Last edit by: getagb
GS/Global Services is the highest tier of elite status. It is by invitation -- 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. 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 significantly enhanced services / benefits over 1Ks. There is little said publicly by UA on GS benefits and/or qualification.
Last years' thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2016]
Thread on 2017 Global Services Notifications
Thread on 2017 Qualifying Discussion
Known facts from United:
Known Award and Upgrade Benefits:
All benefits noted below require calling a GS agent:
GS have significantly enhanced services / benefits over 1Ks. There is little said publicly by UA on GS benefits and/or qualification.
Last years' thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2016]
Thread on 2017 Global Services Notifications
Thread on 2017 Qualifying Discussion
Known facts from United:
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.
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.
All benefits noted below require calling a GS agent:
- GS can create saver economy award space (XN) if T inventory is available.
- GS can create saver business award space (IN) if R inventory is available.
- GS can upgrade economy awards (XN or YN) into Business First with a GPU if PN inventory is available.
- GS can upgrade business awards (IN or JN) into Polaris First with a GPU if ON inventory is available.
- GS can confirm any waitlisted instrument-supported upgrade under T-72 hours provided 2 seats remain for sale afterwards and they are at the top of the waitlist
- GS can create saver Polaris First (O) space at T-72 hours if they are already booked in saver business (IN), provided one seat remains for sale after
- GS are entitled to one saver award seat in the same class of service with their purchase of any premium fare. GS agents can open space if it is not available. UPDATE: as of 7/21/17 must have >2 for sale within 72hrs of flight
- GS can upgrade a companion from coach to biz when flying on a paid biz fare, even if R or PN is not available, as long as J/F>1. Companion needs to be W or greater intl.
- (Only ONE of the two above options can be exercised per premium fare.)
- GS cannot double upgrade. Economy -> PN -> ON is not allowed. *Some reports of TOD being offered at OLCI.
- GS can buy up from Basic Economy fares, which is usually forbidden
Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions 2017
#31
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,965
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,375
I use my corporate TA because he also helps with OA bookings that I include in the PNR. Plus, he gets "credit" for my UA booking and it helps support his business. They have a 24-hour hotline that has been a godsend when I have problems on non-UA flights overseas. Once the TA does his booking, I then use the GS line for assistance with anything else, such as upgrades, SDCs, etc.
#34
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 9
IRROPS
New to GS this year, so I'm wondering what to expect and what I can ask for. Flight has been delayed for more than 5 hours Fromm EWR to NRT, so will miss my connecting flight from NRT to SIN.
Called GS, didn't get much help except telling me the next flight available will be the next day and there is nothing available later in the day when I arrive. Should I expect accommodations from UA for the night? And if there is a flight later that night Fromm HND, will UA pay for the transportation from NRT to HND?
No GS contact since we have been delayed at the gate for the past 5 hours, so I'm not expecting much when I land in NRT.
Called GS, didn't get much help except telling me the next flight available will be the next day and there is nothing available later in the day when I arrive. Should I expect accommodations from UA for the night? And if there is a flight later that night Fromm HND, will UA pay for the transportation from NRT to HND?
No GS contact since we have been delayed at the gate for the past 5 hours, so I'm not expecting much when I land in NRT.
#35
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,965
New to GS this year, so I'm wondering what to expect and what I can ask for. Flight has been delayed for more than 5 hours Fromm EWR to NRT, so will miss my connecting flight from NRT to SIN.
Called GS, didn't get much help except telling me the next flight available will be the next day and there is nothing available later in the day when I arrive. Should I expect accommodations from UA for the night? And if there is a flight later that night Fromm HND, will UA pay for the transportation from NRT to HND?
No GS contact since we have been delayed at the gate for the past 5 hours, so I'm not expecting much when I land in NRT.
Called GS, didn't get much help except telling me the next flight available will be the next day and there is nothing available later in the day when I arrive. Should I expect accommodations from UA for the night? And if there is a flight later that night Fromm HND, will UA pay for the transportation from NRT to HND?
No GS contact since we have been delayed at the gate for the past 5 hours, so I'm not expecting much when I land in NRT.
NRT agents are extremely proactive but due to the limited amount of ongoing flights there are not that many options late at night.
#36
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: vx diamond
Posts: 377
Nothing better than getting signed over to a good airline in j on ana or sq on a swu upgrade.
#37
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 9
Twice in the last year or so when I took ORD-NRT to connect to SIN the flight was late and I missed my connection. Each time there was a GS agent who met me at NRT. The options I was given were to 1) take a bus to HND and connect on an ANA flight there or 2) stay overnight (paid hotel by UA) and take a flight the next day.
NRT agents are extremely proactive but due to the limited amount of ongoing flights there are not that many options late at night.
NRT agents are extremely proactive but due to the limited amount of ongoing flights there are not that many options late at night.
#38
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 10
Just got GS for the first time.
The card on the United iPhone App shows "Valid thru 01/2017"
Is this a bug?
The card on the United iPhone App shows "Valid thru 01/2017"
Is this a bug?
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,899
#40
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,965
#41
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 121
New to GS and have a question.
I fly to Europe a lot in J and occasionally my wife has joined me. This was usually pretty complicated and I burned lots of points.
Now with GS, I think I have more options now, but want to make sure.
Assuming I am booked in J on an international ticket - are these my options?
1. Book economy Saver Award and use GPU to upgrade her
2. If economy Saver Award is not available, GS line will make it available
OR
1. Book business class Saver Award - and if it is not available GS line will make it available
OR
1. Pay for W or higher ticket for my wife, and use GPU to upgrade her to business
To me, it would be great if I could get an economy Saver Award on the same flight every time and use GPU to upgrade. Anyone have any experience with this?
I fly to Europe a lot in J and occasionally my wife has joined me. This was usually pretty complicated and I burned lots of points.
Now with GS, I think I have more options now, but want to make sure.
Assuming I am booked in J on an international ticket - are these my options?
1. Book economy Saver Award and use GPU to upgrade her
2. If economy Saver Award is not available, GS line will make it available
OR
1. Book business class Saver Award - and if it is not available GS line will make it available
OR
1. Pay for W or higher ticket for my wife, and use GPU to upgrade her to business
To me, it would be great if I could get an economy Saver Award on the same flight every time and use GPU to upgrade. Anyone have any experience with this?
#42
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,375
New to GS and have a question.
I fly to Europe a lot in J and occasionally my wife has joined me. This was usually pretty complicated and I burned lots of points.
Now with GS, I think I have more options now, but want to make sure.
Assuming I am booked in J on an international ticket - are these my options?
1. Book economy Saver Award and use GPU to upgrade her
2. If economy Saver Award is not available, GS line will make it available
OR
1. Book business class Saver Award - and if it is not available GS line will make it available
OR
1. Pay for W or higher ticket for my wife, and use GPU to upgrade her to business
To me, it would be great if I could get an economy Saver Award on the same flight every time and use GPU to upgrade. Anyone have any experience with this?
I fly to Europe a lot in J and occasionally my wife has joined me. This was usually pretty complicated and I burned lots of points.
Now with GS, I think I have more options now, but want to make sure.
Assuming I am booked in J on an international ticket - are these my options?
1. Book economy Saver Award and use GPU to upgrade her
2. If economy Saver Award is not available, GS line will make it available
OR
1. Book business class Saver Award - and if it is not available GS line will make it available
OR
1. Pay for W or higher ticket for my wife, and use GPU to upgrade her to business
To me, it would be great if I could get an economy Saver Award on the same flight every time and use GPU to upgrade. Anyone have any experience with this?
1. She can book an economy saver award (X or XN) and you upgrade her to business (PN, R, or RN) using a GPU. If X/XN isn't available but T is, T can be converted to X/XN. If PN/R/RN isn't available, she will be on a waitlist for PN.
2. If you buy a business ticket (P, Z, D, C, J) for yourself, then you can buy her a business saver award (IN). If IN is not available, it will be opened for her as long as there is at least one revenue seat left for sale.
3. Buy her a W or higher economy ticket, and upgrade her to business with a GPU. PN, R, or RN must be available, else she will be placed on a waitlist for PN.
Last edited by wxguy; Jan 7, 2017 at 4:14 pm
#43
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 200
How is No. 3 different from what a 1K can do (except for the fare class an upgrade will clear)? I've traveled on paid F tickets and upgraded my wife from economy into first/biz using RPU/GPU.
Last edited by Lawyerneering; Jan 7, 2017 at 4:36 pm
#44
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
1K GPU upgrades into R but GS upgrades into PN and PN is more frequently available, plus of course a higher priority, but otherwise it is similar.