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 27, 2018, 9:39 pm
#691
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: United GS 3 MM LT, Marriott Ambassador LT Titanium, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 461
Can you tell me where?
Jul 31, 2018, 12:06 pm
#692
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA 1k, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 109
Regarding :
- 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.
Jul 31, 2018, 12:55 pm
#693
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Jul 31, 2018, 5:46 pm
#694
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
While it costs more miles, I always get the saver business, because in the event of IRROPS, your +1 has a business ticket. If they have a coach ticket with a GPU/RPU upgrade, there could be some discomfort. Especially since this benefit requires that the +1 be on a separate PNR, and thus not entitled to you GS status.
At least that is the logic have applied when doing this for my wife. If my kid, or co-worker, then probably coach/RPU/GPU...
At least that is the logic have applied when doing this for my wife. If my kid, or co-worker, then probably coach/RPU/GPU...
Jul 31, 2018, 6:00 pm
#695
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Jul 31, 2018, 8:05 pm
#696
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,824
My son lost his 1K status after 2017, and I told him that he can pre-book some award tickets and if they need be changed or cancelled there would be no charge (because of 1K status). This is based on the following statement on united.com:
Well, he recently wanted to cancel three such reservations, all made in December 2017 when he was still 1K, United want to charge him because he is now just Goid. I called GS for help, The GS agent confirmed the above UA statement (still on web today) and told me that my son needs to pay the redeposit fees because all 3 reservations were ticketed in March 2018, when he was already downgraded to Gold. He then went back to look at his tickets. It turned out that UA, on UA's initiative, re-issued all his tickets in March, So they now claim that since his tickets were issued when he was Gold, he has to pay. Is this fair?
Eventually I found a sympathetic GS agent who waived the charges as a one-time favor.
Is the fee based on my status at time of ticketing or time of change?
If your status changes between the time of ticketing and time of change and results in a different fee, we will apply whichever fee is lowerWell, he recently wanted to cancel three such reservations, all made in December 2017 when he was still 1K, United want to charge him because he is now just Goid. I called GS for help, The GS agent confirmed the above UA statement (still on web today) and told me that my son needs to pay the redeposit fees because all 3 reservations were ticketed in March 2018, when he was already downgraded to Gold. He then went back to look at his tickets. It turned out that UA, on UA's initiative, re-issued all his tickets in March, So they now claim that since his tickets were issued when he was Gold, he has to pay. Is this fair?
Eventually I found a sympathetic GS agent who waived the charges as a one-time favor.
Jul 31, 2018, 9:37 pm
#697
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,861
The traditional rule had been the status at the time of change applies and present statement on the award fee basically reads that way.
Jul 31, 2018, 10:42 pm
#698
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
I think GS line may offer more luck. I called the GS line a while ago to book an award with miles from my wife's no-status account. They waived the fees without me asking.
Aug 1, 2018, 7:41 am
#699
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA 1k, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 109
Regarding benefits with the "United-operated flights only" clause:
If a multi-leg flight has an overseas leg on Polaris and then a connector on Lufthansa, am I to assume none of these benefits apply due to the Lufthansa leg? Meaning I am not entitled to a companion saver-award on this flight?
If a multi-leg flight has an overseas leg on Polaris and then a connector on Lufthansa, am I to assume none of these benefits apply due to the Lufthansa leg? Meaning I am not entitled to a companion saver-award on this flight?
Aug 1, 2018, 7:58 am
#700
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
Regarding benefits with the "United-operated flights only" clause:
If a multi-leg flight has an overseas leg on Polaris and then a connector on Lufthansa, am I to assume none of these benefits apply due to the Lufthansa leg? Meaning I am not entitled to a companion saver-award on this flight?
If a multi-leg flight has an overseas leg on Polaris and then a connector on Lufthansa, am I to assume none of these benefits apply due to the Lufthansa leg? Meaning I am not entitled to a companion saver-award on this flight?
Aug 1, 2018, 12:29 pm
#701
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Merging consecutive posts by same member
Also, don't fret too much if the LH segment has no award space at booking ... you can keep checking (or set an ExpertFlyer alert) and add the connecting segment on later. LH tends to release its award availability around 300 days prior and 3 weeks prior.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 1, 2018 at 3:28 pm
Aug 1, 2018, 1:30 pm
#702
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
You got lucky, I typically gift upgraded instruments to my nephew who is GS and has burned through all his instruments as I don't seem to have them ever clear as a 1K. He constantly complains (jokingly) about how he gets the benefit from the account it came from. So for example he no longer clears into P space but now, with my instrument, into R space. He said no working around that at all with the GS agents.
Aug 1, 2018, 10:22 pm
#703
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SIN / SFO
Programs: UA GS, SQ PPS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,215
Apologies if I missed this somewhere, but do flights on UA metal, credited to MP, but ticketed on another carrier's stock count towards GS qualification?
About to pull the trigger on a $9k business fare CMB-PEK-EWR, with PEK-EWR on UA but ticketed as UL.
About to pull the trigger on a $9k business fare CMB-PEK-EWR, with PEK-EWR on UA but ticketed as UL.
Aug 2, 2018, 12:31 am
#704
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Unclear. As you will earn PQD for that UA metal segment, logic says it plays into the equation and meets the requirement assuming total PQD is the qualification criteria.
Aug 2, 2018, 3:23 am
#705
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
Frankfurt welcome lounge
is Access to the Frankfurt LH Welcome Lounge no longer a GS benefit?
my wife was just refused entry
my wife was just refused entry