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 18, 2019, 4:07 pm
#571
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
Apr 19, 2019, 12:49 am
#572
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,178
On a EWR-IAH, I got $800. And got to my destination an hour earlier with a different connection.
Apr 21, 2019, 12:16 pm
#573
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: UAGS
Posts: 3
I am experiencing similar issues. A few minutes wait time for the call to be answered, and then the agents appear to be based outside the US, with long times required to address issues that were previously addressed quickly. Is UA sending some GS calls to a lower level service desk? Very frustrating.
Apr 21, 2019, 2:22 pm
#574
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
+1
~10min wait yesterday, and not sure why since all weather issues had passed.
~10min wait yesterday, and not sure why since all weather issues had passed.
Apr 21, 2019, 2:43 pm
#575
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: EWR
Programs: Latam Pass Black; UA 1K, 1MM; Marriott LT
Posts: 300
I am experiencing similar issues. A few minutes wait time for the call to be answered, and then the agents appear to be based outside the US, with long times required to address issues that were previously addressed quickly. Is UA sending some GS calls to a lower level service desk? Very frustrating.
I was going down the route of within 72 hours J>2 after pushing through the GPU was fine, but given such basic issues already, I hung up nicely and couldn't be bothered to call back and did something else.
Funny thing is, that it was actually going to be a reservation change which was booked on a saver mile ticket, with a confirmed GPU upgrade, so had the agent even looked at the reservation properly, I'm sure would have been very confused.
Apr 21, 2019, 2:43 pm
#576
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
Friday 8am EDT. immediate connection (choose 2 to not take survey). Talked to a super helpful agent in Detroit. Couldn’t switch fellow traveler (different PNR) to legacy global first. Plane became Polaris and I snagged him 1G (I’m 1L). Then insta upgrade (2GPU) for Mrs fivevsone and Ms fivevsone for their summer trip to Italy. It was a breeze.
T
T
Apr 21, 2019, 3:42 pm
#577
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
Were you on the same flight? I’ve had no trouble getting others on different PNRs into legacy GF seats as long as I’m on the flight (similar to getting non-elites into E+). Agent has never been able to do it themself, always has to check my PNR for seat availability then call some internal help desk to have the seat change forced through.
Apr 21, 2019, 5:09 pm
#578
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
Were you on the same flight? I’ve had no trouble getting others on different PNRs into legacy GF seats as long as I’m on the flight (similar to getting non-elites into E+). Agent has never been able to do it themself, always has to check my PNR for seat availability then call some internal help desk to have the seat change forced through.
Thanks. T.
Apr 23, 2019, 9:53 pm
#579
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Apr 24, 2019, 10:48 am
#580
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
Had to SDC to earlier flight to clear my RPU on my EWR-SFO flight. Not ideal but I saw the 9:15AM looked much better than the PM flights and jumped on it. Get to SFO and no luggage. Spent about 40 mins at SFO baggage claim only to be told bags didn't make it out of Newark. Still waiting for delivery. Head to SEA on Monday for quick turn around trip and would be shocked if I got a CPU on that run. I don't think a day goes buy when I don't question my continued use of UA.
Apr 24, 2019, 12:47 pm
#581
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 575
Had to SDC to earlier flight to clear my RPU on my EWR-SFO flight. Not ideal but I saw the 9:15AM looked much better than the PM flights and jumped on it. Get to SFO and no luggage. Spent about 40 mins at SFO baggage claim only to be told bags didn't make it out of Newark. Still waiting for delivery. Head to SEA on Monday for quick turn around trip and would be shocked if I got a CPU on that run. I don't think a day goes buy when I don't question my continued use of UA.
Apr 24, 2019, 12:59 pm
#582
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
Actually is was about T30hrs so I guess technically not SDC, but they didn't charge me fwiw. But as far as your question I thought if you had not yet checked in with your bags you could still SDC. But yes, if you checked your bags onto your initial flight and then wanted to SDC, they would not allow that.
Apr 26, 2019, 9:31 am
#583
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Flying through FRA tmrw on paid Polaris. I am GS. Any chance i can use LH FC lounge?
Apr 26, 2019, 9:44 am
#584
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,201
Apr 26, 2019, 12:44 pm
#585
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