Dec 31, 2021, 11:08 pm
Last edit by: st530
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 [2021]
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.
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):
Most benefits noted below require calling a GS agent:
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 [2021]
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.
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 with fastest pickup times, 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 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.
Most 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. United-operated flights only. Can now be completed online/via the app, in most circumstances.
- 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 for one segment of the itinerary 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, and for one segment in the itinerary, per caveats noted below. 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. (Note: VIP Lounges in NRT and HKG remain closed due to Covid-19; LHR VIP now open.)
- 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 not 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 round trip journey. 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 [2022]
May 31, 2022, 12:10 pm
#496
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
May 31, 2022, 12:46 pm
#497
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
May 31, 2022, 1:30 pm
#498
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,548
Just boarded at ABQ...announced 1Ks first and said Global in the same breath after 1Ks so of course a mad dash ensued. I mentioned, nicely, Globals should normally be called first and she said yeah we appreciate iate you all.
Not a huge issue for me today as I have an entire row of first with family, but the rush was comical. I am not sure why it is so hard to follow a checklist. They did board firefighters with military which was nice. Big round of applause since the fires in NM have been so difficult to fight.
Not a huge issue for me today as I have an entire row of first with family, but the rush was comical. I am not sure why it is so hard to follow a checklist. They did board firefighters with military which was nice. Big round of applause since the fires in NM have been so difficult to fight.
May 31, 2022, 1:56 pm
#499
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,319
May 31, 2022, 4:49 pm
#500
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
Just boarded at ABQ...announced 1Ks first and said Global in the same breath after 1Ks so of course a mad dash ensued. I mentioned, nicely, Globals should normally be called first and she said yeah we appreciate iate you all.
Not a huge issue for me today as I have an entire row of first with family, but the rush was comical. I am not sure why it is so hard to follow a checklist. They did board firefighters with military which was nice. Big round of applause since the fires in NM have been so difficult to fight.
Not a huge issue for me today as I have an entire row of first with family, but the rush was comical. I am not sure why it is so hard to follow a checklist. They did board firefighters with military which was nice. Big round of applause since the fires in NM have been so difficult to fight.
May 31, 2022, 5:03 pm
#501
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: United Mileage Plus 1K, 1MM, 1.8 MM, IC RA
Posts: 45
I think if they called 1K before GS, I’d be on the move and not wait for the GS call. Nicely, of course!
May 31, 2022, 5:18 pm
#502
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
Oh, I did but, as I tend to hang back a little and not be “that guy” hovering over the boarding podium, the rush in front of me was impenetrable as 1K had been called.
May 31, 2022, 5:31 pm
#503
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
Don’t get me started on this topic! It’s pretty simple to read the words, wait 20 seconds to see if anyone approaches. I posted earlier this week that I was on a flight with 76 on the upgrade list on an A320. She called 1K before GS and I ended up 20 or so people back in the scrum, seated in 3A, had to stow my bag in the Y cabin and then swim back upstream because of this. If it’s a perk, make it a perk and let us use it. It may just be more of the erosion we’ve seen elsewhere.
Jun 1, 2022, 3:26 am
#504
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: UA GS; AF Plat; AA EXP
Posts: 62
Quick question on clearing within 72h. My understanding of this rule is that this applies also to companions — correct? I am within 72h of a trip with 5 companions on a flight that has at least 9 J seats left for sale, and we are at the top of the waitlist (all my GS PP). We're all in W, with PP applied. The agent I called told me this rule only applies to myself and a companion, not all 6 of us. Is the agent correct? Or does this rule apply to all companions, provided the conditions (top of waitlist, and two J seats left after clearing all) are met?
> 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 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.
Jun 1, 2022, 3:49 am
#505
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
Quick question on clearing within 72h. My understanding of this rule is that this applies also to companions — correct? I am within 72h of a trip with 5 companions on a flight that has at least 9 J seats left for sale, and we are at the top of the waitlist (all my GS PP). We're all in W, with PP applied. The agent I called told me this rule only applies to myself and a companion, not all 6 of us. Is the agent correct? Or does this rule apply to all companions, provided the conditions (top of waitlist, and two J seats left after clearing all) are met?
> 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 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.
Jun 1, 2022, 12:43 pm
#506
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
No 20 second pause is even needed if you simply look up, check for movement towards the boarding door, and wait if so, or move on immediately if not (maybe save for disabilities). Equally bothers me when they follow correct order but rush through so quickly without looking up that they've moved to 1K before I could pace forward 10 steps to the scanner.
Jun 1, 2022, 4:56 pm
#507
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
I have seen an amazing amount of variability between GAs when doing the preboarding. At IAD last week, the proper order was announced, and someone tried to board when GS was called (cut in front of me) and the GA politely told him to stand aside and wait for his group to be called. He waved at me to come over and board (he knew I was GS because I cleared into the last F seat about 10 mins earlier). This morning in TPA, the GA boarded the 7 wheelchairs and then called active duty military, and then in one breath families with children 2 and under (there were a lot!), GS, and 1K. Talk about a mad dash. I am like another poster above who doesn't like to be "that guy" who stands very close prior to boarding. I hover nearby and move stealthily forward as the first two preboard groups are called. Today was just a cluster.
Jun 1, 2022, 10:05 pm
#508
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
I want to get on an earlier flight tomorrow. Its showing J3. Called in and had a 24 min wait for a GS agent. She said sorry we're really busy and short staffed. I am on D fare and asked to be put on the earlier J3 available flight. She told me that wasn't possible as its showing "no space available". I asked if she was showing J3 and she said yes but it wouldn't allow her to move me to one of those seats without paying a fare difference of $922. Someone please tell me where the value is in GS???????
Jun 1, 2022, 10:39 pm
#509
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
I want to get on an earlier flight tomorrow. Its showing J3. Called in and had a 24 min wait for a GS agent. She said sorry we're really busy and short staffed. I am on D fare and asked to be put on the earlier J3 available flight. She told me that wasn't possible as its showing "no space available". I asked if she was showing J3 and she said yes but it wouldn't allow her to move me to one of those seats without paying a fare difference of $922. Someone please tell me where the value is in GS???????
Jun 1, 2022, 11:10 pm
#510
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
Annoying on principal given how much money GS members dump into United normally, although this isn't technically a benefit of GS correct? I've tried moving flights within 24 hours of departure and, aside from IRROPS or other situations, am at the liberty of the free same-day change policy which I've always understood to require the same fare bucket to be available. Just curious.