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]
Sep 6, 2018, 11:57 am
#796
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: West
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 221
No, you should've got your first set of RPUs when you qualified and met Platinum requirement (9K PQD req.), You'll get your 6 GPUs and 4 RPUs when you meet 1K requirements (which includes 12K PQD).
Last edited by BullishGS; Sep 6, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Sep 6, 2018, 12:01 pm
#797
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
Ahh, I see.. I didn't get 2 RPU either. I don't use my Mileageplus Explorer card on spending, mostly use AMEX because of 5x.
Sep 6, 2018, 12:06 pm
#798
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: West
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 221
Sep 7, 2018, 3:07 am
#799
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
Hi, If I book a business class fare EWR-IAH-GIG all UA and SDU-GRU-EWR with SDU-GRU in coach with Azul, will GS be able to book a saver awards ticket for my companion even with the Azul leg ?
Sep 7, 2018, 4:02 pm
#800
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
Or if the Azul segment is cheap as a one-way in economy, just book all the other flights as an all-UA award and buy a separate economy ticket.
Sep 7, 2018, 9:18 pm
#801
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS 2mm
Posts: 94
Am I losing my mind?
I need somebody to bring me back to reality.... flying to Rome next week and J is $10k one way on United.... Lufthansa wants $10k for First on the A380 (at least for the SFO-FRA leg.... a320 for FRA-FCO)....
taking the 7:10pm from SFO on the 14th...
Am I insane for booking United so it counts towards GS? Idk. Sorry for the all over the place message. Struggling here to give up LH F for United J.
taking the 7:10pm from SFO on the 14th...
Am I insane for booking United so it counts towards GS? Idk. Sorry for the all over the place message. Struggling here to give up LH F for United J.
Last edited by kj5hp; Sep 7, 2018 at 9:24 pm Reason: Details
Sep 8, 2018, 12:01 am
#802
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 need somebody to bring me back to reality.... flying to Rome next week and J is $10k one way on United.... Lufthansa wants $10k for First on the A380 (at least for the SFO-FRA leg.... a320 for FRA-FCO)....
taking the 7:10pm from SFO on the 14th...
Am I insane for booking United so it counts towards GS? Idk. Sorry for the all over the place message. Struggling here to give up LH F for United J.
taking the 7:10pm from SFO on the 14th...
Am I insane for booking United so it counts towards GS? Idk. Sorry for the all over the place message. Struggling here to give up LH F for United J.
Do you have to buy a one way ticket? Is it cheaper to buy a round trip?
Sep 8, 2018, 10:14 pm
#804
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS 2mm
Posts: 94
Are you already on track to spend $40-50k this year on United? If not, go with UA in J. It's fine, although LH F is certainly nicer. Make sure you choose a plane with the new Polaris configuration. I prefer flying LH F Europe - Asia. There's less difference flying Europe - US.
Do you have to buy a one way ticket? Is it cheaper to buy a round trip?
Do you have to buy a one way ticket? Is it cheaper to buy a round trip?
Good perspective... I'm on track for $75k+... booked LH. Seems obvious in retrospect. Thanks.
Sep 10, 2018, 10:23 am
#805
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Connecticut
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 60
Whats the Secret to Accessing the TSA Pre Check Line in EWR post GS Check In
Looked elsewhere..saw a couple of 2017 posts on this subject...assistance or suggestions needed.
Whats the secret to accessing the TSA PreCheck line at EWR post check in at the Global Services Lobby?
Every time I check in there, I just get dumped out of the elevator into the maelstrom with no UA employee around to allow access to PreCheck...so off I go to the end of the line. (Unlike SFO or ORD where the GS Lobby drops you right at the TSA officer)
Suggestions? Or am I missing something here?
Whats the secret to accessing the TSA PreCheck line at EWR post check in at the Global Services Lobby?
Every time I check in there, I just get dumped out of the elevator into the maelstrom with no UA employee around to allow access to PreCheck...so off I go to the end of the line. (Unlike SFO or ORD where the GS Lobby drops you right at the TSA officer)
Suggestions? Or am I missing something here?
Sep 10, 2018, 10:35 am
#806
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Looked elsewhere..saw a couple of 2017 posts on this subject...assistance or suggestions needed.
Whats the secret to accessing the TSA PreCheck line at EWR post check in at the Global Services Lobby?
Every time I check in there, I just get dumped out of the elevator into the maelstrom with no UA employee around to allow access to PreCheck...so off I go to the end of the line. (Unlike SFO or ORD where the GS Lobby drops you right at the TSA officer)
Suggestions? Or am I missing something here?
Whats the secret to accessing the TSA PreCheck line at EWR post check in at the Global Services Lobby?
Every time I check in there, I just get dumped out of the elevator into the maelstrom with no UA employee around to allow access to PreCheck...so off I go to the end of the line. (Unlike SFO or ORD where the GS Lobby drops you right at the TSA officer)
Suggestions? Or am I missing something here?
Sep 10, 2018, 11:44 am
#807
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: West
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 221
Looked elsewhere..saw a couple of 2017 posts on this subject...assistance or suggestions needed.
Whats the secret to accessing the TSA PreCheck line at EWR post check in at the Global Services Lobby?
Every time I check in there, I just get dumped out of the elevator into the maelstrom with no UA employee around to allow access to PreCheck...so off I go to the end of the line. (Unlike SFO or ORD where the GS Lobby drops you right at the TSA officer)
Suggestions? Or am I missing something here?
Whats the secret to accessing the TSA PreCheck line at EWR post check in at the Global Services Lobby?
Every time I check in there, I just get dumped out of the elevator into the maelstrom with no UA employee around to allow access to PreCheck...so off I go to the end of the line. (Unlike SFO or ORD where the GS Lobby drops you right at the TSA officer)
Suggestions? Or am I missing something here?
Sep 14, 2018, 11:13 am
#808
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Pacific
Programs: UA GS, Lifetime 4 MM, BA Gold, , Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 476
It's time to start the 2019 GS qualifier discussion, don't you think?
Sep 14, 2018, 11:34 am
#809
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Noticed some responses now seem to be coming from the MP Service Center in response to requests -- last two happened to be GPU redeposits, and response time was very good, but Concierge approach may be being reduced/streamlined in certain cases.
Sep 14, 2018, 1:10 pm
#810
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: EWR
Programs: Latam Pass Black; UA 1K, 1MM; Marriott LT
Posts: 300
Had a great result though with a good GS agent out of Salt Lake after the nice person looked up the right connection :-)