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 9, 2019, 9:15 am
#766
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: RAP
Programs: UA 1K - 3 MM, CLEAR
Posts: 49
I had 2 Mercedes rides on tight connections just last week in DEN - probably 6-8 so far this year in DEN. The GS staff in DEN seem to stay on top of GS passenger needs.
Jun 9, 2019, 12:51 pm
#767
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: EWR
Programs: Latam Pass Black; UA 1K, 1MM; Marriott LT
Posts: 300
Looking for some sagely advice please - though I fear HUCA is the end result.
Booked EWR-MUC for Mrs Limey (also GS) on miles. Online it showed 70k miles economy, but T class was still available. Called, got if for 30k miles and waitlisted for GPU. Miles and GPU from my account.
Just called to move it by one day. Same scenario. T9, Agent initially said that it would be the higher miles. I asked her politely to check since it was T9. She did and came back and then asked if I was traveling with Mrs Limey. I said no. Agent responded that the for the lower miles, that the miles would need to come from Mrs Limey's account. I said that was fine, but then presumably the GPU would be an issue since both had to come from the same account. (Though in the past I have experiences where they didn't, as recently as a couple of months ago.)
Any thoughts for when calling back?
TIA
Booked EWR-MUC for Mrs Limey (also GS) on miles. Online it showed 70k miles economy, but T class was still available. Called, got if for 30k miles and waitlisted for GPU. Miles and GPU from my account.
Just called to move it by one day. Same scenario. T9, Agent initially said that it would be the higher miles. I asked her politely to check since it was T9. She did and came back and then asked if I was traveling with Mrs Limey. I said no. Agent responded that the for the lower miles, that the miles would need to come from Mrs Limey's account. I said that was fine, but then presumably the GPU would be an issue since both had to come from the same account. (Though in the past I have experiences where they didn't, as recently as a couple of months ago.)
Any thoughts for when calling back?
TIA
Last edited by LimeyFlyer; Jun 9, 2019 at 1:02 pm Reason: Dumb statement.
Jun 9, 2019, 1:56 pm
#768
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: EWR
Programs: Latam Pass Black; UA 1K, 1MM; Marriott LT
Posts: 300
Slow news day.
I called back and literally within 30 seconds was off the phone and done.
Ironically, also, instead of being waitlisted for the upgrade, PZ 9 PN 8 meant that the agent cleared the GPU immediately.
2 out of 5 calls recently have been with GS agents who have been substantially below par.
I called back and literally within 30 seconds was off the phone and done.
Ironically, also, instead of being waitlisted for the upgrade, PZ 9 PN 8 meant that the agent cleared the GPU immediately.
2 out of 5 calls recently have been with GS agents who have been substantially below par.
Jun 9, 2019, 6:03 pm
#769
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC/WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL '90s PM, now FK (Flying Kettle)
Posts: 541
Not always true. Back in March, I mentioned to the GS agents that my family and I were traveling through SFO later in the week to go to EWR-SFO-OGG. My 7 year old was celebrating her birthday during the long travel day and she was worried she wouldn’t get a birthday cake. They picked us up when we landed in SFO, drove us to the Polaris lounge, and they had a full cake and sang happy birthday to her. That’s amazing service.
Jun 10, 2019, 5:21 pm
#770
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,822
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?
100% agree with this. Separate calls is the only way to do this now, unfortunately. Don't even mention your intention in either call. Call #1 : Please open XN space for my companion. Call #2 : Please apply GPU to my companion's XN ticket and clear since I'm booked in J (given 3 seats remain after the forced upgrade).
Jun 10, 2019, 5:40 pm
#771
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: RAP
Programs: UA 1K - 3 MM, CLEAR
Posts: 49
Jun 12, 2019, 9:36 am
#772
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,251
Two failures in one week at EWR. Twice, I made it to the gate literally 1 minute before the door closed. In both cases, GS did nothing, nada, 0 to help -- even though the phone agent assured me in both cases they would meet me at the gate where I arrived. In both cases, they gave away my business class seats and I had to claw them back. Incredible. Again, it amazes me that I get better service on other intl carriers that I have no status with than as a United GS member. Really incredible.
I sent an email about this to the GS email address a couple of days ago. Still waiting for a response. So much for this promise:
GS has gotten progressively worse and worse. I'm within a year of 2 million miles. After that, it will be time to switch carriers.
I sent an email about this to the GS email address a couple of days ago. Still waiting for a response. So much for this promise:
You may also email us at [email protected] for a personalized response within four hours (during regular business hours) or the very next business day.
Jun 12, 2019, 9:44 am
#773
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
Claw them back?
Jun 12, 2019, 9:51 am
#774
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,251
Jun 12, 2019, 10:21 am
#775
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
Booting someone out of their seat sounds like a pretty sweet GS benefit 
Did the GA give you push-back or did GS handle it from the get-go? I've heard similar stories in the past but I' m pretty surprised they would do this in the post-Dao era.
Glad for you that they handled it without shedding light on who you are. I can only imagine what the displaced party's comp was...
Did the GA give you push-back or did GS handle it from the get-go? I've heard similar stories in the past but I' m pretty surprised they would do this in the post-Dao era.Glad for you that they handled it without shedding light on who you are. I can only imagine what the displaced party's comp was...
Jun 12, 2019, 11:00 am
#776
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
Two failures in one week at EWR. Twice, I made it to the gate literally 1 minute before the door closed. In both cases, GS did nothing, nada, 0 to help -- even though the phone agent assured me in both cases they would meet me at the gate where I arrived. In both cases, they gave away my business class seats and I had to claw them back. Incredible. Again, it amazes me that I get better service on other intl carriers that I have no status with than as a United GS member. Really incredible.
I sent an email about this to the GS email address a couple of days ago. Still waiting for a response. So much for this promise:
GS has gotten progressively worse and worse. I'm within a year of 2 million miles. After that, it will be time to switch carriers.
I sent an email about this to the GS email address a couple of days ago. Still waiting for a response. So much for this promise:
GS has gotten progressively worse and worse. I'm within a year of 2 million miles. After that, it will be time to switch carriers.
Jun 12, 2019, 11:16 am
#777
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: 3,614
Two failures in one week at EWR. Twice, I made it to the gate literally 1 minute before the door closed. In both cases, GS did nothing, nada, 0 to help -- even though the phone agent assured me in both cases they would meet me at the gate where I arrived. In both cases, they gave away my business class seats and I had to claw them back. Incredible. Again, it amazes me that I get better service on other intl carriers that I have no status with than as a United GS member. Really incredible.
I sent an email about this to the GS email address a couple of days ago. Still waiting for a response. So much for this promise:
GS has gotten progressively worse and worse. I'm within a year of 2 million miles. After that, it will be time to switch carriers.
I sent an email about this to the GS email address a couple of days ago. Still waiting for a response. So much for this promise:
GS has gotten progressively worse and worse. I'm within a year of 2 million miles. After that, it will be time to switch carriers.
Jun 12, 2019, 11:41 am
#778
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,251
Booting someone out of their seat sounds like a pretty sweet GS benefit Did the GA give you push-back or did GS handle it from the get-go? I've heard similar stories in the past but I' m pretty surprised they would do this in the post-Dao era. Glad for you that they handled it without shedding light on who you are. I can only imagine what the displaced party's comp was...
Did the GA give you push-back or did GS handle it from the get-go? I've heard similar stories in the past but I' m pretty surprised they would do this in the post-Dao era. Glad for you that they handled it without shedding light on who you are. I can only imagine what the displaced party's comp was...I still can't get out of my local airport without United. LT platinum means reserving E+ seats for my family at booking, so it's still worth it. I'm practically counting down the days. I've actually thought about finding some up upgradable flights to SIN and doing 5 or so LT status runs just be done with it. A happier future with Alaska, Austrian, Virgin and Singapore Air beckons.
Jun 12, 2019, 12:09 pm
#779
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: 3,614
My guess is that they had just pulled somebody up from the back of the plane minutes earlier. So to send them back to their original seat a few minutes later doesn't seem like such a big deal. Curiously, the other PAX was also GS. I made it very clear that I wasn't going to accept anything but the business class seat I paid for -- this was a PS flight after a 9 hour intl leg. The GA may or may not have known it, but the alternative would have meant 600 Euro compensation to me (more than 6 hour delay).
I still can't get out of my local airport without United. LT platinum means reserving E+ seats for my family at booking, so it's still worth it. I'm practically counting down the days. I've actually thought about finding some up upgradable flights to SIN and doing 5 or so LT status runs just be done with it. A happier future with Alaska, Austrian, Virgin and Singapore Air beckons.
I still can't get out of my local airport without United. LT platinum means reserving E+ seats for my family at booking, so it's still worth it. I'm practically counting down the days. I've actually thought about finding some up upgradable flights to SIN and doing 5 or so LT status runs just be done with it. A happier future with Alaska, Austrian, Virgin and Singapore Air beckons.
My hub is SFO but I also use OAK more than occasionally now and so I see no problems migrating to AS which following the Virgin merger opened up just the routes I needed. Also, UA won't allow dogs on their flights to Hawaii and as I have a home and business in Hawaii that has also pushed me to AS where for a price animals are welcome. We could certainly debate the better F class but from my experience AS has the better product (excluding PS UA flights).
Jun 12, 2019, 4:58 pm
#780
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
No GS help nowhere to be found as well.