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 14, 2019, 6:47 pm
#1081
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SDF
Programs: -=- UA: GS + 3.9 Million Miler; Hilton: Diamond; Marriott: Gold; Hertz: President's Circle
Posts: 676
Aug 14, 2019, 9:00 pm
#1082
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
After September, I will have 131,000 PQM and $29,500. I am based in CLE. Most of the spending has been on United metal, just two transatlantic flights weren't (one on OS and one on LH). Have some other shorter intra-European/African/Asian flights in there on LH/OS/NH. I also had one entire itinerary to/from AMM on a TK ticket (so no PQM counted). What are my odds of GS? I know $30k is mentioned a lot, but not all of my flights are on UA metal. Most international flights were in business class and the few domestic were cheap economy.
Aug 14, 2019, 9:08 pm
#1083
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: CLE
Programs: NEXUS, MileagePlus Silver, Frontier Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 264
Thanks for the comments, everybody. Just wanted to know where I stand. I'll be flying a bunch more before the year's end, so we'll see if I make it. I'd imagine the spend requirement would be somewhat lower for CLE than for a hub, but it sounds like I still have a ways to go.
Aug 14, 2019, 9:43 pm
#1084
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
Aug 15, 2019, 10:38 am
#1085
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,888
Thanks for the comments, everybody. Just wanted to know where I stand. I'll be flying a bunch more before the year's end, so we'll see if I make it. I'd imagine the spend requirement would be somewhat lower for CLE than for a hub, but it sounds like I still have a ways to go.
Aug 15, 2019, 12:24 pm
#1086
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
I occasionally talk to some folks at United and they consistently say GS spend must be on United metal and credited to MP. Does not have to be on UA ticket stock but must be a UA flight on UA metal credited to MP. If you want to go for GS, try putting all flights possible on United. 30k on all UA flights will just not cut it. Seems more like 40-50k for the first year depending on the year. Good luck!
Aug 15, 2019, 2:42 pm
#1087
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
So I've now heard this from multiple agents, and it's likely still a YMMV situation, but today an agent confirmed to me that post 12/12, they are supposed to only allow one "exception" per flight. What she said qualifies as an exception:
- Clearing an upgrade because you have a confirmed business class seat
- Converting T->XN
What this means is that although you can convert T->XN, and you can apply a GPU to XN, you can't Convert T to XN and then force a GPU to clear by virtue of you being in paid business class. If XN is already available, you can apply a GPU and force it to clear, but you can't do both. Again, the agent had to look up to confirm the rule but she did say it was the rule.
Unless there are any objections, I'll update the wiki.
This was ALSO my first attempt at opening saver award space for a flight post-Nov 15, and I can confirm that I got the current saver rate (60k each way for a Europe business flight).
- Clearing an upgrade because you have a confirmed business class seat
- Converting T->XN
What this means is that although you can convert T->XN, and you can apply a GPU to XN, you can't Convert T to XN and then force a GPU to clear by virtue of you being in paid business class. If XN is already available, you can apply a GPU and force it to clear, but you can't do both. Again, the agent had to look up to confirm the rule but she did say it was the rule.
Unless there are any objections, I'll update the wiki.
This was ALSO my first attempt at opening saver award space for a flight post-Nov 15, and I can confirm that I got the current saver rate (60k each way for a Europe business flight).
Aug 15, 2019, 2:46 pm
#1088
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
So I've now heard this from multiple agents, and it's likely still a YMMV situation, but today an agent confirmed to me that post 12/12, they are supposed to only allow one "exception" per flight. What she said qualifies as an exception:
- Clearing an upgrade because you have a confirmed business class seat
- Converting T->XN
What this means is that although you can convert T->XN, and you can apply a GPU to XN, you can't Convert T to XN and then force a GPU to clear by virtue of you being in paid business class. If XN is already available, you can apply a GPU and force it to clear, but you can't do both. Again, the agent had to look up to confirm the rule but she did say it was the rule.
Unless there are any objections, I'll update the wiki.
This was ALSO my first attempt at opening saver award space for a flight post-Nov 15, and I can confirm that I got the current saver rate (60k each way for a Europe business flight).
- Clearing an upgrade because you have a confirmed business class seat
- Converting T->XN
What this means is that although you can convert T->XN, and you can apply a GPU to XN, you can't Convert T to XN and then force a GPU to clear by virtue of you being in paid business class. If XN is already available, you can apply a GPU and force it to clear, but you can't do both. Again, the agent had to look up to confirm the rule but she did say it was the rule.
Unless there are any objections, I'll update the wiki.
This was ALSO my first attempt at opening saver award space for a flight post-Nov 15, and I can confirm that I got the current saver rate (60k each way for a Europe business flight).
once to convert and the second to apply the upgrade.
Aug 15, 2019, 2:51 pm
#1089
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Well, they are also documenting these things more thoroughly (the agents have been more frequently reading me rules about how if I change my flight you'll need to cough up more miles for the companion or they will be downgraded). I still think it's worth calling out that this is the official rule, even if we add the suggested "workaround".
Aug 16, 2019, 12:02 am
#1090
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Well, they are also documenting these things more thoroughly (the agents have been more frequently reading me rules about how if I change my flight you'll need to cough up more miles for the companion or they will be downgraded). I still think it's worth calling out that this is the official rule, even if we add the suggested "workaround".
Aug 16, 2019, 8:46 am
#1091
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
If they take the trouble to read you the rule-- or you know about the rule from having been read it on a previous call (not from reading it on a blog)-- calling twice is not right. Breaking United rules is not a GS benefit.
Aug 16, 2019, 8:53 am
#1092
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
In the double conversion model, you mention you cannot T > XN and then 'force' a GPU upgrade. Does this also mean that you cannot APPLY a GPU and then wait for the upgrade 'naturally'?
Aug 16, 2019, 8:57 am
#1093
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
That would be ok because the upgrading of an XN award with a GPU is not an exception, but rather a published benefit.
Aug 16, 2019, 9:55 am
#1094
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
And don't seem to acknowledge it as an exception.
So I am not sure this is the official policy.
Aug 16, 2019, 10:10 am
#1095
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513