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 14, 2019, 12:20 pm
#796
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 118
thanks for the quick reply. I have so many unused GPUs i'd rather burn those. If I call to open up saver economy, and then call back to push the GPU, will they force the GPU upgrade even if there isn't upgrade availability, or waitlist it?
Jun 14, 2019, 12:37 pm
#797
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
Jun 14, 2019, 1:12 pm
#799
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
also, some agents require there to be T space available to confer into XN. I think that’s official policy. But as this flight was T6 no problem.
Jun 14, 2019, 1:21 pm
#800
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
I’ve never done this in two separate calls and I do it a lot. The only caveat is the agent needs to wait for ticketing on the economy ticket before they can apply the GPU but that’s quick these days.
also, some agents require there to be T space available to confer into XN. I think that’s official policy. But as this flight was T6 no problem.
I got confused when is saw the T6
in my experience when converting T to XN the agent always refused to then apply a GPU.
But in this case the GS member is booked in J so shouldn't be a problem
Jun 14, 2019, 4:28 pm
#801
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Mlife NOIR
Posts: 320
If forcing XN to open (whether it’s from T or companion benefit), and THEN forcing a GPU through, I’ve always ended up doing two calls. Agents have rarely wanted to do 2 “exceptions” in one shot.
Last edited by UAflyer93; Jun 14, 2019 at 4:52 pm
Jun 16, 2019, 6:52 am
#802
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Every agent I’ve ever spoken with has seen this simply as a matter of how to pay for the companion space. If T is available it’s XN+GPU, if not it’s the fill IN saver rate. The only recent pushback I got was because they thought the recent December rules change meant I have to be in economy as well to force T-XN but a closer review of the rules put that to bed. But I’ll keep it in mind in case I encounter an agent unwilling to do both
Jun 16, 2019, 3:16 pm
#803
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Every agent I’ve ever spoken with has seen this simply as a matter of how to pay for the companion space. If T is available it’s XN+GPU, if not it’s the fill IN saver rate. The only recent pushback I got was because they thought the recent December rules change meant I have to be in economy as well to force T-XN but a closer review of the rules put that to bed. But I’ll keep it in mind in case I encounter an agent unwilling to do both
Jun 16, 2019, 4:01 pm
#804
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Mlife NOIR
Posts: 320
Yeah, I've never had a problem with this. Most of the time I just call and say "We have a paid front cabin ticket w reservation number blah blah, we want to get a companion seat. What are the options?" And then the GS agent will let me know if T->XN + GPU/RPU is available or only IN/JN.
T -> XN + Forced GPU has been 50/50 for me (in that 50% of agents have refused to do both conversions at once for me). For Forced XN (when T is UNavailable) + Forced GPU, I’ve only had one agent do it this year. (Others have all suggested Forced IN instead.) Otherwise, it’s usually been no problem if done in two separate calls.
Last edited by UAflyer93; Jun 16, 2019 at 6:11 pm
Jun 17, 2019, 3:02 pm
#805
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
For a companion (when traveling in paid business on the same flight)...
T -> XN + Forced GPU has been 50/50 for me (in that 50% of agents have refused to do both conversions at once for me). For Forced XN (when T is UNavailable) + Forced GPU, I’ve only had one agent do it this year. (Others have all suggested Forced IN instead.) Otherwise, it’s usually been no problem if done in two separate calls.
Jun 18, 2019, 7:43 am
#807
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Paris Airshow. Every flight, restaurant, and hotel are chock-a-block full
Jun 18, 2019, 8:17 am
#808
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,054
GS on a full Y fare, check-in seq 1, and somehow still #5 on the upgrade list for CDG-IAD tomorrow... 
Jun 18, 2019, 10:05 am
#809
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
- 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.
Does this work for GS sponsored upgrade for non status companions traveling without a GS ?
Jun 18, 2019, 12:55 pm
#810
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
I'm trying to secure 2 XN seats on EWR-SFO on July 9 at a reasonable time (1pm-8pm). None of the flights have T or XN, but they all seem to have tons of availability. So does that mean that even as GS, it's not possible to book anything?