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
Oct 17, 2016, 9:32 am
#796
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
What would the logic of this be unless they were planning on significantly increasing the PQD threshold for 1K to make it more GS-like?
Oct 17, 2016, 10:16 am
#797
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K 1.45MM, Marriott+SPG Plat, Clear, Nexus, Global Entry and MEX Viajero Confiable
Posts: 1,777
My spend will probably be slightly north of $45K this year...and makes me wonder if worth doing the same next year, especially in a non-hub station where AA and B6 and DL have stronger positions.
Oct 17, 2016, 10:21 am
#798
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
Not saying that -- just saying all GSes will look like 1Ks from the public view but will still be separate in the backend (and the benefits for GSes will remain -- hopefully). But that's just an educated guess.
Oct 17, 2016, 10:23 am
#799
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Oct 17, 2016, 10:27 am
#800
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 659
Perhaps UA wants to make the GS program more secretive instead of having it be so loud and proud as it is now. I can see this as a move towards making 1K's feel more appreciated, which I think is something I remember Oscar saying he wanted to do (something about 1K's being responsible for more than $1 billion in revenue each year).
Oct 17, 2016, 10:36 am
#802
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Oct 17, 2016, 10:38 am
#803
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Oct 17, 2016, 12:05 pm
#804
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
I'm not sure how Polaris relates to domestic travel.
Oct 17, 2016, 12:31 pm
#805
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: UA/CO GS, PP, MM
Posts: 360
This would be really stupid. I don't relish the idea of waiting in the group 1 line with all the gate lice and fighting for over head space.
Oct 17, 2016, 12:52 pm
#806
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Oct 17, 2016, 3:40 pm
#807
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Oct 17, 2016, 4:44 pm
#809
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008