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 28, 2019, 9:56 am
#1156
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: 3,621
Unlikely CPU on tomorrows SFO-ORD run. It is the 6am flight and I thought that would be an easy one but I guess with the holiday weekend everyone and his cousin are on that flight. F booked full and I am 2 on the upgrade list and falling. My nephew is on the same flight and is GS as well, he said he has had ONE CPU this year on a SFO-SAN run, that guy is really snake bit! I told him next time book a different flight than the one I am traveling on 
Aug 28, 2019, 10:21 am
#1157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,423
I've noticed a significant increase over the last few years of paid F leisure travel, and it's probably the economy. Things like ORD-SFO the Wednesday before Thanksgiving are over half sold in F multiple months out - used to be a half-reasonable upgrade since E- would get so badly overbooked.
Aug 28, 2019, 10:22 am
#1158
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
The GS has to be flying to do the actual conversion and the miles have to come from the GS account. But the companion won’t lose the ticket if the GS has to cancel their ticket for some reason.
Aug 28, 2019, 10:25 am
#1159
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
Unlikely CPU on tomorrows SFO-ORD run. It is the 6am flight and I thought that would be an easy one but I guess with the holiday weekend everyone and his cousin are on that flight. F booked full and I am 2 on the upgrade list and falling. My nephew is on the same flight and is GS as well, he said he has had ONE CPU this year on a SFO-SAN run, that guy is really snake bit! I told him next time book a different flight than the one I am traveling on
Aug 28, 2019, 11:35 am
#1160
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: 3,621
I've noticed a significant increase over the last few years of paid F leisure travel, and it's probably the economy. Things like ORD-SFO the Wednesday before Thanksgiving are over half sold in F multiple months out - used to be a half-reasonable upgrade since E- would get so badly overbooked.
Aug 29, 2019, 2:31 pm
#1161
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,054
I've noticed a significant increase over the last few years of paid F leisure travel, and it's probably the economy. Things like ORD-SFO the Wednesday before Thanksgiving are over half sold in F multiple months out - used to be a half-reasonable upgrade since E- would get so badly overbooked.
Aug 29, 2019, 2:59 pm
#1162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,423
Part of this is also much more aggressive pricing of the domestic first cabin. Roughly 3 years ago I converted to 90% P/Z fares instead of going through the CPU lottery. You can tell how aggressive they got because they felt the need to cut multiplier earnings on those P fares eventually. I do think today's pricing more accurately reflects the "value" of domestic first hard product/service. As long as I am booking 2+ weeks out there really aren't any domestic trips where I'm paying much more than $1K for RT first ex-ORD.
Aug 29, 2019, 4:20 pm
#1163
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
GS is causing me to do ridiculous things. I’m going to Europe for vacation on a Z fare where I cleared a companion into Polaris on the return next Sunday. I need to be in Europe for work the next day. Only way to keep my companion’s upgrade is to fly back to EWR, take a 4 hour layover, then turn around and go back.
My added justification is the PQD toward requal.
My added justification is the PQD toward requal.
Aug 29, 2019, 4:43 pm
#1164
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
GS is causing me to do ridiculous things. I’m going to Europe for vacation on a Z fare where I cleared a companion into Polaris on the return next Sunday. I need to be in Europe for work the next day. Only way to keep my companion’s upgrade is to fly back to EWR, take a 4 hour layover, then turn around and go back.
My added justification is the PQD toward requal.
My added justification is the PQD toward requal.
Aug 29, 2019, 5:08 pm
#1165
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
GS is causing me to do ridiculous things. I’m going to Europe for vacation on a Z fare where I cleared a companion into Polaris on the return next Sunday. I need to be in Europe for work the next day. Only way to keep my companion’s upgrade is to fly back to EWR, take a 4 hour layover, then turn around and go back.
My added justification is the PQD toward requal.
My added justification is the PQD toward requal.
Aug 29, 2019, 5:13 pm
#1166
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I know there’s a chance he wouldn’t be, but didn’t want to risk it.
Aug 29, 2019, 5:29 pm
#1167
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 949
Not sure how much value you put on your time -- would perhaps paying cash for TOD upgrade valuable to you in lieu of extra travel?
Aug 29, 2019, 8:31 pm
#1168
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,824
GS is causing me to do ridiculous things. I’m going to Europe for vacation on a Z fare where I cleared a companion into Polaris on the return next Sunday. I need to be in Europe for work the next day. Only way to keep my companion’s upgrade is to fly back to EWR, take a 4 hour layover, then turn around and go back.
My added justification is the PQD toward requal.
My added justification is the PQD toward requal.
Aug 30, 2019, 4:09 am
#1169
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
The first trip was a personal expense. The second trip is a business expense. The only way to stay in Europe would have been to pay a change fee and fare difference on my personal trip for me, which I would not have been reimbursed for, plus whatever it took for my companion to upgrade. so not insignificant.
Sep 1, 2019, 10:50 am
#1170
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 6
Wondering if anyone has noticed a difference in PN availability on the new polaris seating international routes? Haven't been able to find anything for SFO-FRA route, which used to be readily available.