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 31, 2020, 6:29 pm
#571
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,115
reply
This happened sometime ago (Last March 2019?) and GS no longer get Marriott Plat status,
RewardsPlus - Comp'ed Marriot/UA status {UA comp'ed status now Marriott Gold- 3Mar19}
GS posting
RewardsPlus - Comp'ed Marriot/UA status {UA comp'ed status now Marriott Gold- 3Mar19}
GS posting
Mar 31, 2020, 9:32 pm
#572
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Gold
Posts: 174
The bar to get the big benefits in the hotel space is (back to) high.
Apr 1, 2020, 12:35 am
#573
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
I extended some of my PlusPoints to expire in April, intending to use them on a trip to Europe. With Coronavirus on the loose, I am uncertain about traveling with my partner to Europe in April. Is there any experience with a further extension of the PlusPoints until the virus situation has become more settled?
She then came back saying that MP has not received instructions to extend the +Pts. But do call again around 4/15 to see if the +Pts can be extended.
Apr 6, 2020, 5:42 am
#574
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: United GS, SQ PPS
Posts: 20
OK, the email arrived this morning outlining how United will handle FF status. IMO, pretty balanced under the circumstances. But it specifically calls out that the 1 year extension of status only applies to “published” statuses. This feels like a fairly explicit warning to GS status fliers to not count on an extension, even though we have all been grounded.
Anyone have additional intel on how GS will be handled?
Anyone have additional intel on how GS will be handled?
Apr 6, 2020, 6:44 am
#575
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,700
OK, the email arrived this morning outlining how United will handle FF status. IMO, pretty balanced under the circumstances. But it specifically calls out that the 1 year extension of status only applies to “published” statuses. This feels like a fairly explicit warning to GS status fliers to not count on an extension, even though we have all been grounded.
Anyone have additional intel on how GS will be handled?
Anyone have additional intel on how GS will be handled?
Apr 6, 2020, 6:55 am
#576
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
OK, the email arrived this morning outlining how United will handle FF status. IMO, pretty balanced under the circumstances. But it specifically calls out that the 1 year extension of status only applies to “published” statuses. This feels like a fairly explicit warning to GS status fliers to not count on an extension, even though we have all been grounded.
Anyone have additional intel on how GS will be handled?
Anyone have additional intel on how GS will be handled?
This line in the email seems even more explicit:
At a minimum, you will enjoy the same published status next year that you have today, up to Premier 1K®. (You will see this reflected in your account in the coming weeks.)
Apr 6, 2020, 7:42 am
#577
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco, California
Programs: Amex Centurion, United Global Services
Posts: 847
I keep trying to convince myself that they aren't mentioning GS because it doesn't apply to 99.9% of the readers. Maybe they will send us a special note.
For me I won't e traveling at BEST until mid May based on skittish company and customer, don't think I can pull off the spend in six months. If they keep the usual spend requirement it would root out a high amount of GS for next year.
I suppose that means they might lower their spend requirements and pro-rate it for the rest of the year. So if you usually spend $5k a month and just slip into getting GS each year, you just need to start spending your $5k a month again starting in May or June. So $30-35k spend in 2020.
For me I won't e traveling at BEST until mid May based on skittish company and customer, don't think I can pull off the spend in six months. If they keep the usual spend requirement it would root out a high amount of GS for next year.
I suppose that means they might lower their spend requirements and pro-rate it for the rest of the year. So if you usually spend $5k a month and just slip into getting GS each year, you just need to start spending your $5k a month again starting in May or June. So $30-35k spend in 2020.
Last edited by DMSFCA; Apr 6, 2020 at 7:48 am
Apr 6, 2020, 7:47 am
#578
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
OK, the email arrived this morning outlining how United will handle FF status. IMO, pretty balanced under the circumstances. But it specifically calls out that the 1 year extension of status only applies to “published” statuses. This feels like a fairly explicit warning to GS status fliers to not count on an extension, even though we have all been grounded.
Anyone have additional intel on how GS will be handled?
Anyone have additional intel on how GS will be handled?
Not surprising but disappointing. While I agree with what some have stated that just extending it undermines any incentive to fly United this year, at the same time if travel in the fall continues to be more sporadic than usual and we have nowhere near any idea what the goal post is, will it be worth consolidating 20k of spend on United vs. flying whatever is convenient/the best experience if I don’t think I’ll hit some unknown new goal post? Certainly it was always “unknown” but pretty well established if you were above 55 or 60 as a new invite you were good.
Apr 6, 2020, 10:31 am
#579
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Programs: Global Services UA 1MM , Ambassador Elite Marriott
Posts: 66
I re qual the first quarter of 2020 to premier 1k already but had to cancel all remaining trips already .... will see what happens in regards to GS status...
Apr 15, 2020, 9:22 am
#580
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS 2mm
Posts: 94
Would be an interesting turn of events if those with 1K this year got 1k status extended through 2021.... but me with GS isn't extended and I drop to premier platinum (bc 2mm) in 2021 bc my travel is likely to be close to zero for rest of the year.... 
Apr 15, 2020, 9:33 am
#581
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Washington DC
Programs: United 1MM, Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Platinum)
Posts: 320
I don't think that is going to happen. I think we would get 1K through Jan 2022 based on what we flew in 2019 (assuming what you flew/qualified for was 1K worthy when you made GS and presumably that is the case for pretty much all people except maybe some who get it as a Corporate GS nomination....
Apr 15, 2020, 9:53 am
#582
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Even if GS didn't offer a soft landing to 1K, which they generally do, the fact that you qualified for 1K in 2019 should indicate that no GS would drop below 1K next year.
Apr 15, 2020, 11:00 am
#583
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
AA extended Concierge Key status through January of 2022. Maybe when Delta does the same for 360...
Apr 15, 2020, 1:02 pm
#584
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
I'm also thinking UA might implement a 'dumbbell' strategy -- heavily leaning on premium tickets.
Dumbbell Side 1 - Premium tickets are obviously important to an airline, but post covid they will be even more important. The more premium passengers, the sooner a route becomes cashflow positive. Once a route is cashflow positive, it's no longer a drain on UA's heavily strained corporate coffers. This is why they're keeping the pressure on GS, as GS will lead the premium ticket charge.
Dumbbell Side 2 - Once the route is profitable, UA will turn off the revenue management system and play a different game. For several months, UA will play doctor and try and cure aerophobia. The best way to cure aerophobia is to gut airfares and encourage hesitant flyers to get on planes. GS is in the front cabin, keeping the route profitable, while the back of the plane is in therapy. For the past month, I was amazed to see transcon fares as low as $91 from SFO-EWR. I think that's a harbinger of post-covid leisure fares -- for at least the remainder of 2020. Note, I do think they may put some kind of 14-day advance purchase requirement on these therapy fares, to not leave money on the table, as some Y travelers will be forced to travel last-minute.
SFO-TPE will be a great example of this. Taiwan is in great covid shape. Apple has closed its stores for weeks. There will be tremendous pressure on the September iPhone release to deliver strong numbers. I could see Apple folks alone, filling the J cabin on that 777-300 and round-trip Y fares being ~$300-$400 for the remainder of the year. Let's see...
Apr 15, 2020, 2:54 pm
#585
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
These are difficult times for frequent travelers. We thank all who are staying home to help keep our communities safe. While travel has waned, your loyalty hasn’t. And we want to make sure you’re rewarded and recognized for it today and in the future.
To support members who are concerned about maintaining or qualifying for elite status in 2020, we’re offering you extra time to enjoy your hard-earned benefits.
Your Executive status will be extended.
Current Executive and Executive Elite members will receive a one-year extension and keep their status through February 28, 2022.