA 1K, AS 75K, BA Gold, AF Gold
Posts: 45
LHR First Class Lounge Still Open?
Wondering if it's worth getting to the airport early.
May 21, 2018, 7:35 am
#532
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
Does it happen? Yes. Does it happen often? Definitely not. They do a shockingly consistent job with the preboarding announcements IME. I’d guess I run in to a problem maybe once a year or so. It is so rare that I can remember even now the very few times this has happened to me over the years.
May 21, 2018, 8:43 am
#533
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: UA GS, AA PLAT, DL PLAT, EK SILVER
Posts: 250
Does anyone know if you book a flight and confirm a regional or global upgrade and then have to change schedules (happens frequently in my work), do they maintain the upgrade even if PN no longer available?
May 21, 2018, 8:53 am
#534
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
Only if within the 72<t<24 hour frame and there are 3+ premium cabin seats available and the upgrade can be "pushed through." Otherwise, you go into Y and W/L is added.
May 21, 2018, 9:13 am
#535
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: UA GS, AA PLAT, DL PLAT, EK SILVER
Posts: 250
May 21, 2018, 9:39 am
#536
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
May 22, 2018, 12:01 am
#537
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
May 23, 2018, 10:45 am
#538
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
What's the deal at BOS for GS access to security screening?
May 23, 2018, 10:56 am
#539
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
May 23, 2018, 12:28 pm
#540
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098