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]
May 24, 2019, 12:33 pm
#691
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,996
Stymied non-GS PZ visibility
Indirect GS benefit. Expert mode shows PN availability on two-segment expert mode result, but PZ goes to zero even though availability exists on the same two flight segments searched individually. PN goes to lowest common denominator (PN4) while PZ goes to PZ0 (should show PZ2), Effect might be to discourage consumption of PZ and preserve PN availability.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; May 24, 2019 at 12:42 pm
May 24, 2019, 12:35 pm
#692
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: 3,614
Last Mondays 6am IAD-SFO flight myself and coworker both GS no CPU. Neither one of us have cleared on that route this year. T24 #1 on list, T12 #2 , at gate T1 #3 . Again, it looked like at least one name jumped me, I can only assume it was a GS who applied instrument. Over 10 GS boarded, didn't see full initial boarding as I was late.
May 24, 2019, 12:35 pm
#693
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 518
Not sure I understand?
May 24, 2019, 12:40 pm
#694
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
not unusual to see PZ5 got to Pz0 depending on the married segment's
Can usually clear instantly by calling and having the agent look at the flight separately.
May 24, 2019, 12:49 pm
#695
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,996
The point is, PZ shows as zero even though availability exists to the a person searching for flights LAS-OGG. They don't care about married segments, the price of gum in Singapore, or whatever. They want to see availability. GS see it, they don't.
May 24, 2019, 1:04 pm
#696
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
Gee, that sounds a bit contradictory, don't you think?
The point is, PZ shows as zero even though availability exists to the a person searching for flights LAS-OGG. They don't care about married segments, the price of gum in Singapore, or whatever. They want to see availability. GS see it, they don't.
The point is, PZ shows as zero even though availability exists to the a person searching for flights LAS-OGG. They don't care about married segments, the price of gum in Singapore, or whatever. They want to see availability. GS see it, they don't.
just saw the looked over your post again.
I concur
May 24, 2019, 2:53 pm
#697
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,389
Gee, that sounds a bit contradictory, don't you think?
The point is, PZ shows as zero even though availability exists to the a person searching for flights LAS-OGG. They don't care about married segments, the price of gum in Singapore, or whatever. They want to see availability. GS see it, they don't.
The point is, PZ shows as zero even though availability exists to the a person searching for flights LAS-OGG. They don't care about married segments, the price of gum in Singapore, or whatever. They want to see availability. GS see it, they don't.
May 24, 2019, 3:36 pm
#698
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,996
May 25, 2019, 12:16 am
#699
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
Should messages about GS CPU success/failures be forked into a separate thread (or merged into the main CPU experiences one)?
May 26, 2019, 5:36 pm
#700
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: 3,614
I've been posting them here as the "experience" part of the thread. I figured the other more general CPU experience was not what I wanted. I am more interested in how other GS are doing, what hubs, and what routes. If we shift them to another thread I don't have a problem with that but it would nice to somehow cut out the GS experience vs. 1K and others. Just say'n....
May 28, 2019, 1:53 pm
#701
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Nice hotel benefit for AA Concierge Key members. Can UA do something similar for GS?
https://www.flyertalk.com/articles/h...hip-works.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/articles/h...hip-works.html
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 28, 2019 at 3:13 pm Reason: repaired link
May 28, 2019, 9:57 pm
#702
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Alaska Gold 75k, Marriott Amb
Posts: 66
Nice hotel benefit for AA Concierge Key members. Can UA do something similar for GS?
https://www.flyertalk.com/articles/h...hip-works.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/articles/h...hip-works.html
/i
May 29, 2019, 8:04 am
#703
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 518
Found a nice hand written note at my seat flying from LIS to EWR thanking me for my business. I thought that was a nice touch
May 29, 2019, 8:10 am
#704
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC/WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL '90s PM, now FK (Flying Kettle)
Posts: 541
When and how do the GS folks decide whether to provide transportation to a connecting flight? At SFO, I arrived at the 60s gates on a flight that was an hour late due to a mechanical, and had what was now an 18-minute connection to an international flight at gate G95. SFO had virtually no other irregular ops that day, so I was kind of hoping for a car -- or at least a cart -- to cover that substantial distance quickly. I looked around at the arrival gate -- nothing -- and there were no UA personnel around to ask. So I sprinted to G95, where they were on the verge of closing the door (the gate folks correctly guessed my name as I race-limped towards them with my carry-ons). Obviously I didn't have time to ask the gate folks about the car/cart situation.
May 29, 2019, 8:27 am
#705
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,250
Also, the car doesn't seem to be available outside of normal business hours. Bottom line: GS at SFO sucks.
