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]
Nov 19, 2022, 12:59 pm
#1306
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Nov 19, 2022, 2:17 pm
#1307
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
If you can't take advantage of PN because of the route flown then that GS should probably shop around if the schedule/price is attractive and you aren't bound to a corporate contract.
Nov 19, 2022, 6:12 pm
#1308
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: UA 1MM 1K/AF Plat/Marriott Titanium/Hertz PC (who isn't?)/National Exec Elite/CFA Signature
Posts: 193
These exceptions were intended to be exceptions, not the rule. Obviously United is "cracking down" not because they despise GS members, but because the informal blogosphere publication of "rules" surrounding these exceptions (such J>2) is creating expectations, and ultimately displacing revenue. Before the new restrictions kicked in, some savvy GS members were probably using the "exceptions" more like a "business class companion pass" with "coach fare co-pay". Most probably weren't. Most GS members fly a lot alone on expensive fares and occasionally want to take a family member along for the ride.
But seriously, if a flight on a route is routinely showing J4 C0-- or even J6 C0-- and the same GS member routinely snags forced seats on that flight/route for a companion (which is a realistic hypothetical), that one GS member could end up displacing significant revenue, flight after flight. The "half-roundtrip" rule at least puts some skin back in the game-- in other words, no more roundtrip "business class companion pass" with "coach fare co-pay".
It is a shame that a few savvy GS members likely decided to game the system over and over again and abuse what were truly intended to be exceptions in a way that obviously ended up being sufficiently damaging to United's bottom line that they had to start saying "no" to all GS members. Don't think for a moment that United likes saying "no" to any GS member request.
But seriously, if a flight on a route is routinely showing J4 C0-- or even J6 C0-- and the same GS member routinely snags forced seats on that flight/route for a companion (which is a realistic hypothetical), that one GS member could end up displacing significant revenue, flight after flight. The "half-roundtrip" rule at least puts some skin back in the game-- in other words, no more roundtrip "business class companion pass" with "coach fare co-pay".
It is a shame that a few savvy GS members likely decided to game the system over and over again and abuse what were truly intended to be exceptions in a way that obviously ended up being sufficiently damaging to United's bottom line that they had to start saying "no" to all GS members. Don't think for a moment that United likes saying "no" to any GS member request.
Sounds to me like all the unpublished benefits are slowly being wound down. UA must figure that the small minority of GS that even know to take advantage of said unpublished benefits are leveraging them to (too) high ROIs - I’m certainly guilty of that and I imagine I have saved as much money using the GS benefits for my family travel as my company has spent flying me around on UA. I used to buy more J tickets overall when I was 1K (not all for me that is, hence my spending so many years as a mere 1K) than I do now as a GS because the odds of clearing into J are just so high I happily play those odds and save thousands when buying tickets for my family and me.
I enjoyed it while it lasted, that’s for sure. But as much as many love to rave about CK and D360, I’m not aware of GS-like unpublished ways to (almost) guarantee J travel for Y money?
I enjoyed it while it lasted, that’s for sure. But as much as many love to rave about CK and D360, I’m not aware of GS-like unpublished ways to (almost) guarantee J travel for Y money?
Nov 19, 2022, 9:44 pm
#1309
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: PNS
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA
Posts: 700
I have no skin in this game for UA or OAL. But I think the whole deal of "unpublished benefits" might be the issue for all the Elite programs. There are so many nuances that have, are, might; be available to the members of these programs that it is unnavigable. As stated above, the majority of these members have no clue about the "exceptions" that might be available to them (sans FT members). I think the most open program is CK, followed by GS and the lowly DL 360. If they would publish actually attainable benefits that a member could bank on, and make it the "ultimate" status, I think it would work out for the better. Again, I am not a revenue management specialist, bean counter or anything of the sort, but if there was a goal to reach like all the other levels, and I had the means to do it with a Guaranteed outcome I would go for it.
An "unpublished benefit" is just a game of chance.
An "unpublished benefit" is just a game of chance.
Nov 19, 2022, 11:17 pm
#1310
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: UA LT GS 4.2 MM, AA Gold 1MM, HH Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 394
"Thanks for being one of our Global Services members. I apologize for our delay in responding. We’re experiencing a higher volume of e-mail than normal and we’re working on responding as quickly as possible."
Of course when they checked my account, they found everything had been addressed already.
Nov 20, 2022, 3:32 am
#1311
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
I decided to do more experiment. So I asked my GS co-worker about this. He logged in his account, got the PNR.
It shows 7 seats available for upgrade (PN7 now).
Apparently, united.com sometimes doesn't remember my GS status, and recognizes his GS status.
Other times my GS status is recognized since I tried to upgrade an award ticket and it went through.
This is quite interesting.
BTW, that flight on Dec.3 has shown between PN6 and PN8 for two months. So I am not really worried.
It shows 7 seats available for upgrade (PN7 now).
Apparently, united.com sometimes doesn't remember my GS status, and recognizes his GS status.
Other times my GS status is recognized since I tried to upgrade an award ticket and it went through.
This is quite interesting.
BTW, that flight on Dec.3 has shown between PN6 and PN8 for two months. So I am not really worried.
I got fed up with this, and decided to call GS. You are right that PN could disappear anytime for such flight EWR-SFO.
The GS agent canceled the upgrade request and put PP back to my account. Then she applied PP again, and it still didn't go through. Finally she manually pushed the upgrade.
She was puzzled by this too. She said it must be some system glitch.
Nov 21, 2022, 9:59 am
#1312
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS 2mm
Posts: 94
2023 GS
Does anybody remember when the early renewals for GS come through? Is it around Thanksgiving?
Nov 21, 2022, 11:04 am
#1313
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Nov 21, 2022, 11:11 am
#1314
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: BOS+SFO+SIN
Programs: UA GS 2MM+, JetBlue Mosaic, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, & Hertz PC
Posts: 113
And to follow up again, I finally got an email response today.
"Thanks for being one of our Global Services members. I apologize for our delay in responding. We’re experiencing a higher volume of e-mail than normal and we’re working on responding as quickly as possible."
Of course when they checked my account, they found everything had been addressed already.
"Thanks for being one of our Global Services members. I apologize for our delay in responding. We’re experiencing a higher volume of e-mail than normal and we’re working on responding as quickly as possible."
Of course when they checked my account, they found everything had been addressed already.
Nov 21, 2022, 12:27 pm
#1315
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
Flew ORD-LHR last night.
Lowlights: No pre-departure beverage and meals not fit for death-row prisoners.
Highlight: When they opened the door in LHR, I was paged to see the GS agent on the jetway. It was Parm, a long-time awesome agent. He told me he was going to take me in a car to immigration. Anyone who is familiar with the walk to immigration from the United gates knows it is almost like walking to Central London. The car dropped me off at the upper escalator and I was there in no time. Saved at least 20 minutes. The good news was that the wait was only about five minutes to the E-gates (sadly Fast Track is still closed) compared to the hour wait I had this summer.
So GS came through! My thanks to them.
Lowlights: No pre-departure beverage and meals not fit for death-row prisoners.
Highlight: When they opened the door in LHR, I was paged to see the GS agent on the jetway. It was Parm, a long-time awesome agent. He told me he was going to take me in a car to immigration. Anyone who is familiar with the walk to immigration from the United gates knows it is almost like walking to Central London. The car dropped me off at the upper escalator and I was there in no time. Saved at least 20 minutes. The good news was that the wait was only about five minutes to the E-gates (sadly Fast Track is still closed) compared to the hour wait I had this summer.
So GS came through! My thanks to them.
Nov 21, 2022, 1:44 pm
#1316
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
Flew ORD-LHR last night.
Lowlights: No pre-departure beverage and meals not fit for death-row prisoners.
Highlight: When they opened the door in LHR, I was paged to see the GS agent on the jetway. It was Parm, a long-time awesome agent. He told me he was going to take me in a car to immigration. Anyone who is familiar with the walk to immigration from the United gates knows it is almost like walking to Central London. The car dropped me off at the upper escalator and I was there in no time. Saved at least 20 minutes. The good news was that the wait was only about five minutes to the E-gates (sadly Fast Track is still closed) compared to the hour wait I had this summer.
So GS came through! My thanks to them.
Lowlights: No pre-departure beverage and meals not fit for death-row prisoners.
Highlight: When they opened the door in LHR, I was paged to see the GS agent on the jetway. It was Parm, a long-time awesome agent. He told me he was going to take me in a car to immigration. Anyone who is familiar with the walk to immigration from the United gates knows it is almost like walking to Central London. The car dropped me off at the upper escalator and I was there in no time. Saved at least 20 minutes. The good news was that the wait was only about five minutes to the E-gates (sadly Fast Track is still closed) compared to the hour wait I had this summer.
So GS came through! My thanks to them.
Nov 21, 2022, 3:20 pm
#1317
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,505
Flew ORD-LHR last night.
Lowlights: No pre-departure beverage and meals not fit for death-row prisoners.
Highlight: When they opened the door in LHR, I was paged to see the GS agent on the jetway. It was Parm, a long-time awesome agent. He told me he was going to take me in a car to immigration. Anyone who is familiar with the walk to immigration from the United gates knows it is almost like walking to Central London. The car dropped me off at the upper escalator and I was there in no time. Saved at least 20 minutes. The good news was that the wait was only about five minutes to the E-gates (sadly Fast Track is still closed) compared to the hour wait I had this summer.
So GS came through! My thanks to them.
Lowlights: No pre-departure beverage and meals not fit for death-row prisoners.
Highlight: When they opened the door in LHR, I was paged to see the GS agent on the jetway. It was Parm, a long-time awesome agent. He told me he was going to take me in a car to immigration. Anyone who is familiar with the walk to immigration from the United gates knows it is almost like walking to Central London. The car dropped me off at the upper escalator and I was there in no time. Saved at least 20 minutes. The good news was that the wait was only about five minutes to the E-gates (sadly Fast Track is still closed) compared to the hour wait I had this summer.
So GS came through! My thanks to them.
Nov 21, 2022, 5:15 pm
#1318
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
I don't have a problem using my GS PP to upgrade a mileage ticket even if the miles are from a non-status pax.
Nov 21, 2022, 6:16 pm
#1319
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: 6,317
Nov 22, 2022, 9:31 am
#1320
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,178
Is UA quietly ending GS program?
On my last few flights, including today's at DEN, there was no GS preboarding. Went from military to 1k.
On board, there's no recognition of status at all. No one says "thank you for being a global" anymore.
Food/drink orders taken without regard to status.
During PDB time, I asked for a drink but was told they need to get 1k drink requests out of the way first.
I could see a goof-up on 1 flight where stuff goes awry, but this has been my experience for the last 6 flights.
When it comes to gate and inflight service, is GS a thing of the past?
On board, there's no recognition of status at all. No one says "thank you for being a global" anymore.
Food/drink orders taken without regard to status.
During PDB time, I asked for a drink but was told they need to get 1k drink requests out of the way first.
I could see a goof-up on 1 flight where stuff goes awry, but this has been my experience for the last 6 flights.
When it comes to gate and inflight service, is GS a thing of the past?