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]
Sep 2, 2019, 9:55 am
#1171
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 71
On some routes it appears if you want to fly first class...you buy first class.
Sep 2, 2019, 12:56 pm
#1172
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 659
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.
Took a trip to Taipei a few years ago with 12 hours on the ground just to get a last trip in the nose of the 747 and to tip my PQD over the $45k threshold.
I hope you at least get the Polaris seats back and forth and not the crummy 763/4 seats.
Sep 3, 2019, 9:37 am
#1173
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
No CPU on last Fridays ORD-SFO run, didn't really expect it given the time of travel and elite heavy route. My nephew flew last PM ORD -SFO who is also GS and did not clear as well, also not unexpected. He said he has had ONE CPU this year on a SFO-SAN run. He typically flies SFO-IAD, SFO-IAH, SFO-ORD and SFO-HNL/KOA. All admittedly tough CPU runs. He also buys the cheapest seats, uses no instruments, and hopes for the best which he claims in the past worked 80% of the time. He will almost certainly get GS again next year and has been GS for several years but needless to say has become very cynical about the status and feels it is next to worthless. Personally I have had better luck and will probably drop back to 1K next year so I am certain the GS status will be missed by me.
Sep 3, 2019, 10:12 am
#1174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
There was a substantial amount last week ex-FRA, even PZs here & there.
Sep 3, 2019, 3:13 pm
#1175
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Just had an odd exchange with GS line today. Changed flights for tomorrow due to Dorian. The flight to which i was changing had at least 7 free FC seats (from seat map) but GS rep said she had received instructions that CPU’s were not to be pushed through manually under any circumstance. Was told they can now only place GS on UG list regardless of number of seats available. Anyone else run into this? Talked to supervisor and she would not say if it was another “enhancement” but she said the “at least three within 72” was no longer operative
Sep 3, 2019, 3:24 pm
#1176
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: 44,354
Just had an odd exchange with GS line today. Changed flights for tomorrow due to Dorian. The flight to which i was changing had at least 7 free FC seats (from seat map) but GS rep said she had received instructions that CPU’s were not to be pushed through manually under any circumstance. Was told they can now only place GS on UG list regardless of number of seats available. Anyone else run into this? Talked to supervisor and she would not say if it was another “enhancement” but she said the “at least three within 72” was no longer operative
Sep 3, 2019, 9:36 pm
#1177
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Sep 3, 2019, 10:14 pm
#1178
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
Good experience with the GS line today: call answered immediately, agent moved me to Delta without any hesitation because my UA connection in ORD was delayed by 1.5 hours (it was later further delayed), the ticketing was done correctly within 2 minutes, and I walked to the DL gate and received boarding passes and boarded just as my group was called.
Sep 3, 2019, 10:31 pm
#1179
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
Good experience with the GS line today: call answered immediately, agent moved me to Delta without any hesitation because my UA connection in ORD was delayed by 1.5 hours (it was later further delayed), the ticketing was done correctly within 2 minutes, and I walked to the DL gate and received boarding passes and boarded just as my group was called.
Sep 5, 2019, 10:23 am
#1180
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot LT Titanium/Hertz PC/UA 1MM 1K
Posts: 131
Upgraded on Dom award - no instrument used - CPU?
Fiance and I were flying BOS to EWR on Monday 9/2 and ended up hitting the upgrade (she's also GS companion for 1MM). Didn't realize it at the time, but this was 100% an award ticket with no instruments on both tickets but same ressie. We were on the upgrade list going into the flight, didn't clear that, then went standby on an earlier flight as storms were backing up the route. Got on the earlier flight which was surprisingly pretty open for a Monday afternoon post holiday weekend where we cleared the list. Didn't occur to me until now, if my understanding it correct, CPU's shouldn't even apply for these tickets since they were not instrument supported and all award ticketed for Y. Am I right here? Regardless, hey, no complaint by me.. just want to make sure my knowledge of the system was correct as GS.
Sep 5, 2019, 10:25 am
#1181
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
Fiance and I were flying BOS to EWR on Monday 9/2 and ended up hitting the upgrade (she's also GS companion for 1MM). Didn't realize it at the time, but this was 100% an award ticket with no instruments on both tickets but same ressie. We were on the upgrade list going into the flight, didn't clear that, then went standby on an earlier flight as storms were backing up the route. Got on the earlier flight which was surprisingly pretty open for a Monday afternoon post holiday weekend where we cleared the list. Didn't occur to me until now, if my understanding it correct, CPU's shouldn't even apply for these tickets since they were not instrument supported and all award ticketed for Y. Am I right here? Regardless, hey, no complaint by me.. just want to make sure my knowledge of the system was correct as GS.
Sep 6, 2019, 7:12 am
#1182
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
Just as a datapoint, called to force through a GPU supported upgrade for a colleague flying ORD > SFO at 6AM on Monday (Called at ~71 hours out). Flight was showing J6 and while it took the agent a minute, she pushed him through. Chatted with the phone agent for a minute, she has been with UA for 35 years, based in Chicago. Could not have been nicer.
Sep 8, 2019, 5:22 pm
#1184
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 920
If I book a March trip to ORD-NRT now and apply GPUs, and lose my GS status at end of Jan, will they book into PN or PZ, assuming they haven’t cleared by then? Or will they disappear?
Does it make a difference if I get a 1K soft landing vs. get downgraded to gold?
Does it make a difference if I get a 1K soft landing vs. get downgraded to gold?
Sep 8, 2019, 6:01 pm
#1185
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671