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 26, 2019, 10:21 pm
#871
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
Sure, but logic doesn't always apply. I use this benefit fairly often and the GS agents have repeatedly said they can force a Y fare (actually a B I guess) so long as they have a seat to assign. I don't question the logic of what you are saying, just not sure that that is how it is applied in practice.
Another example - I've seen pretty open flights blocked from open sales or app flight changes when an airport is experiencing bad delays and cancellations so that the agents can proactively manage who to guarantee onto a flight.
Jun 27, 2019, 1:59 pm
#872
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: UA 1K, Delta Silver
Posts: 61
Mercedes at ord
Had a 30 minute connection at O'Hare today (after 20 minute taxi....) going from C to B. I was prepared for the cross terminal hustle but was happy to get a Mercedes ride to the next flight.
Jun 28, 2019, 12:21 pm
#873
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 350
You are absolutely correct, that is the policy. To buy Y on a Y0 flight, there has to be at least 1 open seat on the seat map. That has been consistently the policy and I don't believe they make exceptions. There are reasons but I'm too lazy to type them all out.
Jun 29, 2019, 7:34 pm
#874
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
Here's a benefit.
SFO international has no GS check-in.
Unless you're the guy who pushes your way to the front of the long Polaris/1K line, which had at least one GS pax in it after being told there was no GS line.
SFO international has no GS check-in.
Unless you're the guy who pushes your way to the front of the long Polaris/1K line, which had at least one GS pax in it after being told there was no GS line.
Jun 29, 2019, 11:21 pm
#875
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 350
When did that change? The far left has always been a GS line, at least the last time I was there.
Jun 30, 2019, 2:21 am
#876
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 joked to my GS companion "do you know where the GS check-in is?". We both know where it was. It's no longer there.
Jun 30, 2019, 8:02 am
#877
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,700
During busy times, it’s certainly worth the 5 minute walk to GS lobby in T3...
Jun 30, 2019, 11:16 am
#878
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
T3 would have been quite an annoying trek, though had we known, we would have asked to be dropped off their instead.
Jun 30, 2019, 11:25 am
#879
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Chip, chip, chip away at the benefits. Just like the little frog
Jun 30, 2019, 1:17 pm
#880
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: United Airlines
Posts: 7
Does anyone know what is the least amount of miles using GS benefits from IAD to ICN? I got 35k each way and wondering if I could get lower based on fare availability.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Jun 30, 2019, 1:44 pm
#881
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: United GS; AA EXP; Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 174
Not sure what do you mean by "using GS benefits" but 35k is the correct amount for coach saver (incl. converting T to XN class). You can upgrade to business using GPU if space is available. After November, the amount of miles is supposed to go "dynamic" so it may drop below (but realistically more likely to go above)
Jul 1, 2019, 9:33 am
#882
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 106
Apologies if this is well known, but what is the latest thought on a ticket with Lufthansa stock on UA metal contributing towards global services qualification? I know that the other way (United stock on LH metal) does not help.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jul 1, 2019, 10:45 am
#883
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 1A
Programs: UA GS, NH Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist (formerly Courtesy Card sadly), Amanjunkie, CLEAR
Posts: 3,713
Can someone independent please confirm?
One hopes Le’s this means they are building a larger GS check in...
Jul 1, 2019, 11:35 am
#884
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Not sure what do you mean by "using GS benefits" but 35k is the correct amount for coach saver (incl. converting T to XN class). You can upgrade to business using GPU if space is available. After November, the amount of miles is supposed to go "dynamic" so it may drop below (but realistically more likely to go above)
Jul 1, 2019, 12:04 pm
#885
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, DL Diamond, NK Gold, Mariott LT Plat/Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 925
Not GS specific, but I have been GS for a few years now. I'm considering dropping UA for a few reasons. 1. I only buy F/J seats, so the CPUs are not of interest. 2. I am finding wait times longer and phone agents not as well trained. 3. I have been having issues on almost every flight - flight attendants not there and delaying boarding, mechanical issues (2 hours last week for a broken closet in F), waiting for gates and gate agents to operate them, rude service (most flights not offering PDB, FAs being indifferent to rude).
I booked a few Delta flights and will see how that goes. I'm ORD based but want to see how things are. I've spent over $35K YTD and will likely do more than that in the 2nd half of 2019 but might drop GS and UA if I like Delta. Things seemed better for a bit but now they're getting worse.
I booked a few Delta flights and will see how that goes. I'm ORD based but want to see how things are. I've spent over $35K YTD and will likely do more than that in the 2nd half of 2019 but might drop GS and UA if I like Delta. Things seemed better for a bit but now they're getting worse.