Originally Posted by jgsx

Ok, I'm writing that off as a false benefit. Sorry Brasillia, I'm not shooting you personally, I just think we should stop spreading that some benefits exist that do not.

GS has opened up award availability for me, and it seemed to have nothing to do with NC/NY availability. I wanted some international seats, and there was XF=0, NF=0 for every day I asked about, and I had no trouble having two seats confirmed. I don't think it is related to NC/NF availability.

Just for the record, the only published benefits of GS for 2008 are:

-Ability to upgrade on a Saver award ticket (when upgrade space available)
-Private check-in facility at O'Hare
-Worldwide recognition of importance to United
-24-hour toll-free telephone access to Global Services Center
-Airport assistance upon request
-Highest priority for 500-mile upgrade clearance -- 120 hours before departure
-Highest priority for airport standby
-Next-flight guarantee if your flight is canceled (in Y, if departure is >30 min)
-Access to any United check-in counter, including United First
-Access to priority screening lines (where available)
-Board at your leisure, on the red carpet
-Star Alliance Gold benefits
-Access to United Arrivals Suite when travelling on international United flights arriving before noon in the following locations: O'Hare, Frankfurt, Heathrow, Paris, SFO, Sao Paulo
-Premium Baggage Service to help in the unfortunate event that your checked luggage is delayed or damaged


Anything past that is just them being nice (which they often are).