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]
Sep 30, 2018, 11:53 am
#856
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,454
Yeah you might be right. I haven't flown since the boarding changes were announced, but as all my trips are in Polaris on Int'l travel I don't always rush to the gate regardless, travel light anyway. Some concourses at EWR, IAD, FRA, etc can be very narrow and if 250-350 people are boarding in a narrow area I will just come 5 minutes before boarding ends. I am lucky to be able to have that luxury obviously and I count it as a perk of being loyal to UA. I am happy for everyone who has benefited from recent changes and feel for those who got the $3k jump to remain 1K in 2020. As a long time UA loyalist I am sure GS will get get handed some change that is not an enhancement, but I won't offer any ideas to this free focus group for UA 
Sep 30, 2018, 11:56 am
#857
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: NY
Programs: AA: ExPlat & 3MM; UA: 1k; KL: Plat 4 Life; Hyatt: Plat; SPG, Marriott, Hilton: Gold
Posts: 2,708
They’ve basically created a Group Zero. Am on a 772 from IAH to EWR this morning. Has 50 J/F seats so lot of premium seats. Both Groups 0 and 1 were long. Messy
Sep 30, 2018, 11:57 am
#858
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,692
Got the Mercedes at IAD this morning, then of course my subsequent flight had mx delay/plane swap 
Sep 30, 2018, 3:50 pm
#859
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
I think I already know the answer but just want to make sure. If you are on award tix with NH/LH flights, can GS apply GPUs on their segments to upgrade? I believe the answer is no, they both need to be revenue and in eligible fare codes in order to get the upgrade, but wanna get a confirmation from you.
Sep 30, 2018, 3:54 pm
#860
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,827
I think I already know the answer but just want to make sure. If you are on award tix with NH/LH flights, can GS apply GPUs on their segments to upgrade? I believe the answer is no, they both need to be revenue and in eligible fare codes in order to get the upgrade, but wanna get a confirmation from you.
Sep 30, 2018, 6:12 pm
#861
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,323
This is exactly why getting rid of the RPU's, beyond 100K PQM makes absolutely no sense. If they expire the cost to UA is zero but conversely, currently today we have the knowledge and satisfaction of knowing that we can always apply an RPU. These changes are an alarming flash back to Jeff Smicek, a horrible CEO. Any hope that UA would focus on the customer satisfaction of it's high milage road warriors is just about gone. I guess UA is now focused of the tourist market who fly once or twice a year and don't care about anything but price, which UA isn't all that good at either. If you fly primarily international, as I do, there is now very little reason to be loyal to UA. The foreign carriers have a better product, often at a lower price.
Has anyone seen any update of the changes for GS next year. I can't find anything on the web as of now.
Has anyone seen any update of the changes for GS next year. I can't find anything on the web as of now.
Sep 30, 2018, 8:55 pm
#862
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
I'm just getting caught up on this RPU/GPU change in MP. I am also upset with this change. CPUs are getting fewer and farther between. I've been in coach more than ever this year, thanks to the cheap sell practices. The RPUs were starting serve a purpose of giving us a more assured spot in F class. I'll be writing in.
Oct 1, 2018, 6:08 am
#863
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
I’m using them for both myself and friends.
I will tell you, NONE of my friends, 0, would pay more for a United ticket without the possiblitly of my RPU. They would definitely go for other airlines with better Y products.
I just booked a friend of mine an EWR-SFO-EWR for 600$ in coach upgradable in PN.
Without it, he would have gone for the 300$ jetblue fare !
Oct 1, 2018, 6:57 am
#864
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
I emailed asking if the change was also applying to GS.
I’m using them for both myself and friends.
I will tell you, NONE of my friends, 0, would pay more for a United ticket without the possiblitly of my RPU. They would definitely go for other airlines with better Y products.
I just booked a friend of mine an EWR-SFO-EWR for 600$ in coach upgradable in PN.
Without it, he would have gone for the 300$ jetblue fare !
Oct 1, 2018, 7:21 am
#865
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,323
Oct 1, 2018, 7:32 am
#866
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
I’m not necessarily happy about the change but SWUs work on domestic flights as well right? And miles still work to upgrade to PN? Or do only certs work?
Oct 1, 2018, 12:32 pm
#867
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Group 1 is even worse with Gold boarding there now... that literally has doubled the size of group 1. Works out well for those willing to get in line early that are Gold, but everyone else pays for it.
Oct 1, 2018, 2:16 pm
#868
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 90
Here is the reply from Global Services to my email about the recent changes and my disappointment about reducing RPU:
The new changes in upgrade issuance applies to Global Services members as well. Though the number of RPU available to be earned will be decreasing, the number of GPU one can earn will not change. The only change with the GPU is that you will earn one GPU for every 25,000 PQM once attaining 1K status. Currently, you earn two GPU for every 50,000 PQM after attaining 1K status.
Global Services members will continue to board prior to Group 1.
I appreciate that you took the time to send us your comments. Please be assured that United values your comments and your business.
We will be sure to pass your comments along to management.
As a Global Services member, we value your business. Thank you for choosing United and MileagePlus.
Global Services members will continue to board prior to Group 1.
I appreciate that you took the time to send us your comments. Please be assured that United values your comments and your business.
We will be sure to pass your comments along to management.
As a Global Services member, we value your business. Thank you for choosing United and MileagePlus.
Oct 3, 2018, 1:30 am
#869
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 391
GPU and Global Services
Hi,
I'm a Global Services member. I found SFO-TLV flights tickets for my, my wife, and 2 children, but they are K class. Can I still use my GPUs to upgrade us all (if there are available seats)?
I know GPU doesn't work from K class, but was wondering if there is an exception for Global Services members.
Thanks,
Joe
I'm a Global Services member. I found SFO-TLV flights tickets for my, my wife, and 2 children, but they are K class. Can I still use my GPUs to upgrade us all (if there are available seats)?
I know GPU doesn't work from K class, but was wondering if there is an exception for Global Services members.
Thanks,
Joe
Oct 3, 2018, 1:31 am
#870
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
W or higher only. There is no GS exception.