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Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions, Experiences [2019]

Old Dec 31, 2018, 7:21 am
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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


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.


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)
Additional Known Award and Upgrade Benefits (many unpublished)

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.
Reported caveats & YMMV situations on unpublished benefits




  • 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
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Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions, Experiences [2019]

Old Aug 12, 2019, 3:41 pm
  #1066  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,068
Originally Posted by LIH
Yes, go through the GS check-in lounge down at the end of the Terminal 1 concourse check-in area (by handicapped services area) and that shoots you right out to the TSA agent at the head of the PreCheck line. If you're arriving by car just tell them to drop you off at the very last door (one door past the Pre-check/Premier door).
Awesome! Thanks so much!
physioprof is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2019, 6:17 pm
  #1067  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,819
Originally Posted by nomad420
Cleared up grade on SFO to KOA at T1hr on yesterdays SFO-KOA flight. Was number 1 at OLCI and remained 1 until T1 and cleared.... as predicted. Also my comments on T3 Clear at SFO, Sat AM very busy at T3 with probably 12 people in line at Clear, did use. Yesterday, after checking in at the GS lobby I went again to Clear and I was directed to Clear pre check line which basically just cycle you to the TSA line you access from the GS lobby. Apart from skipping the ID check (Clear does that) there really was no time saving at all. Actually for me it was longer as I checked my bags at the GS lobby and walked around to Clear to see how it went. Can't complain as it was free for me to sign up and will probably try it at other locations later in the year.
At T3 you either use GS lobby or Clear. It makes little sense to use both. At international terminal Clear is much better because most of the time you are moved to the beginning of the conveyor, skipping the line between the ID check and the convoyer.
PanAmWT is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2019, 7:09 pm
  #1068  
 
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: 3,605
Originally Posted by PanAmWT
At T3 you either use GS lobby or Clear. It makes little sense to use both. .
Understood, I was new to Clear and had to check bags so just wanted to see how it functioned at T3 (UA). Checked bags and walked right around the corner to the Clear line, really minimal time savings if any over GS lobby IMO. I get that Clear can be useful elsewhere.
nomad420 is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2019, 10:27 pm
  #1069  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,183
Originally Posted by PanAmWT
At T3 you either use GS lobby or Clear. It makes little sense to use both. At international terminal Clear is much better because most of the time you are moved to the beginning of the conveyor, skipping the line between the ID check and the convoyer.
I have only ever been brought immediately past the ID check. I have never been escorted past anyone else who was already past the ID check.

And I have a ton of experience at SFO international G.
wxguy and ainternational like this.
canadiancow is offline  
Old Aug 13, 2019, 8:50 am
  #1070  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 513
GPU upgrade within 72 hours with plenty polaris seats left

Quick question, as i am getting a weird GS call center experience. I am looking to change to a different flight with lots of open polaris seats to ensure my waitlisted GPUs. The GS call center rep thinks she can only clear me and not my companions, even though they are all on GS account GPUs and post clearing us all there would be 3+ seats left to sell. HUACA?
FTLexMUC is offline  
Old Aug 13, 2019, 9:02 am
  #1071  
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 488
Originally Posted by FTLexMUC
Quick question, as i am getting a weird GS call center experience. I am looking to change to a different flight with lots of open polaris seats to ensure my waitlisted GPUs. The GS call center rep thinks she can only clear me and not my companions, even though they are all on GS account GPUs and post clearing us all there would be 3+ seats left to sell. HUACA?
yes.
FTLexMUC likes this.
Kleinnaf is offline  
Old Aug 13, 2019, 12:24 pm
  #1072  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 513
Originally Posted by FTLexMUC
Quick question, as i am getting a weird GS call center experience. I am looking to change to a different flight with lots of open polaris seats to ensure my waitlisted GPUs. The GS call center rep thinks she can only clear me and not my companions, even though they are all on GS account GPUs and post clearing us all there would be 3+ seats left to sell. HUACA?
Originally Posted by Kleinnaf
yes.
Well that worked.

On the call the rep had to get a supervisor involved but the call - in hindsight fortuitously - got disconnected. I called again and got the most amazing GS rep who moved us all to a different flight and cleared the upgrades!
FTLexMUC is offline  
Old Aug 13, 2019, 3:04 pm
  #1073  
 
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: 3,605
Originally Posted by FTLexMUC
Well that worked.

On the call the rep had to get a supervisor involved but the call - in hindsight fortuitously - got disconnected. I called again and got the most amazing GS rep who moved us all to a different flight and cleared the upgrades!
I guess you look at this as good and bad. I have also had to most amazing diverse calls the GS desk. Similar stuff, agents saying no way that can't be done and then a call back later and all is seemingly OK. I have to believe some people working the GS desk are not trained and don't know the GS benefits basically at all. Pretty hard to blame them as it is tough for many including myself.
nomad420 is offline  
Old Aug 13, 2019, 5:16 pm
  #1074  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,819
Originally Posted by canadiancow
I have only ever been brought immediately past the ID check. I have never been escorted past anyone else who was already past the ID check.

And I have a ton of experience at SFO international G.
You are right. I should have said that because the terminal G right line is very short physically after ID check, past ID check there are usually very few people ahead of me. Namely, I am practically dropped at the beginning of the conveyer, while others may be held up by the TSA agent who would wait until there is room to allow more people to get in. On the other hand, other Precheck lines can be long after ID check, so the TSA agent continue to let in people, the result is more people waiting between the ID check and the conveyer.
Thank you for your correction.
canadiancow likes this.
PanAmWT is offline  
Old Aug 14, 2019, 3:22 pm
  #1075  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: CLE
Programs: NEXUS, MileagePlus Silver, Frontier Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 263
After September, I will have 131,000 PQM and $29,500. I am based in CLE. Most of the spending has been on United metal, just two transatlantic flights weren't (one on OS and one on LH). Have some other shorter intra-European/African/Asian flights in there on LH/OS/NH. I also had one entire itinerary to/from AMM on a TK ticket (so no PQM counted). What are my odds of GS? I know $30k is mentioned a lot, but not all of my flights are on UA metal. Most international flights were in business class and the few domestic were cheap economy.
trmbn65 is offline  
Old Aug 14, 2019, 3:32 pm
  #1076  
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: 4,375
Originally Posted by trmbn65
After September, I will have 131,000 PQM and $29,500. I am based in CLE. Most of the spending has been on United metal, just two transatlantic flights weren't (one on OS and one on LH). Have some other shorter intra-European/African/Asian flights in there on LH/OS/NH. I also had one entire itinerary to/from AMM on a TK ticket (so no PQM counted). What are my odds of GS? I know $30k is mentioned a lot, but not all of my flights are on UA metal. Most international flights were in business class and the few domestic were cheap economy.
The conventional wisdom is you need +/- $50K spend on UA metal. There are likely other factors (home base, etc.) but $30K is not going to cut it, especially if not all on UA birds. PQM is likely not relevant at all.
wxguy is offline  
Old Aug 14, 2019, 3:41 pm
  #1077  
 
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: 3,605
Originally Posted by wxguy
The conventional wisdom is you need +/- $50K spend on UA metal. There are likely other factors (home base, etc.) but $30K is not going to cut it, especially if not all on UA birds. PQM is likely not relevant at all.
Agree, and would again add that UA metal is really only counted. 3 years back I think I had about $40K (out of SFO) on UA metal but another $30K on *A and thought that would cut it.... wrong. No GS ring, even posted about my frustration.
nomad420 is offline  
Old Aug 14, 2019, 4:29 pm
  #1078  
LIH
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,051
Originally Posted by trmbn65
After September, I will have 131,000 PQM and $29,500. I am based in CLE. Most of the spending has been on United metal, just two transatlantic flights weren't (one on OS and one on LH). Have some other shorter intra-European/African/Asian flights in there on LH/OS/NH. I also had one entire itinerary to/from AMM on a TK ticket (so no PQM counted). What are my odds of GS? I know $30k is mentioned a lot, but not all of my flights are on UA metal. Most international flights were in business class and the few domestic were cheap economy.
Agreed with those above. Years when I have been in the low to mid-30s I've missed while years when I've been in the mid 40s to 50s I've made it mostly dependent on the last few years of spend.
LIH is offline  
Old Aug 14, 2019, 5:00 pm
  #1079  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Originally Posted by wxguy
The conventional wisdom is you need +/- $50K spend on UA metal. There are likely other factors (home base, etc.) but $30K is not going to cut it, especially if not all on UA birds. PQM is likely not relevant at all.
I think $40K on UA metal in non-hub cities like BOS would make it. :-)
kb1992 is offline  
Old Aug 14, 2019, 5:46 pm
  #1080  
Ari
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,509
Originally Posted by trmbn65
I know $30k is mentioned a lot . . .
It is? Renewed hovering just above there (all UA revenue) a few years here and there combined with really low PQMs, but the number most commonly thrown around is $50,000 in conjunction with significant revenue over previous multiple consecutive years. I don't think we've seen a report of $30k for a new invite . . .
Ari is offline  

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