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 3, 2016, 12:07 pm
#1
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: 4,392
Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions 2016
Outstanding IRROPS assistance at ORD today, when my domestic flight went mx with rolling 30-minute delays. GS found me, protected/rebooked me on a later flight, and sent me to the GFL to wait. When the original flight was reset onto another aircraft, they proactively got me on that one.
Jan 3, 2016, 1:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Outstanding IRROPS assistance at ORD today, when my domestic flight went mx with rolling 30-minute delays. GS found me, protected/rebooked me on a later flight, and sent me to the GFL to wait. When the original flight was reset onto another aircraft, they proactively got me on that one.
Jan 5, 2016, 6:12 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 7
So I hit a measly $27k last year and won't keep my GS next year (at least 99% sure). I'm booking a family vacation to Hawaii later this year and figured I should use those rpu on the award tickets while I still can. The GS phone agent seemed to think that the airport GA might question the fact that I was in FC as only a 1K, and may potentially "bump" me. That seems weird to me, and I doubt that anyone would really want to downgrade me.
Anyone have experience here? Also I'm guessing if I need to change dates after 1/31 they probably won't let me keep the instruments applied?
Anyone have experience here? Also I'm guessing if I need to change dates after 1/31 they probably won't let me keep the instruments applied?
Jan 5, 2016, 6:22 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
So I hit a measly $27k last year and won't keep my GS next year (at least 99% sure). I'm booking a family vacation to Hawaii later this year and figured I should use those rpu on the award tickets while I still can. The GS phone agent seemed to think that the airport GA might question the fact that I was in FC as only a 1K, and may potentially "bump" me. That seems weird to me, and I doubt that anyone would really want to downgrade me.
Anyone have experience here? Also I'm guessing if I need to change dates after 1/31 they probably won't let me keep the instruments applied?
Anyone have experience here? Also I'm guessing if I need to change dates after 1/31 they probably won't let me keep the instruments applied?
Jan 5, 2016, 7:53 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
My wife just got GS for the first time. When I travel with her, do I get to go with her into GS lounge, through GS security bypass, and boarding the plane early? Does it matter if we are on same PNR?
Jan 5, 2016, 8:04 pm
#6
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
(By GS lounge, I assume you mean GS check-in lounge like they have at ORD and EWR.)
Jan 5, 2016, 8:06 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Jan 5, 2016, 10:10 pm
#8
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: 66,854
TOPIC CHECK
There is a specific thread, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ns-2016-a.html for folks wanting to post about their 2016 GS status or not.
Let's this thread focus on GS experiences, benefits, general questions including the qualification process -- but actual 2016 status is best for the other thread (and for those looking for GS information don't need to weigh thru lots of status updates).
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
There is a specific thread, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ns-2016-a.html for folks wanting to post about their 2016 GS status or not.
Let's this thread focus on GS experiences, benefits, general questions including the qualification process -- but actual 2016 status is best for the other thread (and for those looking for GS information don't need to weigh thru lots of status updates).
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Jan 6, 2016, 5:21 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,695
Seems like there will be a lot more GS this year, bar seems lowered...Will start finding out in a couple days 
Jan 6, 2016, 6:53 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Midwest
Programs: UA GS, UA 1.6MM, AA LT PLT, AA 2.6MM, Intercontinental Royal Ambassador
Posts: 838
I think UA is pretty careful about designating a certain percentage of the overall MP program as GS. Maybe I'm wrong but I'm not going to read too much into the 2016 qualification thread.
Jan 6, 2016, 7:13 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 659
What's the deal with complimentary Marriot Platinum status? Is that still a thing for GS members? What's the procedure for obtaining that?
Jan 6, 2016, 7:20 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,695
There's a link under MP New & Offers. If you recall last year, we had to register and given Gold, then received notification a bit later that GS folks get Platinum. My Marriott account page still says Platinum, but I don't know when Marriott accounts roll over.
Jan 6, 2016, 7:23 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,695
That's my concern.
Jan 6, 2016, 7:52 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: DC|NYC
Programs: UA GS, DL Plat, Marriott Bonvoy LIfetime Titanium/SPG refugee, Hertz Prez, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,201
We're seeing everyone getting GS but we're not seeing all the 2015 GS who are no longer in 2016.