Jan 3, 2016, 12:15 pm
Last edit by: wxguy
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's thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2015]
Thread on qualifying for 2016, Global Services 2016 Notifications (ONLY)
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.
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's thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2015]
Thread on qualifying for 2016, Global Services 2016 Notifications (ONLY)
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.
Known Award and Upgrade Benefits:
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 Global First with a GPU if ON inventory is available.
- 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.
- GS can upgrade a companion from coach to biz when flying on a paid biz fare, even if R or PN is not available.
- GS cannot double upgrade. Economy -> PN -> ON is not allowed. *Some reports of TOD being offered at OLCI.
Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions 2016
Sep 23, 2016, 7:59 pm
#706
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
Sep 24, 2016, 12:57 am
#707
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,704
Sep 24, 2016, 6:38 am
#708
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
thanks. Here now but, truth be told, it was easier getting out of the old DDR than it was getting in here. Security people tried to direct me away from A Gates, agents at desk said no and relented but I had to show my GS Card. Worth it when you get in but jeez...
Sep 24, 2016, 9:33 am
#709
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
Sep 25, 2016, 9:46 am
#710
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,116
I just got off the phone with a rep at the GS desk and I mentioned expert mode. He's like "whats that?" So I explain it to him and he is like "oh I've never heard of that website." Me "its not a website but a United.com feature." Rep: "oh I didn't know that existed. I don't use United.com because I could just use our own system."
Sep 25, 2016, 9:56 am
#711
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
Sep 25, 2016, 10:10 am
#712
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
This is an incorrect perception, I've flown heavy international for years, between 200K and 350K, and never made GS (until I hit 4MM this year). It's about the dollars, in all that time I never exceeded $40K PQD, which is the key factor. I've done literally hundreds of TPAC round trip flights from BOS for less than $1,700.00 total, my cheapest, a RT from SFO to NRT was under $600 and I got upgraded both ways, granted that was during the SARS period.
It is interesting to hear 1Ks asking to go ahead of GS on a YBM fare. As GS my domestic upgrade percentage is about 75%. ALL of the flights I didn't get upgraded on I had a B or Y fare - higher than anyone who purchased a P or A first class ticket. The reason for this is last minute flights or changes. Regarding profitability, I am more profitable to United sitting on coach on a $800 one way from DEN-SJC than anyone in coach (even on a full F ticket).
I made GS primarily on domestic coach tickets.
Sep 25, 2016, 10:34 am
#713
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
But as you say, it is worth it once you get there.
Sep 25, 2016, 10:40 am
#714
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
Sep 25, 2016, 11:50 am
#715
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,301
Sep 25, 2016, 8:31 pm
#716
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
72 hours left, PN=0 but P=1 so no CPU.
Can GS force PN for CPU?
Can GS force PN for CPU?
Sep 25, 2016, 8:48 pm
#717
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Sep 25, 2016, 9:05 pm
#718
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
Sep 25, 2016, 10:41 pm
#719
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Newp.... only at T<24hr after you check in can a GS agent convert any F space into PN, and there are reports that even that is hit and miss. For that to work, you have to be #1 on the UG list in my experience, or in a position on the list that would guarantee you an upgrade at the time you call in.
If PN=0, they won't convert it otherwise.
If PN=0, they won't convert it otherwise.
Sep 26, 2016, 8:18 am
#720
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Newp.... only at T<24hr after you check in can a GS agent convert any F space into PN, and there are reports that even that is hit and miss. For that to work, you have to be #1 on the UG list in my experience, or in a position on the list that would guarantee you an upgrade at the time you call in.
If PN=0, they won't convert it otherwise.
If PN=0, they won't convert it otherwise.
1) Within T-120 which is GS window, if PN>1, will GS automatically clear CPU?
2) At T-24 upgrade list, does a GS supported by upgrade instruments (eg RPU) trump other GS's without instruments?
What if the GS is supported by 1K RPU which clears to R instead of PN?