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
Feb 13, 2017, 8:34 pm
#361
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
In the past, I've seen GS be soft landed to 1K with 6 GPUs on a 0 EQM year (2014?) and GS soft land to 1K with no upgrade instruments.
Feb 13, 2017, 9:20 pm
#362
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: dark side of the moon
Programs: papa card, UA 1K
Posts: 707
First I've heard of this - If that is the case then maybe it is discretionary? Maybe others who went from GS - 1K (or below) can chime in?
Last edited by ermintrude; Feb 13, 2017 at 10:22 pm Reason: added (or below)
Feb 14, 2017, 12:30 am
#363
formerly bbrantley
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 160
I was GS in 2015, quit my job and flew basically nothing, and was 1K in 2016 with the usual GPUs and everything else.
Now back to GS in 2017 with PassPlus, and the spend should mean I'll "earn" GS for 2018... and soft land 1K in 2019. Whee... :-)
Now back to GS in 2017 with PassPlus, and the spend should mean I'll "earn" GS for 2018... and soft land 1K in 2019. Whee... :-)
Feb 14, 2017, 11:29 pm
#364
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM, AA EXP 1.25MM
Posts: 36
Upgrading an award ticket
What is the process for upgrading an award ticket? Does it need to be done over the phone? There is PN space available however, I don't see anywhere online where the upgrade can be pushed through. Is this not allowed if I have a companion on the same itinerary?
Feb 14, 2017, 11:51 pm
#365
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
You must call in. Your companion is eligible if you are using an upgrade instrument from your account.
Feb 15, 2017, 5:49 am
#366
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,527
16 GS on this morning's IAH-SFO UA 404 😳
Feb 15, 2017, 8:10 am
#367
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: 4,406
Feb 15, 2017, 11:29 am
#369
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,527
Feb 15, 2017, 1:20 pm
#370
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS, SPG Plat, National EC Executive (Replaced Hertz), Hertz PC (Retired)
Posts: 724
Feb 16, 2017, 1:13 pm
#371
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 250
Any idea how quickly United follows up on a complain sent through the "Contact Us" form as a GS?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Feb 16, 2017, 1:47 pm
#372
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO, DCA, IAD
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
Feb 16, 2017, 2:38 pm
#373
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,746
Feb 16, 2017, 2:46 pm
#374
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 250
Didn't keep it unfortunately. Would someone mind PMing me? Thank you!
Feb 16, 2017, 4:28 pm
#375
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Rowley, MA / Edgartown, MA / Christiansted, St. Croix (USVI)
Programs: UA LT GS/4.96MM, Marriott LT Titanium, IHG Platinum, Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, Korea SeS, APEC
Posts: 579
Yes, you need to call in, they always say it's complicated and takes about 5 minutes. It does work great however, I successfully upgraded my entire family on a Mexico vacation in January. Great perk for GS members.