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]
Nov 4, 2018, 1:13 pm
#991
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
Where should I ask the driver to drop me at LAX to be near the Global Reception checkin? I don’t see it in the wiki, on the United airport map, or on the United GS webpage (although it does list LAX).
Nov 4, 2018, 1:48 pm
#992
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Programs: United, Delta, AA, southwest
Posts: 150
Upper level labeled "United Premier". Go up the little ramp and the GS check in is right in front of you.
Nov 4, 2018, 3:06 pm
#993
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,669
Nov 4, 2018, 6:09 pm
#994
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 have a similar situation in a few months, where my wife + kids are flying Polaris, but I'm flying domestic to a different destination.
Nov 5, 2018, 8:48 pm
#995
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
At TPE the second security check - the manual search of all carry on's - at departing gate slows down the boarding lines a lot. I usually wait to go at the end because overhead bin in Polaris is rarely a problem. However, if a GS misses the pre-boarding but arrives when the boarding lines are still long, UA agents will escort you to the front for manual search. These are the flights that easily have 50 1K+companions, but GS seldom exceeds a dozen.
Nov 6, 2018, 6:06 am
#996
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
At TPE the second security check - the manual search of all carry on's - at departing gate slows down the boarding lines a lot. I usually wait to go at the end because overhead bin in Polaris is rarely a problem. However, if a GS misses the pre-boarding but arrives when the boarding lines are still long, UA agents will escort you to the front for manual search. These are the flights that easily have 50 1K+companions, but GS seldom exceeds a dozen.
SIN has this same screening but prior to entering the boarding area, and if you are not proactively in front of the line when they open up this security screen, you could miss priority boarding. As the OP stated, if you're in J, there is never an issue with overhead space, so it's not really a big deal. I just like to get on early nonetheless to organize the huge pile of blankets and pillows and get my electronics organized for the flight prior to pushing off.
BTW, I'm anxious to get my GS status back in Jan... I'm really missing the perks this year!!
Nov 9, 2018, 2:07 pm
#997
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
On one of my recent SIN-SFO legs, there were 26 GS in biz class (possibly additional GS in the back)... I was on a full J fare, and still didn't get my first choice meal as a 1K, but my 2nd option was also very good, so no regrets. Pretty similar situation on my SFO-SYD flight, where there were 18 or so in biz. I'm beginning to see why the upgrades are so tough on these flights.
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I'm transiting Houston for the first time in a few days. Inbound Polaris, connecting to a domestic flight with about 90 min layover. I have the APEC card, so I clear immigration in about the same time as Global Entry.
Without TSA Pre, but as a GS, what's the best way to get back airside? Is there a special security line at the Global Reception?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Nov 9, 2018 at 9:53 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Nov 9, 2018, 4:57 pm
#998
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,681
Yes but you hafta go over to C
Nov 9, 2018, 7:21 pm
#999
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,025
. On the return there were 5 of us pulled ahead and into the little pre-board area. I absolutely think this route could do well with a 77W and sell the extra J capacity. I was on a full J booked 5 days out and I couldn’t get my ideal departure date ... already oversold on Thu/Fri and had to fly Saturday.
Nov 11, 2018, 7:26 am
#1000
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,114
United Club
Do GS members get a further UC membership discount or is it just the 1K price?
Nov 11, 2018, 7:49 am
#1001
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: United GS, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 109
18 SYD-SFO? Wow. I'm based in SYD and fly mostly SYD-SFO, usually Mon to the US and Thu back again. I'm usually the only GS, or one of two.
I'm transiting Houston for the first time in a few days. Inbound Polaris, connecting to a domestic flight with about 90 min layover. I have the APEC card, so I clear immigration in about the same time as Global Entry.
Without TSA Pre, but as a GS, what's the best way to get back airside? Is there a special security line at the Global Reception?
I'm transiting Houston for the first time in a few days. Inbound Polaris, connecting to a domestic flight with about 90 min layover. I have the APEC card, so I clear immigration in about the same time as Global Entry.
Without TSA Pre, but as a GS, what's the best way to get back airside? Is there a special security line at the Global Reception?
The biggest advice vice is to do TSA Pre security by leaving the customs connection area, and take the escalator up stairs to the normal E departures desks and hit security that way. The normal connection security can be a disaster.
Nov 11, 2018, 10:34 am
#1002
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
Curious to see how many of you global service members actually carry the Chase Club credit card? Both have parents have lifetime club membership, so I'm trying to figure out if it's worth carrying the club card for them to enhance upgrade chances since UA now factors that into the upgrade list.
Nov 11, 2018, 11:53 am
#1003
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Do either of your parents have either lifetime or current annual status with UA?
Nov 11, 2018, 11:59 am
#1004
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
Nov 11, 2018, 12:06 pm
#1005
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
I doubt the card will serve any real purpose. They only circumstance where the card would provide any benefit would be a tie breaker with another GS or 1K on the same fare class for a CPU. It is highly unlikely that it would ever come into play.
