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 18, 2016, 11:34 am
#826
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
The globalservices.united.com web site is also still there and I don't see any changes, as far as I can tell.
Oct 18, 2016, 11:36 am
#827
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: UA GS, AA Exec Plat, Starwood Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14
I emailed the GS team with some questions regarding these rumors and got an interesting reply back from the Senior Manager of the GS program. Here is what I asked:
Later reworded after a non-satisfactory reply:
Here are the replies I received:
After a follow-up email, I received a response from the GS Senior Manager:
Very unclear what that means, but it does look like the GS program is about to change and that it won't be quite as loud and proud as it has been so far.
Later reworded after a non-satisfactory reply:
Here are the replies I received:
After a follow-up email, I received a response from the GS Senior Manager:
Very unclear what that means, but it does look like the GS program is about to change and that it won't be quite as loud and proud as it has been so far.
Oct 18, 2016, 11:41 am
#828
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
Guess we will see in November what they will "enhance".
Last edited by edcho; Oct 18, 2016 at 11:49 am
Oct 18, 2016, 12:31 pm
#829
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K since 1998 & 3 Million Miler & ex-GS; DL Diamond 2015-2022; BAEC Silver; Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 1,018
Oct 18, 2016, 12:40 pm
#830
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
As someone who finally achieved >$50K in united metal spend, I was hoping to get GS next year (I've gone out of my way to fly United metal for this reason). If they do "enhance" it, I hope that doesn't come with making it harder to get in than before.
Oct 18, 2016, 12:45 pm
#831
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 5280 feet
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 674
We are working to enhance the overall experience for our Global Services customers and dedicated colleagues who support them. Over the past several months, we have set up a strategy for the Global Services experience and recently begun taking action. This strategy is anchored on a clear definition – one that provides direction to our teams and set expectations for our customers. Our vision is to introduce a consistently tailored experience that affords a level of familiarity balanced by genuine warmth and personalization. Further, as our colleagues mentioned, we are working to make the program more discreet than ever. True luxury is about discretion. The suite of benefits and the overall experience for our customers will continue to evolve, and the focus will always remain on providing the very best to our Global Services members. There is lots of exciting news to come as we invest in our product and our colleagues. Customers will begin receiving notice in November about what to expect, and we will continue to cascade information in the weeks and months that follow. We are extremely excited about the community we are creating, and we sincerely hope it is one that connects our customers and colleagues around the world and unties us with a common goal.
Good grief. That person needs an editor, badly. There is so much corporate gobbledygook in that reply it is almost impossible to understand what they are trying to say.
I think what they are saying is:
Was that so hard to write?
EDIT: I genuinely enjoy the typo in the last sentence: ... we sincerely hope it is one that connects our customers and colleagues around the world and unties us with a common goal
If these changes are perceived as eliminating longstanding GS benefits, I am sure things will get untied very quickly!
Good grief. That person needs an editor, badly. There is so much corporate gobbledygook in that reply it is almost impossible to understand what they are trying to say.
I think what they are saying is:
- We are looking at some changes to the GS program
- These changes will not change ranking of GS
- We will be enhancing discretion, consistency and personalization in the GS program
- GS benefits might evolve
- More to come in November!
Was that so hard to write?
EDIT: I genuinely enjoy the typo in the last sentence: ... we sincerely hope it is one that connects our customers and colleagues around the world and unties us with a common goal
If these changes are perceived as eliminating longstanding GS benefits, I am sure things will get untied very quickly!
Oct 18, 2016, 1:13 pm
#832
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
Years ago, about 1988, back in the days of paper multi-part tickets, I met a gentleman on a flight who had a special card which, if he showed it to the ticket agent, would guarantee him a seat on any flight, even if they needed to take someone off the plane to make room for him. As I recall he claimed that there were only about 5 or 10 of these cards issued by the airline. Not sure if this practice still exists.
Last edited by l etoile; Oct 19, 2016 at 1:49 pm Reason: Removed deleted post and response
Oct 18, 2016, 1:24 pm
#833
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: UA/CO GS, PP, MM
Posts: 360
We are working to enhance the overall experience for our Global Services customers and dedicated colleagues who support them. Over the past several months, we have set up a strategy for the Global Services experience and recently begun taking action. This strategy is anchored on a clear definition – one that provides direction to our teams and set expectations for our customers. Our vision is to introduce a consistently tailored experience that affords a level of familiarity balanced by genuine warmth and personalization. Further, as our colleagues mentioned, we are working to make the program more discreet than ever. True luxury is about discretion. The suite of benefits and the overall experience for our customers will continue to evolve, and the focus will always remain on providing the very best to our Global Services members. There is lots of exciting news to come as we invest in our product and our colleagues. Customers will begin receiving notice in November about what to expect, and we will continue to cascade information in the weeks and months that follow. We are extremely excited about the community we are creating, and we sincerely hope it is one that connects our customers and colleagues around the world and unties us with a common goal.
Good grief. That person needs an editor, badly. There is so much corporate gobbledygook in that reply it is almost impossible to understand what they are trying to say.
I think what they are saying is:
Was that so hard to write?
EDIT: I genuinely enjoy the typo in the last sentence: ... we sincerely hope it is one that connects our customers and colleagues around the world and unties us with a common goal
If these changes are perceived as eliminating longstanding GS benefits, I am sure things will get untied very quickly!
Good grief. That person needs an editor, badly. There is so much corporate gobbledygook in that reply it is almost impossible to understand what they are trying to say.
I think what they are saying is:
- We are looking at some changes to the GS program
- These changes will not change ranking of GS
- We will be enhancing discretion, consistency and personalization in the GS program
- GS benefits might evolve
- More to come in November!
Was that so hard to write?
EDIT: I genuinely enjoy the typo in the last sentence: ... we sincerely hope it is one that connects our customers and colleagues around the world and unties us with a common goal
If these changes are perceived as eliminating longstanding GS benefits, I am sure things will get untied very quickly!
I'm ok with discretion as long as I get to board first. I'm ok with DYKWIA and boarding first too. The boarding first part being the important part.
Oct 18, 2016, 1:28 pm
#834
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, SPG Plat, National EC Executive (Replaced Hertz), Hertz PC (Retired)
Posts: 724
Pleeeeeeeassssee?
Oct 18, 2016, 1:52 pm
#835
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 659
Good grief. That person needs an editor, badly. There is so much corporate gobbledygook in that reply it is almost impossible to understand what they are trying to say.
I think what they are saying is:
Was that so hard to write?
EDIT: I genuinely enjoy the typo in the last sentence: ... we sincerely hope it is one that connects our customers and colleagues around the world and unties us with a common goal
If these changes are perceived as eliminating longstanding GS benefits, I am sure things will get untied very quickly!
I think what they are saying is:
- We are looking at some changes to the GS program
- These changes will not change ranking of GS
- We will be enhancing discretion, consistency and personalization in the GS program
- GS benefits might evolve
- More to come in November!
Was that so hard to write?
EDIT: I genuinely enjoy the typo in the last sentence: ... we sincerely hope it is one that connects our customers and colleagues around the world and unties us with a common goal
If these changes are perceived as eliminating longstanding GS benefits, I am sure things will get untied very quickly!
Oct 18, 2016, 5:24 pm
#836
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Is there an email to send GS inquiries to? Can you PM this to me? Thanks.
Oct 18, 2016, 7:43 pm
#838
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: UA GS ,QF Plat
Posts: 686
- More consistency for sure but that is not a GS only issue ?
- On board greeting/check in during the flight -this is very inconsistent and from my experience I get at it least as good and usually better service as a regular business punter on other airlines as I get as a UA GS on a UA plane ?
-We all fly on the same planes and pick from the same food so other than giving you your first choice from whatever it is they serve I can't imagine someone dashing out to get you a snack if you don't like the menu. ?
-Holding the better seats until they have a competitive cabin ?
-Move boarding to 3/4 back to 1 ?
I really liked the GS product when it was less visible and more efficient prior to the merger, outstanding IRROPS is what I miss the most.Don't get me wrong the booking and award benefits I like. From what the old timers tell me I joined MP in 2002 it is what in many ways what 1k used to be at the moment.
Oct 18, 2016, 8:13 pm
#839
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Yes it is a scary word,it would be nice to have the dedicated line back,the reality though is other than a few on ground and booking benefits what else can they do to "enhance" the experience.
- More consistency for sure but that is not a GS only issue ?
- On board greeting/check in during the flight -this is very inconsistent and from my experience I get at it least as good and usually better service as a regular business punter on other airlines as I get as a UA GS on a UA plane ?
-We all fly on the same planes and pick from the same food so other than giving you your first choice from whatever it is they serve I can't imagine someone dashing out to get you a snack if you don't like the menu. ?
-Holding the better seats until they have a competitive cabin ?
-Move boarding to 3/4 back to 1 ?
I really liked the GS product when it was less visible and more efficient prior to the merger, outstanding IRROPS is what I miss the most.Don't get me wrong the booking and award benefits I like. From what the old timers tell me I joined MP in 2002 it is what in many ways what 1k used to be at the moment.
- More consistency for sure but that is not a GS only issue ?
- On board greeting/check in during the flight -this is very inconsistent and from my experience I get at it least as good and usually better service as a regular business punter on other airlines as I get as a UA GS on a UA plane ?
-We all fly on the same planes and pick from the same food so other than giving you your first choice from whatever it is they serve I can't imagine someone dashing out to get you a snack if you don't like the menu. ?
-Holding the better seats until they have a competitive cabin ?
-Move boarding to 3/4 back to 1 ?
I really liked the GS product when it was less visible and more efficient prior to the merger, outstanding IRROPS is what I miss the most.Don't get me wrong the booking and award benefits I like. From what the old timers tell me I joined MP in 2002 it is what in many ways what 1k used to be at the moment.
Oct 18, 2016, 8:13 pm
#840
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Houston
Programs: UA: MM
Posts: 844
I was a PMCO Plat for a few years before the merger and rarely flew anything else. I ended up on an international UA return flight to Houston for some reason and remember hearing the agent call "Global mumbly-something." Of course as a Global Entry early adopter with absolutely no UA status I excitedly rushed to the front of the line.
I was quickly ushered away...
FWIW
DLM