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 29, 2019, 6:17 pm
#721
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 have yet to waitlist a non-status pax on one of my instruments but plan on doing it next week for the first time so sorry to here that. I was under the impression as they clear into PN that they had a decent chance. Correct me if I am wrong but they should clear even before a 1K on an instrument because of they still clear into the the PN bucket. Now a 1K wait-listing with an instrument clears into PZ space and my experience with that has previously been out right dismal for myself or gifted instrument to non status/low status pax. .
The problem is UA has been very stingy with releasing PN/PZ.
People with no-status will often get stuck if PN/PZ is never released. On day of departure, upgrade is done by status.
GS GPU won't help. Although few claimed that GS GPU has higher priority, it's not so IME.
I have seen numerous times non-status people sponsored by GS GPU are ranked at bottom on upgrade list.
People with no-status will often get stuck if PN/PZ is never released. On day of departure, upgrade is done by status.
GS GPU won't help. Although few claimed that GS GPU has higher priority, it's not so IME.
I have seen numerous times non-status people sponsored by GS GPU are ranked at bottom on upgrade list.
Prior to T-24 hours GS instruments wait for PN, priority based on time of request, not on status of passenger.
After T-24 UG priority according to status of the passenger.
May 29, 2019, 9:49 pm
#722
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
So, flight Ua 57 tonight EWR-CDG, I was refused an eco + seat for a companion who wasn’t on the same PNR.
I insisted, but it was a big no.
normal ?!
I insisted, but it was a big no.
normal ?!
May 30, 2019, 12:32 am
#723
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: 66,855
May 30, 2019, 4:32 am
#724
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
Paid coach, cash upgrade to business.
What I was told is : “ this is not a benefit for international, just for domestic”.
What I was told is : “ this is not a benefit for international, just for domestic”.
May 30, 2019, 8:46 am
#725
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 695
To be even more pedantic, GS instruments have priority all the way until a couple minutes before boarding starts as the invisible list has higher priority for GS instruments while the visible list has priority based on passenger.
May 30, 2019, 8:53 am
#726
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
I can see them not doing it if you are not even in that cabin anymore, since the main idea is that you could travel together in E+. Not sure you have much leverage to push back given you were on separate itins. Maybe you should have booked your companion in a E+ seat before upgrading?
May 30, 2019, 9:58 am
#727
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
If a friend is urgently flying on a 'Y' fare in <24hours to Asia, can I apply a GS GPU and get him in the queue for upgrade? I know that its not possible online, but can one call in and attach instrument?
thanks,
Todd
thanks,
Todd
May 30, 2019, 10:35 am
#729
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,054
I've been given E+ as a non-status passenger travelling with a Silver on an int'l flight (separate itineraries), but to be fair that was about 10 years ago.
I can see them not doing it if you are not even in that cabin anymore, since the main idea is that you could travel together in E+. Not sure you have much leverage to push back given you were on separate itins. Maybe you should have booked your companion in a E+ seat before upgrading?
I can see them not doing it if you are not even in that cabin anymore, since the main idea is that you could travel together in E+. Not sure you have much leverage to push back given you were on separate itins. Maybe you should have booked your companion in a E+ seat before upgrading?
May 30, 2019, 11:46 am
#730
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 519
May 30, 2019, 12:00 pm
#731
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Mlife NOIR
Posts: 320
Within 24 hours of departure, I’ve usually had to have a check-in agent at the airport pull the GPU for a waitlist. Phone agents could only pull if there was confirmable space?
May 30, 2019, 12:17 pm
#732
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
It can take a phone call or 2, but I've done it numerous times. If the agent claims it can't be done, you can suggest them calling the airport to manually add to the list.
May 30, 2019, 5:03 pm
#733
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
I've been given E+ as a non-status passenger travelling with a Silver on an int'l flight (separate itineraries), but to be fair that was about 10 years ago.
I can see them not doing it if you are not even in that cabin anymore, since the main idea is that you could travel together in E+. Not sure you have much leverage to push back given you were on separate itins. Maybe you should have booked your companion in a E+ seat before upgrading?
I can see them not doing it if you are not even in that cabin anymore, since the main idea is that you could travel together in E+. Not sure you have much leverage to push back given you were on separate itins. Maybe you should have booked your companion in a E+ seat before upgrading?
What was stunning is how the gate attendant fought it SO hard even though she showed me the “override” button on her screen.
E+ had plenty of seats available, we were 5h delayed but yet she wouldn’t override it because “ she would have to put her credentials and being identified”
I tries everything, even showing her the website policy, but nope.
I actually ended paying for it and asked GS email to reimburse me.
They did so and of course confirmed that companions can be added to an Eco + seat even in different cabins which is what I have been doing as Silver, Gold, Platinum and 1K over the past years...
May 31, 2019, 10:29 am
#734
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: 3,620
I get the prior to T24 but after T24 are you saying the application of an instrument is meaningless and it is strictly bases on status and status alone, if so I don't believe that is correct? I see people jump over me all the time sub T24 when they we able to apply an instrument. I have spoken directly to them at times as it happens.
Last edited by nomad420; May 31, 2019 at 5:18 pm Reason: syntax error
May 31, 2019, 4:32 pm
#735
Join Date: May 1999
Location: JFK, LGA, EWR
Programs: AA Platinum (Lifetime), United GS, HHonors Diamond, Shangri-la Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 549
data point: my family often travels using my GS miles and when i have requested a GS instrument-supported upgrade for them, they are often #1 or #2 on a wait list on the day of travel, right up to departure. sometimes #3 . none of them have status, some don't even have MP numbers. these are mostly mainline flights, e.g. BOS ----> SFO, EWR ---> PHX, EWR ---> LHR, EWR ---> HKG, although a few have been on regional jets.
and just to clarify, they are traveling alone, without me (the GS miles and instrument sponsor).
and just to clarify, they are traveling alone, without me (the GS miles and instrument sponsor).