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
Jan 10, 2016, 3:34 am
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
Terms and conditions: This award is subject to MileagePlus terms and conditions and United air travel award rules.
Upgrades: Members cannot use a MileagePlus Upgrade Award on a Saver or Standard Award ticket. Global Services members and certain MileagePlus Visa cardholders may use other upgrade types.
Upgrades: Members cannot use a MileagePlus Upgrade Award on a Saver or Standard Award ticket. Global Services members and certain MileagePlus Visa cardholders may use other upgrade types.
Jan 10, 2016, 6:42 am
#77
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,393
Jan 10, 2016, 6:45 am
#78
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,393
Nice exception: If the GS passenger has a paid F (domestic) or C (international) ticket, then they will force XN+RPU/GPU=>PN or IN for a companion on the same itinerary, with no underlying T or R required..
Jan 10, 2016, 6:48 am
#80
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,393
Jan 10, 2016, 9:10 am
#81
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,890
Sometimes after 4pm they turn on the foam machine.
Hmmm, I was told they only do that on international flights. I had a domestic FC ticket and wanted to bring a companion with me on a saver award upgraded with one of my far too numerous RPUs. I was told not for domestic, but they would open saver FC.
Hmmm, I was told they only do that on international flights. I had a domestic FC ticket and wanted to bring a companion with me on a saver award upgraded with one of my far too numerous RPUs. I was told not for domestic, but they would open saver FC.
Jan 10, 2016, 11:27 am
#82
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Absolutely. The ability to convert T into XN is a massive benefit over 1K.
Other things I am looking forward to:
1) Not sleeping on the airport floor again (at least for the next couple years) after standing by and missing flights.
2) Plenty of converting T to XN for award travel for friends and family (have already booked 7 tickets for in-laws in the last 2 days).
3) Paying saver economy award redemptions and using GPU's to fly int'l J.
4) Nearly guaranteed first class (as long as I am able to book tickets more than 2 days in advance).
5) CPU's on XN.
Thanks for all the posts with input on how to convert fare classes... greatly appreciated and duly noted for the future.
Happy and safe travels, folks.
Other things I am looking forward to:
1) Not sleeping on the airport floor again (at least for the next couple years) after standing by and missing flights.
2) Plenty of converting T to XN for award travel for friends and family (have already booked 7 tickets for in-laws in the last 2 days).
3) Paying saver economy award redemptions and using GPU's to fly int'l J.
4) Nearly guaranteed first class (as long as I am able to book tickets more than 2 days in advance).
5) CPU's on XN.
Thanks for all the posts with input on how to convert fare classes... greatly appreciated and duly noted for the future.
Happy and safe travels, folks.
Jan 10, 2016, 1:40 pm
#83
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
For tickets that I book in advance, I am usually able to find a way to clear an upgrade into R with miles / RPU .... Now that I have access to PN, I suspect that it will be rare to have to do battlefield upgrade clearance.
Jan 10, 2016, 1:43 pm
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Don't kid yourself. I have seen many a GS back in coach when their upgrades don't clear.
Jan 10, 2016, 2:11 pm
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,090
Jan 10, 2016, 2:30 pm
#86
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Jan 10, 2016, 4:21 pm
#87
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
I guess you have been on routes that are less traveled by GS/1Ks.
I have got stuck in coach when with a couple of weeks of lead time on some of the routes flown by elites.
Jan 10, 2016, 4:40 pm
#88
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
I guess we have another YMMV. My GS wife (my GS MM designee) when flying on an award ticket, never showed up on any upgrade lists or cleared an upgrade until we signed her up for a qualifying CC. Since the sign up she has consistently shown up on the upgrade lists and has a 100% CPU success rate when flying on an award ticket.
Jan 10, 2016, 5:02 pm
#89
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Something was alluded to upthread about GS being able to book F seats close in even if nothing is officially available. Does anyone have insight into what this means (or if I'm misinterpreting)?
Jan 10, 2016, 5:12 pm
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909