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 26, 2019, 3:10 pm
#196
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,258
You can always apply an upgrade to the award reservation. By default, it will only clear if there is PN space available. However, if you are flying on a paid business ticket, an agent can force one companion ticket to upgrade immediately, even without PN space. Technically, both the miles for the award ticket and the upgrade need to come from a GS account. However, that is not always enforced. Sometimes agents will insist that the miles and upgrade have to come from the SAME GS account.
Jan 26, 2019, 3:15 pm
#197
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
Can a GS buy an award flight for someone else (miles from the GS account) and upgrade them using their RPUs/GPUs, without the GS being on the itinerary?
Jan 26, 2019, 3:28 pm
#198
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Yes, miles being from the (or really any) GS account is what matters for the ability to use an RPU/GPU. In fact, I know it used to be possible to use a GPU from a 1K account so long as the miles themselves were from a GS account. status of the traveller not relevant.
Jan 26, 2019, 6:36 pm
#199
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Precisely. I’ve done this time and again with no issue - I politely discussed it with the agent, even pointing out that Standard Economy + GPU was more miles than Saver Business, and this it made little sense, she said “well, because of all the abuse going on all these loopholes had to be closed”. Bizarre ... even more so that every agent seems to read this same memo differently (or better still, not read it at all).
Jan 26, 2019, 9:05 pm
#200
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
Yes, miles being from the (or really any) GS account is what matters for the ability to use an RPU/GPU. In fact, I know it used to be possible to use a GPU from a 1K account so long as the miles themselves were from a GS account. status of the traveller not relevant.
Jan 26, 2019, 9:44 pm
#202
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,258
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly.../upgrades.html
Jan 26, 2019, 10:06 pm
#203
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
Hmm. I think either you or the passenger has to have a United credit card to be eligible for a CPU on an award ticket and I believe you actually have to use it to pay the taxes/fees on the award ticket. See the upgrading award tickets section here:
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly.../upgrades.html
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly.../upgrades.html
I was upgraded this past Thursday
booked XN. No CC.
Jan 27, 2019, 8:30 am
#204
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott (Plat Premier, LT Plat)
Posts: 257
GS Benefit Downgrade!!!
was on the phone with a Gs agent and was shocked to hear about the following downgrades in benefits
1) GS member can only convert T-XN for one companion regardless of the number of seats in T class. Also the GS member needs to be traveling in order to avail of the benefit. Said differently booking an award ticket using GS account miles for family / friends when GS member isn’t traveling means ZERO benefits!!
2) GS member traveling in Paid Business can only avail T - XN or Confirmed PN when booking a companion ticket. This may result in upgrades getting confirmed in to Premium Economy if those upgrades ON were to open up first instead of PN
The above two changes are HUGE and a big Devaluation of the program. Add the above to the fact that a) you earn limited RPUs starting this year, b) 1K boarding changes causing chaos in the boarding area c) inability / limited ability to book Thai and Singapore awards and d) changes to domestic first dining option changes / downgrade in 2018. All this is a {redacted} to loyalty. Makes me wonder why we try so hard to push our $$s UA’s way!
Appreciate everyone’s thoughts on the above! Also I urge the people who agree with me to write to UA and make them undo these negative changes!!! It’s time we stop allowing UA take advantage of our loyalty.
1) GS member can only convert T-XN for one companion regardless of the number of seats in T class. Also the GS member needs to be traveling in order to avail of the benefit. Said differently booking an award ticket using GS account miles for family / friends when GS member isn’t traveling means ZERO benefits!!
2) GS member traveling in Paid Business can only avail T - XN or Confirmed PN when booking a companion ticket. This may result in upgrades getting confirmed in to Premium Economy if those upgrades ON were to open up first instead of PN
The above two changes are HUGE and a big Devaluation of the program. Add the above to the fact that a) you earn limited RPUs starting this year, b) 1K boarding changes causing chaos in the boarding area c) inability / limited ability to book Thai and Singapore awards and d) changes to domestic first dining option changes / downgrade in 2018. All this is a {redacted} to loyalty. Makes me wonder why we try so hard to push our $$s UA’s way!
Appreciate everyone’s thoughts on the above! Also I urge the people who agree with me to write to UA and make them undo these negative changes!!! It’s time we stop allowing UA take advantage of our loyalty.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 27, 2019 at 12:56 pm Reason: Using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed.
Jan 27, 2019, 9:58 am
#205
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
was on the phone with a Gs agent and was shocked to hear about the following downgrades in benefits
1) GS member can only convert T-XN for one companion regardless of the number of seats in T class. Also the GS member needs to be traveling in order to avail of the benefit. Said differently booking an award ticket using GS account miles for family / friends when GS member isn’t traveling means ZERO benefits!!
2) GS member traveling in Paid Business can only avail T - XN or Confirmed PN when booking a companion ticket. This may result in upgrades getting confirmed in to Premium Economy if those upgrades ON were to open up first instead of PN
The above two changes are HUGE and a big Devaluation of the program. Add the above to the fact that a) you earn limited RPUs starting this year, b) 1K boarding changes causing chaos in the boarding area c) inability / limited ability to book Thai and Singapore awards and d) changes to domestic first dining option changes / downgrade in 2018. All this is a Big FU to loyalty. Makes me wonder why we try so hard to push our $$s UA’s way!
Appreciate everyone’s thoughts on the above! Also I urge the people who agree with me to write to UA and make them undo these negative changes!!! It’s time we stop allowing UA take advantage of our loyalty.
1) GS member can only convert T-XN for one companion regardless of the number of seats in T class. Also the GS member needs to be traveling in order to avail of the benefit. Said differently booking an award ticket using GS account miles for family / friends when GS member isn’t traveling means ZERO benefits!!
2) GS member traveling in Paid Business can only avail T - XN or Confirmed PN when booking a companion ticket. This may result in upgrades getting confirmed in to Premium Economy if those upgrades ON were to open up first instead of PN
The above two changes are HUGE and a big Devaluation of the program. Add the above to the fact that a) you earn limited RPUs starting this year, b) 1K boarding changes causing chaos in the boarding area c) inability / limited ability to book Thai and Singapore awards and d) changes to domestic first dining option changes / downgrade in 2018. All this is a Big FU to loyalty. Makes me wonder why we try so hard to push our $$s UA’s way!
Appreciate everyone’s thoughts on the above! Also I urge the people who agree with me to write to UA and make them undo these negative changes!!! It’s time we stop allowing UA take advantage of our loyalty.
Jan 27, 2019, 11:41 am
#206
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: United Airlines
Posts: 7
I am curious how PN/PZ booking classes are made available. I have both XN and YN fairs with GPU applied for a trip in May. When should I expect to start seeing the upgrade classes become available so that my upgrade will clear?
Jan 27, 2019, 11:50 am
#207
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 350
was on the phone with a Gs agent and was shocked to hear about the following downgrades in benefits
1) GS member can only convert T-XN for one companion regardless of the number of seats in T class. Also the GS member needs to be traveling in order to avail of the benefit. Said differently booking an award ticket using GS account miles for family / friends when GS member isn’t traveling means ZERO benefits!!
2) GS member traveling in Paid Business can only avail T - XN or Confirmed PN when booking a companion ticket. This may result in upgrades getting confirmed in to Premium Economy if those upgrades ON were to open up first instead of PN
The above two changes are HUGE and a big Devaluation of the program. Add the above to the fact that a) you earn limited RPUs starting this year, b) 1K boarding changes causing chaos in the boarding area c) inability / limited ability to book Thai and Singapore awards and d) changes to domestic first dining option changes / downgrade in 2018. All this is a Big FU to loyalty. Makes me wonder why we try so hard to push our $$s UA’s way!
Appreciate everyone’s thoughts on the above! Also I urge the people who agree with me to write to UA and make them undo these negative changes!!! It’s time we stop allowing UA take advantage of our loyalty.
1) GS member can only convert T-XN for one companion regardless of the number of seats in T class. Also the GS member needs to be traveling in order to avail of the benefit. Said differently booking an award ticket using GS account miles for family / friends when GS member isn’t traveling means ZERO benefits!!
2) GS member traveling in Paid Business can only avail T - XN or Confirmed PN when booking a companion ticket. This may result in upgrades getting confirmed in to Premium Economy if those upgrades ON were to open up first instead of PN
The above two changes are HUGE and a big Devaluation of the program. Add the above to the fact that a) you earn limited RPUs starting this year, b) 1K boarding changes causing chaos in the boarding area c) inability / limited ability to book Thai and Singapore awards and d) changes to domestic first dining option changes / downgrade in 2018. All this is a Big FU to loyalty. Makes me wonder why we try so hard to push our $$s UA’s way!
Appreciate everyone’s thoughts on the above! Also I urge the people who agree with me to write to UA and make them undo these negative changes!!! It’s time we stop allowing UA take advantage of our loyalty.
I'm clearly the only one who feels this way (hyperbole acknowledged) given their ability to continue to sell the front cabin. As long as they sell it,there is really no good reason to give more benefits. I'd do the same if I was in charge. There's a sucker born every minute, and the job of UA is to extract those dollars from it's customers and reward the shareholders. That's what the shareholders hired them to do.
Jan 27, 2019, 11:53 pm
#208
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
After more than 11 years of GS, I finally got my first Mercedes tarmac transportation last week. It was in LAX, connecting from domestic UA to a CA flight in TBIT. No rush, just really long distance. I’ve done the insane airside labyrinth connection a couple times and welcomed the relief. The FA told me about them waiting for me upon arrival.
The crazy part part was that they only took me about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way and dumped me off in the AA terminal. Anyone know why they couldn’t drop off at TBIT??
The crazy part part was that they only took me about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way and dumped me off in the AA terminal. Anyone know why they couldn’t drop off at TBIT??
Jan 28, 2019, 12:48 am
#209
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,178
Can GS apply a GPU to a UA award ticket that has UA and LH metal? I know LH accepts GPUs, but not sure if they do on a GS UA Y award.
Jan 28, 2019, 5:10 am
#210
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Somewhere in EWR
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond
Posts: 858
I just did this for a friend who is flying solo to LHR. I got her a economy award ticket and used two GPU's to move her into first, they cleared instantly since there was the correct fare space open.