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]
#1351
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
Question about connecting in Chicago when non TSA pre, do you go to the reception and ask them to escort you to the front of the security line ?
#1352
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,970
Nevertheless, if you go to GS reception and don't have TSA Pre, they will escort you to the head of the security line.
#1353
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: United Global Services, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 58
Speaking of Global Reception, if you are connecting internationally or checking in at EWR. GS no longer does anything to facilitate TSA screening. Pre-Chek or not. Best you can do.is get on the "Premier" lone by yourself.
#1354
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: 6,284
it’s been hit or miss for us - 10 days ago after checking our bags the elevator opened and one of the agents came and got us and escorted us to the front of the TSA line - when they aren’t there you are on your own….
#1355
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, AS 75K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 302
Also, late notice but good Cyber Monday promotion with 15K mileage tickets each way to Europe and 17.5K to Asia and found a few days with PN space for 40 PP for NRT and LHR.
#1356
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: 6,284
Quick update on the Narita lounge - one of the best GS reps checked us in today and told us that the United club will be reopening in January - but the upper level GS club will remain closed - she wasn’t sure if it was permanent or not but she didn’t feel confident it would ever reopen.
She then encouraged us to start using Haneda more as flights are resuming on January 6th - the Japanese way of answering our frustration with the NH lounges at Narita without being negative …. We are currently at the main NH lounge near gate 52 and it’s packed as always - we just couldn’t take the new NH lounge in the twenties again - aka the pit of despair….
She then encouraged us to start using Haneda more as flights are resuming on January 6th - the Japanese way of answering our frustration with the NH lounges at Narita without being negative …. We are currently at the main NH lounge near gate 52 and it’s packed as always - we just couldn’t take the new NH lounge in the twenties again - aka the pit of despair….
#1358
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
#1359
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,682
Quick update on the Narita lounge - one of the best GS reps checked us in today and told us that the United club will be reopening in January - but the upper level GS club will remain closed - she wasn’t sure if it was permanent or not but she didn’t feel confident it would ever reopen.
She then encouraged us to start using Haneda more as flights are resuming on January 6th - the Japanese way of answering our frustration with the NH lounges at Narita without being negative …. We are currently at the main NH lounge near gate 52 and it’s packed as always - we just couldn’t take the new NH lounge in the twenties again - aka the pit of despair….
She then encouraged us to start using Haneda more as flights are resuming on January 6th - the Japanese way of answering our frustration with the NH lounges at Narita without being negative …. We are currently at the main NH lounge near gate 52 and it’s packed as always - we just couldn’t take the new NH lounge in the twenties again - aka the pit of despair….
#1361
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: United Global Services, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 58
New Max9
Brand new MAX9 today ORD-SEA. Has USB ports as promised, (plus huge display( but ports are USB-C. United must have invested in USB adapters (LOL).
#1362
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: 6,284
#1363
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: 2,497
Quick update on the Narita lounge - one of the best GS reps checked us in today and told us that the United club will be reopening in January - but the upper level GS club will remain closed - she wasn’t sure if it was permanent or not but she didn’t feel confident it would ever reopen.
#1364
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: 6,284
Time will tell, of course, but it also depends in part on what we/she mean by "re-open". Will the old NRT VIP club ever "re-open" with the pre-COVID enhanced FB program and staffing? Unlikely, if LHR is a guide. But will it "re-open" as a mere overflow space a la LHR? That seems more likely at some point.
#1365
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,797
I am booked MUC-DEN on Saturday and in Frankfurt currently. My MUC meeting canceled so no sense heading there now, so I called to change to FRA-DEN on Friday instead. GS agent answered and asked how she could help, I explained the situation and she checked fares difference. $6200 to change the ticket but she did notice that they were showing PN1 so she asked if I was OK with an $800 fare up-charge from Z to O, add the PPs and grab the Polaris seat instead. Obviously jumped on it and situation resolved. Great service and very much appreciated. UA may have preferred she sold me the $6200 D fare though!