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]
Aug 29, 2018, 7:55 am
#781
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
@UNITED twitter team is also very responsive and assures me my complimentary comments are being conveyed to appropriate parties.
For years I have made it a point to write a note to the GS voice whenever I experienced a flight with an excellent crew who went above and beyond. Previously, an agent would reply indicating she or he would pass on the feedback to the crew being referenced with thanks; however in the recent year, they have stopped acknowledging these messages altogether. It got me thinking...
Does anything actually happen when customers praise crew via email?
Or, am I just wasting time and causing unnecessary burden to the email workflow and therefore should stop doing this?
The thought of having no elevated way to recognize really excellent crew other than thru the survey makes me sad, but maybe I’m just doing it wrong.
Does anything actually happen when customers praise crew via email?
Or, am I just wasting time and causing unnecessary burden to the email workflow and therefore should stop doing this?
The thought of having no elevated way to recognize really excellent crew other than thru the survey makes me sad, but maybe I’m just doing it wrong.
I tend to do the same.
I emailed about the CDG amazing ground crew and they had heard about it because at my last check in they thanked me for it.
I emailed about an incredible flight attendant who went out of her way to return my wallet I had lost under a seat.
she found it 2 days later, called me and wanted to bring it to my place so it would not be lost again (I refused and met her at EWR)
wrote a great email.
I bumped into her 1 month later at the airport, asked her and she told me no one told her anything !
so I guess it’s inconsistent, as usual with UA !
Aug 30, 2018, 12:45 pm
#782
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
My main curiosity is that UA wanted twice as much money from me for a TOD/HOD upgrade than from my companion, all within the same minute. Is this typical? GS has to pay more for buyups than lower premier?
Aug 30, 2018, 1:23 pm
#783
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,395
Aug 31, 2018, 12:46 am
#784
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
Does anyone have a recent experience using the Frankfurt Lufthansa First Class Lounge as a GS traveling on a Polaris First ticket?
I am on the FRA-ORD in a 772. I used a GPU to upgrade from Polaris Business to Polaris First. My reservation says Polaris First. However, my boarding pass still says Polaris Business on it.
I am on the FRA-ORD in a 772. I used a GPU to upgrade from Polaris Business to Polaris First. My reservation says Polaris First. However, my boarding pass still says Polaris Business on it.
Aug 31, 2018, 8:53 am
#785
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,985
Sorry, last experience from several months ago still said Polaris First and as expected there was no issue.
Aug 31, 2018, 4:35 pm
#786
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tri Valley Area Northern CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 579
I am assuming the following is a one time, special handling (vs. a GS benefit). On 8/28, flying for SJC/DEN/BOS. The SJC/DEN flight was one of the last flights of the day, leaving at 1:30 pm which was delayed (inbound flight was from ORD, weather delays). The revised DEN arrival time gave me 15 minutes to connect (a misconnection).
Prior to calling reservations, I check SFO/BOS nonstops but all the remaining flight were sold out (including red eyes). Nonetheless, when I called UA reservations, after confirming I would misconnect, I asked if there were non stop flights available from SFO. To my surprise, the agent said she could put me on the 4:05 pm SFO/BOS non stop, albeit in Coach. I agreed, and was confirmed on that flight. Either a seat became available in the 2 minutes since I last checked reservations, or she deliberately booked me on a full flight.
Prior to calling reservations, I check SFO/BOS nonstops but all the remaining flight were sold out (including red eyes). Nonetheless, when I called UA reservations, after confirming I would misconnect, I asked if there were non stop flights available from SFO. To my surprise, the agent said she could put me on the 4:05 pm SFO/BOS non stop, albeit in Coach. I agreed, and was confirmed on that flight. Either a seat became available in the 2 minutes since I last checked reservations, or she deliberately booked me on a full flight.
Aug 31, 2018, 6:49 pm
#787
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 575
I am assuming the following is a one time, special handling (vs. a GS benefit). On 8/28, flying for SJC/DEN/BOS. The SJC/DEN flight was one of the last flights of the day, leaving at 1:30 pm which was delayed (inbound flight was from ORD, weather delays). The revised DEN arrival time gave me 15 minutes to connect (a misconnection).
Prior to calling reservations, I check SFO/BOS nonstops but all the remaining flight were sold out (including red eyes). Nonetheless, when I called UA reservations, after confirming I would misconnect, I asked if there were non stop flights available from SFO. To my surprise, the agent said she could put me on the 4:05 pm SFO/BOS non stop, albeit in Coach. I agreed, and was confirmed on that flight. Either a seat became available in the 2 minutes since I last checked reservations, or she deliberately booked me on a full flight.
Prior to calling reservations, I check SFO/BOS nonstops but all the remaining flight were sold out (including red eyes). Nonetheless, when I called UA reservations, after confirming I would misconnect, I asked if there were non stop flights available from SFO. To my surprise, the agent said she could put me on the 4:05 pm SFO/BOS non stop, albeit in Coach. I agreed, and was confirmed on that flight. Either a seat became available in the 2 minutes since I last checked reservations, or she deliberately booked me on a full flight.
Aug 31, 2018, 8:53 pm
#788
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tri Valley Area Northern CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 579
Thanks, I wasn't sure if this is a "standard GS benefit". I've only been a GS for 8 months and this is not listed on wiki. Perhaps others can weigh in if this is indeed a (unpublished) benefit.
Aug 31, 2018, 11:19 pm
#789
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,783
Thanks, I wasn't sure if this is a "standard GS benefit". I've only been a GS for 8 months and this is not listed on wiki . Perhaps others can weigh in if this is indeed a ( unpublished) benefit.
Access to most sold-out flights: Premier members may receive confirmed reservations - even when a flight is sold out - when purchasing certain full-fare tickets. Premier 1K® members may take advantage of this benefit when purchasing an unrestricted Y or B class ticket at least 90 minutes prior to departure. This benefit also applies to Premier Platinum members when purchasing an unrestricted Y class ticket at least 120 minutes prior to departure, and Premier Gold and Premier Silver members when purchasing an unrestricted Y class ticket at least 24 hours prior to departure.
Sep 1, 2018, 12:04 am
#790
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
It is an extension of a published benefit for elites (GS get more lenient time and fare constraints).
Also https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...t-flights.html
Also https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...t-flights.html
The GS benefit is for irrops, and is separate than the ability to purchase another ticket. The old published GS benefit was a guaranteed economy seat on the next UA flight departing 30 minutes or more out during irrops. Even if that means IDBing a confirmed passenger. Now the benefit requires the flight departure to be at least 90 minutes out.
Last edited by jgsx; Sep 1, 2018 at 12:21 am
Sep 1, 2018, 12:16 pm
#791
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
Hi,
I'm gonna book a paid business class RT from EWR to GIG and wanted to open a saver award for a friend.
Now, if in the future I were to buy a coach ticket for an other friend, put GPU on it a call to have them clear the upgrade since I'm on the same flight in paid business, could they tell that I already used the perk by opening a saver award ?
I'm gonna book a paid business class RT from EWR to GIG and wanted to open a saver award for a friend.
Now, if in the future I were to buy a coach ticket for an other friend, put GPU on it a call to have them clear the upgrade since I'm on the same flight in paid business, could they tell that I already used the perk by opening a saver award ?
Sep 1, 2018, 1:47 pm
#792
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,251
Hi,
I'm gonna book a paid business class RT from EWR to GIG and wanted to open a saver award for a friend.
Now, if in the future I were to buy a coach ticket for an other friend, put GPU on it a call to have them clear the upgrade since I'm on the same flight in paid business, could they tell that I already used the perk by opening a saver award ?
I'm gonna book a paid business class RT from EWR to GIG and wanted to open a saver award for a friend.
Now, if in the future I were to buy a coach ticket for an other friend, put GPU on it a call to have them clear the upgrade since I'm on the same flight in paid business, could they tell that I already used the perk by opening a saver award ?
Sep 4, 2018, 10:42 am
#793
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 98
Need help navigating this situation. Flying EWR-HNL-OGG on a single award ticket. The HNL-OGG leg is on HA. I'm applying GPU for EWR-HNL (and I know that the upgrade would only be eligible on this leg), but the HNL-OGG flight time is not my preferred. I am checking daily to see if the earlier preferred HNL-OGG flight opens up for an award ticket. What would happen if the GPU clears on the EWR-HNL, but I need to cancel/rebook the entire ticket in order to change to my preferred HNL-OGG flight? They should be able to hold onto my upgraded seats, and just allow me to swap out the HNL-OGG leg?
Last edited by gholly; Sep 4, 2018 at 10:48 am Reason: Clarification
Sep 4, 2018, 12:59 pm
#794
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
She called someone else over, and there some was brief discussion in German. She welcomed me to the lounge and said there was no need to wait for them to figure it out.
Overall, a very pleasant experience and an outstanding lounge.
Sep 6, 2018, 11:42 am
#795
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
Quick question for GS people
I'm a companion of a GS. I'll be GS next yr as well since my mom is holding lifetime GS.
Currently have 93k miles. (Could make another trip to Asia 13k miles, ticket value at $600)
PQD value should be around $6500
Do I receive 6 GPU as well? Or I don't qualify unless I hit 100k miles and $12k in tickets?
I'm a companion of a GS. I'll be GS next yr as well since my mom is holding lifetime GS.
Currently have 93k miles. (Could make another trip to Asia 13k miles, ticket value at $600)
PQD value should be around $6500
Do I receive 6 GPU as well? Or I don't qualify unless I hit 100k miles and $12k in tickets?
Last edited by twkidM3; Sep 6, 2018 at 11:57 am