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]
Oct 26, 2018, 5:43 am
#961
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
Oct 27, 2018, 8:19 am
#962
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Flying DEN-SJC tomorrow. 29 hours before the flight and there are 6 open first class seats. Upgrade hasn't gone through and using a GPU no longer lets them push one through. I need to spend $157 to get the upgrade, even though I have an expensive refundable ticket. Very disappointing United.
Oct 27, 2018, 8:51 am
#963
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
Flying DEN-SJC tomorrow. 29 hours before the flight and there are 6 open first class seats. Upgrade hasn't gone through and using a GPU no longer lets them push one through. I need to spend $157 to get the upgrade, even though I have an expensive refundable ticket. Very disappointing United.
Oct 27, 2018, 10:57 am
#964
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
They can't push through a CPU any longer but can usually push through a Regional if you use one.
Oct 27, 2018, 11:51 am
#965
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
Oct 27, 2018, 11:52 am
#966
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,025
Let us know what happened. In that type of scenario, I have always found myself protected on another routing, and this can often be seen in your reservation on the app when you are traveling.
When you are close to certain to misconnect, as in this case, I would call GS before departure from IST and see my options ... they might have explored the direct IST-IAH for you, as an example.
When you are close to certain to misconnect, as in this case, I would call GS before departure from IST and see my options ... they might have explored the direct IST-IAH for you, as an example.
Oct 27, 2018, 3:09 pm
#967
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I've updated the wiki to reflect the access to the former Global First Lounges in LHR, NRT, and HKG, which are now VIP lounges, and the updated guest policy. As it's unpublished, I moved it to the lower section. If anyone reports a different experience in NRT or HKG than what the LHR VIP Lounge agent told me, please report.
Oct 27, 2018, 7:11 pm
#968
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,025
I've updated the wiki to reflect the access to the former Global First Lounges in LHR, NRT, and HKG, which are now VIP lounges, and the updated guest policy. As it's unpublished, I moved it to the lower section. If anyone reports a different experience in NRT or HKG than what the LHR VIP Lounge agent told me, please report.
I also went through and updated references to R class with the new PZ class, and removed references to Polaris First, O/ON class awards and upgrades, and the F and A fare classes. If anyone comes across any further changes to benefits, please correct. Once P+ is rolled out, this will likely change again.
Last edited by greenpau; Oct 27, 2018 at 7:19 pm
Oct 27, 2018, 10:58 pm
#969
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've updated the wiki to reflect the access to the former Global First Lounges in LHR, NRT, and HKG, which are now VIP lounges, and the updated guest policy. As it's unpublished, I moved it to the lower section. If anyone reports a different experience in NRT or HKG than what the LHR VIP Lounge agent told me, please report.
Oct 28, 2018, 2:02 am
#970
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,025
It has been announced that the last three remaining GFL at LHR, NRT, HKG have been turned into GS-only "VIP Lounges". In the long-term, these spaces will likely be renovated/adjusted to become Polaris Lounges, but for now they are available to GS and accompanying guests per the access policy in the Wiki.
Oct 28, 2018, 1:35 pm
#971
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 5
Just wondered if anyone being inducted into GS for 2019 has received any type of notification? I didn't expect to make the cut last year but was a solid 1K member; so far in 2018 I've racked up >250,000 PQM and > 80K PQD... and have quite a bit more booked already since the last quarter requires a lot of travel.
Anyway, just curious if the lack of communication from United means anything, or that it just hasn't been addressed for 2019 yet.
Thanks!
Anyway, just curious if the lack of communication from United means anything, or that it just hasn't been addressed for 2019 yet.
Thanks!
Oct 28, 2018, 1:46 pm
#972
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,454
Just wondered if anyone being inducted into GS for 2019 has received any type of notification? I didn't expect to make the cut last year but was a solid 1K member; so far in 2018 I've racked up >250,000 PQM and > 80K PQD... and have quite a bit more booked already since the last quarter requires a lot of travel.
Anyway, just curious if the lack of communication from United means anything, or that it just hasn't been addressed for 2019 yet.
Thanks!
Anyway, just curious if the lack of communication from United means anything, or that it just hasn't been addressed for 2019 yet.
Thanks!
Oct 28, 2018, 2:27 pm
#973
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
Oct 28, 2018, 5:15 pm
#974
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Just wondered if anyone being inducted into GS for 2019 has received any type of notification? I didn't expect to make the cut last year but was a solid 1K member; so far in 2018 I've racked up >250,000 PQM and > 80K PQD... and have quite a bit more booked already since the last quarter requires a lot of travel.
Anyway, just curious if the lack of communication from United means anything, or that it just hasn't been addressed for 2019 yet.
Thanks!
Anyway, just curious if the lack of communication from United means anything, or that it just hasn't been addressed for 2019 yet.
Thanks!
With $80k you should be a slam dunk.
Oct 29, 2018, 10:22 am
#975
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,498
Let us know what happened. In that type of scenario, I have always found myself protected on another routing, and this can often be seen in your reservation on the app when you are traveling.
When you are close to certain to misconnect, as in this case, I would call GS before departure from IST and see my options ... they might have explored the direct IST-IAH for you, as an example.
So here's what happened. I called GS immediately upon landing in AMS (while still taxiing) with about 15 mins to go till departure of AMS-IAH. Very helpful GS agent. First, she confirmed I was still booked on the AMS-IAH flight but she protected me on an AMS-IAD-IAH itinerary (AMS-IAD in C, IAD-IAH in Y). She then tried to call ground services at AMS to see if anyone would meet me at gate, etc. After a few minutes she came back and said she couldn't reach them but maybe there would be some ground services available and wished me luck just as we pulled to the gate.
We pulled into concourse E. Unfortunately, United's gate situation in AMS is less than ideal - AMS-IAD was leaving from concourse D while AMS-IAH was leaving from concourse G. No evidence of any ground services, so I go through security (required as IST is non-Schengen) and now it's 11:08 (3 minutes after scheduled departure of AMS-IAH, and 52 minutes before scheduled departure of AMS-IAD). I have to choose which way to go. I debated going to concourse G -- the app said IAH was still on-time but it hadn't left the gate yet, but the app also said I no longer had a seat assignment on the IAH flight despite still having a reservation (which made me think I'd probably lost it anyway, as C was showing as booked full), and I was worried that if I went all the way to G only to be told I was out of luck, I would also risk losing my seat on the IAD flight by the time I turned around and hoofed it back to D. So I took the sure thing and went straight to D and the IAD gate and eventually got my boarding pass. As it turned out, the IAH flight did not leave the gate till 11:20, so I guess I'll never know what would have happened had I gone to concourse G. Also, IAD-IAH F cleared after boarding (that was a blessing, as to that moment I was stuck in a middle seat in E-minus, which would have been a lousy way to finish a 26-hour, 4-segment itinerary).
Thanks all for the helpful suggestions. All's well that ended well!
Last edited by st530; Oct 30, 2018 at 12:32 pm