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]
Dec 8, 2018, 7:54 pm
#1051
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
Do we know what the employee is getting if we give him an appreciation card ?
Dec 8, 2018, 9:43 pm
#1052
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,970
Dec 9, 2018, 3:59 am
#1054
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
It’s like when a cat brings a dead bird to your door as a sign of appreciation.
Dec 9, 2018, 8:01 am
#1055
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,608
Dec 9, 2018, 3:50 pm
#1056
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 18
Thanks! I had GPUs expiring.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 9, 2018 at 8:39 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Dec 10, 2018, 5:30 am
#1057
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA 1k, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 109
Is this true? If so, I might as well save myself the embarrassment and throw them out myself.
Dec 11, 2018, 9:04 pm
#1058
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: UA GS slavery, *A Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 281
So I have a question. Now that United is offering true Premium Economy as oppose to Economy +. How does this affect us GS and 1k?
- For PS flights and international flights, will GS/1k be able to sit in these Premium Econ seats for free (like econ +)?
- For PS flights, will RPU upgrade to polaris business/first or upgrade to Premium Econ?
- For International flights like SFO to TPE or HKG, how would the upgrades work with GPU? Do we still buy W economy class to upgrade to polaris business/first using voucher? Or will they change the voucher and upgrade to Premium Econ?
Dec 12, 2018, 1:11 pm
#1059
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Dec 12, 2018, 1:58 pm
#1060
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
I really wish they would explain this as well. This year I had one domestic F class FA go out of her way to give me a napkin that said "Thank you" with her full name. It was done in a somewhat odd way that it really seemed like she was fishing for one of those cards or some GS feedback to go into her record. As if there was some bonus/perk tied to it, or that she had been skating on thin ice and needed some positive feedback recorded. I actually had the card half way filled out, but it just seemed too awkward to give it back to her.
Dec 12, 2018, 3:44 pm
#1061
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 18
I really wish they would explain this as well. This year I had one domestic F class FA go out of her way to give me a napkin that said "Thank you" with her full name. It was done in a somewhat odd way that it really seemed like she was fishing for one of those cards or some GS feedback to go into her record. As if there was some bonus/perk tied to it, or that she had been skating on thin ice and needed some positive feedback recorded. I actually had the card half way filled out, but it just seemed too awkward to give it back to her.
Dec 12, 2018, 7:54 pm
#1062
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,608
On flight MSY-EWR today. Nice quiet flight. FA handed me business card from Captain and he said “with thanks from the flight deck”. Unexpected and very nice
Dec 12, 2018, 7:56 pm
#1063
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
I never got those cards. Were they in the GS kit?
Either way, I just email GS whenever I get good service and/or a UA employee goes out of his or her way for me. I always get a nice message back, usually saying they will forward the feedback to their team or manager.
Either way, I just email GS whenever I get good service and/or a UA employee goes out of his or her way for me. I always get a nice message back, usually saying they will forward the feedback to their team or manager.
Dec 12, 2018, 11:49 pm
#1064
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,025
I do the same ... but I’ve tested the process several times with FAs that I have followed up with and are friends or friends of friends — not once have they been followed up with ... which is sad.
Dec 17, 2018, 2:45 am
#1065
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Rowley, MA / Edgartown, MA / Christiansted, St. Croix (USVI)
Programs: UA LT GS/4.96MM, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Platinum, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, Korea SeS, APEC
Posts: 579
I had a great experience at the Haneda (the other Tokyo airport) check-in on Saturday evening. The lines for security were huge so I asked the check-in agent if there was any expedited security, she said of course and flagged a GS gate agent standing near by. The GS agent walked us first to a special security line with literally no one in the line, then she took us to a special passport agent, again with zero line (we have APEC cards) and next she escorted us all the way to the ANA lounge. This saved us minimally 30 minutes and a lot of frustration. It’s great when you’re treated like a real customer.
