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]
#1006
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,824
With respect, you've lost the forest from the trees. You're so wound up they won't budge on this issue, but you're failing to consider your complaint isn't a wide-spread issue. I fly out of SFO on int'l flights 25 times a year. I never check bags, but I walk past the counter on my way to security. I can't recall a time when dedicated GS line would have saved more than a few minutes. There just aren't that many people on the premier side of the counter and even when there are the line moves quickly.
Just tried the personal approach.
.......
Bottom line: they are tone deaf in SF so I hope someone in Chicago (or wherever the lords sit) takes a fresh look. Perhaps next time I will put together a photo montage of the other airlines check in counters, email it to them and ask where they would rather go.
Last edited by PanAmWT; Aug 2, 2019 at 11:53 pm
#1007
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
The GS may be flying on fares that have a multiplier that get him to 25K PQM (1 additional GPU) with roughly 5K BIS miles (though I think the max is 4x?). I largely only fly discount first domestic fares so I am not an expert on the full fare international PQM multipliers.
#1008
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: 3,621
#1009
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 90
I currently have a relative on an award flight using my miles in first. I just saw that PN became available and am thinking I can change to an economy award and use 1 RPU (which I have many to use) to upgrade.
What else might be different between the two tickets? I’m wondering what would be different if IRROPS.
i am not flying with them.
Thanks.
What else might be different between the two tickets? I’m wondering what would be different if IRROPS.
i am not flying with them.
Thanks.
Last edited by roxie; Aug 3, 2019 at 12:29 pm
#1010
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
You are not only in the minority you also missed the whole point. The GS line is needed when we check in bags. If you do not check in bags then it is not even relevant. And as several people pointed out, using CLEAR at international terminal is significantly faster than going through the T3 Global lounge, because CLEAR makes you bypass the TSA ID check. You also don't have to wait for the line leading to the baggage conveyor belt, you get escorted directly to where the conveyor belt starts.
#1011
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
In one instance, I was #1 and my partner #2 on the visible waitlist. PN opened up, and my partner was swept into the seat, obviously by the background list, and I remained #1 on the list and didn’t clear.
#1013
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 350
I could care less about the line. but that is correct. it's $100 that's already been spent on the sign. should be no incremental staffing - keep the level the same as it is without the line. that person calls 1k/polaris when nobody in the GS line. unless there's some other cost we're not aware of, it should be super minimal.
#1014
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,824
#1015
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Quick question folks, and forgive me if this has been asked before:
I logged into my account today and noticed that I have far fewer GPUs being shown for next year than I should have. Is anyone else missing GPUs? Is there currently an issue with the website?
I logged into my account today and noticed that I have far fewer GPUs being shown for next year than I should have. Is anyone else missing GPUs? Is there currently an issue with the website?
#1016
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
There's a known issue that on the detailed account summary page, all GPUs/RPUs show a 2020 expiration, even though they're correctly "coded" for 2021 -- you can see that on the initial summary page that comes up when you login by hovering over the (?). But the total number should be correct.
#1017
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
No typo. Staffing for three shifts, 7 days a week, requires at least 4-5 folks. The fully loaded cost, in one of the most expensive labor markets in the country, will easily cost half million annually.
As for the 'simply put up a sign' argument, that doesn't work in practice. Unfortunately, workers staffing low volume queues feel entitled to disappear to the back office or do something else for long periods of time. Yes, they could pull from the 1K line, but they often don't. So now you've inconvenienced 10x the number of travelers because there is one fewer person at the desk. Not to mention the hassle of setting up the queuing system for the GS line and having to worry about policing the line (like they police the 1K line) to make sure random traveler doesn't queue up.
Broadly, it appears UA is trying to simplify gate and check-in operations. UA moved to two boarding lines, while other airlines use up to 9 lines. Similarly, they've removed an underutilized GS check-in queue. I applaud their efforts around operational simplification.
If you really need that level of rigidity and recognition in the check-in process, then consider the German or Japanese airlines. Otherwise, appreciate SFO int'l for what it is -- one of the most efficient and elegant check-in flows of any airport in the world.
As for the 'simply put up a sign' argument, that doesn't work in practice. Unfortunately, workers staffing low volume queues feel entitled to disappear to the back office or do something else for long periods of time. Yes, they could pull from the 1K line, but they often don't. So now you've inconvenienced 10x the number of travelers because there is one fewer person at the desk. Not to mention the hassle of setting up the queuing system for the GS line and having to worry about policing the line (like they police the 1K line) to make sure random traveler doesn't queue up.
Broadly, it appears UA is trying to simplify gate and check-in operations. UA moved to two boarding lines, while other airlines use up to 9 lines. Similarly, they've removed an underutilized GS check-in queue. I applaud their efforts around operational simplification.
If you really need that level of rigidity and recognition in the check-in process, then consider the German or Japanese airlines. Otherwise, appreciate SFO int'l for what it is -- one of the most efficient and elegant check-in flows of any airport in the world.
#1018
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 350
No typo. Staffing for three shifts, 7 days a week, requires at least 4-5 folks. The fully loaded cost, in one of the most expensive labor markets in the country, will easily cost half million annually.
As for the 'simply put up a sign' argument, that doesn't work in practice. Unfortunately, workers staffing low volume queues feel entitled to disappear to the back office or do something else for long periods of time. Yes, they could pull from the 1K line, but they often don't. So now you've inconvenienced 10x the number of travelers because there is one fewer person at the desk. Not to mention the hassle of setting up the queuing system for the GS line and having to worry about policing the line (like they police the 1K line) to make sure random traveler doesn't queue up.
Broadly, it appears UA is trying to simplify gate and check-in operations. UA moved to two boarding lines, while other airlines use up to 9 lines. Similarly, they've removed an underutilized GS check-in queue. I applaud their efforts around operational simplification.
If you really need that level of rigidity and recognition in the check-in process, then consider the German or Japanese airlines. Otherwise, appreciate SFO int'l for what it is -- one of the most efficient and elegant check-in flows of any airport in the world.
As for the 'simply put up a sign' argument, that doesn't work in practice. Unfortunately, workers staffing low volume queues feel entitled to disappear to the back office or do something else for long periods of time. Yes, they could pull from the 1K line, but they often don't. So now you've inconvenienced 10x the number of travelers because there is one fewer person at the desk. Not to mention the hassle of setting up the queuing system for the GS line and having to worry about policing the line (like they police the 1K line) to make sure random traveler doesn't queue up.
Broadly, it appears UA is trying to simplify gate and check-in operations. UA moved to two boarding lines, while other airlines use up to 9 lines. Similarly, they've removed an underutilized GS check-in queue. I applaud their efforts around operational simplification.
If you really need that level of rigidity and recognition in the check-in process, then consider the German or Japanese airlines. Otherwise, appreciate SFO int'l for what it is -- one of the most efficient and elegant check-in flows of any airport in the world.
#1019
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
Right - is this a CPU-eligible flight where Instant Upgrade fares (Y/B/M for 1K/GS) are available? I’ve seen this happen then (in fact to my partner, with me on the same flight) - the visual display lists everyone ranked by status/checkin time within upgrade class, so PN includes those that are on Y/B/M fares and orders them by status level. Meanwhile, the background instrument upgrade list keeps running and prioritizes by the original sponsor of the instrument, and the time added to waitlist.
In one instance, I was #1 and my partner #2 on the visible waitlist. PN opened up, and my partner was swept into the seat, obviously by the background list, and I remained #1 on the list and didn’t clear.
#1020
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,347
So the old SFO intl GS line is gone. It was just roped off last time I was there, but it's been eliminated now.
Everyone should just start checking in at T3 and asking for assistance to intl, as recommended. As a form of protest.
And I'm shocked at the arguments that check-in is so fast and efficient.
1. That's irrelevant
2. Last time I was there, we stood in line for about 15. Certainly not the end of the world, but also not appropriate
Everyone should just start checking in at T3 and asking for assistance to intl, as recommended. As a form of protest.
And I'm shocked at the arguments that check-in is so fast and efficient.
1. That's irrelevant
2. Last time I was there, we stood in line for about 15. Certainly not the end of the world, but also not appropriate