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 31, 2017, 9:59 pm
#286
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K (2MM); AA LT Gold (1.9 MM); SQ; WN; DL; "Bonvoy Ambassador""
Posts: 398
Feb 1, 2017, 12:02 pm
#287
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, SPG Plat, National EC Executive (Replaced Hertz), Hertz PC (Retired)
Posts: 724
FYI: For GS check-in at EWR, the Airserv agent that guards the door for the GS Lobby will walk you to the front of the Pre line at the C1 checkpoint. Be prepared for more scowls and dirty looks than usual.
The new baggage handling system at C1 works quite well.
The new baggage handling system at C1 works quite well.
Feb 1, 2017, 1:49 pm
#288
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Ah, that's what they meant. That will be better than being put at the head of the Great Unwashed TSA line outside of the GS area. Will try that Friday
Feb 2, 2017, 10:26 am
#289
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA-GS; WN A-list;Hyatt - CC; Hertz - PC
Posts: 644
Can someone remind me, what is the purchase of $50k in spend called again? Pass Plus? Can someone use this for instance to purchase tickets for all employees of a company or can they only use these dollars for themselves?
Feb 2, 2017, 11:02 am
#290
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
Last edited by wxguy; Feb 2, 2017 at 12:16 pm
Feb 2, 2017, 5:25 pm
#291
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K 1.45MM, Marriott+SPG Plat, Clear, Nexus, Global Entry and MEX Viajero Confiable
Posts: 1,777
Upstream there were comments about GS preboarding at GRU. GS are now told to stay close to the desk.. and when boarding via bus (versus jetway) given private shuttle ride to plane. 4 of us were in the area so they shuttled us on private van with pilots ^
Last edited by NH_Clark; Feb 2, 2017 at 5:32 pm
Feb 3, 2017, 11:59 am
#292
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Good to know. Thanks for the update. (BTW, that usual weekday Airserv agent who is at the GS lobby door is a very nice guy!)
Feb 3, 2017, 12:35 pm
#293
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Worked well is more accurate. It seized up last night and could not regurgitate data. Otherwise, agree that C1 GS treatment better than great Unwashed queue outside of GS
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 3, 2017 at 7:32 pm Reason: repaired post
Feb 4, 2017, 8:05 am
#294
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: UA LT GS 4.2 MM, AA Gold 1MM, HH Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 394
The #beingunited twitter page shows that a new GS reception area opened yesterday at IAH. Anyone know where it is?
Feb 4, 2017, 11:16 am
#295
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,704
Feb 4, 2017, 1:04 pm
#296
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS/MM, MR PPE/LTG, TSA Pre✓, NEXUS, APEC BTC, UKBF RT, CLEAR, DXB E-GATE
Posts: 251
SFO Boarding 2/3/17 UA153
Boarded UA153 (SFO > IAH) yesterday. It was a jam packed full flight, out of the Intl Gate 99. There were No GS agents to manage the boarding process for GS. The queues were super long and when boarding for GS was called, a couple of us had to politely break through the queues to be able to get to the counter to board.
Not the most pleasant of experiences, I think they are doing away with the ushered boarding of GS.
Not the most pleasant of experiences, I think they are doing away with the ushered boarding of GS.
Feb 4, 2017, 2:30 pm
#297
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
Boarded UA153 (SFO > IAH) yesterday. It was a jam packed full flight, out of the Intl Gate 99. There were No GS agents to manage the boarding process for GS. The queues were super long and when boarding for GS was called, a couple of us had to politely break through the queues to be able to get to the counter to board.
Not the most pleasant of experiences, I think they are doing away with the ushered boarding of GS.
Not the most pleasant of experiences, I think they are doing away with the ushered boarding of GS.
Feb 4, 2017, 4:14 pm
#298
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
I've never had ushered boarding or even had a GA agent nearby at SFO and I'm in and out of there every other week or so.
The one and only time I've ever been ushered on board was Boston.
The one and only time I've ever been ushered on board was Boston.
Feb 4, 2017, 4:56 pm
#299
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,396
Ushered boarding was evident on p.s. - UA 418 at EWR yesterday. GS rep had a printout of all GS on that flight and, just before boarding started, welcomed each GS customer, checked his/her upgrade status, then during pre-group 1 boarding, led them up as a group to the agent staffing the gate reader. If my count was right, 15 GS on this 772.
Feb 4, 2017, 6:36 pm
#300
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: dark side of the moon
Programs: papa card, UA 1K
Posts: 707
Not that it's particularly important, but pax on the same PNR as a GS and companions of a GS can all board with a Real GS. Also Companion GS have the same privileges as a real GS. Also if on the same PNR, the pax is upgraded though PN (like GS) if PN>1. Therefore as a passenger it is guessing who is actually GS. Obviously sometimes it's apparent.