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 9, 2019, 6:40 am
#526
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
Just curious cause I take over 30 Polaris flights a year and have still never seen a GS seated in coach internationally. I get it’s uncommon due to high spend needed and upgrade priority.
But is it actually rare for a GS to be in coach? If so do they fly coach more on certain routes than others?
i always found it funny that I’ve paid around $1000 from EWR to LAX but EWR to LHR which is an hour more is almost $7k more at $7800 one way just for one hour more of flying. (I know intl is different but I’m just saying from a flyers perspective)
But is it actually rare for a GS to be in coach? If so do they fly coach more on certain routes than others?
i always found it funny that I’ve paid around $1000 from EWR to LAX but EWR to LHR which is an hour more is almost $7k more at $7800 one way just for one hour more of flying. (I know intl is different but I’m just saying from a flyers perspective)
domestically is often economy about 8-1 trans cons or Vegas flights a year.
Apr 10, 2019, 10:41 pm
#527
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
In practice they appear to still have two types of pricing on awards. One for XN/IN and another for YN/JN. Perhaps it will work like this:
IN/XN (Saver) awards will be the cheaper rates with a set ceiling that can sometimes go lower, YN/JN will have a set floor (the ceiling of the savers) that can sometimes go higher.
If that is the case then T-XN or R-IN or companion IN will use the ceiling price, as they do today.
Apr 11, 2019, 6:44 am
#528
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Had a very nice experience being rescued by the GS team in EWR after connecting from STL on Apr. 5. My flight ended up on ATC hold after departing the gate, and my connection time was reduced to around 25 minutes from the junky B terminal to C136. Picked up in the Mercedes and hurried right over to the gate area and escorted to the gate by GS staff.
An early-morning toast to the GS team for saving my day and getting me home on time!!
An early-morning toast to the GS team for saving my day and getting me home on time!!
Apr 11, 2019, 12:03 pm
#529
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 639
has anyone been able to get a better answer on t->XN from United? I called yesterday and asked the simple question, what is the T->XN policy post Nov 15. I was transferred from the GS line to GS Customer Care. Neither agent had a clue. Customer Care got the GS line back on the phone--I gave them an example date (in January) where there were 2 flights to the same location. T was available on both and the dynamic pricing had different costs. They did say they could convert the flight with the higher dynamic pricing back to the lower (original saver) level, so thats positive.
The Customer Care agent promised to follow up by email with something more definitive and I got this form email...
I responded and asked again for the T->XN policy...more to come if I get anything...
The Customer Care agent promised to follow up by email with something more definitive and I got this form email...
"Thank you for your feedback on the new MileagePlus program. I'll send on your comments. I also apologize for any inconvenience these changes may have caused. That's never our intention, especially when it comes to you booking a flight with us. We're introducing flexible Award pricing, which let's us increase award prices for the most in-demand flights and offer lower prices on other flights.
If your award travel is flexible, we feel these updates will help you make the most of your miles. Next time you're booking a flight, use our flexible award calendar on united.com to get a monthly view of the award prices for a specific destination."
If your award travel is flexible, we feel these updates will help you make the most of your miles. Next time you're booking a flight, use our flexible award calendar on united.com to get a monthly view of the award prices for a specific destination."
Apr 11, 2019, 3:51 pm
#530
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
Can someone clarify for me the current T>XN policy as it relates to dynamic award pricing? (I haven't used this perk in awhile). Does it always convert to the base saver rate (e.g. 12.5K for domestic one-way) or does it somehow convert into a dynamically tiered rate?
Apr 11, 2019, 4:02 pm
#531
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
12.5K isn't base saver, it's the cap for saver. And yes, it converts to the capped saver.
Apr 14, 2019, 3:06 pm
#532
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
can someone refresh my memory?
id like to book GS+3 pax Basic Eco EWR-LAX RT
can i apply GS RPUs to basic econ? for the whole party or just myself?
i know we will still get bags and premier access, will we still get Eco+? (in the event of rpus not clearing
)
id like to book GS+3 pax Basic Eco EWR-LAX RT
can i apply GS RPUs to basic econ? for the whole party or just myself?
i know we will still get bags and premier access, will we still get Eco+? (in the event of rpus not clearing
)
Apr 14, 2019, 3:54 pm
#533
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Basic Economy does not allow any upgrades whatsoever.
Apr 14, 2019, 9:28 pm
#534
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
I was able to have them open up XN on a domestic flight where T was available just this past week. It priced at 12.5k which is the maximum mileage for a saver domestic one way ticket. The flight operates in August. I am not sure how this will work for flights after November but I am hoping XN still opens at 12.5k when T is available. Currently ALL XN tickets showing as available after November are priced at 12.5k or less, so it appears that for now 12.5k is still the cap on domestic XN.
Apr 15, 2019, 9:50 am
#535
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
Apr 15, 2019, 10:23 am
#536
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
I was confusing the BE perk for GS, As GS you can buy up to reg Eco and then apply an instrument.
i think I'll do that based on the fact that it's unlikely 4 RPUs will clear on this particular aircraft 757-200
Only 16 seats in J and so far 4 sold.
Unfortunately the dreamliner departs too late for us.
Apr 15, 2019, 10:57 am
#537
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
Cleared a GPU on this Wed SFO-EWR flight on Saturday (use nearly all my instruments on domestic flights). Still waiting to clear on next week return flight. Applied at time of booking about 2 months ago. I will say it has been easier clearing instruments as GS over my years of frustration as 1K. I use to eat at least 10 GPU/RPUs a year as nothing would clear. Clearing CPUs is another issue. I have really seen no difference as GS over 1K. I have now cleared a CPU on a total of only 3 segs so far this year, two were a quick RT SFO-SLC-SFO Devil's Chariot run just last week. I am curious if I will clear a CPU on a SFO-SEA run in two weeks where GS pax are typically half the seats. I use to run this route all the time as a 1K and I don't think ever cleared a CPU in either direction.
Apr 15, 2019, 11:08 am
#538
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
3 out of how many CPU-eligible flights, would you say?
Apr 15, 2019, 12:18 pm
#539
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 think it has to be at least 20 segs this year, I would say some were prior to getting GS status as I literally got the invite on Jan 30th. and had some flights in Jan. I posted/complained about this earlier up thread. Some of the more recent flights were several runs into DIA that didn't clear. I had a RT to IAH that didn't and a CLE-SFO that didn't clear (I used an instrument into CLE which did clear). As I mentioned on some of the flights it wasn't even close, I was like #5 on the list at boarding. SFO is tough to clear anything out of where even GS are a dime a dozen. I will admit most my flights are peak business times (it is what it is) and for example the SEA run is out on the Monday morning flight and back on the evening flight. Unless things have changed recently there will literally be at least 2 dozen GS paxs on that flight if not more.
Last edited by nomad420; Apr 15, 2019 at 12:40 pm Reason: Typed into wrong field.
Apr 15, 2019, 2:22 pm
#540
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Somewhere in EWR
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond
Posts: 858
Yeah, I figured just messing with you. LOL.
I think it has to be at least 20 segs this year, I would say some were prior to getting GS status as I literally got the invite on Jan 30th. and had some flights in Jan. I posted/complained about this earlier up thread. Some of the more recent flights were several runs into DIA that didn't clear. I had a RT to IAH that didn't and a CLE-SFO that didn't clear (I used an instrument into CLE which did clear). As I mentioned on some of the flights it wasn't even close, I was like #5 on the list at boarding. SFO is tough to clear anything out of where even GS are a dime a dozen. I will admit most my flights are peak business times (it is what it is) and for example the SEA run is out on the Monday morning flight and back on the evening flight. Unless things have changed recently there will literally be at least 2 dozen GS paxs on that flight if not more.
I think it has to be at least 20 segs this year, I would say some were prior to getting GS status as I literally got the invite on Jan 30th. and had some flights in Jan. I posted/complained about this earlier up thread. Some of the more recent flights were several runs into DIA that didn't clear. I had a RT to IAH that didn't and a CLE-SFO that didn't clear (I used an instrument into CLE which did clear). As I mentioned on some of the flights it wasn't even close, I was like #5 on the list at boarding. SFO is tough to clear anything out of where even GS are a dime a dozen. I will admit most my flights are peak business times (it is what it is) and for example the SEA run is out on the Monday morning flight and back on the evening flight. Unless things have changed recently there will literally be at least 2 dozen GS paxs on that flight if not more.