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]
Dec 19, 2022, 8:42 pm
#1471
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
What would inventory would GS clear into if we used a 1Ks PP? Would it be as if we were 1K?
Dec 19, 2022, 11:08 pm
#1472
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Dec 19, 2022, 11:20 pm
#1473
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott (Plat Premier, LT Plat)
Posts: 257
I had an insane experience.. ORD - DEL flight., 9 seats available for sale. I was on an XN ticket waiting for an upgrade to J. Was #3 on the list behind a GS+1 companion. Called within the 48 hour window. First agent refuses to push through the upgrade. Says they can’t clear the other GS member and that I need to wait until the other GS member calls first. I asked to speak with supervisor and was told none were available. HUCA this time got areal friendly agent who gladly confirmed my upgrade. Got the email and text about the same. 30 mins later - got downgraded. Turns out the first agent went back to the record and downgraded me!! Not only that, the first agent stayed in the record and had it locked so no one else could push through the upgrade. Spent 90 mins on the phone and was finally reconfirmed back in J. I am just shocked, has anyone experienced anything remotely similar? Recommendations On what I can do?
Dec 20, 2022, 1:11 am
#1474
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,824
I had an insane experience.. ORD - DEL flight., 9 seats available for sale. I was on an XN ticket waiting for an upgrade to J. Was #3 on the list behind a GS+1 companion. Called within the 48 hour window. First agent refuses to push through the upgrade. Says they can’t clear the other GS member and that I need to wait until the other GS member calls first. I asked to speak with supervisor and was told none were available. HUCA this time got areal friendly agent who gladly confirmed my upgrade. Got the email and text about the same. 30 mins later - got downgraded. Turns out the first agent went back to the record and downgraded me!! Not only that, the first agent stayed in the record and had it locked so no one else could push through the upgrade. Spent 90 mins on the phone and was finally reconfirmed back in J. I am just shocked, has anyone experienced anything remotely similar? Recommendations On what I can do?
Could you tell us what transpireds in the 90 min - how the discussion went that eventually got you back to J. Did you reach a higher authority who overruled the first agent? Were you told it was one-time special favor to you? Or did someone say you should be allowed the upgrade?
Dec 20, 2022, 4:39 am
#1475
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott (Plat Premier, LT Plat)
Posts: 257
Did you remember the first agent's name?
Could you tell us what transpireds in the 90 min - how the discussion went that eventually got you back to J. Did you reach a higher authority who overruled the first agent? Were you told it was one-time special favor to you? Or did someone say you should be allowed the upgrade?
Could you tell us what transpireds in the 90 min - how the discussion went that eventually got you back to J. Did you reach a higher authority who overruled the first agent? Were you told it was one-time special favor to you? Or did someone say you should be allowed the upgrade?
2. The 2nd agent who upgraded me did not call it as a special favor.. just said let me look at the flight.. authenticated my account, thanked me for my business, congratulated me on requalifying for GS and pushed my upgrade through - was really simple. Also, that was consistent with my understanding of the benefit.. 3 open seats after ALL GS Upgrades processes
Dec 20, 2022, 5:50 am
#1476
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
1. the 90 min conversation was painful as I waited for a supervisor first who then had me hold while she researched this, contacted the first agent and ask her to exit the record, documented my record etc.
2. The 2nd agent who upgraded me did not call it as a special favor.. just said let me look at the flight.. authenticated my account, thanked me for my business, congratulated me on requalifying for GS and pushed my upgrade through - was really simple. Also, that was consistent with my understanding of the benefit.. 3 open seats after ALL GS Upgrades processes
2. The 2nd agent who upgraded me did not call it as a special favor.. just said let me look at the flight.. authenticated my account, thanked me for my business, congratulated me on requalifying for GS and pushed my upgrade through - was really simple. Also, that was consistent with my understanding of the benefit.. 3 open seats after ALL GS Upgrades processes
Did the second agent confirm #1 and #2 as well ?
This would be such an easy fix if they processed all PN at T-72h until J =3 …
Dec 20, 2022, 7:20 am
#1477
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
I had an insane experience.. ORD - DEL flight., 9 seats available for sale. I was on an XN ticket waiting for an upgrade to J. Was #3 on the list behind a GS+1 companion. Called within the 48 hour window. First agent refuses to push through the upgrade. Says they can’t clear the other GS member and that I need to wait until the other GS member calls first. I asked to speak with supervisor and was told none were available. HUCA this time got areal friendly agent who gladly confirmed my upgrade. Got the email and text about the same. 30 mins later - got downgraded. Turns out the first agent went back to the record and downgraded me!! Not only that, the first agent stayed in the record and had it locked so no one else could push through the upgrade. Spent 90 mins on the phone and was finally reconfirmed back in J. I am just shocked, has anyone experienced anything remotely similar? Recommendations On what I can do?
Pity the PNR notes reader is dead. The remarks on this one would be fascinating.
Dec 20, 2022, 9:33 am
#1478
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,054
Dec 21, 2022, 12:05 am
#1479
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
Is there a unique GS number/ID assigned to us? First time noticing my eticket receipt emails consistently list:
Frequent Flyer: UA-XXXXXXXX
Global ServicesXXX
(a four-digit number edited out here)
Frequent Flyer: UA-XXXXXXXX
Global ServicesXXX
(a four-digit number edited out here)
Dec 21, 2022, 6:33 am
#1480
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,700
That's the computer code for (SM) trademark or something similar. just a programming glitch
Dec 21, 2022, 10:29 am
#1481
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: UA1k 3mm, HH-LifeDiamond, Mar-LifePlatElite
Posts: 351
In this case, the rules were likely broken by the agent - poster probably should not have been granted the exception, as far as I understand the rules since they were not #1, and it would appear PN not available, since GS+1 is still on list ahead of them, (but I am not an expert on the rules either). Even so - the downgrading and locking of reservation by an overzealous agent and the manor it happened is a perfect example of a way to loose your best customers.
What other company in the world would treat all of their best customers as thieves trying to steal from them at every turn, to the point they need to go into this type of aggressive investigations on every transaction? Clown world for sure here!
Dec 21, 2022, 11:23 am
#1482
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
In what word does anyone find this acceptable? Targeting the top customers and doing investigations to make sure they find any way to deny a benefit is just insane! Instead of spending time investigating, how about spend the time to properly train every elite agent on the actual rules. Clarity on them would end a lot of the HUCA issues to begin with. If UA has found that some of the rules cost them in lost revenue, then come out and officially modify them. We may not like that as frequent flyers but the treatment going on now is completely unacceptable.
In this case, the rules were likely broken by the agent - poster probably should not have been granted the exception, as far as I understand the rules since they were not #1, and it would appear PN not available, since GS+1 is still on list ahead of them, (but I am not an expert on the rules either). Even so - the downgrading and locking of reservation by an overzealous agent and the manor it happened is a perfect example of a way to loose your best customers.
What other company in the world would treat all of their best customers as thieves trying to steal from them at every turn, to the point they need to go into this type of aggressive investigations on every transaction? Clown world for sure here!
In this case, the rules were likely broken by the agent - poster probably should not have been granted the exception, as far as I understand the rules since they were not #1, and it would appear PN not available, since GS+1 is still on list ahead of them, (but I am not an expert on the rules either). Even so - the downgrading and locking of reservation by an overzealous agent and the manor it happened is a perfect example of a way to loose your best customers.
What other company in the world would treat all of their best customers as thieves trying to steal from them at every turn, to the point they need to go into this type of aggressive investigations on every transaction? Clown world for sure here!
Dec 21, 2022, 3:52 pm
#1483
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 562
- 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.
also, for the force-confirm, if all conditions are met and PlusPoints are applied within T-72 when PN is still not available, will the upgrade just clear itself instantly or does it still require a call?
on another note, what's up with the wikis? the date is showing 1970 and I can't see the wiki on mobile devices, same in other threads
Last edited by leftysauce; Dec 21, 2022 at 3:58 pm
Dec 21, 2022, 4:26 pm
#1484
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,281
- 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.
Second one, GS member must be travelling, but can be done on separate PNR for one companion. It's also 3 required now at T-72, not 2 until T-24. Difficulty updating wiki as, you pointed out, due to the glitches with it.
)They're glitched, very difficult to edit/update too. I think a bunch of stuff broke a few weeks back with some update and they're slowly getting things fixed still? Maybe? (I'm just happy the navigation at the top of the page is broken down by forums again instead of combining everything together except the main page)
Last edited by Lux Flyer; Dec 21, 2022 at 4:32 pm
Dec 21, 2022, 8:11 pm
#1485
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: United Global Services, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 59
I just reviewed the "Global services benefits" posted on the United App..They (officially) are limitef to "special" check-in and boarding (plus "priority" baggage handling - whatever that is). And United Club Access..Guess we're kidding ourselves to worry about things like companion upgrades, next flight guarantee for missed connections and the other "benefits" we took for granted. Like many have said, seems like there's no.real reason to worry about getting invited back. Or not.