Dec 31, 2018, 7:21 am
Last edit by: Ocn Vw 1K
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.
Links to past/current threads on this topic and related GS threads:
2020 Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions, Experiences: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/2001958-consolidated-global-services-thread-benefits-questions-experiences-2020-a.html
Last years' thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2018]
Thread on 2019 Global Services Notifications
Thread on 2019 Qualifying Discussion
Last years' thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2018]
Thread on 2019 Global Services Notifications
Thread on 2019 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)Closed- 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. Update 12 Dec 2018: Only for GS member + 1 companion.
- 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.
- (Note: Only ONE of the two above options can be exercised per premium fare purchased. GS traveler must remain in same itinerary as companion)
- 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.
- Post 12/12/2018, agents have been instructed to grant only one "exception" when opening award space for a companion. Thus, you can open T->XN for a companion, or you can force a companion upgrade into PN, but you can't convert T->XN and then force clear an upgrade into PN. Some have reported success by requesting this in two separate calls.
- Some agents will allow GS to open economy award space for a companion to allow for an upgrade with an instrument, even if XN or T are unavailable
Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions, Experiences [2019]
Jan 18, 2019, 12:03 pm
#136
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
What's the standard procedure for companions in the GS check-in/security at SFO?
The security guy was taking one pax from the GS line, then one from regular Pre✓, but between my GS and I getting called up, another line sent about 10 pax into our line, splitting us up completely, to the point that had I used CLEAR, we would have both been through quicker.
The security guy was taking one pax from the GS line, then one from regular Pre✓, but between my GS and I getting called up, another line sent about 10 pax into our line, splitting us up completely, to the point that had I used CLEAR, we would have both been through quicker.
You are right. However, the last time we were at ORD when a GS appeared from the side door, the TSA agent asked me if I was traveling with the person he had just checked the documents. I was, since the person in front of me was my wife. So, he asked the GS to wait and checked my documents before taking care of the GS.
Jan 18, 2019, 4:12 pm
#137
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
What's the standard procedure for companions in the GS check-in/security at SFO?
The security guy was taking one pax from the GS line, then one from regular Pre✓, but between my GS and I getting called up, another line sent about 10 pax into our line, splitting us up completely, to the point that had I used CLEAR, we would have both been through quicker.
The security guy was taking one pax from the GS line, then one from regular Pre✓, but between my GS and I getting called up, another line sent about 10 pax into our line, splitting us up completely, to the point that had I used CLEAR, we would have both been through quicker.
Jan 20, 2019, 6:21 am
#138
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 519
as a GS, if I buy PE, can I force an upgrade for a companion just like with paid F?
Jan 21, 2019, 12:41 am
#139
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 6
Last edited by Code_Red; Jan 21, 2019 at 12:58 am
Jan 21, 2019, 5:19 am
#140
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
Just booked one T->XN ORD-NRT. I actually just called to request an award flight and the agent checked for T and did the conversion unprompted. 👍
Jan 21, 2019, 7:42 am
#141
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Corvallis, OR, USA
Programs: UA GS; Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott, Hyatt; Hertz
Posts: 321
Was I just lucky?
On flight SFO - IAD today with on a cheap (T) fare and was trying to upgrade with a CPU. Rebooking in J would have been $1,000+ and T-72 was J1, so was resigned to flying in Y. When I checked in (at about T-28 because of originating connecting flight), up popped a TOD (which I grabbed). Does anyone know if GS get some priority for TODs, or was I just lucky?
Jan 21, 2019, 4:33 pm
#142
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 575
On flight SFO - IAD today with on a cheap (T) fare and was trying to upgrade with a CPU. Rebooking in J would have been $1,000+ and T-72 was J1, so was resigned to flying in Y. When I checked in (at about T-28 because of originating connecting flight), up popped a TOD (which I grabbed). Does anyone know if GS get some priority for TODs, or was I just lucky?
Jan 21, 2019, 5:08 pm
#143
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Jan 21, 2019, 7:54 pm
#144
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Corvallis, OR, USA
Programs: UA GS; Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott, Hyatt; Hertz
Posts: 321
$310
There were 7 GS in J, 6 in Y on the flight.
There were 7 GS in J, 6 in Y on the flight.
Jan 22, 2019, 8:53 am
#145
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Westchester NY
Programs: UA GS 4+ MM
Posts: 373
I was under the impression that certificates from a GS account were quite valuable when applied to non-status friends/family if they are traveling without you. That may be true up until 24 hours prior to the flight (when you may be able to "force" the upgrade), but I discovered today that on the day of departure the cert doesn't mean much. My non-status son, travelling alone on my GS regional upgrade from EWR to SFO on a T fare is sorting near last on a long upgrade list. Does that make sense? Does he fall behind 1Ks on their own certs? I thought the GS cert trumps 1K certs, or is that only up until 24 hours before the flight?
Jan 22, 2019, 9:18 am
#146
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
I was under the impression that certificates from a GS account were quite valuable when applied to non-status friends/family if they are traveling without you. That may be true up until 24 hours prior to the flight (when you may be able to "force" the upgrade), but I discovered today that on the day of departure the cert doesn't mean much. My non-status son, travelling alone on my GS regional upgrade from EWR to SFO on a T fare is sorting near last on a long upgrade list. Does that make sense? Does he fall behind 1Ks on their own certs? I thought the GS cert trumps 1K certs, or is that only up until 24 hours before the flight?
Jan 22, 2019, 9:26 am
#147
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York, London, Sydney
Programs: United GS/2MM, DL*P, VS*G, AA*EXP, Avis CHM, Hertz Platinum, Sixt*D, HH*D, HGP*P, Starwood*P
Posts: 9,847
Jan 22, 2019, 9:27 am
#148
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Westchester NY
Programs: UA GS 4+ MM
Posts: 373
Thanks Getagb. My impression as well, but I just called GS and she claimed he would rank on his own status (or lack thereof) even on my GS upgrade, since I am not travelling with him. The wiki on the "Understanding the Upgrade List" doesn't spell out the order in this case. FYI -- He is now ranked 14th out of 18 on tonight's PS flight. She said the list was correct, and those above him are not on GS certs. UGH. This is contrary to everything I believed about the list.
I fear Stevenshev is correct -- on the battlefield all that matters is your own status, followed by fare.
I fear Stevenshev is correct -- on the battlefield all that matters is your own status, followed by fare.
Jan 22, 2019, 4:27 pm
#149
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 575
Thanks Getagb. My impression as well, but I just called GS and she claimed he would rank on his own status (or lack thereof) even on my GS upgrade, since I am not travelling with him. The wiki on the "Understanding the Upgrade List" doesn't spell out the order in this case. FYI -- He is now ranked 14th out of 18 on tonight's PS flight. She said the list was correct, and those above him are not on GS certs. UGH. This is contrary to everything I believed about the list.
I fear Stevenshev is correct -- on the battlefield all that matters is your own status, followed by fare.
I fear Stevenshev is correct -- on the battlefield all that matters is your own status, followed by fare.
Jan 22, 2019, 4:55 pm
#150
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: United GS; AA EXP; Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 174
Question on overnight delays - I was told by a GS agent that domestic trips delayed overnight are no longer eligible for hotel accommodation since this year; United will only pay for international delays. Anyone knows more on that?