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 24, 2019, 8:37 am
#346
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,115
reply
I booked a one way award from EWR-VIE-SPU. Leaving EWR on a Wednesday and arriving in SPU Thursday afternoon. Plans changed and now I want to keep the VIE-SPU segment on Thursday but I want to move up the EWR-VIE segment to Sunday. Any chance they might let me do it on a one way? I would assume they wont.
Feb 24, 2019, 8:52 am
#347
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Feb 24, 2019, 9:06 am
#348
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: United GS; AA EXP; Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 174
I booked a one way award from EWR-VIE-SPU. Leaving EWR on a Wednesday and arriving in SPU Thursday afternoon. Plans changed and now I want to keep the VIE-SPU segment on Thursday but I want to move up the EWR-VIE segment to Sunday. Any chance they might let me do it on a one way? I would assume they wont.
Another workaround is to book return in award. You can book VIE-SPU as excursionist perk for free.
Feb 24, 2019, 6:10 pm
#349
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,115
Yeah I don't see them allowing it. I would book the return but ran out of UA miles so used some of my stash of MR and transferred to AC,
Feb 27, 2019, 8:56 am
#350
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
GS Emeritus program.
United must have launched a new GS Emeritus program. Just boarded UA 637 behind a guy with 2018 New York GS bag tags, but a blue boarding group header on his mobile boarding pass 🤣.
I have to say, I admire his swagger and confidence in claiming his Emeritus status.
I have to say, I admire his swagger and confidence in claiming his Emeritus status.
Feb 27, 2019, 4:00 pm
#351
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 1
Customer Service/Accomodation Question
I am a first year GS, and wanted to test the temperature on this before deciding whether to push it. I booked an award ticket for and Orlando-Reno flight, and selected an aisle economy plus seat (confirmed on my reservation receipt). When I checked in I found that I had been moved to a middle seat. After researching a bit, the United agent on the phone stated that the history for my seat was missing and she had added a note to in my record that my seat had been changed and I should be moved to an aisle if one becomes available. I asked about accomodation since I would have to fly 5 hours in a middle seat, and she told me that United has the discretion to change my seat for any reason in the contract of carriage, and I’m not entitled to any accommodation for it. This is not the treatment I expected from GS, but am I out of line in that thinking?
Feb 27, 2019, 4:08 pm
#352
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
I am a first year GS, and wanted to test the temperature on this before deciding whether to push it. I booked an award ticket for and Orlando-Reno flight, and selected an aisle economy plus seat (confirmed on my reservation receipt). When I checked in I found that I had been moved to a middle seat. After researching a bit, the United agent on the phone stated that the history for my seat was missing and she had added a note to in my record that my seat had been changed and I should be moved to an aisle if one becomes available. I asked about accomodation since I would have to fly 5 hours in a middle seat, and she told me that United has the discretion to change my seat for any reason in the contract of carriage, and I’m not entitled to any accommodation for it. This is not the treatment I expected from GS, but am I out of line in that thinking?
Feb 27, 2019, 4:10 pm
#353
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 519
I recently applied a GPU to saver awards for my son which was waitlisted into PN. At the same time I applied a 1k GPU on my W fare which should waitlist into PZ.
Mine cleared automatically but my son's upgrade did not (both on outbound and return). I had to call and thankfully there was still PN space available.
Have other also experienced that manually applied GPUs to Saver Awards don't get swept by the system and potentially fall through the cracks for upgrades? I am not constantly checking fare classes for another flight with this setup....
Mine cleared automatically but my son's upgrade did not (both on outbound and return). I had to call and thankfully there was still PN space available.
Have other also experienced that manually applied GPUs to Saver Awards don't get swept by the system and potentially fall through the cracks for upgrades? I am not constantly checking fare classes for another flight with this setup....
Feb 27, 2019, 5:28 pm
#354
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,822
I recently applied a GPU to saver awards for my son which was waitlisted into PN. At the same time I applied a 1k GPU on my W fare which should waitlist into PZ.
Mine cleared automatically but my son's upgrade did not (both on outbound and return). I had to call and thankfully there was still PN space available.
Have other also experienced that manually applied GPUs to Saver Awards don't get swept by the system and potentially fall through the cracks for upgrades? I am not constantly checking fare classes for another flight with this setup....
Mine cleared automatically but my son's upgrade did not (both on outbound and return). I had to call and thankfully there was still PN space available.
Have other also experienced that manually applied GPUs to Saver Awards don't get swept by the system and potentially fall through the cracks for upgrades? I am not constantly checking fare classes for another flight with this setup....
Feb 27, 2019, 6:36 pm
#355
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
My gut now says this doesn't seem to have worked properly since they messed around with the new fare buckets. It also seems to be affecting the CPU process as well ... my rare recent CPU (as I buy F most of the time) was another bizarre one. Both of my 1K colleagues had cleared, and I had not been upgraded. At T-22 I was finally upgraded, but it cleared into PZ versus PN.
I am going to write in ... interested to what others learn if they get a response.
Feb 27, 2019, 6:51 pm
#356
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: 4,392
And so it goes.
Feb 27, 2019, 7:06 pm
#357
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
That's correct. I was recently changed from 1A to a middle seat on a 77W in J, on a full-fare business ticket. It appears I was FAMed. Since it was within 24 hours, the seat map was under airport control, and 60/60 checked in. In my eight years of GS, I've never had even the suggestion that GS could "bump" a lower status passenger from an assigned seat, whether it be for a FAM move, aircraft swap, or whatever. And I know a lot of GS, none of whom know if a case where it has happened. The only consideration I know of is that some GS agents at the gate will try to proactively ask around for swaps.
And so it goes.
And so it goes.
Feb 27, 2019, 8:13 pm
#358
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
This happened to me on my last two Award reservations ... I actually came here to write about it. PN was not available in either case. Noticed yesterday PN2 and PN7 for both flights, but was still waitlisted. I decided to leave it overnight to see if it would clear. This morning, I still hadn't cleared on either, and PN2 and PN7 remained. However, a 1K friend of mine with Cash + GPU on one of my flights had cleared.
My gut now says this doesn't seem to have worked properly since they messed around with the new fare buckets. It also seems to be affecting the CPU process as well ... my rare recent CPU (as I buy F most of the time) was another bizarre one. Both of my 1K colleagues had cleared, and I had not been upgraded. At T-22 I was finally upgraded, but it cleared into PZ versus PN.
I am going to write in ... interested to what others learn if they get a response.
My gut now says this doesn't seem to have worked properly since they messed around with the new fare buckets. It also seems to be affecting the CPU process as well ... my rare recent CPU (as I buy F most of the time) was another bizarre one. Both of my 1K colleagues had cleared, and I had not been upgraded. At T-22 I was finally upgraded, but it cleared into PZ versus PN.
I am going to write in ... interested to what others learn if they get a response.
And also on a cpu although I was the first to clear, it showed PZ not PN. (Cleared at boarding)
Feb 27, 2019, 8:24 pm
#359
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: EWR
Programs: Latam Pass Black; UA 1K, 1MM; Marriott LT
Posts: 300
I was behind a GS this am from EWR who had a green luggage handle wrap that looked shiny and new.. any idea what these are anyone?
Feb 27, 2019, 9:22 pm
#360
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