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 11, 2017, 9:45 pm
#106
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,258
...
Note: I did get an agent who answered "Thanks for calling UA GS, how may I help you?" I actually found the agent colder than the 1K agents I'm used to dealing with. She was nice enough but couldn't be bothered at the same time. She gave me the PNR code I was looking for and that was it....
-RM
Note: I did get an agent who answered "Thanks for calling UA GS, how may I help you?" I actually found the agent colder than the 1K agents I'm used to dealing with. She was nice enough but couldn't be bothered at the same time. She gave me the PNR code I was looking for and that was it....
-RM
I still think the best way to distinguish is the real old GS agents don't normally ask you if you want a deal on a rental car or a hotel. Other people on this forum deny there's a link, but it has sure been my experience.
Jan 11, 2017, 11:04 pm
#107
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: United GS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 102
My gut feeling is pacific storm these day keep their desk busy so lots of call get overflowed to 1K/premier desk.
I mean, between waiting 20 minutes for next GS agents and get pick up immediately by next available agents, in the event of IRROPS, I certainly prefer later..
I mean, between waiting 20 minutes for next GS agents and get pick up immediately by next available agents, in the event of IRROPS, I certainly prefer later..
Jan 12, 2017, 3:40 am
#108
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: San Francisco Bay area
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, *G; Marriott Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 4
My first GS experience
Newly minted 1st time GS and just had my first "experience" on my return flight PHL-SFO. I was sitting at the wee PHL lounge awaiting my 525 AM 
boarding when a GS approached me and addressed me by name. He was clearly familiar with my itinerary, thanked me for my business, and said he would see me at the gate. Very pleasant interaction. Once at the gate, the GA summoned me and the other GS on the flight by name to board - without announcing any GS pre-boarding. I did notice that they had the Group 1 lane closed off and they had us enter through the open Group 345 lane. Is this the new boarding procedure that I've seen referenced as being in test?
boarding when a GS approached me and addressed me by name. He was clearly familiar with my itinerary, thanked me for my business, and said he would see me at the gate. Very pleasant interaction. Once at the gate, the GA summoned me and the other GS on the flight by name to board - without announcing any GS pre-boarding. I did notice that they had the Group 1 lane closed off and they had us enter through the open Group 345 lane. Is this the new boarding procedure that I've seen referenced as being in test?
Jan 12, 2017, 5:31 am
#109
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Newly minted 1st time GS and just had my first "experience" on my return flight PHL-SFO. I was sitting at the wee PHL lounge awaiting my 525 AM boarding when a GS approached me and addressed me by name. He was clearly familiar with my itinerary, thanked me for my business, and said he would see me at the gate. Very pleasant interaction. Once at the gate, the GA summoned me and the other GS on the flight by name to board - without announcing any GS pre-boarding. I did notice that they had the Group 1 lane closed off and they had us enter through the open Group 345 lane. Is this the new boarding procedure that I've seen referenced as being in test?
boarding when a GS approached me and addressed me by name. He was clearly familiar with my itinerary, thanked me for my business, and said he would see me at the gate. Very pleasant interaction. Once at the gate, the GA summoned me and the other GS on the flight by name to board - without announcing any GS pre-boarding. I did notice that they had the Group 1 lane closed off and they had us enter through the open Group 345 lane. Is this the new boarding procedure that I've seen referenced as being in test?
Jan 12, 2017, 5:36 am
#110
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 981
i don't understand all this boarding testing nonsense. why not just go back to the red carpet ways. it worked perfectly. ua had the higheston time percentage in recent memory.
Jan 12, 2017, 8:19 am
#111
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA Global Services, TSA Pre✓, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,115
Have people started getting their GS kits for 2017? What do they look like? I haven't been home since January 1 so no idea if mine came.
Jan 12, 2017, 9:39 am
#112
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
I've flown through BOS, SFO, TPE, ORD so far this year and in every case they have Pre-boarded GS (no 1K). In Taipei they cleared the boarding pass and moved me into a staging area then allowed me to board well in advance of any general boarding, all good. Flying back from Puerta Vallarta to BOS this Saturday on UA metal through DEN then to SFO for the 3rd time this month on Sunday, then back to BOS on Monday evening so I'll report anything out of the ordinary.
Jan 12, 2017, 11:52 am
#113
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Has anyone else noticed a significant change in upgrades? I'm flying BOS to DEN on Friday on a refundable M fare. 9 hours before checkin and there are 7 first class seats available and I haven't been upgraded yet. I'm not sure what United is doing but this is very disappointing. My upgrade percentage on YBM fares is probably under 50% (as GS). YBM actually is worse than cheap fares (according to the GS agent I talked to).
Good evening experts,
I'm hoping for some insight on rules associated with companion travel. I am planning a paid business class trip from IAD to SYD. As a GS, I understand that I am able to upgrade a companion miles-economy ticket by using a GPU. Is the upgrade subjected to normal available inventory limitations or does a paid biz ticket plus GS allow more access to available seats? The GS agent I spoke with indicated no upgradable inventory in either direction.
I'm hoping for some insight on rules associated with companion travel. I am planning a paid business class trip from IAD to SYD. As a GS, I understand that I am able to upgrade a companion miles-economy ticket by using a GPU. Is the upgrade subjected to normal available inventory limitations or does a paid biz ticket plus GS allow more access to available seats? The GS agent I spoke with indicated no upgradable inventory in either direction.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 12, 2017 at 2:00 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member -- please use multi-quote
Jan 12, 2017, 12:44 pm
#114
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: UA GS, AA PLT, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,437
Newbie GS question here. When have folks seen PN space open up on TATL flights? Right now i am waitlisted for an upgrade (I am actually using my GPU's for the first time in years) out of LHR next Sunday and the flight is showing F2 FN2 J9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P9 PN0.... I figure I have to be at the top or very close to the top of the upgrade list. However, was curious what your experiences have been on when they might open up a PN seat?
Jan 12, 2017, 12:54 pm
#115
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: 4,392
Newbie GS question here. When have folks seen PN space open up on TATL flights? Right now i am waitlisted for an upgrade (I am actually using my GPU's for the first time in years) out of LHR next Sunday and the flight is showing F2 FN2 J9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P9 PN0.... I figure I have to be at the top or very close to the top of the upgrade list. However, was curious what your experiences have been on when they might open up a PN seat?
Jan 12, 2017, 12:57 pm
#116
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
Within T-24 you should call in and ask the agent to push the upgrade through. Provided there is F>1 and no one else has a higher upgrade priority than you, I I have found that they will do it. I did this the other day on an award ticket booked in Y. There was F=2 and the agent pushed the CPU through.
Jan 12, 2017, 1:09 pm
#117
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
Jan 12, 2017, 2:35 pm
#118
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: United Global Services
Posts: 22
Frankfurt First Class Terminal vs. Lounge
If traveling F outbound from Frankfurt (on a Lufthansa outbound flight.......coming inbound on United)......does Lufthansa offer car transport service to the plane from BOTH the First Class terminal and the lounge?
Jan 12, 2017, 2:50 pm
#119
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: LAX, EWR, LHR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 227
They do not offer car service, or first class terminal, for Global Service traveling on a UA outbound flight in F.
Jan 12, 2017, 2:59 pm
#120
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
Is it my less than stellar luck or is PN availability 0, looked at IAH > PIT, IAH > ORD, IAH > LIM. Can't seem to use much of this GS mojo if there is nada PN...or aminotdoingitrite?