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 25, 2016, 11:57 am
#181
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
I'm new to GS and had a question about using GPUs to upgrade into PN that I was hoping someone might be able to help with.
I recently booked a flight for three people from SFO-LHR (saver economy plus GPU requested) many months in advance for which just about every premium cabin seat is open (including P inventory of ~8) but the PN inventory is zero. Previously I was under the impression that PN tracked to P, and that if there was space in one there should be space in the other. Is this not the case? Any thoughts on the likelihood of PN opening up in the near future (i.e. still a few months out rather than last minute)?
Thanks!
I recently booked a flight for three people from SFO-LHR (saver economy plus GPU requested) many months in advance for which just about every premium cabin seat is open (including P inventory of ~8) but the PN inventory is zero. Previously I was under the impression that PN tracked to P, and that if there was space in one there should be space in the other. Is this not the case? Any thoughts on the likelihood of PN opening up in the near future (i.e. still a few months out rather than last minute)?
Thanks!
Jan 25, 2016, 12:17 pm
#182
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,115
I just got off the phone after a 16 minute hold, which has never happened before. Agent offered me a discounted Hertz car and a discount on Hotels.com which has also never happened. Has anyone else gotten those offers or similar ones from the GS desk?
Jan 25, 2016, 12:33 pm
#183
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
There was a major blizzard that walloped the Northeast over the weekend. I was on hold for 20+ minutes yesterday. It is par for this course as the airlines try to return to normal. Under these circumstances, I would not think of asking for anything.
Jan 25, 2016, 12:39 pm
#184
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, SPG Plat, National EC Executive (Replaced Hertz), Hertz PC (Retired)
Posts: 724
No, I've more or less deduced that this is a symptom of getting rolled to 1K or GM agents. I'm 99% sure dedicated GS agents never do this, but given the call volume, lots more calls are rolling over.
Jan 25, 2016, 1:03 pm
#185
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,694
Will never call during IRROPs (like the blizzard) for any frills/perks items, as above is inevitable, in addition to a long hold.
Jan 25, 2016, 2:49 pm
#186
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, SPG Plat, National EC Executive (Replaced Hertz), Hertz PC (Retired)
Posts: 724
I'm new to GS and had a question about using GPUs to upgrade into PN that I was hoping someone might be able to help with.
I recently booked a flight for three people from SFO-LHR (saver economy plus GPU requested) many months in advance for which just about every premium cabin seat is open (including P inventory of ~8) but the PN inventory is zero. Previously I was under the impression that PN tracked to P, and that if there was space in one there should be space in the other. Is this not the case? Any thoughts on the likelihood of PN opening up in the near future (i.e. still a few months out rather than last minute)?
Thanks!
I recently booked a flight for three people from SFO-LHR (saver economy plus GPU requested) many months in advance for which just about every premium cabin seat is open (including P inventory of ~8) but the PN inventory is zero. Previously I was under the impression that PN tracked to P, and that if there was space in one there should be space in the other. Is this not the case? Any thoughts on the likelihood of PN opening up in the near future (i.e. still a few months out rather than last minute)?
Thanks!
You have a much better chance of PN opening up in the days before the flight on a route like this but not that far out - those tickets sell (depending on season).
Jan 25, 2016, 4:17 pm
#187
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 79
I'm one of those who received GS for 2015 on less than $40K (157K PQM/ $36K PQD). Not surprisingly, I wasn't invited back for 2016 (on 126K PQM / $33K PQD), though I did just receive a "challenge" offer (spend and fly $15K by May 2 and my GS will be reinstated until January 2017).
Mrs. mwc8962 was GS for 2 years but fell short last year, but $15K by May 2 could be possible.
Jan 26, 2016, 11:31 am
#188
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: UA GS; Marriott Plat; IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 79
access to lufthansa welcome lounge?
Does my GS status allow me to use the LH Welcome / Arrivals lounge in Frankfurt if I am travelling in Y? Normally this is only accessible with a business or first ticket, but the united globalservices benefits page does list this under "international partner lounges". Thanks
Jan 26, 2016, 6:06 pm
#189
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
Does my GS status allow me to use the LH Welcome / Arrivals lounge in Frankfurt if I am travelling in Y? Normally this is only accessible with a business or first ticket, but the united globalservices benefits page does list this under "international partner lounges". Thanks
Valid United Airlines MileagePlus Global Services card and boarding pass for a same-day inbound United Airlines intercontinental flight
Jan 26, 2016, 7:42 pm
#190
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
I'm new to GS and had a question about using GPUs to upgrade into PN that I was hoping someone might be able to help with.
I recently booked a flight for three people from SFO-LHR (saver economy plus GPU requested) many months in advance for which just about every premium cabin seat is open (including P inventory of ~8) but the PN inventory is zero. Previously I was under the impression that PN tracked to P, and that if there was space in one there should be space in the other. Is this not the case? Any thoughts on the likelihood of PN opening up in the near future (i.e. still a few months out rather than last minute)?
Thanks!
I recently booked a flight for three people from SFO-LHR (saver economy plus GPU requested) many months in advance for which just about every premium cabin seat is open (including P inventory of ~8) but the PN inventory is zero. Previously I was under the impression that PN tracked to P, and that if there was space in one there should be space in the other. Is this not the case? Any thoughts on the likelihood of PN opening up in the near future (i.e. still a few months out rather than last minute)?
Thanks!
Jan 26, 2016, 9:50 pm
#191
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: sfo
Programs: UA GS, Marriott lifetime plat, DL MM, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 21
I am flying out of SFO to Tokyo in BF (upgraded PN). Will I have access to global first lounge in SFO and HND? Appreciate your help..
Jan 26, 2016, 10:29 pm
#192
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, SPG Plat, National EC Executive (Replaced Hertz), Hertz PC (Retired)
Posts: 724
Jan 27, 2016, 7:18 pm
#193
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 659
What time does the GS checkin open at EWR? I have a 7AM flight on Saturday and was hoping to check it out on my way in.
Jan 27, 2016, 9:56 pm
#195
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, SPG Plat, National EC Executive (Replaced Hertz), Hertz PC (Retired)
Posts: 724