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]
Feb 18, 2019, 9:23 pm
#316
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,505
And why can't UA say, especially after the fact? In my case, I got moved from 1D to 5D. I don't know much about the FAM rules but does the FAM have to be in 1D? Couldn't he have just taken 5D?
Feb 18, 2019, 10:36 pm
#317
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
Some believe they can identify a FAM once on the flight (never sleeps or drinks alcohol, typically in the first couple of rows on the aisle, military-like look ( ...)
Airline personnel are instructed not to talk about the FAM program at any time (Federal regulations) -- where they sit, how the program works, .... so no, neither before or after the flight. They will not engage in any discussion.
The FAM picks the seat and the airline must make it available -- there is no discussion/discretion.Airline personnel are instructed not to talk about the FAM program at any time (Federal regulations) -- where they sit, how the program works, .... so no, neither before or after the flight. They will not engage in any discussion.
FAM is always a risk seating in the first one or two rows on the aisle.
Feb 19, 2019, 8:14 am
#318
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,505
Some believe they can identify a FAM once on the flight (never sleeps or drinks alcohol, typically in the first couple of rows on the aisle, military-like look ( ...)
Airline personnel are instructed not to talk about the FAM program at any time (Federal regulations) -- where they sit, how the program works, .... so no, neither before or after the flight. They will not engage in any discussion.
The FAM picks the seat and the airline must make it available -- there is no discussion/discretion.
FAM is always a risk seating in the first one or two rows on the aisle.
Airline personnel are instructed not to talk about the FAM program at any time (Federal regulations) -- where they sit, how the program works, .... so no, neither before or after the flight. They will not engage in any discussion.
The FAM picks the seat and the airline must make it available -- there is no discussion/discretion.
FAM is always a risk seating in the first one or two rows on the aisle.
Feb 19, 2019, 8:48 am
#319
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
With the Polaris seat, Premium Plus and slimline retrofits, there has been a lot of these seat assignment issues with minor configuration changes -- see Random seat changes to UA itineraries after having an assigned seat [Consolidated] and its wiki for more on the configuration change issue and FAM also.
Feb 19, 2019, 10:04 am
#320
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS, AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 285
Just to NOMAD’s points, as a newly minted GS this year, I have had the opposite impression on upgrades. granted my travel hasn’t stepped up that much and I have only had about 3-4 short haul trips so far but all have cleared. The key test for me is SFO-DEN which never cleared for me as a 1K (and I was usually number 10 on the list or lower!) and this has even cleared for me each time (even if last minute at the gate). I was also hugely impressed when I needed to book award travel with my family for this summer - with no availability online I called the GS desk and they found me 4 seats in Polaris on a saver award on the nonstop flight to Tokyo on the exact day I wanted from SFO. And then also 4 saver business award seats from NRT to HNL so that we could stop in Hawaii on the return. I would never have found these as a 1K so hugely grateful for this benefit.
Feb 19, 2019, 10:44 am
#321
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: 3,618
Feb 19, 2019, 2:18 pm
#322
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
Feb 19, 2019, 6:00 pm
#323
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: United Global Services
Posts: 42
Need T>2 for Companion Saver?
Is it true that you need more than 2 T inventory available in order to get your companion a saver award ticket?
Feb 19, 2019, 6:13 pm
#324
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,505
Did you trace the aircraft assignment / tail number history -- not unknown for there to be swaps for just a few hours and then back to the original configuration. If you just look at the endpoints, you may miss the real situation.
With the Polaris seat, Premium Plus and slimline retrofits, there has been a lot of these seat assignment issues with minor configuration changes -- see Random seat changes to UA itineraries after having an assigned seat [Consolidated] and its wiki for more on the configuration change issue and FAM also.
With the Polaris seat, Premium Plus and slimline retrofits, there has been a lot of these seat assignment issues with minor configuration changes -- see Random seat changes to UA itineraries after having an assigned seat [Consolidated] and its wiki for more on the configuration change issue and FAM also.
Feb 19, 2019, 6:26 pm
#325
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
Feb 19, 2019, 6:44 pm
#326
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
Also, within minutes of receiving the email with the new seat assignment, I checked the seat map and it was still 2-1-2 pmCO style 763. Sure it's theoretically possible they switched, sent me an email, then switched back again by the time I checked, but then one would think that GS would have responded to my query saying that, rather than ignoring it (which is what prompted the FAM speculation).
Feb 19, 2019, 6:50 pm
#327
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: 3,618
Although new to this as recent GS pax, I was told you DID need T>2 and simply assumed this was correct. It is a shame that you have to know more than the GS agents, I expect them to know the "rules" but I guess that is the world we now live in. Also there seems to be purposely few sources (perhaps other than FT) of information regarding GS benefits.
Feb 19, 2019, 9:43 pm
#328
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,505
I'm not sure what's confusing. I got an email saying my seat had been reassigned due to a change of equipment and that they had attempted to match the new seat assignment as closely as possible to the original seat assignment. In fact what ocurred is that I was switched from 1D in a 2-1-2 763 to 5D in a 2-1-2 763. So there was no equipment change. I never said I "heard" it, it's just what happened.
Feb 19, 2019, 10:00 pm
#329
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
I'm not sure what's confusing. I got an email saying my seat had been reassigned due to a change of equipment and that they had attempted to match the new seat assignment as closely as possible to the original seat assignment. In fact what ocurred is that I was switched from 1D in a 2-1-2 763 to 5D in a 2-1-2 763. So there was no equipment change. I never said I "heard" it, it's just what happened.
Feb 20, 2019, 1:47 am
#330
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
If there are other GS on the list and there are only 3 seats available, they will not do it... but in a couple cases, there were plenty of seats available, and the agent just went ahead and cleared all GS on the list, including myself.