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]
May 5, 2018, 1:15 pm
#481
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: EWR
Programs: Latam Pass Black; UA 1K, 1MM; Marriott LT
Posts: 300
Z Class & GPU
And as far as I know, Z class isn't eligible for GPU usage either, which requires a C or D class fare.
May 7, 2018, 11:10 am
#483
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,453
Has anyone had experience getting UA GS to open up award space where the website is pricing out a standard award due to no X on a UA segment of a mixed itinerary where partner segment X is available? e.g. xxx-ZRH has X on Swiss but ZRH-EWR on united has T? "asking for a friend" 
May 7, 2018, 12:19 pm
#484
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: 4,388
Has anyone had experience getting UA GS to open up award space where the website is pricing out a standard award due to no X on a UA segment of a mixed itinerary where partner segment X is available? e.g. xxx-ZRH has X on Swiss but ZRH-EWR on united has T? "asking for a friend"
Yes. Specifically, BOS-ORD-HKG had (T), converted to (XN). TG had HKG-BKK (X). Resulted in saver ticket BOS-BKK. Further, UA had PN on BOS-ORD-HKG, so applied a GPU to get business as far as HKG.
May 7, 2018, 12:43 pm
#485
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,453
May 7, 2018, 4:00 pm
#486
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: UA GS ,QF Plat
Posts: 686
4 times, once from coach to business, TATL, twice TPAC business to first and once business to first down to South America.
Based on my run rate(13 years GS) and my current LT miles I would be working with expectation of a non instrument or money upgrade approximately every 963,000 miles (give or take) Good Luck though !!!
May 7, 2018, 5:08 pm
#487
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: United GS, Marriott Titanium, HHonors Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 97
I have a 1h35m connection in FRA in a couple of weeks. ORD-FRA in J, then FRA-FCO in E. Given we'll need to go through immigration/customs in FRA, is there any expedited escort by a GS agent (or LH equivalent) in FRA to ensure we can catch our connection? I've done 90 minutes before, but am a little anxious if the inbound ORD-FRA flight gets a little delayed that we may be cutting it close.
May 7, 2018, 5:22 pm
#488
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 575
I have a 1h35m connection in FRA in a couple of weeks. ORD-FRA in J, then FRA-FCO in E. Given we'll need to go through immigration/customs in FRA, is there any expedited escort by a GS agent (or LH equivalent) in FRA to ensure we can catch our connection? I've done 90 minutes before, but am a little anxious if the inbound ORD-FRA flight gets a little delayed that we may be cutting it close.
May 7, 2018, 7:21 pm
#489
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,025
I have a 1h35m connection in FRA in a couple of weeks. ORD-FRA in J, then FRA-FCO in E. Given we'll need to go through immigration/customs in FRA, is there any expedited escort by a GS agent (or LH equivalent) in FRA to ensure we can catch our connection? I've done 90 minutes before, but am a little anxious if the inbound ORD-FRA flight gets a little delayed that we may be cutting it close.
With connections <1hr they are consistently there.
May 9, 2018, 10:16 am
#490
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
Guys,
Am I the only one who consistently has issues with upgrades being redeposited in my account when they do not clear ?
I need to ask for it which is annoying !!
Am I the only one who consistently has issues with upgrades being redeposited in my account when they do not clear ?
I need to ask for it which is annoying !!
May 9, 2018, 11:25 am
#491
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,453
Yes - though "post trip" issues can largely be dealt with via the GS email address versus calling in. Having to keep track is a nuisance but getting resolution when there is an issue here is typically painless.
May 9, 2018, 11:38 am
#492
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: EWR
Programs: Latam Pass Black; UA 1K, 1MM; Marriott LT
Posts: 300
I think it maybe something to do with the fact that many times a GS using a GPU to upgrade an award ticket for example, requires a manual process by the agent, so in the event it doesn't clear, it needs to be manually redeposited?
May 11, 2018, 4:03 pm
#493
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: United GS, Marriott Titanium, HHonors Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 97
I booked BIO-FRA-ORD several months ago, T->XN->PN using a GPU for 30K miles per person. Checked again and saw today that FRA-ORD now has R fare class availability; so I called GS to try to create an R and use the GPU into ON. I'd pay 30K more miles per passenger, which I was willing to do. The availability looks like:
F8 FN8 A8 ON7 O0 J9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P9 PN3 R3 RN3
The GS agent (x 2, since I HUACA after the first one) indicated that for R fare class specifically, there must be at least 2 seats remaining in order to convert (and since we are a party of 2, this wouldn't work for us). We are 2+ weeks out from travel, so this doesn't apply to the T-72 rules listed. I have done the T conversion many times with just T1 or T2, but was not aware of this rule for R - and it's not listed in the wiki above. Have others noted this issue? Should I add to the wiki?
F8 FN8 A8 ON7 O0 J9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P9 PN3 R3 RN3
The GS agent (x 2, since I HUACA after the first one) indicated that for R fare class specifically, there must be at least 2 seats remaining in order to convert (and since we are a party of 2, this wouldn't work for us). We are 2+ weeks out from travel, so this doesn't apply to the T-72 rules listed. I have done the T conversion many times with just T1 or T2, but was not aware of this rule for R - and it's not listed in the wiki above. Have others noted this issue? Should I add to the wiki?
May 11, 2018, 5:19 pm
#494
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,025
I booked BIO-FRA-ORD several months ago, T->XN->PN using a GPU for 30K miles per person. Checked again and saw today that FRA-ORD now has R fare class availability; so I called GS to try to create an R and use the GPU into ON. I'd pay 30K more miles per passenger, which I was willing to do. The availability looks like:
F8 FN8 A8 ON7 O0 J9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P9 PN3 R3 RN3
The GS agent (x 2, since I HUACA after the first one) indicated that for R fare class specifically, there must be at least 2 seats remaining in order to convert (and since we are a party of 2, this wouldn't work for us). We are 2+ weeks out from travel, so this doesn't apply to the T-72 rules listed. I have done the T conversion many times with just T1 or T2, but was not aware of this rule for R - and it's not listed in the wiki above. Have others noted this issue? Should I add to the wiki?
F8 FN8 A8 ON7 O0 J9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P9 PN3 R3 RN3
The GS agent (x 2, since I HUACA after the first one) indicated that for R fare class specifically, there must be at least 2 seats remaining in order to convert (and since we are a party of 2, this wouldn't work for us). We are 2+ weeks out from travel, so this doesn't apply to the T-72 rules listed. I have done the T conversion many times with just T1 or T2, but was not aware of this rule for R - and it's not listed in the wiki above. Have others noted this issue? Should I add to the wiki?
May 11, 2018, 9:06 pm
#495
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K (2MM); AA LT Gold (1.9 MM); SQ; WN; DL; "Bonvoy Ambassador""
Posts: 398