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
Aug 10, 2017, 7:33 am
#1006
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
This is exactly how the policy was described to me by airport-based GS agents that I know and trust.
Aug 10, 2017, 8:30 am
#1007
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Thanks
Aug 10, 2017, 8:45 am
#1008
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
- Traveling with a companion from ORD-SFO on a 772. Have been waitlisted with an RPU to F for several months
- At T-72, the flight was at F0. Not too surprising for a Thursday night hub-to-hub. Only 2 people were upgraded in advance.
- At T-14, the flight went to F3. Under the old rules, I'd have been able to clear both of us into PN. I called the agent, and she confirmed she could only upgrade one of us because they have to leave 2 seats remaining. I went ahead and gave my companion the upgrade
- While monitoring to see if another seat would open, I saw someone jump ahead of me on the UG list. To add insult to injury, they were offering a $199 buy-up/TOD to F. I decided to shell out the cash and take the sure thing.
- Flight is now at F0 again, with the same #1 on the UG list.
I'm actually hesitant to complain about this, because United does not publish any such policy that you can confirm instrument-supported upgrades within T-72 regardless of inventory available..
If anything I would only complain about being offered a "cheap" upgrade while I'm waiting for an RPU to clear, but that's something that's been going on for years and I don't see changing.
Aug 10, 2017, 11:49 am
#1009
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
I sent an email to Oscar on this and the general changes about not upgrading GS in advance of cheap buy-ups. Every GS member should do this if they care about upgrades.
Aug 10, 2017, 11:53 am
#1010
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,704
Isn't the point of GS that most of those invited usually buy premium fares, and therefore shouldn't often be concerned about upgrades?
Aug 10, 2017, 1:20 pm
#1011
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
Im only allowed to buy economy fares. 95% of the time I buy refundable fares because my schedule changes alot, and they're usually more expensive than a first class ticket that's non refundable.
Aug 10, 2017, 1:36 pm
#1012
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Hasn't this assumption squashed every year on the latest requalifying thread?
Im only allowed to buy economy fares. 95% of the time I buy refundable fares because my schedule changes alot, and they're usually more expensive than a first class ticket that's non refundable.
Im only allowed to buy economy fares. 95% of the time I buy refundable fares because my schedule changes alot, and they're usually more expensive than a first class ticket that's non refundable.
If GS only flew paid premium cabins the number of people on this thread looking for ways to use their benefits/upgrades would be much smaller. It's in fact most of the thread!
Aug 10, 2017, 3:08 pm
#1013
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Not only that, but some of us have employer policies in which we can fly long-haul J but are in Y domestic. In those cases, both CPUs and RPUs are appreciated to increase the number of flights in which we fly in a premium cabin. Not to mention personal travel.
If GS only flew paid premium cabins the number of people on this thread looking for ways to use their benefits/upgrades would be much smaller. It's in fact most of the thread!
If GS only flew paid premium cabins the number of people on this thread looking for ways to use their benefits/upgrades would be much smaller. It's in fact most of the thread!
Aug 10, 2017, 5:20 pm
#1014
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Aug 10, 2017, 6:52 pm
#1015
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
Almost all of my flexible tickets are more expensive than the P class tickets, especially if i book more than a week ahead. Its a frustration, to be sure, but i have been lucky, since upgrades have been good this year.
Aug 10, 2017, 8:21 pm
#1016
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,704
Different strokes for different folks, including flying on OPM with booking restrictions. Bummer that upgrades are becoming problematic. Good luck.
Aug 10, 2017, 10:26 pm
#1017
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
There are many people who buy all discounted first/business class that have a lower cpm than I do.
The debate here isn't about people who buy first at whatever price. It is about upselling first for $99 to someone on a FREE ticket instead of upgrading GS on a $800 ticket (this is the real example I sent Oscar). If I buy a cheapo S fare I have no expectation of getting upgraded, even as GS.
Aug 11, 2017, 6:18 am
#1018
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,704
Hasn't this assumption squashed every year on the latest requalifying thread?
Im only allowed to buy economy fares. 95% of the time I buy refundable fares because my schedule changes alot, and they're usually more expensive than a first class ticket that's non refundable.
Im only allowed to buy economy fares. 95% of the time I buy refundable fares because my schedule changes alot, and they're usually more expensive than a first class ticket that's non refundable.
Not only that, but some of us have employer policies in which we can fly long-haul J but are in Y domestic. In those cases, both CPUs and RPUs are appreciated to increase the number of flights in which we fly in a premium cabin. Not to mention personal travel.
If GS only flew paid premium cabins the number of people on this thread looking for ways to use their benefits/upgrades would be much smaller. It's in fact most of the thread!
If GS only flew paid premium cabins the number of people on this thread looking for ways to use their benefits/upgrades would be much smaller. It's in fact most of the thread!
Yea - but that doesn't mean first / business. I often spend $1000 flying one way from Boston to SFO in coach. Last minute B or Y tickets. Could I buy first for half of that if I could find a P fare in advance, sure - but that isn't my travel pattern. I probably change 75% of the flights I book so refundable tickets are critical or I would spend $15,000 in change fees.
There are many people who buy all discounted first/business class that have a lower cpm than I do.
The debate here isn't about people who buy first at whatever price. It is about upselling first for $99 to someone on a FREE ticket instead of upgrading GS on a $800 ticket (this is the real example I sent Oscar). If I buy a cheapo S fare I have no expectation of getting upgraded, even as GS.
There are many people who buy all discounted first/business class that have a lower cpm than I do.
The debate here isn't about people who buy first at whatever price. It is about upselling first for $99 to someone on a FREE ticket instead of upgrading GS on a $800 ticket (this is the real example I sent Oscar). If I buy a cheapo S fare I have no expectation of getting upgraded, even as GS.
(yeah that stinks)
Aug 11, 2017, 12:47 pm
#1019
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR
Posts: 5
Hey everyone, quick question. I'm GS based out of EWR. Typically, I'm flying international business, however, I have to fly EWR->SFO. Unfortunately, our travel policy calls for economy on domestic flights, so I'm in a K fare on a 777-300ER. Any chance that I get upgraded without an instrument? Or since it's a 'PS' flight, do even GS members have to use an RSU to get an upgrade? Can the GS agents bump me?
Aug 11, 2017, 1:00 pm
#1020
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: LAX, EWR, LHR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 227
Hey everyone, quick question. I'm GS based out of EWR. Typically, I'm flying international business, however, I have to fly EWR->SFO. Unfortunately, our travel policy calls for economy on domestic flights, so I'm in a K fare on a 777-300ER. Any chance that I get upgraded without an instrument? Or since it's a 'PS' flight, do even GS members have to use an RSU to get an upgrade? Can the GS agents bump me?