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]
Jul 19, 2018, 5:43 pm
#676
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Rowley, MA / Edgartown, MA / Christiansted, St. Croix (USVI)
Programs: UA LT GS/4.96MM, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Platinum, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, Korea SeS, APEC
Posts: 579
Jul 22, 2018, 1:43 am
#677
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,822
Last time when I had a tight domestic connection at LAX due to delayed inbound flight, a GS agent met me at the gate and directed me to the gate of the outbound flight, about two minutes before the gate was closed. In a couple months I will have a connection at LAX again, from a NZ flight from AKL to a UA flight to SFO. The connection time is 2 hours which is fine if the arriving flight is on time, but the LAX passport/custom and the distance between the terminals could cause a problem if the NZ flight is late. Both flights on a UA award ticket. Since the inbound is not UA, I wonder if GS would know my situation and proactively offer help? .
Jul 22, 2018, 11:12 am
#678
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 16
Thanks to the great info in this thread, I just booked a 1-way EWR-LAS, converting a T seat to a saver and then applying an RPU. 1st class for 12500 miles + 1 RPU. Awesome. Thanks all for teaching me 
Jul 22, 2018, 12:29 pm
#679
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: United GS, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 109
Or R/T to Hawaii in First Class for 45,000 miles and a RPU each - cleared that mileage price for 6 people. Makes the miles really stretch.
Jul 22, 2018, 3:36 pm
#680
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Last time when I had a tight domestic connection at LAX due to delayed inbound flight, a GS agent met me at the gate and directed me to the gate of the outbound flight, about two minutes before the gate was closed. In a couple months I will have a connection at LAX again, from a NZ flight from AKL to a UA flight to SFO. The connection time is 2 hours which is fine if the arriving flight is on time, but the LAX passport/custom and the distance between the terminals could cause a problem if the NZ flight is late. Both flights on a UA award ticket. Since the inbound is not UA, I wonder if GS would know my situation and proactively offer help? .
Jul 22, 2018, 10:47 pm
#681
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,822
Nothing is ever guaranteed, but when I last came in on an ANA flight connecting through to UA, they met me. Provided it is all booked on one ticket, they will know about it. There is always a GS agent in the immigration area at LAX, I have found, even if you are not met.
Jul 23, 2018, 11:06 am
#682
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,132
Stupid question: is the award mile earn rate for GS the same as 1K: 11x Fare and max 75k per ticket?
Jul 23, 2018, 11:07 am
#683
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: 4,389
Jul 27, 2018, 8:25 am
#684
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Mileage Plus, Global Services
Posts: 22
UA website just changed their UX and it seems that now it does not let you see PQD for the year anymore... 
It was visible through the detailed screen earlier...
It looks like you really need to download all the records and analyze the total PQD by yourself (unless there is another way to just see that on the screen?)
It was visible through the detailed screen earlier...It looks like you really need to download all the records and analyze the total PQD by yourself (unless there is another way to just see that on the screen?)
Jul 27, 2018, 2:52 pm
#685
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,822
UA website just changed their UX and it seems that now it does not let you see PQD for the year anymore... It was visible through the detailed screen earlier...
It looks like you really need to download all the records and analyze the total PQD by yourself (unless there is another way to just see that on the screen?)
It was visible through the detailed screen earlier...It looks like you really need to download all the records and analyze the total PQD by yourself (unless there is another way to just see that on the screen?)
Jul 27, 2018, 3:16 pm
#686
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Jul 27, 2018, 4:58 pm
#688
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Are SDCs permitted for GS travelling on a Basic Eco fare?
Jul 27, 2018, 6:01 pm
#689
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 200
To get your PQD once you get beyond $12k, you have to go to mystatus.united.com
Jul 27, 2018, 6:10 pm
#690
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028