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]
Apr 3, 2019, 10:56 am
#481
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
First real CPU (had a T to J upgrade last week) this year as a GS. Have probably flown 20 segs and zero until now. Just got the email for SFO-SLC this Saturday. The flight was pretty much wide open in F so wasn't surprised but hey it seems like UA doesn't want to release any CPUs until the door is closed these days.
Apr 4, 2019, 6:44 am
#482
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, SPG Plat, National EC Executive (Replaced Hertz), Hertz PC (Retired)
Posts: 724
Sigh.
Apr 4, 2019, 9:51 am
#483
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS, AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 285
First real CPU (had a T to J upgrade last week) this year as a GS. Have probably flown 20 segs and zero until now. Just got the email for SFO-SLC this Saturday. The flight was pretty much wide open in F so wasn't surprised but hey it seems like UA doesn't want to release any CPUs until the door is closed these days.
Apr 4, 2019, 10:59 am
#484
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
interesting - I’m seeing the opposite. Until yesterday I had all my CPUs clear to date - even on ultra competitive routes such as SFO-DEN where I never cleared as a 1K. Yesterday on SFO-DEN was first time I did not clear. I am already upgraded on my return segment though. Could it be fare bucket related?
Apr 4, 2019, 12:21 pm
#485
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Somewhere in EWR
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond
Posts: 858
I'm the same as the above poster, nearly all of my CPU's have cleared. Our company just moved to a no-biz domestic policy so I've only been booking Y, B, M and E fares with most of them being M.
Apr 4, 2019, 12:56 pm
#486
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS, AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 285
definitely not full fare but not the cheapest either. just having a quick look at past reservations and I’ve been booked W, H, V, L, U - so most but not all flexible fares. Yesterday and today are both L (economy flexible) and outbound cleared but return did not.
Apr 4, 2019, 1:24 pm
#487
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
I’m booked in Polaris on CDG-EWR. Is it possible to open a saver award business for a + 1 AND convert T to saver award coach for a +2 ?
Apr 4, 2019, 1:43 pm
#488
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
interesting - I’m seeing the opposite. Until yesterday I had all my CPUs clear to date - even on ultra competitive routes such as SFO-DEN where I never cleared as a 1K. Yesterday on SFO-DEN was first time I did not clear. I am already upgraded on my return segment though. Could it be fare bucket related?
Apr 4, 2019, 3:09 pm
#489
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
If this is not the case, you get one or the other.
Apr 5, 2019, 8:53 am
#490
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
I am going to go out and buy a lottery ticket! Just got upgraded (CPU) on my SLC - SFO return on the Devil's Chariot! That's two CPUs in row now! Well woop dee doo....Now if I can only clear on my SFO-EWR-SFO RPUs, still standing by on those.
Apr 5, 2019, 3:09 pm
#491
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
Got an email today about the changes to award travel. It ended with:
- As a member of the United MileagePlus® program with United Global Services® status, you can still travel whenever you'd like – there are no blackout dates.
Apr 5, 2019, 3:18 pm
#492
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
Got an email today about the changes to award travel. It ended with:
- As a member of the United MileagePlus® program with United Global Services® status, you can still travel whenever you'd like – there are no blackout dates.
Although I am curious to see if we can still open saver awards for a +1 post 11/15
Apr 5, 2019, 3:41 pm
#493
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: IAH & HOU
Programs: UA GS & Marriott Titanium
Posts: 443
What is the difference between a saver award and an everyday award in the new regime? Seems like they would only need the singular flexing price per service class now and no need to "open" seats for us or our +1's since there is always a seat available at the prevailing mileage rate. I'm viewing this new policy as a massive devaluation to GS until i hear otherwise. The only useful benefit if T->XN is effectively gone would be the ability to stack a GPU onto an award coach booking and that ain't worth the loyalty given how infrequently those clear (for me).
Apr 5, 2019, 3:51 pm
#494
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,861
Got an email today about the changes to award travel. It ended with:
- As a member of the United MileagePlus® program with United Global Services® status, you can still travel whenever you'd like – there are no blackout dates.
Apr 5, 2019, 5:57 pm
#495
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott (Plat Premier, LT Plat)
Posts: 257
What is the difference between a saver award and an everyday award in the new regime? Seems like they would only need the singular flexing price per service class now and no need to "open" seats for us or our +1's since there is always a seat available at the prevailing mileage rate. I'm viewing this new policy as a massive devaluation to GS until i hear otherwise. The only useful benefit if T->XN is effectively gone would be the ability to stack a GPU onto an award coach booking and that ain't worth the loyalty given how infrequently those clear (for me).