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
Nov 5, 2016, 12:13 pm
#901
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
I also know exactly who both of you are talking about because of her distinctive accent, as soon as I hear her say Global Services, I immediately HUCA. Been doing it for a few years after having less than stellar interactions with her on multiple occasions. Perhaps I'll give her a chance next time I get her if she has actually improved.
Also forgot to mention the second time I called, the guy just said "thanks for calling united" and then a few seconds later his cell phone starts ringing in the background. It's not a big deal, but I think when we call in on the GS line, we just get bumped to the top of the general line. I used to get through almost immediately, but lately hold times are over 5 minutes every time I call.
Nov 5, 2016, 1:13 pm
#902
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,861
Interesting -- I don't call often and this year am just a Plat (or a few more weeks) but I can not remember a five minute wait.
Nov 5, 2016, 1:50 pm
#903
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NC
Programs: UA ,Qantas ,Southwest
Posts: 172
I am Tokyo based and call in at some odd times, I have 10 min waits several times this year, the dedicated GS line went a couple of years ago
Nov 7, 2016, 5:57 pm
#904
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Houston and Dubai
Programs: United GS, Emirates iO (Invitation Only)
Posts: 67
With all the talk of how GS is going to become more behind the scenes like AA CK and DL360, it was interesting to see the news today about how AA is bringing CK out in to the open more, following UA. Lot of the same stuff we have now, earlier upgrades, announced boarding, CK printed on boarding pass (think it just used to say EXP before).
Just think its interesting how they are pretty much following each other, but by doing that they are going in complete opposite directions.
Just think its interesting how they are pretty much following each other, but by doing that they are going in complete opposite directions.
Nov 8, 2016, 4:01 am
#905
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: LAX IAH AMS
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 1,273
GS email address?
I have had really great service recently from emailing MP about some award, mileage credit issues etc.
3 separate issues and all responded to and corrected within 12 hours.
Is there a general GS email that handles other issues (for example, I never received an ETC email from a ticket change).
Or, should I just keep emailing MP thought the UA website?
Sometimes emailing is just easier than picking up the phone when I am busy.
Thanks!
3 separate issues and all responded to and corrected within 12 hours.
Is there a general GS email that handles other issues (for example, I never received an ETC email from a ticket change).
Or, should I just keep emailing MP thought the UA website?
Sometimes emailing is just easier than picking up the phone when I am busy.
Thanks!
Nov 8, 2016, 6:43 am
#906
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 659
Yes there is. Check on the top of the GS website: https://globalservices.united.com.
Nov 8, 2016, 6:52 am
#907
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,704
It's on the back of your GS card.
Nov 15, 2016, 12:34 pm
#908
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS 2mm
Posts: 94
Best lounge in FRA if traveling on United businessfirst
I'm traveling from FRA-SFO next week in BusinessFirst (not GF). What is my best lounge option? Any special perks for global services if not in GF? Thanks.
Nov 15, 2016, 1:33 pm
#910
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Nov 15, 2016, 2:51 pm
#912
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
Nov 15, 2016, 3:28 pm
#913
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Error using GS GPU
Anyone having trouble using GS GPU online?
Do you get this error message and have to call to apply GPU?
Tried Firefox, Chrome, IE, Safari, same error message. Very frustrating.
Do you get this error message and have to call to apply GPU?
Tried Firefox, Chrome, IE, Safari, same error message. Very frustrating.
Nov 15, 2016, 7:22 pm
#914
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Just applied one GPU online about 30 mins ago and it processed instantly.
Nov 15, 2016, 9:54 pm
#915
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000