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 14, 2019, 9:19 am
#106
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 83
She'd clear into PN after any other higher status (including GS) or Silver with a higher fare class using a GS instrument, but ahead of anyone waitlisted with a non-GS instrument (which would clear into PZ).
Jan 15, 2019, 7:58 am
#107
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 519
this now has me worried that I need to constantly monitor for PN availability. Anyone else having that experience?
Jan 15, 2019, 8:04 am
#108
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 519
so interestingly my upgrade cleared automatically into PZ while my kids XN with GPU waitlist into PN did not clear. I had to call to force one for the one available PN seat (all on separate records already)
this now has me worried that I need to constantly monitor for PN availability. Anyone else having that experience?
Jan 15, 2019, 10:19 am
#109
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,763
Limit on t class saver conversions
so my wife is a newly minted gs and we called to get saver awards to Europe this summer. There is t9 available but the gs agent says that the creation of saver awards is limited to the gs and one companion. Is this correct? Haven’t seen it anywhere in the info about this benefit.
Jan 15, 2019, 11:20 am
#110
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
so my wife is a newly minted gs and we called to get saver awards to Europe this summer. There is t9 available but the gs agent says that the creation of saver awards is limited to the gs and one companion. Is this correct? Haven’t seen it anywhere in the info about this benefit.
I'd still try and call again make no mention of the new rule to the agent and they may just do it.
Jan 15, 2019, 11:55 am
#111
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
I updated the Wiki with the new GS+1 rule for T->XN conversion.
Jan 15, 2019, 12:27 pm
#112
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: 4,389
Jan 15, 2019, 12:42 pm
#113
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 183
does the gs need to be on a revenue ticket or can they do this as long as t>2?
Jan 15, 2019, 12:52 pm
#114
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
I have been on UG waitlist for 8 segments in Q4 2018 & Q1 2019. I am OCD when it comes to UG's so I check daily. I eventually have found PN space available on all segments and gotten NONE automatically upgraded. When I call in, the CSA remarks "that should have happened automatically". This has been my experience since day 1 of the new Premium Economy fare codes. I am convinced that is not a coincidence.
Jan 15, 2019, 1:24 pm
#115
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,255
I just had an agent yesterday absolutely insist that they could only do a T-XN conversion for one ticket and only if the GS member is on a paid First or Business ticket. (!)
Jan 15, 2019, 7:40 pm
#116
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,763
thanks! Another question, can the forced t-Xn be combined with other segments? We’re booking a flight back from Europe and they’re telling us that the Intra Europe segment has to be paid for independently, for a total of 45k miles instead of 30k for the saver award converted from t.
Jan 15, 2019, 9:00 pm
#117
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
thanks! Another question, can the forced t-Xn be combined with other segments? We’re booking a flight back from Europe and they’re telling us that the Intra Europe segment has to be paid for independently, for a total of 45k miles instead of 30k for the saver award converted from t.
Jan 15, 2019, 9:01 pm
#118
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
Do GS get access to LX F lounge if traveling Polaris out of zrh
Jan 15, 2019, 9:02 pm
#119
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
Any reports of PZ-IN conversion restrictions post 12/12?
Jan 15, 2019, 9:03 pm
#120
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: United GS; AA EXP; Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 174