Jan 5, 2017, 4:24 pm
Last edit by: getagb
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' thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2016]
Thread on 2017 Global Services Notifications
Thread on 2017 Qualifying Discussion
Known facts from United:
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' thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2016]
Thread on 2017 Global Services Notifications
Thread on 2017 Qualifying Discussion
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.
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.
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 Polaris First with a GPU if ON inventory is available.
- GS can confirm any waitlisted instrument-supported upgrade under T-72 hours provided 2 seats remain for sale afterwards and they are at the top of the waitlist
- GS can create saver Polaris First (O) space at T-72 hours if they are already booked in saver business (IN), provided one seat remains for sale after
- 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. UPDATE: as of 7/21/17 must have >2 for sale within 72hrs of flight
- GS can upgrade a companion from coach to biz when flying on a paid biz fare, even if R or PN is not available, as long as J/F>1. Companion needs to be W or greater intl.
- (Only ONE of the two above options can be exercised per premium fare.)
- GS cannot double upgrade. Economy -> PN -> ON is not allowed. *Some reports of TOD being offered at OLCI.
- GS can buy up from Basic Economy fares, which is usually forbidden
Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions 2017
Jan 5, 2017, 6:30 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
But doesn't this needs to have PN space available?
Jan 5, 2017, 6:37 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 200
Is it possible to upgrade an award ticket to first domestically with a RPU?
Jan 5, 2017, 6:42 pm
#18
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
Jan 5, 2017, 6:51 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott (Plat Premier, LT Plat)
Posts: 257
No PN availability needed if you are in paid first
Jan 5, 2017, 7:00 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
If I book an international biz award ticket with a connection, and the domestic leg is only available in economy, how is this best handled?
1. Waitlist for IN class on the domestic leg (I assume I'd want to do this anyway in case it clears in advance)
2. Try to CPU on the domestic leg, which would clear into PN
What happens here? Which fare class would it actually clear into? Do you have to pick one or the other?
1. Waitlist for IN class on the domestic leg (I assume I'd want to do this anyway in case it clears in advance)
2. Try to CPU on the domestic leg, which would clear into PN
What happens here? Which fare class would it actually clear into? Do you have to pick one or the other?
Jan 5, 2017, 7:03 pm
#21
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
If I book an international biz award ticket with a connection, and the domestic leg is only available in economy, how is this best handled?
1. Waitlist for IN class on the domestic leg (I assume I'd want to do this anyway in case it clears in advance)
2. Try to CPU on the domestic leg, which would clear into PN
What happens here? Which fare class would it actually clear into? Do you have to pick one or the other?
1. Waitlist for IN class on the domestic leg (I assume I'd want to do this anyway in case it clears in advance)
2. Try to CPU on the domestic leg, which would clear into PN
What happens here? Which fare class would it actually clear into? Do you have to pick one or the other?
So if you book your ticket > 120 hours out, the best strategy would be to W/L for IN, but then at 120 hours call and have an agent undo the W/L and request the CPU. I've done this and had the CPU clear right away.
Jan 5, 2017, 7:06 pm
#22
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I think the CPU would have a better chance of clearing than a waitlisted IN. That being said, if you apply the GPU over the entire trip, the system will automatically W/L for IN. So you'll need to only apply it to the international segment if you want to try for CPU (which should automatically WL for PN).
So if you book your ticket > 120 hours out, the best strategy would be to W/L for IN, but then at 120 hours call and have an agent undo the W/L and request the CPU. I've done this and had the CPU clear right away.
So if you book your ticket > 120 hours out, the best strategy would be to W/L for IN, but then at 120 hours call and have an agent undo the W/L and request the CPU. I've done this and had the CPU clear right away.
Jan 7, 2017, 5:13 am
#23
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SJC/SFO (previously BNE, SIN, SHA/PVG)
Programs: UA GS/MM, Marriott TE, National EE, Global Entry/TSA-Pre, APEC BTC
Posts: 162
To GS experts: do you find yourself now booking your itineraries directly through the GS desk due to all the personal handling benefits or do you still book through travel agents and then call GS desk to finish things off? i was thinking of just changing all my purchasing directly through the GS desk but then realized it wouldn't help for international transfers where i need to use another airline for some regional route. if that was the case, i think my ticket gets split up on different itineraries making baggage transfers difficult. any thoughts?
Jan 7, 2017, 7:36 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
A friend reported that UA closed down the GS check in counter in PEK. Now have to line up with the masses.
Jan 7, 2017, 8:06 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Jan 7, 2017, 8:42 am
#27
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SJC/SFO (previously BNE, SIN, SHA/PVG)
Programs: UA GS/MM, Marriott TE, National EE, Global Entry/TSA-Pre, APEC BTC
Posts: 162
Jan 7, 2017, 9:49 am
#28
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
The reason he gave me was that SIN is now considered a Tier 2 airport (after December 1). Tier 2 airports do not get the separate GS check-in like Tier 1 airports, which are basically all the hubs including LHR, NRT and HKG.
I have already emailed and talked to various UA people about how this is a true reduction in benefits. Still waiting for an answer.
Jan 7, 2017, 10:03 am
#29
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
They did this in SIN too when I was there a few weeks ago. Talked to a GS manager there about it. He said he gets complaints every day about it and forwards them to HQ.
The reason he gave me was that SIN is now considered a Tier 2 airport (after December 1). Tier 2 airports do not get the separate GS check-in like Tier 1 airports, which are basically all the hubs including LHR, NRT and HKG.
I have already emailed and talked to various UA people about how this is a true reduction in benefits. Still waiting for an answer.
The reason he gave me was that SIN is now considered a Tier 2 airport (after December 1). Tier 2 airports do not get the separate GS check-in like Tier 1 airports, which are basically all the hubs including LHR, NRT and HKG.
I have already emailed and talked to various UA people about how this is a true reduction in benefits. Still waiting for an answer.
Spent 15 minutes on hold this morning getting through to a GS agent about the SFO-AKL charlie-foxtrot. GS is the new 1K.
Jan 7, 2017, 10:19 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,694
To GS experts: do you find yourself now booking your itineraries directly through the GS desk due to all the personal handling benefits or do you still book through travel agents and then call GS desk to finish things off? i was thinking of just changing all my purchasing directly through the GS desk but then realized it wouldn't help for international transfers where i need to use another airline for some regional route. if that was the case, i think my ticket gets split up on different itineraries making baggage transfers difficult. any thoughts?
Seriously, I book online like usual, use the GS line if something gets screwy.