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Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions, Experiences [2022]

Old Dec 31, 2021, 11:08 pm
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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):
  • 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.
Additional Known Award and Upgrade Benefits (many unpublished)

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.)
Reported caveats & YMMV situations on unpublished benefits
  • 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.
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Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions, Experiences [2022]

Old Jun 19, 2022, 6:51 pm
  #631  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: EWR
Programs: Latam Pass Black; UA 1K, 1MM; Marriott LT
Posts: 298
Never been a problem at EWR.
LimeyFlyer is offline  
Old Jun 19, 2022, 8:59 pm
  #632  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,852
Called GS line at 11 pm Thursday night (at the end of day 1 of the east coast meltdown) which happened to be immediately upon deplaning due to a late cancellation - and waited on hold for 45 minutes. Decided to try another call so I put that call on hold and called the GS number again on another line. The second call was answered in 10 minutes, but the agent was worthless. When the second call ended the original call was still in the queue waiting. I found that almost as troubling as the worthless agent and twenty hour delay. I was too tired by that time to wait on hold any longer for another agent so I gave up. Called again Friday morning and got an agent who knew what she was doing. Got protected on an alternative flight that was showing as sold out when I searched. Eventually made it home, a day late.
Air Houston is offline  
Old Jun 19, 2022, 9:09 pm
  #633  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Mlife NOIR
Posts: 320
Called GS last night and was quoted 10 minutes. Ended up waiting nearly 40 minutes before I was connected to someone. At least the agent was helpful.
UAflyer93 is offline  
Old Jun 19, 2022, 10:57 pm
  #634  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 458
Has anyone been through LHR recently and know how they are handling GS with respect to the crazy security lines? Have heard of lines stretching outside T2 and even Gold track / expedited taking 30-40 minutes. However, heard from someone that they may be escorting GS through or something similar. Any experience with this and how to find the appropriate GS folks without waiting in the bag check queue?
n8-the-gr8 is offline  
Old Jun 20, 2022, 3:29 am
  #635  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA 1k (12 year fallen GS) 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,190
Originally Posted by n8-the-gr8
Has anyone been through LHR recently and know how they are handling GS with respect to the crazy security lines? Have heard of lines stretching outside T2 and even Gold track / expedited taking 30-40 minutes. However, heard from someone that they may be escorting GS through or something similar. Any experience with this and how to find the appropriate GS folks without waiting in the bag check queue?
I literally just came through - Gold track was empty - regular security was out the door. From curb to lounge was 15 minutes. They are finally starting to get things sorted out - but its still a mess (if you dont have gold track)
uanj, Dyce and n8-the-gr8 like this.
bmwe92fan is offline  
Old Jun 20, 2022, 7:04 am
  #636  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,633
Seeing lots of PN availability on LAX/SFO<->SYD in August. Figured this was best thread to use.
kirkwoodj is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 5:29 am
  #637  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,773
Is there a dedicated GS check-in line at AMS or just 1K, Polaris, etc.? Traveling AMS-ORD on Saturday and want to play it safe for check-in, security, immigration for an 11am flight. Carry-on only FWIW
limey1K is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 6:36 am
  #638  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,633
Originally Posted by limey1K
Is there a dedicated GS check-in line at AMS or just 1K, Polaris, etc.? Traveling AMS-ORD on Saturday and want to play it safe for check-in, security, immigration for an 11am flight. Carry-on only FWIW
No need to visit the desk then. I breezed through priority security a couple weeks ago, never visited desk since carry-on only as well.
kirkwoodj is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 6:44 am
  #639  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,773
Originally Posted by kirkwoodj
No need to visit the desk then. I breezed through priority security a couple weeks ago, never visited desk since carry-on only as well.
I'm a sucker for a back-up paper copy of my BP though :-) I'll try and get through without one for this trip and save the stop! Kiosk maybe?
kirkwoodj likes this.

Last edited by limey1K; Jun 21, 2022 at 6:45 am Reason: Added comment
limey1K is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 7:03 am
  #640  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IAH & CMH
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Uber Platinum :)
Posts: 764
Originally Posted by limey1K
I'm a sucker for a back-up paper copy of my BP though :-) I'll try and get through without one for this trip and save the stop! Kiosk maybe?
Print at home or office? If I recall, there was no GS check-in at AMS, just have to slum it with the other Polaris pax
limey1K likes this.
Dyce is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 11:19 pm
  #641  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ORD / PHX
Programs: UA LT 1K 3MM (former 12 yr GS), Bonvoy Amb/LT Plat
Posts: 1,332
I was told today thepush through PP upgrade at 72 hours is now limited to one way/one segment.
Is this true or should I HUCA?
I understand that is the case on forcing a Saver ticket with a paid biz, but had no idea of the 72 hr thing in a simple PP upgrade!😡
tcdtcd is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 11:43 pm
  #642  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,851
Originally Posted by bmwe92fan
I literally just came through - Gold track was empty - regular security was out the door. From curb to lounge was 15 minutes. They are finally starting to get things sorted out - but its still a mess (if you dont have gold track)
A month ago there I had hardly any wait. But the guy checking me in at LHR GS check-in was about the most disengaged, uninterested-in-his-work kind of person I have encourtered at a GS check in area.
uanj is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2022, 11:46 pm
  #643  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,018
Originally Posted by tcdtcd
I was told today thepush through PP upgrade at 72 hours is now limited to one way/one segment.
Is this true or should I HUCA?
I understand that is the case on forcing a Saver ticket with a paid biz, but had no idea of the 72 hr thing in a simple PP upgrade!😡
HUCA - there is so much confusion on this point now. They get lost in their agent internet site, called Wingtips, and confuse all the various scenarios. I am realizing now that half the time I am kept on hold for 20 minutes it is because an agent is poring through Wingtips.
greenpau is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 6:00 am
  #644  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,773
I posted in the Consolidated Chances of my Upgrade clearing thread about some issues I'm having with the UG list and my mother's position on it but some of that conversation is pertinent here. I've spent 90 minutes on trying to get this figured out. More detail over in that thread.

I was just told that Premier Plus upgrades are ranked by the MP members status and not the status of the person applying the PP. My mother is #20 on the Premier Plus list and #5 on the Polaris list. I asked her how that can be and she explained that PP originating account source are relevant to ranking on the Polaris list but my GS PP have no relevance on where she sits on the Premier Plus list. I challenged and she said she been on the phone talking to everyone and that's how it works.
limey1K is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2022, 6:10 am
  #645  
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 488
Originally Posted by limey1K
I posted in the Consolidated Chances of my Upgrade clearing thread about some issues I'm having with the UG list and my mother's position on it but some of that conversation is pertinent here. I've spent 90 minutes on trying to get this figured out. More detail over in that thread.

I was just told that Premier Plus upgrades are ranked by the MP members status and not the status of the person applying the PP. My mother is #20 on the Premier Plus list and #5 on the Polaris list. I asked her how that can be and she explained that PP originating account source are relevant to ranking on the Polaris list but my GS PP have no relevance on where she sits on the Premier Plus list. I challenged and she said she been on the phone talking to everyone and that's how it works.
THe agent is correct, GS sponsored Pp only goes higher on list for Polaris PN VS PZ..
While premium is RN for everyone.
Kleinnaf is offline  

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