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]
Jan 16, 2018, 7:13 am
#106
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,703
I'm a new GS this month and believe I've found an additional benefit that should be added to the wiki. I booked a flight for a colleague and applied a GPU and the GS representative said that the GPU clears with my priority, not the recipients. I know that all GPUs worked that way a couple years ago but then United to change the policy to clear based on the Premier status of the traveler, not me.
But the representative indicated that the old policy is still in place for GS. And, a couple days after I booked, he cleared into a PN upgrade.
But the representative indicated that the old policy is still in place for GS. And, a couple days after I booked, he cleared into a PN upgrade.
Jan 16, 2018, 3:03 pm
#107
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
I tried to enhance the Wiki on a longer flight today - tried to sweep up a lot of the dialogue in this thread, update/refresh, and augment qualification information. Broke benefits into "Published" incremental to 1K (so did not include extra checked bag / first meal choice / etc), and "Known Award/Upgrade, mostly unpublished".
Appreciate the grizzled multi-year GS experts taking a pass through and validating / correcting anything that seems off. Thanks.
Appreciate the grizzled multi-year GS experts taking a pass through and validating / correcting anything that seems off. Thanks.
Jan 16, 2018, 8:37 pm
#108
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SOW
Programs: UA GS 5 MM, Delta 1.6MM & Hilton Diamond, Avis Chairman, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 768
Of course YMMV but within the past few years I’ve had IRROPs in similar situations, both times my wife and I both were offlined in J at my request rather than waiting for the next UA flight. Was told by GS that UA will protect a GS who is already in J on another star alliance carrier overwater in J even when the GS is upgraded from Y on UA. I’ve seen this in action at least 2 times in the past few years with my wife being on upgraded award tickets and had IRROPS. What surprised me about 18 months ago was my wife and I were offlined to Delta (I was on a paid J ticket and she was on miles upgraded to J) and both put in J. I was not going to question it when I saw how the agent rebooked her so I’m not sure if the DL offline was a fluke.
Jan 16, 2018, 8:46 pm
#109
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
Of course YMMV but within the past few years I’ve had IRROPs in similar situations, both times my wife and I both were offlined in J at my request rather than waiting for the next UA flight. Was told by GS that UA will protect a GS who is already in J on another star alliance carrier overwater in J even when the GS is upgraded from Y on UA. I’ve seen this in action at least 2 times in the past few years with my wife being on upgraded award tickets and had IRROPS. What surprised me about 18 months ago was my wife and I were offlined to Delta (I was on a paid J ticket and she was on miles upgraded to J) and both put in J. I was not going to question it when I saw how the agent rebooked her so I’m not sure if the DL offline was a fluke.
Jan 17, 2018, 6:43 pm
#110
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,116
Jan 17, 2018, 6:50 pm
#111
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
I’m on DFW-IAH-ATL. The first leg was 2hrs delayed due to late incoming aircraft. I will miss the last IAH-ATL flight of the day.
Can I just book a hotel and submit to UA for reimbursement or do I need to get preapproval first? Is there a cost limit / guideline? Will UA reimburse transit between hotel and airport? And is this process any different for GS vs. 1K?
Can I just book a hotel and submit to UA for reimbursement or do I need to get preapproval first? Is there a cost limit / guideline? Will UA reimburse transit between hotel and airport? And is this process any different for GS vs. 1K?
Jan 17, 2018, 7:05 pm
#112
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,703
I’m on DFW-IAH-ATL. The first leg was 2hrs delayed due to late incoming aircraft. I will miss the last IAH-ATL flight of the day.
Can I just book a hotel and submit to UA for reimbursement or do I need to get preapproval first? Is there a cost limit / guideline? Will UA reimburse transit between hotel and airport? And is this process any different for GS vs. 1K?
Can I just book a hotel and submit to UA for reimbursement or do I need to get preapproval first? Is there a cost limit / guideline? Will UA reimburse transit between hotel and airport? And is this process any different for GS vs. 1K?
Jan 18, 2018, 10:46 am
#113
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Not relevant in your case because you were looking at combining with a Partner award, where I class inventory was already available. The T > XN > GPU application method is considered a great and efficient use of miles/GPUs for United-operate itineraries, or itineraries where you are fine with the *A connecting flight being in X class / Economy.
Jan 18, 2018, 1:18 pm
#114
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Jan 18, 2018, 2:18 pm
#115
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K 1.45MM, Marriott+SPG Plat, Clear, Nexus, Global Entry and MEX Viajero Confiable
Posts: 1,777
Delayed flight into EWR today (1/18) from MCO. No GS agent to greet me or shuttle service offered. Arrived at the gate and majority pax boarded and saw GS rep. Asked why no MB or abuttlr gate service.. her comment was that they are no longer allowed to provide gate to gate service. I didn't stick around the gate area to discuss details since I was prayimg there was still overhead space in F for carryon.
I will be very disappointed if this is no longer a provided service for GS on tight/delayed connections.
I will be very disappointed if this is no longer a provided service for GS on tight/delayed connections.
Jan 18, 2018, 8:13 pm
#117
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
Delayed flight into EWR today (1/18) from MCO. No GS agent to greet me or shuttle service offered. Arrived at the gate and majority pax boarded and saw GS rep. Asked why no MB or abuttlr gate service.. her comment was that they are no longer allowed to provide gate to gate service. I didn't stick around the gate area to discuss details since I was prayimg there was still overhead space in F for carryon.
I will be very disappointed if this is no longer a provided service for GS on tight/delayed connections.
I will be very disappointed if this is no longer a provided service for GS on tight/delayed connections.
Jan 18, 2018, 8:52 pm
#119
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,703
Jan 19, 2018, 6:25 am
#120
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: 4,393