What Does It Take to Earn United Global Services Status in 2017?
American Airlines has Concierge Key and Delta offers Delta 360, but without question the most rewarding "unpublished" loyalty tier is United's Global Services. While Premier 1K is technically United's top-tier status, Global Services is actually a level above. The airline doesn't publish eligibility criteria, though, and the benefits are generally pretty hush-hush, so we depend on the chosen few to uncover the secrets of this ultra-exclusive program.
Just as with all US airline status programs, the perks kick in once you achieve the required flying and spend. So if I hadn't earned Premier 1K from my flying in 2016, I'd have it now, since I've reached the requirements for 2017. One thing that makes Global Services unique is the fact that there's no way to know exactly what you need to do to get the nod from UA. That said, United has begun sending out invitations for GS this year, so if you didn't make the cut by December 2016, you have another shot now.
As the welcome email states above, members are "handpicked," so it's likely that this mysterious process is handled manually, rather than having Global Services elites selected using an algorithm.
We already know that United reserves Global Services for its top customers. And we're not talking about the road warriors who fly constantly in discount economy or on upgraded tickets — invitations for GS go out to United's biggest spenders. Someone who flies 300,000 miles in a year with a total of $30,000 in spend almost certainly won't qualify, but a traveler who's flying 75,000 miles on regular (non-discounted) first class, business and even economy fares with, say, $75,000 in spend, is probably a shoo-in.
Benefits include a separate check-in and security screening area at select hub airports, priority boarding and improved lounge access, but some perks are even more appealing, such as:
- Expanded award availability (agents can book Saver awards using the "T" and "R" fare buckets)
- Expanded upgrade availability (member upgrades clear into "PN" class, which is more readily available than "R")
- Companion upgrade benefits
- Tarmac transfers for tight connections
- Access to United's best customer service agents, both at the airport and over the phone
We also have some clarity as to what type of spend is required to score an invite to this uber-select tier. Based on data points we've received, you'll likely need to book higher fare classes for economy travel, but booking into discounted business and first-class fare class shouldn't count against you — how much you spend on your ticket likely carries greater weight. That said, if you book full-fare tickets for work and discounted economy for occasional leisure travel, you could still get the nod as well. As for pre-tax spend with United, a bit over $60,000 in the first half of the year should do it, but that's just based on data we've received.
That said, it wouldn't hurt to gather some more data points. If you've received an invitation to Global Services in 2017, please tell us about your flying in the comments below!
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees