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
Jul 26, 2017, 7:03 pm
#946
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: dark side of the moon
Programs: papa card, UA 1K
Posts: 707
So there's a new downgrade to Global Service benefits. Previously, if we wanted to make a same-day change to an upgraded domestic flight, if there was an FC seat available on the preferred flight, we'd get put in it. As of this week, however, this is no longer possible. I tried to do it today over the phone but was told GS can no longer upgrade us within 24 hours of the flight (which just happens to be when we can do same-day changes). In my case, I was placed on the upgrade list at #1 with one seat remaining and remained there till boarding but was told at the gate that I'd have to board in coach and take my chances of a later upgrade. Just then, that last seat disappeared, and no one had an explanation. Perhaps someone just walked up and bought an FC ticket 35 minutes before flight time, but I'd be surprised. I dealt with 3 GS phone agents today and all were quite upset that they no longer had the possibility to just open up the available seat and suggested writing to customer care and complaining.
Jul 27, 2017, 1:47 am
#947
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
I posted this same finding a few days ago in this thread. I missed an upgrade on AUS-DEN on Sunday because of this. The last 2 seats were sold to 2 people with no status for $89 each.... pretty crap way to treat a GS that spent $270 on that o.w. ticket.
My CPU stats are going to take a big hit if this is the way of the future.
My CPU stats are going to take a big hit if this is the way of the future.
Jul 27, 2017, 7:34 am
#948
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
I posted this same finding a few days ago in this thread. I missed an upgrade on AUS-DEN on Sunday because of this. The last 2 seats were sold to 2 people with no status for $89 each.... pretty crap way to treat a GS that spent $270 on that o.w. ticket.
My CPU stats are going to take a big hit if this is the way of the future.
My CPU stats are going to take a big hit if this is the way of the future.
To test this out I did the following. I booked a relative on a saver award and I was flying the same flight on a M fare (600 one way). We were on different itineraries. At 24 hours I had not been upgraded even though there were 3 first class seats left. My relative was offered a $129 upgrade to first (she had no status). When the flight left, I was in coach on a $600 ticket and my relative was upgraded for $129 on a SAVER AWARD.
Global Services is rapidly becoming worthless for domestic upgrades. Scott Kirby appears to be a less visible Jeff Smisek.
Jul 27, 2017, 7:37 am
#949
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
This policy is a joke and I went 7 flights in a row without a CPU (all were expensive flights).
To test this out I did the following. I booked a relative on a saver award and I was flying the same flight on a M fare (600 one way). We were on different itineraries. At 24 hours I had not been upgraded even though there were 3 first class seats left. My relative was offered a $129 upgrade to first (she had no status). When the flight left, I was in coach on a $600 ticket and my relative was upgraded for $129 on a SAVER AWARD.
Global Services is rapidly becoming worthless for domestic upgrades.
To test this out I did the following. I booked a relative on a saver award and I was flying the same flight on a M fare (600 one way). We were on different itineraries. At 24 hours I had not been upgraded even though there were 3 first class seats left. My relative was offered a $129 upgrade to first (she had no status). When the flight left, I was in coach on a $600 ticket and my relative was upgraded for $129 on a SAVER AWARD.
Global Services is rapidly becoming worthless for domestic upgrades.
Jul 27, 2017, 8:06 am
#950
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
This policy is a joke and I went 7 flights in a row without a CPU (all were expensive flights).
To test this out I did the following. I booked a relative on a saver award and I was flying the same flight on a M fare (600 one way). We were on different itineraries. At 24 hours I had not been upgraded even though there were 3 first class seats left. My relative was offered a $129 upgrade to first (she had no status). When the flight left, I was in coach on a $600 ticket and my relative was upgraded for $129 on a SAVER AWARD.
Global Services is rapidly becoming worthless for domestic upgrades. Scott Kirby appears to be a less visible Jeff Smisek.
To test this out I did the following. I booked a relative on a saver award and I was flying the same flight on a M fare (600 one way). We were on different itineraries. At 24 hours I had not been upgraded even though there were 3 first class seats left. My relative was offered a $129 upgrade to first (she had no status). When the flight left, I was in coach on a $600 ticket and my relative was upgraded for $129 on a SAVER AWARD.
Global Services is rapidly becoming worthless for domestic upgrades. Scott Kirby appears to be a less visible Jeff Smisek.
Jul 27, 2017, 8:13 am
#951
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
I thought at T-24 GS CS is supposed to be able to process an upgrade as long as not last seat?
Jul 27, 2017, 8:13 am
#952
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Jul 27, 2017, 9:46 am
#953
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Portland OR & Bangkok
Programs: United GS, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 662
So there's a new downgrade to Global Service benefits. Previously, if we wanted to make a same-day change to an upgraded domestic flight, if there was an FC seat available on the preferred flight, we'd get put in it. As of this week, however, this is no longer possible. I tried to do it today over the phone but was told GS can no longer upgrade us within 24 hours of the flight (which just happens to be when we can do same-day changes). In my case, I was placed on the upgrade list at #1 with one seat remaining and remained there till boarding but was told at the gate that I'd have to board in coach and take my chances of a later upgrade. Just then, that last seat disappeared, and no one had an explanation. Perhaps someone just walked up and bought an FC ticket 35 minutes before flight time, but I'd be surprised. I dealt with 3 GS phone agents today and all were quite upset that they no longer had the possibility to just open up the available seat and suggested writing to customer care and complaining.
Jul 27, 2017, 9:53 am
#954
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
We've recently confirmed that they will do that at T-72 if you're "next on the list" and you don't take the last seat. We haven't heard any recent information to the contrary that this policy has been reversed.
Jul 27, 2017, 10:33 am
#955
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
This is true.... for p.s. and Int'l, they are preferring to have a minimum of 2 or 3 seats since they are more profitable and higher price
Jul 27, 2017, 10:34 am
#956
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
This policy is a joke and I went 7 flights in a row without a CPU (all were expensive flights).
To test this out I did the following. I booked a relative on a saver award and I was flying the same flight on a M fare (600 one way). We were on different itineraries. At 24 hours I had not been upgraded even though there were 3 first class seats left. My relative was offered a $129 upgrade to first (she had no status). When the flight left, I was in coach on a $600 ticket and my relative was upgraded for $129 on a SAVER AWARD.
Global Services is rapidly becoming worthless for domestic upgrades. Scott Kirby appears to be a less visible Jeff Smisek.
To test this out I did the following. I booked a relative on a saver award and I was flying the same flight on a M fare (600 one way). We were on different itineraries. At 24 hours I had not been upgraded even though there were 3 first class seats left. My relative was offered a $129 upgrade to first (she had no status). When the flight left, I was in coach on a $600 ticket and my relative was upgraded for $129 on a SAVER AWARD.
Global Services is rapidly becoming worthless for domestic upgrades. Scott Kirby appears to be a less visible Jeff Smisek.
Jul 27, 2017, 10:46 am
#957
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
An agent told me (of course, YMMV) that this can be done for domestic as well (if using an RPU). I believe elsewhere on this thread someone was told that the computer tells them how many seats are likely to be sold at the last minute and they are allowed to clear the upgrade so long as they leave that amount as a remainder after upgrading you.
Jul 27, 2017, 3:28 pm
#958
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
I posted this same finding a few days ago in this thread. I missed an upgrade on AUS-DEN on Sunday because of this. The last 2 seats were sold to 2 people with no status for $89 each.... pretty crap way to treat a GS that spent $270 on that o.w. ticket.
My CPU stats are going to take a big hit if this is the way of the future.
My CPU stats are going to take a big hit if this is the way of the future.
Quite short sighted, really, for GS with $70k of paid business tickets per year flying on a rare Y ticket with an instrument upgrade to face the battlefield upgrade and the upselling of F seats under them for $129. I get the point about managing irrops and holding inventory for Paid F (which account for 95% of my trips), but this new policy (if true) is bad form when combined with the TOD upgrades to no-status members.
Last edited by greenpau; Jul 27, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Jul 27, 2017, 4:20 pm
#959
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
So I've tried twice today concerning a waitlisted RPU, and was told the exact same thing - apparently an email "came out this week" saying that agents were no longer allowed to force an upgrade for GS through within T-72 / T-24 based on F inventory. Both agents were adamant this is a policy change. This is the first time in several years I have been denied - twice.
Quite short sighted, really, for GS with $70k of paid business tickets per year flying on a rare Y ticket with an instrument upgrade to face the battlefield upgrade and the upselling of F seats under them for $129. I get the point about managing irrops and holding inventory for Paid F (which account for 95% of my trips), but this new policy (if true) is bad form when combined with the TOD upgrades to no-status members.
Quite short sighted, really, for GS with $70k of paid business tickets per year flying on a rare Y ticket with an instrument upgrade to face the battlefield upgrade and the upselling of F seats under them for $129. I get the point about managing irrops and holding inventory for Paid F (which account for 95% of my trips), but this new policy (if true) is bad form when combined with the TOD upgrades to no-status members.
Jul 27, 2017, 5:10 pm
#960
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA-GS; WN A-list;Hyatt - CC; Hertz - PC
Posts: 644
I'm within my 24 hour window. It looks like it's true. I just called in to move up a flight after a meeting was cancelled. They will not move me up to F but I'm on a P fare.
so im going to stick out the additional 4 hours.
i do not like this, however I like the lack of international upgrades less.
so im going to stick out the additional 4 hours.
i do not like this, however I like the lack of international upgrades less.