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]
Jun 2, 2022, 7:35 am
#511
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,884
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.
Jun 2, 2022, 8:29 am
#512
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Washington DC
Programs: United 1MM, Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Platinum)
Posts: 320
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 2, 2022, 1:14 pm
#513
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
Always required the same fare class to be available. They do open up some availability at T-24 though my sense (purely anecdotally) is that this has pulled back significantly in recent years both potentially as a policy change and also due to increased load factors. It used to be (say 2012 to 2017) that within 24 hours I could almost always SDC for free unless the flight was sold out or nearly sold out. Now that is rarely the case at T-24. There's an additional "opening" around 3 hours prior to departure which is much broader but leaves little flexibility unless you're ready to head to the airport or already there.
Jun 2, 2022, 2:05 pm
#514
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,802
Always required the same fare class to be available. They do open up some availability at T-24 though my sense (purely anecdotally) is that this has pulled back significantly in recent years both potentially as a policy change and also due to increased load factors. It used to be (say 2012 to 2017) that within 24 hours I could almost always SDC for free unless the flight was sold out or nearly sold out. Now that is rarely the case at T-24. There's an additional "opening" around 3 hours prior to departure which is much broader but leaves little flexibility unless you're ready to head to the airport or already there.
Jun 2, 2022, 2:34 pm
#515
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
I had a similar situation last year where I wanted to move flights. Paid for First and there was no availability - they said the only option for free was to downgrade to coach (they kept me in a high fare class). I cared enough about the change that I went for it and only out of pure luck snagged the one seat that CPU'd at the gate. Silly for a GS but they really don't move on that apparently...
Jun 2, 2022, 3:46 pm
#516
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,802
I had a similar situation last year where I wanted to move flights. Paid for First and there was no availability - they said the only option for free was to downgrade to coach (they kept me in a high fare class). I cared enough about the change that I went for it and only out of pure luck snagged the one seat that CPU'd at the gate. Silly for a GS but they really don't move on that apparently...
SLC-DEN boarding today was the now standard military, GS and 1K all on one breath, followed two seconds later with families with small children.
Jun 2, 2022, 4:15 pm
#517
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: 66,850
So, a GS should expect UA to discount flights as a benefit? Say one had a FFC and it was short $1K for a flight, UA should waiver the difference?
Jun 2, 2022, 10:11 pm
#518
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Mlife NOIR
Posts: 320
Direct flight from west coast to EWR cancelled for tomorrow. System automatically rebooked me on a connecting flight through SFO and my companion via IAH. App not giving any good options. Just tried calling GS line and quoted 30 minute wait.
Jun 2, 2022, 10:41 pm
#519
Join Date: May 2002
Location: US
Programs: UA GS 2MM
Posts: 1,737
Similar situation. Just got a note my international flight is delayed 7 hours. Tried to call and the system quoted a 30-minute wait time. Crazy.
Jun 3, 2022, 1:01 am
#520
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Mlife NOIR
Posts: 320
GS has little value to me now. Got through to an agent and they would only rebook me on desired flight in business (and not my companion). Insisted my companion could only be rebooked in economy because they had been booked in economy with a confirmed upgrade to business. Trying to HUCA but on hold for 30 minutes again.
Jun 3, 2022, 9:52 am
#521
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
Although, in line with your specific example I was able to get the GS team to open up a sold out fare class for me that saved me $1k on a flight last year. My rationale was very weak in that I was experiencing some odd website behavior and I suspect the fare bucket sold out before I could purchase the ticket. But they made an exception to save me money - so they do make exceptions like that... My example shouldn't be an "expected benefit" but it is a great example of above and beyond service many have come to expect from GS and are receiving less and less over the years.
Jun 3, 2022, 10:11 am
#522
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: 66,850
... Although, in line with your specific example I was able to get the GS team to open up a sold out fare class for me that saved me $1k on a flight last year. My rationale was very weak in that I was experiencing some odd website behavior and I suspect the fare bucket sold out before I could purchase the ticket. But they made an exception to save me money - so they do make exceptions like that...
Jun 3, 2022, 11:22 am
#523
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IAH & CMH
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Uber Platinum :)
Posts: 773
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 3, 2022, 1:31 pm
#524
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,822
Is this the new preboarding order? I thought it was GS, then family with/2-, then 1K. So all these GA's excuses that GS and 1K were called together is not an excuse.
Jun 3, 2022, 1:41 pm
#525
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
GS is going the way of the dodo. Sauve qui peut!!