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
Mar 2, 2017, 12:13 pm
#451
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
I've got an upcoming flight CLE-MBJ... My family will be traveling with a friend's family. I was able to upgrade everyone from Y to F using RPUs, but I was one short so my friend himself is in steerage. He is on a different PNR, how do I go about adding him to the Upgrade standby list for a complimentary upgrade? Is this still done Day of departure at the airport like in the CO days? Or is there some super-secret GS benefit I can leverage here to get him moved up front?
Mar 2, 2017, 12:25 pm
#452
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,242
I've got an upcoming flight CLE-MBJ... My family will be traveling with a friend's family. I was able to upgrade everyone from Y to F using RPUs, but I was one short so my friend himself is in steerage. He is on a different PNR, how do I go about adding him to the Upgrade standby list for a complimentary upgrade? Is this still done Day of departure at the airport like in the CO days? Or is there some super-secret GS benefit I can leverage here to get him moved up front?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 3, 2017 at 11:08 pm Reason: fixed typo
Mar 2, 2017, 12:27 pm
#453
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
That would have been a good idea. Unfortunately we already purchased the seats in economy with cash. I should be blowing past the 100k miles mark for the year on Sunday, so I should have some more RPUs and also expring GPUS to burn, but I was hoping there was a way to do this without an GPU/RPU/Miles
Mar 3, 2017, 7:12 am
#454
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,442
I qualified for GS for the first time this year after many several of being a 1K. I just logged into my Marriott account today for the first time this year and saw that I had lost my Gold status I had achieved via RewardsPlus (Silver).
I went back to the RewardsPlus signup page and re-submitted my account link, but it seems like something was lost in my increase from 1K to GS. I received a "congratulations" email back in August so not sure what happened.
I went back to the RewardsPlus signup page and re-submitted my account link, but it seems like something was lost in my increase from 1K to GS. I received a "congratulations" email back in August so not sure what happened.
Mar 3, 2017, 1:14 pm
#455
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,442
I have a question regarding access to the LH First Class Lounge in FRA. I'm traveling tomorrow on the 8:05 am FRA-ORD in Polaris First. As a GS, I understand that gets me access to the FCL.
However, I'm originating in FRA. The FCL is in Schengen A pier. Last time I originated in FRA I recall that my UA boarding pass only granted me access to enter security (and immigration) at the Z gates, which didn't open until 6:30am.
Does this basically make it a no go? It's certainly not worth it to exit Germany, re-enter to get to A, go to the lounge at A13, then exit back to Z for a flight that boards at 7:20.
Is there a way to enter the A pier directly before 6:30?
This is mostly academic because I plan to just go directly to the gate anyway. But with Polaris First on its way out there will be limited chances to use this benefit remaining...
However, I'm originating in FRA. The FCL is in Schengen A pier. Last time I originated in FRA I recall that my UA boarding pass only granted me access to enter security (and immigration) at the Z gates, which didn't open until 6:30am.
Does this basically make it a no go? It's certainly not worth it to exit Germany, re-enter to get to A, go to the lounge at A13, then exit back to Z for a flight that boards at 7:20.
Is there a way to enter the A pier directly before 6:30?
This is mostly academic because I plan to just go directly to the gate anyway. But with Polaris First on its way out there will be limited chances to use this benefit remaining...
Mar 3, 2017, 1:18 pm
#456
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.7MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,825
I have a question regarding access to the LH First Class Lounge in FRA. I'm traveling tomorrow on the 8:05 am FRA-ORD in Polaris First. As a GS, I understand that gets me access to the FCL.
However, I'm originating in FRA. The FCL is in Schengen A pier. Last time I originated in FRA I recall that my UA boarding pass only granted me access to enter security (and immigration) at the Z gates, which didn't open until 6:30am.
Does this basically make it a no go? It's certainly not worth it to exit Germany, re-enter to get to A, go to the lounge at A13, then exit back to Z for a flight that boards at 7:20.
Is there a way to enter the A pier directly before 6:30?
This is mostly academic because I plan to just go directly to the gate anyway. But with Polaris First on its way out there will be limited chances to use this benefit remaining...
However, I'm originating in FRA. The FCL is in Schengen A pier. Last time I originated in FRA I recall that my UA boarding pass only granted me access to enter security (and immigration) at the Z gates, which didn't open until 6:30am.
Does this basically make it a no go? It's certainly not worth it to exit Germany, re-enter to get to A, go to the lounge at A13, then exit back to Z for a flight that boards at 7:20.
Is there a way to enter the A pier directly before 6:30?
This is mostly academic because I plan to just go directly to the gate anyway. But with Polaris First on its way out there will be limited chances to use this benefit remaining...
Mar 3, 2017, 1:31 pm
#458
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.7MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,825
Mar 3, 2017, 3:37 pm
#460
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,610
Mar 3, 2017, 6:50 pm
#461
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
I qualified for GS for the first time this year after many several of being a 1K. I just logged into my Marriott account today for the first time this year and saw that I had lost my Gold status I had achieved via RewardsPlus (Silver).
I went back to the RewardsPlus signup page and re-submitted my account link, but it seems like something was lost in my increase from 1K to GS. I received a "congratulations" email back in August so not sure what happened.
I went back to the RewardsPlus signup page and re-submitted my account link, but it seems like something was lost in my increase from 1K to GS. I received a "congratulations" email back in August so not sure what happened.
Mar 3, 2017, 10:40 pm
#462
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,496
Are GAs at the gate in position to provide extra help in such a situation?
Mar 3, 2017, 11:12 pm
#463
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,242
GA willn't process awards, in that case, it would take a GS agent.
Mar 3, 2017, 11:40 pm
#464
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,442
Update: I followed the signs for LH first class checkin and subsequently A pier security. The scanner turned red and said see agent. I told the agent I was going to the F lounge and she waved me through. After lounge no wait at immigration to Z.
Frankly even if I wasn't going to the F lounge I would prefer to do security at A for the 8am to ORD as I recall quite a backup at immigration and security landslide at Z when it opened at 6:30a.
Frankly even if I wasn't going to the F lounge I would prefer to do security at A for the 8am to ORD as I recall quite a backup at immigration and security landslide at Z when it opened at 6:30a.
Mar 3, 2017, 11:42 pm
#465
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,442
i have never had to do this as a 1K- it automatically renewed each year and in fact I received an email in August confirming this. I'm highlighting what I think is a specific problem when going from 1K to GS in that I think a manual resubmission is required.