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 22, 2016, 2:53 pm
#931
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
For a longtime (pre-Continental) GS wasn't part of the MP levels. Benefits were unpublished to the general public and in my opinion worked just as well.
Nov 23, 2016, 1:23 pm
#932
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
At this point the lack of communication on the program is hurting UA. Have GS friend who is front loading other program with beginning of year 2017 travel and will follow on later in 2017 with UA if program maintains its' features. He was approached by another program and really felt all that data a certain credit card club are collecting (id, boarding pass and card) led to him being targeted. The other airline knew a little too much about his travels. Sounds like a theory but kinda makes sense.
Nov 23, 2016, 1:28 pm
#933
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
At this point the lack of communication on the program is hurting UA. Have GS friend who is front loading other program with beginning of year 2017 travel and will follow on later in 2017 with UA if program maintains its' features. He was approached by another program and really felt all that data a certain credit card club are collecting (id, boarding pass and card) led to him being targeted. The other airline knew a little too much about his travels. Sounds like a theory but kinda makes sense.
Nov 23, 2016, 1:37 pm
#934
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
Before posting got his consent. He does not want me to comment on carrier but it is Asia based. He did ask me to add among UA GS features values all but among highest is MM companion benefit. It makes home life smoother that his wife has status when she travels on her own as a benefit of his crazy flying.
Nov 23, 2016, 1:50 pm
#935
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
Totally agree. Mostly we travel together. But when she travels alone, it's so much easier on me to know she is getting good treatment, because otherwise I'm her travel support. Happy wife, happy life.
Nov 27, 2016, 6:49 pm
#936
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: United GS, Hilton D, Marriott G
Posts: 11
Another perk of GS to be lost, and I did not even know about it. Traveling through ORD today, the GS Agent explained starting Thursday (December 1), the ORD GS counter would no longer be checking in the children (of GS members) travelling alone on GS points, or GS Purchased tickets. She explained that up till now, many children of GS members would enter the ORD GS area (without the GS members) and United GS agents would have to check them in. But not after Thursday. I wonder what other little changes are coming to GS?.
Nov 27, 2016, 6:53 pm
#937
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Another perk of GS to be lost, and I did not even know about it. Traveling through ORD today, the GS Agent explained starting Thursday (December 1), the ORD GS counter would no longer be checking in the children (of GS members) travelling alone on GS points, or GS Purchased tickets. She explained that up till now, many children of GS members would enter the ORD GS area (without the GS members) and United GS agents would have to check them in. But not after Thursday. I wonder what other little changes are coming to GS?.
Nov 27, 2016, 8:22 pm
#938
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Another perk of GS to be lost, and I did not even know about it. Traveling through ORD today, the GS Agent explained starting Thursday (December 1), the ORD GS counter would no longer be checking in the children (of GS members) travelling alone on GS points, or GS Purchased tickets. She explained that up till now, many children of GS members would enter the ORD GS area (without the GS members) and United GS agents would have to check them in. But not after Thursday. I wonder what other little changes are coming to GS?.
I didn't know this was a perk and am glad it is going away.
Nov 27, 2016, 11:47 pm
#939
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
Another perk of GS to be lost, and I did not even know about it. Traveling through ORD today, the GS Agent explained starting Thursday (December 1), the ORD GS counter would no longer be checking in the children (of GS members) travelling alone on GS points, or GS Purchased tickets. She explained that up till now, many children of GS members would enter the ORD GS area (without the GS members) and United GS agents would have to check them in. But not after Thursday. I wonder what other little changes are coming to GS?.
Nov 28, 2016, 5:36 am
#940
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SOW
Programs: UA GS 5 MM, Delta 1.6MM & Hilton Diamond, Avis Chairman, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 768
On domestic itineraries I typically use the ORD GS lounge to skirt the TSA pre check line. Usually checked in online via the app and have no need for an agent. While in stride I am often being greeted by one or more agents, and I smile and say "already checked in" or something. But lots of times I feel like they're questioning the legitimacy of my status. A couple times they ask to see it. Does anyone else have awkward situations like this? Seems like they're trying to enforce the access rules and I wonder if it will help or hurt these situations.
Nov 28, 2016, 6:28 am
#941
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
On domestic itineraries I typically use the ORD GS lounge to skirt the TSA pre check line. Usually checked in online via the app and have no need for an agent. While in stride I am often being greeted by one or more agents, and I smile and say "already checked in" or something. But lots of times I feel like they're questioning the legitimacy of my status. A couple times they ask to see it. Does anyone else have awkward situations like this? Seems like they're trying to enforce the access rules and I wonder if it will help or hurt these situations.
Nov 28, 2016, 8:21 am
#942
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,704
Nov 28, 2016, 10:22 am
#943
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27536318-post2139.html
It is not the United Globe. It is the Global Services Globe. They are not doing away with the Global Services brand, just the public text.
Nov 28, 2016, 10:29 am
#944
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA-GS; WN A-list;Hyatt - CC; Hertz - PC
Posts: 644
They must have had more problems with people identifying as Global or Global Entry than previously thought. As long as the program does not change, I like that we will now just be a symbol instead of name. I kind of feel like Prince.
Nov 28, 2016, 11:34 am
#945
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,704
