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 19, 2019, 5:06 pm
#826
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 144
Also, I just heard from an agent that only GS can now get the old 1-2 First class rows, and not companions flying with them on the same flight.
Jun 19, 2019, 5:06 pm
#827
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 144
Gotcha! So basically "cheapest" way would be Eco saver + GPU.
Jun 19, 2019, 10:45 pm
#828
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 stand corrected on the second line above. My son (Gold) used my RPU to waitlist for a SFO-EWR flight last Sunday. The flight status showed J full but he was listed as number one on waitlist, which listed more than 30 names. I think is not possible if Inside T-24 status is the priority order - it is hard for me to believe that the other 30+ people are no higher than Gold. About T-3 hours my son was the only one upgraded.. So it looks like that GS instrument still enjoy priority at T-24, as correctly pointed out by several others already.
Jun 20, 2019, 7:23 am
#829
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: United GS, Marriott Titanium, HHonors Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 97
Heard the same. I'm flying MUC-ORD next month, and my husband (no status) is flying on the same flight but separate itinerary in Polaris. Even with the GS agent linking the itineraries (which I'm learning doesn't really do anything), she had no way to add him to row 2. So the best we could do is to put me in 2C and my husband in 6C right behind me. Interestingly, I assume in blue2007's post that even if we were flying on the same itinerary we would not be able to seat my husband in row 2 next to me. Will see if the plane gets Polarised between now and then.
Jun 20, 2019, 8:03 am
#830
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 20, 2019, 8:50 am
#831
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
Heard the same. I'm flying MUC-ORD next month, and my husband (no status) is flying on the same flight but separate itinerary in Polaris. Even with the GS agent linking the itineraries (which I'm learning doesn't really do anything), she had no way to add him to row 2. So the best we could do is to put me in 2C and my husband in 6C right behind me. Interestingly, I assume in blue2007's post that even if we were flying on the same itinerary we would not be able to seat my husband in row 2 next to me. Will see if the plane gets Polarised between now and then.
Jun 20, 2019, 11:20 am
#832
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
Jun 21, 2019, 5:24 am
#833
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
many GS agents stick to the 72 hour rule, but I usually call an hour before that and am accommodated most of the time.
Jun 21, 2019, 11:16 am
#834
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Pacific
Programs: UA GS, Lifetime 4 MM, BA Gold, , Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 476
it's hit or miss. depends on the agent you get.
Is anybody going to the breakfast with Luc Bondar next Thursday?
Is anybody going to the breakfast with Luc Bondar next Thursday?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 21, 2019 at 2:50 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Jun 21, 2019, 11:33 am
#835
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SOW
Programs: UA GS 5 MM, Delta 1.6MM & Hilton Diamond, Avis Chairman, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 768
A couple of months ago (and at least 3 months prior to travel) I ran into the GS supervisor at ORD (who I've known for years) and mentioned the problem to him. It only took SH a couple of seconds on the computer and I don't know what he did but he was able to move my son right next to me in the old F seats on both flights. YMMV
Jun 21, 2019, 1:51 pm
#836
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
I ran into the same problem with my 9 year old son who is Gold and is on a different PNR in J on our trip to ORD-GRU-ORD, I called GS multiple times and even emailed GS to get them to move my son next to me in the Old F seats to no avail. The GS agent replied that they would have no problem moving him next to me, that is if they could get the system to do it but in the end, the system would not allow it.
A couple of months ago (and at least 3 months prior to travel) I ran into the GS supervisor at ORD (who I've known for years) and mentioned the problem to him. It only took SH a couple of seconds on the computer and I don't know what he did but he was able to move my son right next to me in the old F seats on both flights. YMMV
A couple of months ago (and at least 3 months prior to travel) I ran into the GS supervisor at ORD (who I've known for years) and mentioned the problem to him. It only took SH a couple of seconds on the computer and I don't know what he did but he was able to move my son right next to me in the old F seats on both flights. YMMV
I’ve done it a couple times and the agent called GS at the airport to force it and it worked
Jun 21, 2019, 3:21 pm
#837
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: 3,618
Interesting experience with GS desk recently. Booked Polaris class down to EVE threw EWR and back. To make a VERY long story short after a bit of a run around with pricing (ticket pricing changed literally while we were on the phone) from agent we settled on an eventual flight and price. She came back to me moments later and said she discovered that the price was for "one way" fare but spoke "supervisor" and explained the difficulty with booking the ticket initially with price changes on the fly etc... and she agreed to give me the RT ticket for the one way price. I would have to say that was pretty good treatment in the end after what was a very long call to the GS desk.
Jun 21, 2019, 3:27 pm
#838
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
Are you sure the R/T price wasn't less? 
Jun 21, 2019, 3:31 pm
#839
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
A couple of months ago (and at least 3 months prior to travel) I ran into the GS supervisor at ORD (who I've known for years) and mentioned the problem to him. It only took SH a couple of seconds on the computer and I don't know what he did but he was able to move my son right next to me in the old F seats on both flights. YMMV
Jun 21, 2019, 3:55 pm
#840
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: 3,618