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]
Mar 9, 2019, 2:33 pm
#391
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: United GS, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 109
I did write in, and note I managed to use the forward bathroom once, flight crew all the time and a few other passengers... here is extract of response I goto back:
After review of your email with our maintenance leadership team, I was informed the forward business class lavatory was inoperable due to a broken drain. I am sorry our flight crew did not make a announcement to provide explanation as to why the lavatory was not permitted to be used.
Flight operations, maintenance and the flight crew elected to operate the flight using the two lavatories in business class versus canceling the flight for today. We try to anticipate any issues on the aircraft before it goes into service for the day, and regret this was unable to be fixed before the departure of your flight. I apologize for failing to meet your expectations.
After review of your email with our maintenance leadership team, I was informed the forward business class lavatory was inoperable due to a broken drain. I am sorry our flight crew did not make a announcement to provide explanation as to why the lavatory was not permitted to be used.
Flight operations, maintenance and the flight crew elected to operate the flight using the two lavatories in business class versus canceling the flight for today. We try to anticipate any issues on the aircraft before it goes into service for the day, and regret this was unable to be fixed before the departure of your flight. I apologize for failing to meet your expectations.
Mar 13, 2019, 7:09 am
#392
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 519
Have you also had trouble getting a response from the United GS email
Recently? I sent an email last week and never got receipt confirmation nor response
Recently? I sent an email last week and never got receipt confirmation nor response
Mar 13, 2019, 9:27 am
#394
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
Sent in a complaint/comment yesterday and got the auto-response immediately and the personalized response within a few hours.
Mar 13, 2019, 2:13 pm
#395
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: 3,617
No bueno on CPU from SFO-EGE this Friday. I am snake bit with clearing CPUs, I have had ONE this year and that was just a short SFO-LAX run.
Mar 13, 2019, 3:17 pm
#396
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
Had a Mercedes transfer from the Es to Bs at ORD this morning, even though I had a two-hour layover. The GS agent said they try to do it whenever possible.
Mar 13, 2019, 8:00 pm
#397
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Correction, we did actually run past a parked “United Global Services” golf cart halfway up C1. Insult meet Injury.
Mar 13, 2019, 8:18 pm
#398
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
Received notification of a long flight delay just before leaving the house the other day. GS agent via phone oversold the next flight to get me a seat. And I got upgraded at the gate when a F passenger didn’t show up.
Mar 14, 2019, 12:25 am
#399
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Still time until "this Friday" according to my calendar. Also there is no direct flight SFO-EGE. All I see is a connection through DEN. BTW, there are plenty of F seats available on the short haul DEN-EGE.
Mar 14, 2019, 11:23 am
#400
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,882
I did write in, and note I managed to use the forward bathroom once, flight crew all the time and a few other passengers... here is extract of response I goto back:
After review of your email with our maintenance leadership team, I was informed the forward business class lavatory was inoperable due to a broken drain. I am sorry our flight crew did not make a announcement to provide explanation as to why the lavatory was not permitted to be used.
Flight operations, maintenance and the flight crew elected to operate the flight using the two lavatories in business class versus canceling the flight for today. We try to anticipate any issues on the aircraft before it goes into service for the day, and regret this was unable to be fixed before the departure of your flight. I apologize for failing to meet your expectations.
After review of your email with our maintenance leadership team, I was informed the forward business class lavatory was inoperable due to a broken drain. I am sorry our flight crew did not make a announcement to provide explanation as to why the lavatory was not permitted to be used.
Flight operations, maintenance and the flight crew elected to operate the flight using the two lavatories in business class versus canceling the flight for today. We try to anticipate any issues on the aircraft before it goes into service for the day, and regret this was unable to be fixed before the departure of your flight. I apologize for failing to meet your expectations.
Mar 14, 2019, 1:25 pm
#401
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: 3,617
I actually misstated the upgrade on my SFO-LAX run, it was not a CPU but rather a RPU clearing so actually as of now I have had ZERO CPUs. Not supper impressed with GS status so far, apart from seeming to clear instruments better as GS I don't see much of a difference on CPU clearance over when I was 1K but the year is still young. I know people have said GS is great for IRROPs but thankfully so far I haven't had to use them for that. Also I have yet to receive the much spoken of limo ride from one gate to another
. Perhaps when that happens I'll have a better feeling about GS....LOL
Mar 15, 2019, 1:56 am
#402
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Well it is booked full as of check in this AM and only partially checked in and of now. I am already #2 on the upgrade list so not great. It is the morning direct flight #5986 , they are still running it for another week then all SFO flights route through DEN. No way would I do a SDC to route through DEN to EGE, I can't even count the number of times that has resulted in a major screw up. Also, while I think the weather issue will be over by tomorrow it is still a possible problem throughout the front range.
I actually misstated the upgrade on my SFO-LAX run, it was not a CPU but rather a RPU clearing so actually as of now I have had ZERO CPUs. Not supper impressed with GS status so far, apart from seeming to clear instruments better as GS I don't see much of a difference on CPU clearance over when I was 1K but the year is still young. I know people have said GS is great for IRROPs but thankfully so far I haven't had to use them for that. Also I have yet to receive the much spoken of limo ride from one gate to another. Perhaps when that happens I'll have a better feeling about GS....LOL
I actually misstated the upgrade on my SFO-LAX run, it was not a CPU but rather a RPU clearing so actually as of now I have had ZERO CPUs. Not supper impressed with GS status so far, apart from seeming to clear instruments better as GS I don't see much of a difference on CPU clearance over when I was 1K but the year is still young. I know people have said GS is great for IRROPs but thankfully so far I haven't had to use them for that. Also I have yet to receive the much spoken of limo ride from one gate to another
. Perhaps when that happens I'll have a better feeling about GS....LOL
Mar 15, 2019, 10:48 am
#403
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: 3,617
Yes exactly. However, it looks like I’ve even drop the to three or four now at the gate on the upgrade list so it looks like no go. Kind of surprising as it is M class ticket . Must be a lot of elites flying with instruments. Kind of surprising into EGE but it is Friday. What also has surprised me is how low I often find myself on the upgrade list. Maybe I’ll change my name to “snake bit.” As I’ve said before it’s all about managing expectations here. Hey at least the check in lobby is super nice and it got me through a long TSA line fast.
Mar 15, 2019, 8:18 pm
#404
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: MileagePlus GS Marriott Gold Hilton Gold
Posts: 10
The bathroom worked, I used it, as did others, for the few times the crew let us use it!
Mar 17, 2019, 11:22 pm
#405
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: 66,821