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]
Aug 6, 2020, 12:15 pm
#676
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
I have only flown from DEN once or twice and never as a GS - does it have a check in lobby like EWR/ORD?
I will be dropping wife and kid off at terminal and going to rental car drop off and coming back - we shouldn't be in a rush - we should all have pre check, but only I have clear if that helps
I will be dropping wife and kid off at terminal and going to rental car drop off and coming back - we shouldn't be in a rush - we should all have pre check, but only I have clear if that helps
Aug 7, 2020, 9:05 pm
#677
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
I have only flown from DEN once or twice and never as a GS - does it have a check in lobby like EWR/ORD?
I will be dropping wife and kid off at terminal and going to rental car drop off and coming back - we shouldn't be in a rush - we should all have pre check, but only I have clear if that helps
I will be dropping wife and kid off at terminal and going to rental car drop off and coming back - we shouldn't be in a rush - we should all have pre check, but only I have clear if that helps
security used to always be a mess but it was a short line when I was there a few weeks ago - although I was there very early in the morning
Sep 5, 2020, 11:25 am
#678
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
Anyone recently able to push through PlusPoints T-72 hr while GS not traveling
I know there was a policy change a while back
However a friend mentioned he was still able to recently.
I know there was a policy change a while back
However a friend mentioned he was still able to recently.
Sep 5, 2020, 2:02 pm
#679
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Washington DC
Programs: United 1MM, Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Platinum)
Posts: 320
I called the GS number for a trip where I tried to upgrade my parents with PP (I was not traveling) at the 72 hour point. Lots of open seats in First. GS agent spent a few minutes typing and was able to confirm the upgrades were processed. Not sure if it was a policy issue or just a nice agent or fact F was empty, but I was grateful.
Sep 5, 2020, 2:07 pm
#680
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
I called the GS number for a trip where I tried to upgrade my parents with PP (I was not traveling) at the 72 hour point. Lots of open seats in First. GS agent spent a few minutes typing and was able to confirm the upgrades were processed. Not sure if it was a policy issue or just a nice agent or fact F was empty, but I was grateful.
Sep 11, 2020, 7:15 pm
#681
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
Flying first time in 6 months next week. Does anybody know if the GS checkin in Denver is open?
Sep 12, 2020, 6:08 am
#682
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,178
Sep 12, 2020, 9:45 am
#684
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
I've had a bunch of telephone calls to the GS line recently. The service has been fast and efficient, with knowledgeable agents. It was great to be connected a number of times to long-time GS agent "Comfort," who is one of the best of the best.
Sep 12, 2020, 1:30 pm
#685
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
I would normally just press the "like" button, but I have to add my praise of "Comfort" on the GS line. She is awesome and really knows what she is doing. She was from the Dearborn office who is now working from home. A true gem.
Sep 12, 2020, 11:41 pm
#686
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
+1000 on this one. Always a relief when you get her on the line.
Sep 13, 2020, 12:17 am
#687
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
Sep 13, 2020, 12:33 am
#688
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,178
I went from being GS for years...flying every few days through January...to zero activity. Zilch for now 8 months...the longest I've gone without any travel for as long as I can remember.
While I'm probably in the same boat as many, I'm surprised I haven't received any targeted offers to get me back on board. Before or diring COVID, have you received any bonus offers to travel more than you do/have ...as GS?
While I'm probably in the same boat as many, I'm surprised I haven't received any targeted offers to get me back on board. Before or diring COVID, have you received any bonus offers to travel more than you do/have ...as GS?
Sep 13, 2020, 3:13 am
#689
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 489
I went from being GS for years...flying every few days through January...to zero activity. Zilch for now 8 months...the longest I've gone without any travel for as long as I can remember.
While I'm probably in the same boat as many, I'm surprised I haven't received any targeted offers to get me back on board. Before or diring COVID, have you received any bonus offers to travel more than you do/have ...as GS?
While I'm probably in the same boat as many, I'm surprised I haven't received any targeted offers to get me back on board. Before or diring COVID, have you received any bonus offers to travel more than you do/have ...as GS?
One thing I found very surprising those of us that are traveling at least in my experience are getting very little recognition both at the airport and on board.
I'm not one for DYKWIA
However after about ~15 flights in the last 3 months both international and domestic I feel like they (UA) isn't doing much for frequent flyers at all.
Sep 13, 2020, 4:33 am
#690
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SFO/LIS
Programs: UA 1MM GS, Delta Skymiles Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 145
PR nightmare to incentivize people to travel no?
One thing I found very surprising those of us that are traveling at least in my experience are getting very little recognition both at the airport and on board.
I'm not one for DYKWIA
However after about ~15 flights in the last 3 months both international and domestic I feel like they (UA) isn't doing much for frequent flyers at all.
One thing I found very surprising those of us that are traveling at least in my experience are getting very little recognition both at the airport and on board.
I'm not one for DYKWIA
However after about ~15 flights in the last 3 months both international and domestic I feel like they (UA) isn't doing much for frequent flyers at all.