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]
Aug 2, 2019, 2:06 pm
#991
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
Noticed a curious thing about my waitlisted GS GPU for a friend who is only Silver on UA. This may be explained elsewhere but breaks convention so thought I'd ask here. I had a applied one of my GPU's which was waitlisted per normal. It never cleared in advance so at T-24 the friend was added to the upgrade list for Polaris. They were #3 on the list behind two others with only 2 seats left. At some point someone must have cancelled their ticket so then 3 seats were available at which point my friend was cleared into Polaris...skipping the other 2 individuals on the list. The cabin then filled up last minute and the other two flyers never cleared.
Does anyone know how this worked? The friend was at the bottom of the list ostensibly based on status (only a Silver) but I didn't think GS GPU's could clear you over others at T-24.
Does anyone know how this worked? The friend was at the bottom of the list ostensibly based on status (only a Silver) but I didn't think GS GPU's could clear you over others at T-24.
Aug 2, 2019, 2:28 pm
#992
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Noticed a curious thing about my waitlisted GS GPU for a friend who is only Silver on UA. This may be explained elsewhere but breaks convention so thought I'd ask here. I had a applied one of my GPU's which was waitlisted per normal. It never cleared in advance so at T-24 the friend was added to the upgrade list for Polaris. They were #3 on the list behind two others with only 2 seats left. At some point someone must have cancelled their ticket so then 3 seats were available at which point my friend was cleared into Polaris...skipping the other 2 individuals on the list. The cabin then filled up last minute and the other two flyers never cleared.
Does anyone know how this worked? The friend was at the bottom of the list ostensibly based on status (only a Silver) but I didn't think GS GPU's could clear you over others at T-24.
Does anyone know how this worked? The friend was at the bottom of the list ostensibly based on status (only a Silver) but I didn't think GS GPU's could clear you over others at T-24.
Aug 2, 2019, 2:49 pm
#994
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
Waitlist for PN clears up until gate control, so that's what would have happened. It sounds like it's possible that the visible list position for a GS GPU is based only on pax status.
Aug 2, 2019, 2:53 pm
#995
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA--no longer 2P as of 3/2012 and don't even care. Never thought I'd say that.
Posts: 781
My husband is a 1K with a several GPU's that he cannot use so I offered them to his GS friend and his friend responded that he receives 1 GPU every 5,000 miles flown so he has plenty. That earn rate sounded too good to be true. Is it a fact though?
Also, in the event that my husband gifts his 1K GPU's to a GS will the GPU's inherit the GS status and become more valuable or will his friend be behind other GS flyers in the upgrade queue?
Thanks very much.
Also, in the event that my husband gifts his 1K GPU's to a GS will the GPU's inherit the GS status and become more valuable or will his friend be behind other GS flyers in the upgrade queue?
Thanks very much.
Aug 2, 2019, 3:51 pm
#996
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Alaska Gold 75k, Marriott Amb
Posts: 66
after 100k, gs gets a gpu every 25k - not 5k - unless there is some other rate that happens beyond some amount of miles but not that ive seen
Aug 2, 2019, 4:26 pm
#997
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
With respect, you've lost the forest from the trees. You're so wound up they won't budge on this issue, but you're failing to consider your complaint isn't a wide-spread issue. I fly out of SFO on int'l flights 25 times a year. I never check bags, but I walk past the counter on my way to security. I can't recall a time when dedicated GS line would have saved more than a few minutes. There just aren't that many people on the premier side of the counter and even when there are the line moves quickly.
Aug 2, 2019, 4:48 pm
#998
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
With respect, you've lost the forest from the trees. You're so wound up they won't budge on this issue, but you're failing to consider your complaint isn't a wide-spread issue. I fly out of SFO on int'l flights 25 times a year. I never check bags, but I walk past the counter on my way to security. I can't recall a time when dedicated GS line would have saved more than a few minutes. There just aren't that many people on the premier side of the counter and even when there are the line moves quickly.
Aug 2, 2019, 4:57 pm
#999
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SOW
Programs: UA GS 5 MM, Delta 1.6MM & Hilton Diamond, Avis Chairman, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 768
As a GS who is also a DL Diamond, whenever I'm in SFO, I have found that using Clear is always much faster than the GS lobby.
Aug 2, 2019, 6:39 pm
#1001
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: 44,323
I guess I am in the minority when I say I don't mind checking in at the T3 lobby. I stated up thread my wife and I have been doing it now regularly. I have found TSA super easy there. My wife like the Centurion Lounge so if I am traveling with her we stop there. Personally I like the PL which is really just a short walk down the hall from the CL to get to but to each his own I guess. I suspect if you were disabled or hand difficulty with walking for what ever reason T3 is not ideal.
It's also a shorter walk to the PL and the gate.
And your wife is probably the only person on the planet who prefers Centurion to Polaris.
With respect, you've lost the forest from the trees. You're so wound up they won't budge on this issue, but you're failing to consider your complaint isn't a wide-spread issue. I fly out of SFO on int'l flights 25 times a year. I never check bags, but I walk past the counter on my way to security. I can't recall a time when dedicated GS line would have saved more than a few minutes. There just aren't that many people on the premier side of the counter and even when there are the line moves quickly.
Though that makes me wonder - where should a GS in Y wait in line?
It's not about GS status, it's that they're waitlisted for PN, whereas other instruments are waitlisted for PZ. If PN opens up, someone waitlisted for PZ will not get it, but someone waitlisted for PN (with a GS GPU) will.
Aug 2, 2019, 7:34 pm
#1002
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
Why would you stand in the 1K/Polaris line for 15 minutes behind all the vacation polaris travelers checking in 52957812904527984 bags a piece? I'd suggest next time you just slide over to an available premier access kiosk where you can conduct your business and, if necessary, summon an agent.
Aug 2, 2019, 7:46 pm
#1003
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: 44,323
Why would you stand in the 1K/Polaris line for 15 minutes behind all the vacation polaris travelers checking in 52957812904527984 bags a piece? I'd suggest next time you just slide over to an available premier access kiosk where you can conduct your business and, if necessary, summon an agent.
Aug 2, 2019, 8:04 pm
#1004
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
Not to be a pain -- you've hit on a major beef of mine (I check skis all the time): The 1K/Polaris line is usually clogged up with polaris pax, taking 15+ minutes. The kiosks almost never have a wait.
I've learned to march my skis directly to the premier access kiosks now. 1K/Polaris lines are generally useless to me (as a 1K) (except DEN) (even DEN sucks now that people know about it). Even the case at SFO international terminal with the self-service check ins.
ETA: This is an argument in favor of GS line (and restructuring 1K lines).
I've learned to march my skis directly to the premier access kiosks now. 1K/Polaris lines are generally useless to me (as a 1K) (except DEN) (even DEN sucks now that people know about it). Even the case at SFO international terminal with the self-service check ins.
ETA: This is an argument in favor of GS line (and restructuring 1K lines).
Last edited by onthesam; Aug 2, 2019 at 8:10 pm
Aug 2, 2019, 9:41 pm
#1005
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,846