Jan 5, 2017, 4:24 pm
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
Mar 27, 2017, 6:53 pm
#631
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
I'm seeing a 25 March date stamp on this post. I think they all connected in SFO and rode the new Polaris service to HKG. 
I was just arriving today (thank goodness), but as I was taking an Uber I exited on the departures level. Total mayhem/sea of people in the area where precheck enters. I popped back in to see what it looked like at GS and snapped this photo:
Huge line. I mean I know it's spring break but wow.
Huge line. I mean I know it's spring break but wow.
Mar 28, 2017, 2:51 am
#632
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SJC/SFO (previously BNE, SIN, SHA/PVG)
Programs: UA GS/MM, Marriott TE, National EE, Global Entry/TSA-Pre, APEC BTC
Posts: 162
when I was 1k last year I was always asked for my 2nd choice. Since becoming GS, I've only been asked for my 2nd choice once on 30+ flights
Mar 28, 2017, 1:38 pm
#633
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 200
Has any GS status matched with Alaska? I'm wondering what level they would give to GS. Thanks.
Mar 28, 2017, 3:19 pm
#634
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
I have been asked for 2nd choice more than 50% of the time I would say in the last year... with the exception of p.s. flights last year, where I was approached pre-flight and assured I would receive what I wanted.
Mar 28, 2017, 7:28 pm
#635
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR, GVA
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 78
my wife has only flown one round trip, GVA-EWR-GVA since she became GS and so far she's not that impressed with the treatment she's gotten. when she went to check in in polaris/1k check-in line, the lady with a clipboard questioned/asked her a multiple times if she is flying in polaris and asked for her name. she was flying in polaris and wearing a legging and a sweater so maybe that lady thought she was just a regular passenger? my wife's in her 30s and dressed comfortably for her 8+ hour flight.. the lady looked at the list for a couple of minutes and saying she couldn't find my wife's name.. when my wife looked, there were 2 names that were highlighted and one of them was her name! she was kinda annoyed that the lady stopped and wasted time.. this is not her first time flying and granted, GVA is not like major hubs but still.. like another guy mentioned in one of the posts, they shouldn't judge people by what they wear and stuff.. on flight from EWR to GVA, not only she didn't get her first choice of dinner, they didn't even get her second choice right!! it's sad cuz the service is so inconsistent.. we've had awesome, i mean AMAZING FAs and some of the worst we've ever seen..
Mar 28, 2017, 9:37 pm
#636
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,342
A few thoughts as I just took my first United flight as a GS. It's still so sad they didn't give me GS last year when I was still flying United around the globe for 7 months before I moved to Asia. Now I live in Asia and don't have to go back to the States that often. This week I am on SIN-HKG return.
1. Absolutely no signage, acknowledgement, etc. for GS in Singapore anymore. This is my first UA-operated flight out of SIN in over a year and since they moved operations to T2 the check-in area has been re-designed. There's a queue for Economy and a queue for Premier Access. Once you get through the questions by some hired security person the Premier Access area splits into two again: 1K/Polaris and Premier Access (aka, the rest of the folks who are owed Premier Access but aren't 1K or flying Polaris). Absolutely no mention or sign for GS.
2. Checking in is done through contract staff at SIN. Not one mention of my status or thanks. There was a UA GS lady at the check-in area but she made no effort to say hi (not that she would know I'm GS unless the check-in staff notified her). Her name is Peggy or Penny, not sure which.
3. After getting through security at the gate and having my BP scanned, Peggy or Penny was at the gate there as well. I inquired about an upgrade to business so I could sleep, given the flight departs at 6am and I have to go straight to work when I get to HKG. Peggy/Penny steps up to the counter, looks at the computer and says, "Nope, sorry." That was that.
I'm not expecting to be treated like a King but I did think GS were at least greeted with a warm smile, a nod and a, "Thanks for flying with us today Mr. RobOnLI. We're so glad you chose United and thanks for being a GS member." After reading so many stories about going above & beyond and being cordial to GS, I was a bit surprised. Guess I will just lower my expectations.
Separately, wondering if GFL access for GS in "J" is still a bennie? I'm flying HKG-SIN later this week and I'm confirmed in J.
Thanks,
RM
1. Absolutely no signage, acknowledgement, etc. for GS in Singapore anymore. This is my first UA-operated flight out of SIN in over a year and since they moved operations to T2 the check-in area has been re-designed. There's a queue for Economy and a queue for Premier Access. Once you get through the questions by some hired security person the Premier Access area splits into two again: 1K/Polaris and Premier Access (aka, the rest of the folks who are owed Premier Access but aren't 1K or flying Polaris). Absolutely no mention or sign for GS.
2. Checking in is done through contract staff at SIN. Not one mention of my status or thanks. There was a UA GS lady at the check-in area but she made no effort to say hi (not that she would know I'm GS unless the check-in staff notified her). Her name is Peggy or Penny, not sure which.
3. After getting through security at the gate and having my BP scanned, Peggy or Penny was at the gate there as well. I inquired about an upgrade to business so I could sleep, given the flight departs at 6am and I have to go straight to work when I get to HKG. Peggy/Penny steps up to the counter, looks at the computer and says, "Nope, sorry." That was that.
I'm not expecting to be treated like a King but I did think GS were at least greeted with a warm smile, a nod and a, "Thanks for flying with us today Mr. RobOnLI. We're so glad you chose United and thanks for being a GS member." After reading so many stories about going above & beyond and being cordial to GS, I was a bit surprised. Guess I will just lower my expectations.
Separately, wondering if GFL access for GS in "J" is still a bennie? I'm flying HKG-SIN later this week and I'm confirmed in J.
Thanks,
RM
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 28, 2017 at 9:52 pm Reason: Using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed.
Mar 28, 2017, 10:18 pm
#637
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
Regarding upgrading an award ticket. The "GS" representative stated that the miles that purchased the award have to come from the GS account in order to apply a GS GPU for upgrade.
Is that correct or is this a HUCA situation?
Is that correct or is this a HUCA situation?
Mar 28, 2017, 10:30 pm
#638
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
Mar 28, 2017, 11:05 pm
#639
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: West
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 221
The miles should be able to be debited from any account. All that's needed is for the sponsor to apply the GPU onto the recipient's confirmation number.
The only thing that would be different is that the recipient wouldn't be cleared into the PN class as they're not GS. They will be cleared in order of their own statuses in a pre-CPU pool (if flying domestically).
Mar 29, 2017, 1:15 am
#640
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NC
Programs: UA ,Qantas ,Southwest
Posts: 172
[QUOTE
I'm not expecting to be treated like a King but I did think GS were at least greeted with a warm smile, a nod and a, "Thanks for flying with us today Mr. RobOnLI. We're so glad you chose United and thanks for being a GS member." After reading so many stories about going above & beyond and being cordial to GS, I was a bit surprised. Guess I will just lower my expectations.
[/QUOTE]
I would, UA has always been pretty inconsistent in it's policy implementation and service level,some people because of who they are will always treat you well and will get to know you based on your travel patterns.
GS has evolved over the years from being an under the radar first class IRROPS, help you when you are in trouble and a choice of meal program with very few people in it and not much else to what it is today.
Much bigger in terms of membership, 1k plus ish, with more booking benefits but less personal service,attention at IRROPS (generally speaking)
Swings and roundabouts I guess
I'm not expecting to be treated like a King but I did think GS were at least greeted with a warm smile, a nod and a, "Thanks for flying with us today Mr. RobOnLI. We're so glad you chose United and thanks for being a GS member." After reading so many stories about going above & beyond and being cordial to GS, I was a bit surprised. Guess I will just lower my expectations.
[/QUOTE]
I would, UA has always been pretty inconsistent in it's policy implementation and service level,some people because of who they are will always treat you well and will get to know you based on your travel patterns.
GS has evolved over the years from being an under the radar first class IRROPS, help you when you are in trouble and a choice of meal program with very few people in it and not much else to what it is today.
Much bigger in terms of membership, 1k plus ish, with more booking benefits but less personal service,attention at IRROPS (generally speaking)
Swings and roundabouts I guess
Mar 29, 2017, 4:26 am
#641
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Rowley, MA / Edgartown, MA / Christiansted, St. Croix (USVI)
Programs: UA LT GS/4.96MM, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Platinum, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, Korea SeS, APEC
Posts: 579
A special shout out to the GS member PVR/DEN yesterday, who made a point of explaining as loud as possible to his wife, that GS board before those lowly pee-on group 1 boarders. I will freely assume that he has not quite realized that there are others of us as the sheen of his newly minted GS card has not warn off.
I also enjoyed listening to his wife note, well why are we in the back of the plane then while you get the upgrade. Yes I know this probably belongs in the DYKWIA thread but I wanted to hope that this guy is still looking up the benefits on this site and needs to know he was a jerk.
I also enjoyed listening to his wife note, well why are we in the back of the plane then while you get the upgrade. Yes I know this probably belongs in the DYKWIA thread but I wanted to hope that this guy is still looking up the benefits on this site and needs to know he was a jerk.
Mar 29, 2017, 7:58 am
#642
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Texas
Programs: Former 1K turned UA Kettle
Posts: 413
He was not on the flight with me, which was also a reason. I guess if he had been, he could have applied an upgrade
Mar 29, 2017, 10:01 am
#643
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Your post leads me to a related question: How does an upgrade with miles work? For example on a 30K TATL coach award, is the upgrade treated full-fare Y > C (PN)? Sofar I have only used GPUs in such instances.
Mar 29, 2017, 2:45 pm
#644
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
To upgrade award tickets, both the miles and upgrade instrument must be from GS accounts. They don't have to be the same account.
So a GS can't apply an upgrade to a flight booked using GM-1K miles. Similarly, a 1K instrument cannot be applied to upgrade a GS reservation, even if the award miles came from a GS for a GS.
So a GS can't apply an upgrade to a flight booked using GM-1K miles. Similarly, a 1K instrument cannot be applied to upgrade a GS reservation, even if the award miles came from a GS for a GS.
Mar 29, 2017, 11:02 pm
#645
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,342
Question - when does UA typically open PN on international flights? Since I'm now GS for the first time and need to book an award ticket back to the States I'm looking for the elusive PN. Of course, I understand any answer is not hard proof that UA will open PN on any given flight. Just curious what the general consensus is.
I booked an 80K business one-way on OZ/UA. When I called GS and asked about finding PN (she also couldn't find any), I asked about booking the 40K economy UA ticket and waitlisting with the GPU. She told me not to do it since the system would see me with two reservations from Asia to the US on the same day and would cancel both. So now I find myself checking UA.com twice a day to see if PN opens up on any of the longhauls to the US.
Slightly frustrating to see the seat maps wide open, availability wide open but PN0. Two potential flights today opened up P space (P0 to P5) but still have PN0.
Thanks for your help. If I'm missing some GS benefit that would help me in this situation please let me know. Would rather use 40K + GPU than 80K miles so I can make use of a GS perk while I can. This will be my only year of GS as I'm Asia-based now and don't get to fly UA that much.
This is for a flight in May.
-RM
I booked an 80K business one-way on OZ/UA. When I called GS and asked about finding PN (she also couldn't find any), I asked about booking the 40K economy UA ticket and waitlisting with the GPU. She told me not to do it since the system would see me with two reservations from Asia to the US on the same day and would cancel both. So now I find myself checking UA.com twice a day to see if PN opens up on any of the longhauls to the US.
Slightly frustrating to see the seat maps wide open, availability wide open but PN0. Two potential flights today opened up P space (P0 to P5) but still have PN0.
Thanks for your help. If I'm missing some GS benefit that would help me in this situation please let me know. Would rather use 40K + GPU than 80K miles so I can make use of a GS perk while I can. This will be my only year of GS as I'm Asia-based now and don't get to fly UA that much.
This is for a flight in May.
-RM