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]
Mar 30, 2019, 11:41 am
#466
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: UA GS, AA ExP
Posts: 124
Gloval service desk-- experience
I had a rather strange experience calling the global services number. As has been previously discussed, I was on hold for almost 5 mins before my call was answered. The agent then asked for my mileage plus number and upon looking up my number after I provided him the info,he did acknowledge my status. This would suggest that the call got routed through to a non GS agent. I was calling to upgrade a flight out of London. For whatever reason the agent wasnt able to do it systematically so it took him almost 25 mins to manually apply the upgrade. Then he said that United collects taxes on upgrades out of London, so he will have to charge my card $100. Although odd, I said fine. Once he finished what he had to do, I hung up the phone. The agent was extremely courteous for the entire 30mins I spent on the phone with him, while I grew increasingly impatient.After hanging up,I decided to check my itinerary on the app and was surprised to see that no upgrades were applied!So I called up the global services desk again, and this time a very helpful GS agent answered the phone, applied the upgrade without any issue....so this leaves me wondering what happened during the first phone call. Very unusual!
Mar 30, 2019, 5:22 pm
#467
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC/WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL '90s PM, now FK (Flying Kettle)
Posts: 541
The British "luxury tax" is a real thing, supposed to be collected by all airlines upon upgrading someone. In my case, it mostly has been collected, although from time to time it's been ignored. Did the $100 ever get charged to your card?
Mar 30, 2019, 7:55 pm
#468
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: LA,NYC
Programs: AA-EXP 2.8 MM,UA-GS 1.3 MM,DL-PL,HH-DM,LH-SEN,Bonvoy-GL
Posts: 296
just called and twice two different agents two different verifications both said it’s got to be the GS+1 to convert PZ -I since The infamous 12/12 rules which makes no sense as I can take a companion so long that it’s >J2 no need for PZ ��
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 30, 2019 at 9:20 pm Reason: repaired quote
Mar 31, 2019, 11:28 am
#470
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: LA,NYC
Programs: AA-EXP 2.8 MM,UA-GS 1.3 MM,DL-PL,HH-DM,LH-SEN,Bonvoy-GL
Posts: 296
Mar 31, 2019, 11:56 am
#471
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
It actually does make sense. Essentially they’re saying if you want to convert one fare class into saver award you need to be on the flight, whether that’s T-XN or PZ-IN. Still relevant if you want to use miles for your own flight.
Apr 2, 2019, 1:48 am
#472
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 520
question re 72h manual upgrade clearing
I am waitlisted for an Upgrade out of PP to Polaris with 75h to go. Called and they would not clear it yet (fair) but then the GS agent said there are two other GS (j9) and I should call again tomorrow?
i thought they can simply clear all of us?
HUACA at 72h mark?
i thought they can simply clear all of us?
HUACA at 72h mark?
Apr 2, 2019, 1:54 am
#473
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
They will clear the GS upgrades in the correct order, assuming there is J>2.
Apr 2, 2019, 10:44 am
#474
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, SPG Plat, National EC Executive (Replaced Hertz), Hertz PC (Retired)
Posts: 724
I'm guessing I'm late to this, but the new "T must be >2" to convert T->XN is ridiculous. I totally understood that J >2 was to protect sellable business seats, but if that was the same spirit we'd be Y >2 for this.
This is just an unabashed reduction in value and it's further cementing why I've started taking my business that's over and above GS qualifying to other airlines.
This is just an unabashed reduction in value and it's further cementing why I've started taking my business that's over and above GS qualifying to other airlines.
Apr 3, 2019, 6:01 am
#476
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
If you called, they likely cleared anyone on the waitlist above you in priority. Let us know otherwise, but this has been my experience.
Apr 3, 2019, 6:19 am
#477
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Somewhere in EWR
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond
Posts: 858
Yes. Just had something similar but with not as many seats. Called yesterday on my LAS-EWR return for tomorrow. Two seats open, I have an RPU applied, can't get upgraded as the GS agent said there needed to be three Plus she mentioned that there was also another GS with their own instrument on the list. Noticed this morning that it was now three seats, called and got upgraded n the phone. Good luck for me, hard luck for the other guy if his doesn't clear.
Apr 3, 2019, 6:58 am
#478
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 520
Yes. Just had something similar but with not as many seats. Called yesterday on my LAS-EWR return for tomorrow. Two seats open, I have an RPU applied, can't get upgraded as the GS agent said there needed to be three Plus she mentioned that there was also another GS with their own instrument on the list. Noticed this morning that it was now three seats, called and got upgraded n the phone. Good luck for me, hard luck for the other guy if his doesn't clear.
I actually had applied my wife’s (1k) GPU but they still cleared without issue.
Apr 3, 2019, 8:53 am
#479
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, SPG Plat, National EC Executive (Replaced Hertz), Hertz PC (Retired)
Posts: 724
Apr 3, 2019, 10:25 am
#480
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
I'm guessing I'm late to this, but the new "T must be >2" to convert T->XN is ridiculous. I totally understood that J >2 was to protect sellable business seats, but if that was the same spirit we'd be Y >2 for this.
This is just an unabashed reduction in value and it's further cementing why I've started taking my business that's over and above GS qualifying to other airlines.
This is just an unabashed reduction in value and it's further cementing why I've started taking my business that's over and above GS qualifying to other airlines.
Same for PZ-IN conversion.
HUCA.