Many passengers of United Airlines reach elite status every year. Some may even earn Premier 1K which is the highest status tier in the MileagePlus program. One another level of elite status with United is “United Global Services”. It is the top elite status where passengers can expect top-notch treatment and five-star customer service.
United Global Services is a top-tier level of the United MileagePlus program. It provides many
benefits to its members such as check-in assistance, expedited security screening, priority boarding, upgrade priority, United Club access, and language assistance.
The more frequently you fly with United or its partners, the higher your status will get. Higher the status of a passenger more the perks and benefits to expect. You have to fly at least four flight segments on United Plus and meet the following requirements to reach elite status in the MileagePlus program:
MileagePlus Premier level | Status Requirements |
Premier Silver | 12 PQF and 4,000 PQP, or 5,000 PQP. |
Premier Gold | 24 PQF and 8,000 PQP, or 10,000 PQP. |
Premier Platinum | 36 PQF and 12,000 PQP, or 15,000 PQP |
Premier 1K | 54 PQF and 18,000 PQP, or 24,000 PQP. |
Each status level requires you to meet a Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) and Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) requirement or a higher PQP goal as mentioned in the above table.
To earn top-tier Premier 1K status with United you need to spend at least $18,000 on United flights each year. The fare class under Premier Silver, Premier Gold, and Premier Platinum status levels can reach higher status a little bit easier.
Both processes may take some time and money to reach that high status with United.
The eligibility requirements for Global Services are not clearly disclosed yet. However, members are made after spending thousands of dollars per year on full-fare/ flights.
It is a general idea that to become a Global Services member you need to spend more than $50,000 on airfare with United each year. You can also qualify for Lifetime Global Services by flying a whopping 4 million miles.
After becoming a United Global Services member you can avail various benefits and perks.
Let’s discuss some of these:
Global Services members don’t have to wait in a general check-in lane to check their luggage. There is a special or private check-in lane available for them. At Chicago-O’Hare, Newark, and San Francisco airports you can find private lanes.
When it comes to upgrades, Global Services members are kept as a priority. They are always ahead while booking economy class tickets on trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights.
Global Services members can avail themselves of the perks of priority boarding. They are kept in the same group as unaccompanied minors, passengers with disabilities, active military members, and families traveling with children. This group boards first even before Group 1.
Global Services members are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades if there is space in the PN fare class. Which often has much better availability. This is because Premier members don’t have access to this PN fare class availability.
In case there is any delay or cancellation in your flight then a designated person will monitor flight changes and rebook for you without hassle. Most of the time, this will happen before you even get an idea about it. Also, your name will be prioritized on a rebooking list.
Global Services members can redeem United miles to get an upgrade into the PN fare class. Moreover, PlusPoints is used by Global Services members to upgrade award tickets.
Global Services members are eligible to receive Star Alliance Gold membership. Under this scheme, there are various benefits including priority airport check-in, priority baggage handling, airport lounge access, priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to Gold Track priority lanes.
While flying, members of Global Services can enter United club airport Lounges. Polaris lounges are open to all passengers with a Polaris ticket, including Global Services passengers.
It is one of the great ways to utilize the various benefits of United. If a Global Services member books a cash ticket, then they can also bring along a companion for the cost of a saver-level award ticket. In this way, they can easily extend a work trip into a vacation with their companion. Your travel companion can fly at the cost of a saver award ticket in miles without any effect from the fare class.
Members can expect a dedicated phone line, flight status tracking to ensure connections are made, and getting served meals before anyone in business class or first class.
There are plenty of perks to being a Global Services member. You will get great customer service and facilities from United. As a member, you will not only receive a number of benefits, but United really looks after them to ensure their travel experiences are enjoyable.
United Global Services is an invitation-only, top-tier level of the United MileagePlus program. This program allows upgrades, priority, and much more to the members.
As a customer, you need to spend at least $50,000 per year on United flights through its booking platform or fly at least 150,000 miles annually. Only then you can be invited for being a United Global Service Member.
It is not officially disclosed but you need approximately 50,000 PQPs a year for a Global Service.
It is also useful when checking in for the flight if you haven’t done it online.
Yes, United Global Services members can access Global First Lounge if flying with an international business class ticket.
In the United States, there are no private lounges for VIP-tier travelers. That’s why United Global Service members can access the airline’s public lounges.