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 3, 2018, 7:42 am
#616
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: London
Programs: UA GS, BA Silver, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, A-Club Silver, Intercontinental Ambassador
Posts: 32
Thanks for the clarification - for some odd reason I had miles in my head as being superior.
Jul 3, 2018, 12:27 pm
#617
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
Have a question on emailing GS.
Before I made 4MM in January 2018, whenever I emailed 1KVoice I always got an immediate automated reply followed by a custom reply from an agent. This has happened numerous times and it never failed.
Since becoming GS, I emailed to {the GS email address} three times, and did not receive any reply to any of the three. I double checked the spelling of the email address and did not find any error. The three emails were: (1) An RPU not refunded, (2) 4MM gift not received and tracking number cancelled, (3) A service issue - J seat entertainment system did not work in flight. Since the 4MM gift eventually arrived I have a hunch that the second email did reach someone.
Would appreciate any help on how to get GS to respond to my emails.
Before I made 4MM in January 2018, whenever I emailed 1KVoice I always got an immediate automated reply followed by a custom reply from an agent. This has happened numerous times and it never failed.
Since becoming GS, I emailed to {the GS email address} three times, and did not receive any reply to any of the three. I double checked the spelling of the email address and did not find any error. The three emails were: (1) An RPU not refunded, (2) 4MM gift not received and tracking number cancelled, (3) A service issue - J seat entertainment system did not work in flight. Since the 4MM gift eventually arrived I have a hunch that the second email did reach someone.
Would appreciate any help on how to get GS to respond to my emails.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 3, 2018 at 1:21 pm Reason: FT rules prevent publishing elite email addresses
Jul 3, 2018, 2:03 pm
#618
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Have a question on emailing GS.
Before I made 4MM in January 2018, whenever I emailed 1KVoice I always got an immediate automated reply followed by a custom reply from an agent. This has happened numerous times and it never failed.
Since becoming GS, I emailed to {the GS email address} three times, and did not receive any reply to any of the three. I double checked the spelling of the email address and did not find any error. The three emails were: (1) An RPU not refunded, (2) 4MM gift not received and tracking number cancelled, (3) A service issue - J seat entertainment system did not work in flight. Since the 4MM gift eventually arrived I have a hunch that the second email did reach someone.
Would appreciate any help on how to get GS to respond to my emails.
Before I made 4MM in January 2018, whenever I emailed 1KVoice I always got an immediate automated reply followed by a custom reply from an agent. This has happened numerous times and it never failed.
Since becoming GS, I emailed to {the GS email address} three times, and did not receive any reply to any of the three. I double checked the spelling of the email address and did not find any error. The three emails were: (1) An RPU not refunded, (2) 4MM gift not received and tracking number cancelled, (3) A service issue - J seat entertainment system did not work in flight. Since the 4MM gift eventually arrived I have a hunch that the second email did reach someone.
Would appreciate any help on how to get GS to respond to my emails.
Jul 3, 2018, 5:05 pm
#619
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Jul 3, 2018, 8:07 pm
#620
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
During my 1K era I felt it was easier to email because I can describe the details of the issue just once and send out any time of the day, and they were almost always taken care without I having to talk to anyone. I just prefer not having to complain or making requests to a liver person, which I found somewhat intimidating. For example, I found it somewhat awkward to call and tell an agent that in my last flight the entertainment system was broken, and expect the person who answered the phone to say sorry and to give me something back.
After receiving my emails, UA usually did a decent job in researching and solving my issues - such as returning unused upgrades, refunding canceled air fares, or compensating with travel certificates etc. So I would like to know if GS not responding to email is not that unusual or if it is really unusual which means may be my email address was blocked. And if there might be another email address that I can inquire why I never receive a reply.
Jul 3, 2018, 10:34 pm
#621
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Thanks.
During my 1K era I felt it was easier to email because I can describe the details of the issue just once and send out any time of the day, and they were almost always taken care without I having to talk to anyone. I just prefer not having to complain or making requests to a liver person, which I found somewhat intimidating. For example, I found it somewhat awkward to call and tell an agent that in my last flight the entertainment system was broken, and expect the person who answered the phone to say sorry and to give me something back.
After receiving my emails, UA usually did a decent job in researching and solving my issues - such as returning unused upgrades, refunding canceled air fares, or compensating with travel certificates etc. So I would like to know if GS not responding to email is not that unusual or if it is really unusual which means may be my email address was blocked. And if there might be another email address that I can inquire why I never receive a reply.
During my 1K era I felt it was easier to email because I can describe the details of the issue just once and send out any time of the day, and they were almost always taken care without I having to talk to anyone. I just prefer not having to complain or making requests to a liver person, which I found somewhat intimidating. For example, I found it somewhat awkward to call and tell an agent that in my last flight the entertainment system was broken, and expect the person who answered the phone to say sorry and to give me something back.
After receiving my emails, UA usually did a decent job in researching and solving my issues - such as returning unused upgrades, refunding canceled air fares, or compensating with travel certificates etc. So I would like to know if GS not responding to email is not that unusual or if it is really unusual which means may be my email address was blocked. And if there might be another email address that I can inquire why I never receive a reply.
Jul 3, 2018, 10:45 pm
#622
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
I would say that it's pretty unusual to not get a response. You will get a case # just like you did as a 1K. It was rare that I emailed... only in cases where I experienced repeat ground operations at a particular airport did I write in a couple times. Everything else, I handled over the phone.
Jul 3, 2018, 10:54 pm
#623
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Jul 5, 2018, 10:44 am
#624
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
Might be the wrong place to ask.
I'm global service traveling from AMS to EWR. Was bumped up to Polaris becuase of overbooking and didn't need the instrument for upgrade. Just arrived EWR and saw the new Polaris lounge. Walked in and kindly asked if I would be granted access on an arrival. She scanned the boarding pass and looked up my record. Then she started typing bunch of stuff into the computer and finally said, "go ahead". My connecting flight to sfo is not Polaris. Was wondering if she granted me access as a favor or it's allowed in the system.
I'm global service traveling from AMS to EWR. Was bumped up to Polaris becuase of overbooking and didn't need the instrument for upgrade. Just arrived EWR and saw the new Polaris lounge. Walked in and kindly asked if I would be granted access on an arrival. She scanned the boarding pass and looked up my record. Then she started typing bunch of stuff into the computer and finally said, "go ahead". My connecting flight to sfo is not Polaris. Was wondering if she granted me access as a favor or it's allowed in the system.
Jul 5, 2018, 10:55 am
#625
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS 2mm
Posts: 93
Might be the wrong place to ask.
I'm global service traveling from AMS to EWR. Was bumped up to Polaris becuase of overbooking and didn't need the instrument for upgrade. Just arrived EWR and saw the new Polaris lounge. Walked in and kindly asked if I would be granted access on an arrival. She scanned the boarding pass and looked up my record. Then she started typing bunch of stuff into the computer and finally said, "go ahead". My connecting flight to sfo is not Polaris. Was wondering if she granted me access as a favor or it's allowed in the system.
I'm global service traveling from AMS to EWR. Was bumped up to Polaris becuase of overbooking and didn't need the instrument for upgrade. Just arrived EWR and saw the new Polaris lounge. Walked in and kindly asked if I would be granted access on an arrival. She scanned the boarding pass and looked up my record. Then she started typing bunch of stuff into the computer and finally said, "go ahead". My connecting flight to sfo is not Polaris. Was wondering if she granted me access as a favor or it's allowed in the system.
Last edited by kj5hp; Jul 5, 2018 at 10:55 am Reason: typo
Jul 5, 2018, 11:12 am
#626
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Pretty cool that the op-up came through... pretty rare these days, especially with upgrade lists 20+ deep these days.
Jul 5, 2018, 11:32 am
#627
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
Amsterdam check-in agent wanted to bump me already. Called the managers and they said to check at the gate. My family of 3 all got bumped up. 2x GS and 1x 1k
Jul 5, 2018, 4:09 pm
#628
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
Jul 5, 2018, 8:23 pm
#629
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: MSP/ORD
Programs: UA 1MM/GS, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 318
Regarding the following GS benefit described in the wiki: "GS are entitled to one saver award seat in the same class of service with their purchase of any premium cabin fare" -- I had an odd situation arise today on this.
My wife and I wanted to fly from MSP to YHZ, connecting in EWR. With no saver award space currently available in either economy or business, I decided I would make use of this GS benefit, buying a business-class ticket for me and then calling in to create saver space in business for her.
When I called the GS line to execute this plan, a technical wrinkle arose due to the fact that the EWR-YHZ sectors are flown on the E145 and hence are one-class sectors. As such, my cash ticket wasn't entirely "business-class" (it was Z on the MSP-EWR sectors but H on the EWR-YHZ sectors), which created some ambiguity as to whether I was entitled to apply this benefit on this ticket.
The GS agent said she'd never seen this precise situation before, and after consultation they agreed to let me do what I had wanted to do, but it was considered to be on an exception basis.
My wife and I wanted to fly from MSP to YHZ, connecting in EWR. With no saver award space currently available in either economy or business, I decided I would make use of this GS benefit, buying a business-class ticket for me and then calling in to create saver space in business for her.
When I called the GS line to execute this plan, a technical wrinkle arose due to the fact that the EWR-YHZ sectors are flown on the E145 and hence are one-class sectors. As such, my cash ticket wasn't entirely "business-class" (it was Z on the MSP-EWR sectors but H on the EWR-YHZ sectors), which created some ambiguity as to whether I was entitled to apply this benefit on this ticket.
The GS agent said she'd never seen this precise situation before, and after consultation they agreed to let me do what I had wanted to do, but it was considered to be on an exception basis.
Jul 5, 2018, 10:41 pm
#630
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 31
Protection in case of misconnect due to *A partner?
I’ll be flying BKK-NRT-SFO. To save miles and to burn a GPU, I’ll be flying TG from BKK-NRT on a business saver award and then UA from NRT-SFO on economy saver with a GPU upgrade to business. This is all on the same PNR.
At the time of booking, I had a 2 hour connection time. However with schedule changes now I have a 1 hour 5 minute connection time, which is a legal connection but TG 676 seems to have a bad on time record. The only earlier BKK-NRT flight doesn’t have any saver availability.
Any thoughts on what would happen if I misconnect? Will UA put me on the next flight to SFO in business class? (What are the odds I would lose my upgrade?). Since there are no later flights from Tokyo to SFO (other than JAL2 out of Haneda), would TG or UA put me up in a hotel? (I recognize in this scenario, it’s TG that has caused the misconnect—but am wondering to what extent UA jumps in to help the GS member, albeit on an upgraded saver award.)
Any insights or experiences to share?
At the time of booking, I had a 2 hour connection time. However with schedule changes now I have a 1 hour 5 minute connection time, which is a legal connection but TG 676 seems to have a bad on time record. The only earlier BKK-NRT flight doesn’t have any saver availability.
Any thoughts on what would happen if I misconnect? Will UA put me on the next flight to SFO in business class? (What are the odds I would lose my upgrade?). Since there are no later flights from Tokyo to SFO (other than JAL2 out of Haneda), would TG or UA put me up in a hotel? (I recognize in this scenario, it’s TG that has caused the misconnect—but am wondering to what extent UA jumps in to help the GS member, albeit on an upgraded saver award.)
Any insights or experiences to share?