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]
Jun 5, 2019, 3:49 pm
#751
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
So curious if anyone has any thoughts/experience here. I have a coach saver award ticket SFO-CDG in a few weeks time, currently waitlisted for Polaris in both directions. I called to check status on the way out and they tell me there are 5 seats for sale and 9 GS waitlisted - which i think strange because it's not generally that GS-heavy a route but of course the time of year is busy and YMMV. So, curious, I HUCA and the next agent tells me that there is no way for any agent to see how many GS are waitlisted for a given flight until within 24 hours prior to departure. Which is right?
Jun 5, 2019, 5:38 pm
#752
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS, AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 285
it’s a shame too because I have a business trip to Europe one week before (in paid J on UA) and I can’t stay through. Oh well!!
Jun 5, 2019, 11:17 pm
#753
Join Date: May 2018
Location: New York, NY
Programs: SPG, UA, AA
Posts: 2
Jun 6, 2019, 4:15 pm
#754
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: UA GS, Amex Centurion
Posts: 33
SFO doesn't do carts. If the gate is reasonably close, the GS rep just walks with you, which will likely make you miss the connection, because they walk really, really slowly. It's best to ask them to call the gate and then ditch them and run. Even that often isn't helpful: I've listened to them try to get GAs to hold planes and they are incredibly ineffectual at it.
Also, the car doesn't seem to be available outside of normal business hours. Bottom line: GS at SFO sucks.
Also, the car doesn't seem to be available outside of normal business hours. Bottom line: GS at SFO sucks.
Jun 6, 2019, 5:54 pm
#755
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Jun 7, 2019, 10:09 am
#756
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,506
Flying IAH-IAD-ITH today. 90-minute connection in IAD. Landed on time. Greeted at jetway by agent who gave me a ride to Term A. Wasn't a tight connection or anything but I took it because it gave me some time in the Turkish lounge. 😎
Jun 7, 2019, 10:34 am
#757
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1
Companion Saver --> RPU not working?
I've had a number (3-4) of recent instances where agents were unwilling to open X or XN space for a companion (I am booked in J) and then also push through an RPU with no PN space available. Agents are willing to open I space, open X space or push through an RPU, but combining the latter two options hasn't worked. Multiple agents have said the exact same thing: "we can make one exception, but not two". Anyone else have a similar experience?
Last edited by rjs1990; Jun 7, 2019 at 10:47 am
Jun 7, 2019, 10:48 am
#758
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
I've had a number (3-4) of recent instances where agents were unwilling to open X or XN space for a companion (I am booked in J) and then also push through an RPU with no PN space available. Agents are willing to open I space, open X space or push through an RPU, but combining the latter two options hasn't worked. Multiple agents have said the exact same thing: "we can make one exception, but not two". Anyone else have a similar experience?
i find it much easier to do it as 2 separate phone calls.
Jun 7, 2019, 11:55 am
#759
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Jun 8, 2019, 6:49 pm
#760
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,353
Can a GS flying AC J out of HKG access the old GF lounge?
Jun 8, 2019, 7:02 pm
#761
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Corvallis, OR, USA
Programs: UA GS; Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott, Hyatt; Hertz
Posts: 321
Chances of a ride?
I have a 35 minute connection in DEN. What are the chances of a ride if we are late?
Jun 8, 2019, 7:15 pm
#762
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
Jun 8, 2019, 7:38 pm
#763
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,353
Jun 9, 2019, 7:02 am
#764
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 18
Can I bring a guest into the VIP lounge in LHR if I’m in business but the guest is in economy?
Jun 9, 2019, 7:43 am
#765
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976