Dec 31, 2019, 7:53 am
Last edit by: wxguy
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.
Last year's thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2019]
Thread on 2020 Global Services Notifications
Thread on 2020 Global Services Qualification Discussion
Known facts concerning qualification and eligibility from United:
Thread on 2020 Global Services Notifications
Thread on 2020 Global Services Qualification Discussion
Known facts concerning qualification and eligibility from United:
Quote:
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.
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 (PlusPoints or miles) 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)
- Effective January 2021, GS members who do not have a United Club membership may access United Clubs on domestic itineraries, but no guests are permitted.
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 PlusPoints 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 (miles/co-pay or PlusPoints) 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 (PlusPoints or miles) 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
- According to GS Customer Service, a GS on a paid coach fare using an instrument will clear into Polaris business before a lower-status passenger with a paid PremiumPlus fare (i.e. O, A, R). In other words, for example, a paid O, A, R for a 1K will got give higher priority than a GS with a W fare if both are using 40 PlusPoints. This is true even on the gate waitlist.
- Post 12/12/2019, agents have been instructed that they can only grant a companion exception for one segment per ticket. Thus, if you have a roundtrip premium fare, they will only open saver space, or force an upgrade, for one segment. This means you must either waitlist (if upgrading) or use a standard award, for the remaining segments.
Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions, Experiences [2020]
Mar 10, 2020, 4:04 pm
#556
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Mar 10, 2020, 4:55 pm
#557
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
When finishing a call with GS today, the agent asked me if I had a wait for her to answer. I replied that she picked up immediately. She said, "Good, as we've been asked to work overtime to keep wait times to a minimum for GS customers."
Mar 10, 2020, 5:42 pm
#558
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: QSF
Programs: UA GS 1.1MM | Marriott Lifetime Titanium | National EE
Posts: 621
I called a GS agent over the weekend to make some changes to upcoming trips, and she told me that there are actually five levels of GS. This makes sense to me, I was just unaware of this being an actual thing that (perhaps) agents can see. Does anyone know more about this and/or is there info in a thread somewhere that I may have missed?
Mar 10, 2020, 8:15 pm
#559
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
I called a GS agent over the weekend to make some changes to upcoming trips, and she told me that there are actually five levels of GS. This makes sense to me, I was just unaware of this being an actual thing that (perhaps) agents can see. Does anyone know more about this and/or is there info in a thread somewhere that I may have missed?
5) MM Companions
4) Corporate Giveaways
3) Barely Earned It (or rookie)
2) Solidly Earned It (or veteran)
1) Tom Stuker (VVIP)
Mar 10, 2020, 9:21 pm
#560
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
I highly doubt this.
Mar 10, 2020, 11:27 pm
#561
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Ah, the good old rumors resurface during times of business downturn. I can imagine the messages out to agents ... “now is a good time to remind GS callers we have several secret levels - keep flying to unlock the new level”. Maybe it controlled who got the MOVA globes?
As for the secret levels? This legendary post from bmwe92fan still gives me immense joy and stands out as one of the best GS posts. My spouse still asks me if they qualify as a GSS
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/26228844-post267.html
As for the secret levels? This legendary post from bmwe92fan still gives me immense joy and stands out as one of the best GS posts. My spouse still asks me if they qualify as a GSS
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/26228844-post267.html
Mar 11, 2020, 7:58 am
#562
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
DYKNWKGSIA
Do You Know What Kind (of) GS I Am
Do You Know What Kind (of) GS I Am
Mar 11, 2020, 9:27 am
#563
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
My company cut all international and non-biz critical domestic travel this week due to corona virus precaution. This combined with 3 months of paternity leave this year may cause me to end up missing GS. Wonder if United will take Corona virus impact into account when giving out GS invites at the end of this year.
All international biz trips canceled till at least April 1. I've barely been traveling this year. I may not make it either.
Mar 11, 2020, 12:49 pm
#565
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 53
My company cut all international and non-biz critical domestic travel this week due to corona virus precaution. This combined with 3 months of paternity leave this year may cause me to end up missing GS. Wonder if United will take Corona virus impact into account when giving out GS invites at the end of this year.
Mar 11, 2020, 9:22 pm
#566
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Washington DC
Programs: United 1MM, Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Platinum)
Posts: 320
Well the effective cancellation of all travel to/from Europe will have a big impact on people's spend, miles earned, elite qualification and United's revenue. I think it is too soon to tell what will happen and what actions/accommodations United takes with respect to qualification in 2021....
Mar 11, 2020, 11:06 pm
#567
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Agent was very nice, but incredibly slow - took over 30 mins to book a single MP award. Could have been a general res overflow agent.
Still glad to get it done, as website constantly errored out.
I called a GS agent over the weekend to make some changes to upcoming trips, and she told me that there are actually five levels of GS. This makes sense to me, I was just unaware of this being an actual thing that (perhaps) agents can see. Does anyone know more about this and/or is there info in a thread somewhere that I may have missed?
Mar 13, 2020, 7:05 am
#568
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Somewhere in EWR
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond
Posts: 858
Odd, yesterday I was twice in a row put through to the non-status line until the system finally connected me with a GS agent who I waited for about 6-7 minutes for.
Mar 31, 2020, 5:00 pm
#569
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,115
Marriott Platinum
My Global Services status in recent years has matched to Platinum with Marriott. Just logged into Marriott today and noticed that I dropped to Gold. I already have gold thru a credit card. Anyone know if Marriott dropped UA GS from Platinum or if there's something I need to do to restore Platinum?
Mar 31, 2020, 5:30 pm
#570
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: 66,854
My Global Services status in recent years has matched to Platinum with Marriott. Just logged into Marriott today and noticed that I dropped to Gold. I already have gold thru a credit card. Anyone know if Marriott dropped UA GS from Platinum or if there's something I need to do to restore Platinum?
RewardsPlus - Comp'ed Marriot/UA status {UA comp'ed status now Marriott Gold- 3Mar19}
GS posting