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]
Jul 21, 2019, 9:34 pm
#931
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA GS, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 15
Soft Landing?
I'm curious if there is a soft landing from GS to 1K. I have been GS for the last 5 years and 1K for several years before that, but I will be luck to qualify for Silver this year. Does United do soft landings for GS?
Jul 22, 2019, 6:25 am
#932
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Sausalito, CA
Programs: UA Global Services, United 3MM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4
Here's an email I got from United about this
See you soon at SFO
Ahead of your journey from the Bay Area tomorrow, July 19, allow us to help make your trip as hassle-free as possible. Please visit us at our Global Reception in Terminal 3, near door 6, as you enter the lobby. We’ll help you check your bags and jump the security line, so you can make it to your “Golden Gate” on-time.If easier, you may also check-in in the lobby of our International Terminal at any counter.
Thanks for flying with us!
Now, I guess one could claim that by encouraging me to go to T3 they were warning me about the loss of the GS check-in line in International. But I didn't pick up on it, and honestly with the onslaught of Uber and Lyft at SFO, getting dropped off at T3 rather than the International Terminal is not a really good option.
Ahead of your journey from the Bay Area tomorrow, July 19, allow us to help make your trip as hassle-free as possible. Please visit us at our Global Reception in Terminal 3, near door 6, as you enter the lobby. We’ll help you check your bags and jump the security line, so you can make it to your “Golden Gate” on-time.If easier, you may also check-in in the lobby of our International Terminal at any counter.
Thanks for flying with us!
Now, I guess one could claim that by encouraging me to go to T3 they were warning me about the loss of the GS check-in line in International. But I didn't pick up on it, and honestly with the onslaught of Uber and Lyft at SFO, getting dropped off at T3 rather than the International Terminal is not a really good option.
Jul 22, 2019, 10:40 am
#933
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
Day before I left got this from United:
See you soon at SFO
Ahead of your journey from the Bay Area tomorrow, July 19, allow us to help make your trip as hassle-free as possible. Please visit us at our Global Reception in Terminal 3, near door 6, as you enter the lobby. We’ll help you check your bags and jump the security line, so you can make it to your “Golden Gate” on-time.If easier, you may also check-in in the lobby of our International Terminal at any counter.
Thanks for flying with us!
Now, I guess one could claim that by encouraging me to go to T3 they were warning me about the loss of the GS check-in line in International. But I didn't pick up on it, and honestly with the onslaught of Uber and Lyft at SFO, getting dropped off at T3 rather than the International Terminal is not a really good option.
Ahead of your journey from the Bay Area tomorrow, July 19, allow us to help make your trip as hassle-free as possible. Please visit us at our Global Reception in Terminal 3, near door 6, as you enter the lobby. We’ll help you check your bags and jump the security line, so you can make it to your “Golden Gate” on-time.If easier, you may also check-in in the lobby of our International Terminal at any counter.
Thanks for flying with us!
Now, I guess one could claim that by encouraging me to go to T3 they were warning me about the loss of the GS check-in line in International. But I didn't pick up on it, and honestly with the onslaught of Uber and Lyft at SFO, getting dropped off at T3 rather than the International Terminal is not a really good option.
Jul 22, 2019, 11:21 am
#934
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,454
Jul 22, 2019, 11:25 am
#935
Used to be 'thiti'
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA-PP 1MM, Hyatt-Globalist, Bonvoy-LT Titanium, Hertz-Pres Cir
Posts: 189
They did soft land me to 1K after 3 years being a GS. If I recall, I did not need to make any request.
Jul 22, 2019, 11:38 am
#936
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
Jul 22, 2019, 3:31 pm
#937
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,454
Jul 22, 2019, 3:33 pm
#938
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,092
background:
right before my EWR bound flight took off from HKG yesterday, i noticed that PN class had opened up for a connecting flight out of chicago that my son is waitlisted on a few days from now. in fact, the website was showing PN3. boarding doors were closing, so i couldn’t call UA, but i did so last night after i arrived back home. at that point, availability had dropped to PN1.
act one
me: “oh, yes, hi there, my son has a flight coming up in a few days. it's an award reservation and he’s waitlisted in PN using an RPU. it looks like PN space is available. I’m wondering if you could clear him on that flight.”
agent: “let me take a look… i am not seeing any PN space available."
me: “oh, that’s odd… i can see it online."
agent: “let me look again. you know, we have much different availability than what you see online… the website doesn’t update in real time. OK, i see it now. there is one seat available in PN. but i can’t clear the upgrade. your son is not 'global service,' you are. this benefit doesn’t apply for him.”
me: “oh, gosh, i’m pretty sure it does. please understand that he’s already waitlisted in PN. so his eligibility had already been determined when i made the reservation. he’s eligible using my upgrade instrument. that’s why he’s waitlisted in PN. and PN space has now become available. i think all we have to do is see if there any GS to clear ahead of him."
agent: “no, i’m sorry… it doesn’t work that way… we have to look at past purchase patterns. there may be people who will buy at the last minute. so we can’t clear that upgrade at this time. and other silver, gold and 1K elite members will be cleared before him. he has no status."
me: “uh, OK, i’m not sure that’s exactly how that works, but i do understand what you’re saying. however, with regard to seat availability up front in the PN fare class… i think inventory management has already made those calculations about past sales patterns. presumably they created availability in the PN bucket based on historical purchase data for this flight. in any case, my son is already waitlisted in PN and PN has now become available…it really is as simple as that. if PN was zero, then, of course, you couldn’t upgrade him. but PN has one seat in it. so i’m not sure i understand why - unless there are GS waiting to clear ahead of him - you can’t process that upgrade. it hasn’t yet cleared on its own.”
agent: “that’s because the two segments are not married.”
me: “well, can you marry them?”
agent: “even if i could, the other rules apply. he has no status, so he can’t be upgraded."
me: "OK, thanks very much for your time. have a good evening.”
intermission - HUACA
act two
me: “oh, yes, hi there, my son has a flight coming up in a few days. it's an award reservation and he’s waitlisted in PN using an RPU. it looks like PN space is available. I’m wondering if you could clear him on that flight.”
agent 2: “sure, let me take a look.”
me: “thanks.”
agent 2: “yes, PN is available. i’m showing one seat. let me just check to see if there are any other global services members in the queue…. nope… you’re good. give me just a minute.”
me: “thanks.”
agent 2 "OK, do you know… would he like the window or the aisle?
me: "the window, i think.”
agent 2: “OK, 2A, he's all set. is there anything else?”
me: “no, that’s it. thanks so much.”
agent 2: “thank you for your business.”
right before my EWR bound flight took off from HKG yesterday, i noticed that PN class had opened up for a connecting flight out of chicago that my son is waitlisted on a few days from now. in fact, the website was showing PN3. boarding doors were closing, so i couldn’t call UA, but i did so last night after i arrived back home. at that point, availability had dropped to PN1.
act one
me: “oh, yes, hi there, my son has a flight coming up in a few days. it's an award reservation and he’s waitlisted in PN using an RPU. it looks like PN space is available. I’m wondering if you could clear him on that flight.”
agent: “let me take a look… i am not seeing any PN space available."
me: “oh, that’s odd… i can see it online."
agent: “let me look again. you know, we have much different availability than what you see online… the website doesn’t update in real time. OK, i see it now. there is one seat available in PN. but i can’t clear the upgrade. your son is not 'global service,' you are. this benefit doesn’t apply for him.”
me: “oh, gosh, i’m pretty sure it does. please understand that he’s already waitlisted in PN. so his eligibility had already been determined when i made the reservation. he’s eligible using my upgrade instrument. that’s why he’s waitlisted in PN. and PN space has now become available. i think all we have to do is see if there any GS to clear ahead of him."
agent: “no, i’m sorry… it doesn’t work that way… we have to look at past purchase patterns. there may be people who will buy at the last minute. so we can’t clear that upgrade at this time. and other silver, gold and 1K elite members will be cleared before him. he has no status."
me: “uh, OK, i’m not sure that’s exactly how that works, but i do understand what you’re saying. however, with regard to seat availability up front in the PN fare class… i think inventory management has already made those calculations about past sales patterns. presumably they created availability in the PN bucket based on historical purchase data for this flight. in any case, my son is already waitlisted in PN and PN has now become available…it really is as simple as that. if PN was zero, then, of course, you couldn’t upgrade him. but PN has one seat in it. so i’m not sure i understand why - unless there are GS waiting to clear ahead of him - you can’t process that upgrade. it hasn’t yet cleared on its own.”
agent: “that’s because the two segments are not married.”
me: “well, can you marry them?”
agent: “even if i could, the other rules apply. he has no status, so he can’t be upgraded."
me: "OK, thanks very much for your time. have a good evening.”
intermission - HUACA
act two
me: “oh, yes, hi there, my son has a flight coming up in a few days. it's an award reservation and he’s waitlisted in PN using an RPU. it looks like PN space is available. I’m wondering if you could clear him on that flight.”
agent 2: “sure, let me take a look.”
me: “thanks.”
agent 2: “yes, PN is available. i’m showing one seat. let me just check to see if there are any other global services members in the queue…. nope… you’re good. give me just a minute.”
me: “thanks.”
agent 2 "OK, do you know… would he like the window or the aisle?
me: "the window, i think.”
agent 2: “OK, 2A, he's all set. is there anything else?”
me: “no, that’s it. thanks so much.”
agent 2: “thank you for your business.”
Jul 22, 2019, 4:45 pm
#939
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,025
At International, or Domestic? Driver was not telling the truth ...
For Terminals 1-3, riders of all Uber and Lyft vehicle types can be dropped off on either the Departures Level or Arrivals Level now - before it was Departures only, so this was changed.
For the International Terminal, all riders can only now be dropped off at the center island between Zones 14 and 17, so not directly curbside.
UberX, Pool, Express Pool, XL and Select and Lyft type equivalent pickups from Terminals 1-3, must now occur at Level 5 of the Domestic Garage.
Black, Black SUV, and WAV pickups are permitted to occur at the curbside of Terminals 1-3.
International terminal pickups remain on the center island of the Departures level, in Zones 14-17.
For Terminals 1-3, riders of all Uber and Lyft vehicle types can be dropped off on either the Departures Level or Arrivals Level now - before it was Departures only, so this was changed.
For the International Terminal, all riders can only now be dropped off at the center island between Zones 14 and 17, so not directly curbside.
UberX, Pool, Express Pool, XL and Select and Lyft type equivalent pickups from Terminals 1-3, must now occur at Level 5 of the Domestic Garage.
Black, Black SUV, and WAV pickups are permitted to occur at the curbside of Terminals 1-3.
International terminal pickups remain on the center island of the Departures level, in Zones 14-17.
Jul 22, 2019, 4:56 pm
#940
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
You had a lot more patience trying to reason with the first agent than I ever do. The instant I realize that there is resistance to what I want to do, or ignorance of the Global Services benefits, I immediately say, "Oh, I just realized I need to figure something else out about this trip. Thanks so much for your time! I'll call back later."
Jul 22, 2019, 5:26 pm
#941
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Somewhere in EWR
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond
Posts: 858
Just got my first Mercedes transfer at IAH. On arrival I saw that my transfer to BOI was moved from C to E and I figured it would be tight. As I was deplaning there was a GA agent holding up her device with my name on it, I knew why she was there and told her I appreciated the ride when she offered.
Having a great 1st year as GS, hoping I can requal for next year.
Having a great 1st year as GS, hoping I can requal for next year.
Jul 22, 2019, 5:30 pm
#942
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: 4,388
You had a lot more patience trying to reason with the first agent than I ever do. The instant I realize that there is resistance to what I want to do, or ignorance of the Global Services benefits, I immediately say, "Oh, I just realized I need to figure something else out about this trip. Thanks so much for your time! I'll call back later."
Jul 23, 2019, 2:47 am
#943
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SF/OC
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 474
Jul 23, 2019, 4:55 am
#944
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 9
No GS check in at SFO international
At terminal G, GS is now combined with Plat and 1K and Polaris. The leftmost line is for 1K. When I asked an agent today, she said "you guys have your own Global lobby at T3"
For GS Clear members who check in bags for international flights, this is a huge degradation. Instead of being escorted by Clear directly all the way to the x ray entrance, the T3 GS lobby means short cut only to the TSA ID check, and then join the often congested lines for the x ray, before walking to terminal G. Unless one wants to join the long check-in lines at international terminal.
For GS Clear members who check in bags for international flights, this is a huge degradation. Instead of being escorted by Clear directly all the way to the x ray entrance, the T3 GS lobby means short cut only to the TSA ID check, and then join the often congested lines for the x ray, before walking to terminal G. Unless one wants to join the long check-in lines at international terminal.
A flurry of phone calls ensued by the agents there asking someone on the other end what to do — confusion took over and in that confusion, a few of us were taken while eventually others were sent to the end of the line. The agent who took me could not believe they got rid of that GS line and wanted it back as much as we did since it is no fun processing a GS who stood in line for 15 min.
Yes, can walk from T3 but if with kids or elderly or hobbled, but don’t need a wheelchair, it is a long walk. No reason they can’t have the GS line and take 1Ks or biz if no GS are there and no reason a non-GS agent can’t staff that line.
As another poster noted, slowly many benefits are being rolled back. Or, as one platinum pax in line noted, we all fly the same amount. Sigh.
Jul 23, 2019, 5:47 am
#945
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
About 8 of us GS (unrelated to each other) rebelled and stood in the place where the GS line used to be. Just acted like they forgot to put up the GS sign. With 1K, biz, AND platinum all together, the line was just as long as economy check in.
A flurry of phone calls ensued by the agents there asking someone on the other end what to do — confusion took over and in that confusion, a few of us were taken while eventually others were sent to the end of the line. The agent who took me could not believe they got rid of that GS line and wanted it back as much as we did since it is no fun processing a GS who stood in line for 15 min.
Yes, can walk from T3 but if with kids or elderly or hobbled, but don’t need a wheelchair, it is a long walk. No reason they can’t have the GS line and take 1Ks or biz if no GS are there and no reason a non-GS agent can’t staff that line.
As another poster noted, slowly many benefits are being rolled back. Or, as one platinum pax in line noted, we all fly the same amount. Sigh.