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]
Jan 7, 2019, 8:18 am
#91
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 575
To add to that, you can only book this for a companion that is flying exactly the same itinerary as the GS member. I confirmed this on the phone yesterday. Definitely a terrible change, as this was such a great perk for purchasing award tickets for family members when doing meet-up trips. "More changes we will like"..........
Jan 7, 2019, 9:08 am
#92
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
To add to that, you can only book this for a companion that is flying exactly the same itinerary as the GS member. I confirmed this on the phone yesterday. Definitely a terrible change, as this was such a great perk for purchasing award tickets for family members when doing meet-up trips. "More changes we will like"..........
meeting wife in HNL in a few months while both traveling on work...my itinerary includes HKG Andy others and she would be on a one way back with me HNL-EWR
Jan 7, 2019, 9:25 am
#93
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
I was told either same record or on a separate record but identical itinerary.........
Does anyone know if I will be able to apply RPU to award tickets I book for others that aren't traveling with me? I'm assuming the ability to do this was affected too? I didn't ask the agent.
Does anyone know if I will be able to apply RPU to award tickets I book for others that aren't traveling with me? I'm assuming the ability to do this was affected too? I didn't ask the agent.
Jan 7, 2019, 10:08 am
#94
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
I was told either same record or on a separate record but identical itinerary.........
Does anyone know if I will be able to apply RPU to award tickets I book for others that aren't traveling with me? I'm assuming the ability to do this was affected too? I didn't ask the agent.
Does anyone know if I will be able to apply RPU to award tickets I book for others that aren't traveling with me? I'm assuming the ability to do this was affected too? I didn't ask the agent.
Jan 7, 2019, 11:04 am
#95
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
I’m not too keen on calling/email in to inquire ... wakes the beast / encourages a bulletin to go out to agents about enforcement!
Jan 8, 2019, 2:08 am
#96
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 83
Does GS also offer SDC within 72 hours of a flight? I couldn't find any details above, but a recent experience suggests it may be possible:
- Called in 72 hours ahead of a flight with a GPU applied but only J2 available to just inquire if the flight was oversold / check my chances
- I asked her what the chances would be on flights the following day. She mentioned that one flight was "too full in economy," but the other had space so if I called back within 72 hours of that flight they could confirm me into J
- I read that to believe that 72 hours from that flight they could SDC me into my same economy fare class (not available on the other flight) and then push me into J since it was >J2
In the end, a few hours later it jumped to J5 and I was able to upgrade my original flight
- Called in 72 hours ahead of a flight with a GPU applied but only J2 available to just inquire if the flight was oversold / check my chances
- I asked her what the chances would be on flights the following day. She mentioned that one flight was "too full in economy," but the other had space so if I called back within 72 hours of that flight they could confirm me into J
- I read that to believe that 72 hours from that flight they could SDC me into my same economy fare class (not available on the other flight) and then push me into J since it was >J2
In the end, a few hours later it jumped to J5 and I was able to upgrade my original flight
Jan 8, 2019, 6:43 am
#97
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
Does GS also offer SDC within 72 hours of a flight? I couldn't find any details above, but a recent experience suggests it may be possible:
- Called in 72 hours ahead of a flight with a GPU applied but only J2 available to just inquire if the flight was oversold / check my chances
- I asked her what the chances would be on flights the following day. She mentioned that one flight was "too full in economy," but the other had space so if I called back within 72 hours of that flight they could confirm me into J
- I read that to believe that 72 hours from that flight they could SDC me into my same economy fare class (not available on the other flight) and then push me into J since it was >J2
In the end, a few hours later it jumped to J5 and I was able to upgrade my original flight
- Called in 72 hours ahead of a flight with a GPU applied but only J2 available to just inquire if the flight was oversold / check my chances
- I asked her what the chances would be on flights the following day. She mentioned that one flight was "too full in economy," but the other had space so if I called back within 72 hours of that flight they could confirm me into J
- I read that to believe that 72 hours from that flight they could SDC me into my same economy fare class (not available on the other flight) and then push me into J since it was >J2
In the end, a few hours later it jumped to J5 and I was able to upgrade my original flight
Jan 8, 2019, 6:59 am
#98
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
My wife who is a silver is traveling EWR-SFO in a few weeks. I want to use one of my RPUs to upgrade her ticket.
in what order would a GS supported instrument clear for her?
in what order would a GS supported instrument clear for her?
Jan 8, 2019, 7:33 am
#99
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
My experience exactly. Don't count on it as it is not a published/unique benefit of GS. Sometimes we get awesome agents.
Jan 8, 2019, 10:06 am
#100
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: UA GS, Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 14
Just wondering, is there a welcome kit of any goodies for GS? When I hit 1K last fall I got a packet with some coasters, luggage tags, drink vouchers.
Is there something additional for GS??
Is there something additional for GS??
Jan 8, 2019, 10:25 am
#101
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: United GS, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 109
basically the same thing but the tags are carbon fiber with metal loops to attach them.
Jan 12, 2019, 12:04 pm
#102
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: 44,324
Are there any premium cabin award benefits for GS?
I've been traveling with a (now GS) friend for a while, and I've been mostly funding it out of my Aeroplan balance.
We were hoping that GS status would allow us to book some more direct routings (as we're SFO-based), but after a huge search last night, and about 30 minutes on the GS line, we just couldn't find any good flights with space, and the poorly-timed flights with IN2 were also I2. It doesn't seem like GS has any enhanced access over Platinum.
Is there a better way to book saver business? Do we need to book XN and then waitlist for IN? My issue there is that we're not willing to travel in Y, so unless both directions clear by departure time of the first segment, we'd need to cancel it.
For the record, the GS agent was super helpful, and we searched 3 continents of destinations (we have a time we want to go, but we're very flexible on destination), so it's not like I was demanding 2 seats on the Jun 2 5pm SFO-LHR.
I've been traveling with a (now GS) friend for a while, and I've been mostly funding it out of my Aeroplan balance.
We were hoping that GS status would allow us to book some more direct routings (as we're SFO-based), but after a huge search last night, and about 30 minutes on the GS line, we just couldn't find any good flights with space, and the poorly-timed flights with IN2 were also I2. It doesn't seem like GS has any enhanced access over Platinum.
Is there a better way to book saver business? Do we need to book XN and then waitlist for IN? My issue there is that we're not willing to travel in Y, so unless both directions clear by departure time of the first segment, we'd need to cancel it.
For the record, the GS agent was super helpful, and we searched 3 continents of destinations (we have a time we want to go, but we're very flexible on destination), so it's not like I was demanding 2 seats on the Jun 2 5pm SFO-LHR.
Jan 12, 2019, 1:25 pm
#103
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
Are there any premium cabin award benefits for GS?
I've been traveling with a (now GS) friend for a while, and I've been mostly funding it out of my Aeroplan balance.
We were hoping that GS status would allow us to book some more direct routings (as we're SFO-based), but after a huge search last night, and about 30 minutes on the GS line, we just couldn't find any good flights with space, and the poorly-timed flights with IN2 were also I2. It doesn't seem like GS has any enhanced access over Platinum.
Is there a better way to book saver business? Do we need to book XN and then waitlist for IN? My issue there is that we're not willing to travel in Y, so unless both directions clear by departure time of the first segment, we'd need to cancel it.
For the record, the GS agent was super helpful, and we searched 3 continents of destinations (we have a time we want to go, but we're very flexible on destination), so it's not like I was demanding 2 seats on the Jun 2 5pm SFO-LHR.
I've been traveling with a (now GS) friend for a while, and I've been mostly funding it out of my Aeroplan balance.
We were hoping that GS status would allow us to book some more direct routings (as we're SFO-based), but after a huge search last night, and about 30 minutes on the GS line, we just couldn't find any good flights with space, and the poorly-timed flights with IN2 were also I2. It doesn't seem like GS has any enhanced access over Platinum.
Is there a better way to book saver business? Do we need to book XN and then waitlist for IN? My issue there is that we're not willing to travel in Y, so unless both directions clear by departure time of the first segment, we'd need to cancel it.
For the record, the GS agent was super helpful, and we searched 3 continents of destinations (we have a time we want to go, but we're very flexible on destination), so it's not like I was demanding 2 seats on the Jun 2 5pm SFO-LHR.
Jan 12, 2019, 4:41 pm
#104
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Also, companion of a GS flying on a cash premium cabin fare can get a premium cabin saver award so long as there are three available premium cabin seats on the flight (regardless of fare bucket availability).
Jan 12, 2019, 8:31 pm
#105
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: 44,324
Oh so I should have been looking at PZ. I don't think it was very plentiful, but I'll keep that in mind for next time.
We ended up adjusting our dates and booking I space.
We ended up adjusting our dates and booking I space.