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Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions, Experiences [2024]

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Old Dec 31, 2023, 7:13 pm
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Last edit by: IAH-OIL-TRASH
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 (rumored to be $75K beginning in 2024). 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&S [2023]

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.
  • Upgrades clear into PN class rather than PZ class for other elite tiers, which usually have much better availability. Instruments (PlusPoints or miles) 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). Requires that a seat be available on the seat map for assignment.
  • Jaguar Tarmac Transfer for tight connections between flights at major hubs (cannot be requested in advance). Occasionally, distance between concourses/gates may result in a transfer.
  • 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)
  • 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. Only for GS member + 1 companion.
  • GS can create saver business award space (IN) if PZ inventory is available. United-operated flights only. 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 3 (three) J class premium seats remain for sale after the upgrade is processed and they are at the top of the waitlist. Within T-24 hours only 2 J class seats need remain. Since fall 2022, agents have been saying its valid for "one exception per PNR," thus only one-way. Having separate one-way PNRs for a round-trip may help, but some agents look for this.
  • 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. Update: April 2023, this exception now also requires PZ space to exist for them to open IN. If PZ is not available, then they will open XN for the companion, and PlusPoints can be used to upgrade to PN in the same transaction.
  • 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 > 3 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. The passenger being upgraded must be a GS, or the sponsoring GS must be flying on the same flight.
  • 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 access VIP Lounge at LHR (former Global First Lounges) when booked in Polaris Business on an international itinerary. One guest permitted (two guests if a United Club member).
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
  • 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.
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Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions, Experiences [2024]

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Old Feb 22, 2024, 6:37 am
  #136  
 
Join Date: Nov 2023
Programs: UA GS 3MM, CX Diamond, Marriott Amb
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH
Are you a 4MMer lifetime GS? If not, you shouldn’t be expecting PlusPoints at start of year for just being GS.
Curious, how would this apply? I thought UA doesn't give out PP to lifetime MMers. Or is that only for the companion?

Last edited by Donaldo873; Feb 22, 2024 at 6:44 am Reason: Change content
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Old Feb 22, 2024, 10:57 am
  #137  
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BOS/SFO
Programs: United 4MM GS, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 320
Originally Posted by Donaldo873
Curious, how would this apply? I thought UA doesn't give out PP to lifetime MMers. Or is that only for the companion?
Lifetime 2MM (plat) get 40pp, Lifetime 3MM and 4MM (1k and GS) get 280PP. Companions regardless of level get none
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Old Feb 22, 2024, 1:03 pm
  #138  
Moderator: United Airlines
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,194
Originally Posted by LifetimeGS
Lifetime 2MM (plat) get 40pp, Lifetime 3MM and 4MM (1k and GS) get 280PP. ...
If not otherwise earned. If they do not earn those PlusPoints by flying.
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Old Feb 22, 2024, 1:11 pm
  #139  
 
Join Date: Mar 2023
Programs: UA Global Services, BA Gold Guest List, AA MM, Delta Silver
Posts: 242
GS agent just told me I can’t use my PP to upgrade XN if the miles came from someone else. Now I’ve done that many times. Did the system glitch before or is the agent wrong?
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Old Feb 22, 2024, 1:19 pm
  #140  
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: United Global Services, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 62
Unfortunately looks like they changed the rules (or fixed a glitch). Tried to upgrade son and daughter-in-law to CDG this week on award ticket using his miles. PPs originally applied for "waitlist" but when didn't clear (and half cabin open) called GS. Was told that wasn't allowed and PPs removed and refunded.
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Old Feb 22, 2024, 1:46 pm
  #141  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 702
Originally Posted by Quiglemm
Unfortunately looks like they changed the rules (or fixed a glitch). Tried to upgrade son and daughter-in-law to CDG this week on award ticket using his miles. PPs originally applied for "waitlist" but when didn't clear (and half cabin open) called GS. Was told that wasn't allowed and PPs removed and refunded.
Was PN available and they didn't clear? Were you just trying to force them through?

Wondering what'll happen to all the reservations booked and applied PP to from before this change that haven't yet cleared.
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Old Feb 22, 2024, 1:51 pm
  #142  
 
Join Date: Mar 2023
Programs: UA Global Services, BA Gold Guest List, AA MM, Delta Silver
Posts: 242
Originally Posted by slariz
Was PN available and they didn't clear? Were you just trying to force them through?

Wondering what'll happen to all the reservations booked and applied PP to from before this change that haven't yet cleared.
It was preventing me from applying PP online like I normally would. So I called.

My hunch is ones that are requested are still OK. And I have three requests for other people using other miles that are confirmed and remain intact.
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Old Feb 22, 2024, 1:53 pm
  #143  
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: United Global Services, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 62
Didn't check available fare classes. Just applied on website or app.Based on my experience I'd bet they jkust "sit there and die". Whenever I looked at the reservation I got a strange message to the effect "account holder must log in" (I was logged in, not muy son).
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Old Feb 22, 2024, 3:52 pm
  #144  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,822
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Old Feb 22, 2024, 5:36 pm
  #145  
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,301
Originally Posted by Quiglemm
Unfortunately looks like they changed the rules (or fixed a glitch).
The rules have always been miles for the award needed to come from a GS acccount. The glitch was in their website allowing it to be done even if the award ticket wasn't redeemed from a GS account. Even looking back in previous GS threads that was the position of phone agents. Would not surprise me if someone debated that on the phone though, it got escalated, and is what resulted in the website finally being patched.
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Old Feb 22, 2024, 10:43 pm
  #146  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,492
Originally Posted by Lux Flyer
The rules have always been miles for the award needed to come from a GS acccount. The glitch was in their website allowing it to be done even if the award ticket wasn't redeemed from a GS account. Even looking back in previous GS threads that was the position of phone agents. Would not surprise me if someone debated that on the phone though, it got escalated, and is what resulted in the website finally being patched.
And/or some UA staff has been following related threads here on FT ...........
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Old Feb 22, 2024, 11:22 pm
  #147  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 72
I was going to pre board GS and 1K at the same time.

Pre boarding on SAT - SFO this past Tuesday went like this: GA announced Pre boarding, and one very pregnant lady boarded. Then no takers on active duty military. I started walking to the scanner when the GA announced, now pre boarding passengers traveling with children 2 and under. Literally two steps away from the scanner, I said, Excuse medidnt you skip GS? GA replied, I was just going to announce GS and 1K together. I replied, Gate Agents have a lot of responsibility and authority, but arbitrarily changing the boarding order is most likely not included in that authority and would not be viewed as a good thing (except perhaps by 1Ks). I politely informed her that there is a huge difference in qualifying for 1K and being invited to be a GS. As a final note, I had a chance to speak with the GA as she came onboard to close out the flight. I apologized if I had offended hernot my intention. I asked if she changed up the pre boarding order routinely and she replied no. Just did it today for no particular reason. Boarding flights today is like a box of chocolatesyou never know what youre gonna get.
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Rocketman1 is offline  
Old Feb 22, 2024, 11:49 pm
  #148  
 
Join Date: Mar 2023
Programs: UA Global Services, BA Gold Guest List, AA MM, Delta Silver
Posts: 242
Originally Posted by Rocketman1
Pre boarding on SAT - SFO this past Tuesday went like this: GA announced Pre boarding, and one very pregnant lady boarded. Then no takers on active duty military. I started walking to the scanner when the GA announced, now pre boarding passengers traveling with children 2 and under. Literally two steps away from the scanner, I said, Excuse medidnt you skip GS? GA replied, I was just going to announce GS and 1K together. I replied, Gate Agents have a lot of responsibility and authority, but arbitrarily changing the boarding order is most likely not included in that authority and would not be viewed as a good thing (except perhaps by 1Ks). I politely informed her that there is a huge difference in qualifying for 1K and being invited to be a GS. As a final note, I had a chance to speak with the GA as she came onboard to close out the flight. I apologized if I had offended hernot my intention. I asked if she changed up the pre boarding order routinely and she replied no. Just did it today for no particular reason. Boarding flights today is like a box of chocolatesyou never know what youre gonna get.
I have never had them announced together. But I have had children 2 and under announced first.

admittedly the website has them together and last but thats of course not how the gate monitors show it.

https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/airport/boarding-process.html
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Old Feb 23, 2024, 1:16 am
  #149  
 
Join Date: Mar 2023
Programs: UA Global Services, BA Gold Guest List, AA MM, Delta Silver
Posts: 242
I sent a complaint on a flight last Saturday to the GS email and never heard back. Resent it Wednesday and still haven’t heard back. Is that unusual?
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Old Feb 23, 2024, 2:10 am
  #150  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: FLL, WAS, MEL, SIN
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,424
I have had GA announced GS/1K as a one single pre-boarding group on a few flights. Mostly UX flights.
RobOnLI likes this.
UA_Flyer is offline  


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