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 12, 2017, 5:50 pm
#122
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 6
If there is PN space available on a domestic flight and I book an economy ticket do I automatically get upgraded as a Global Services member or do I have to wait until I am within the 120 hour window?
Jan 12, 2017, 6:21 pm
#123
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
Jan 12, 2017, 9:37 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
IIRC, last year my 1K kit said the same thing for a while and it arrived before mystatus.united.com ever said it was shipped
-RM
Jan 12, 2017, 9:38 pm
#125
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
Are there any *A carriers that recognize GS status and print it on the BP? I know LH will give you F lounge access if you're flying UA/LH F.
Just wondering if I'll see my status "in lights" on a printed BP on anything other than a UA BP. No, it's not for my ego. I'm just curious is all.
-RM
Just wondering if I'll see my status "in lights" on a printed BP on anything other than a UA BP. No, it's not for my ego. I'm just curious is all.
-RM
Jan 12, 2017, 10:35 pm
#126
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,700
Are there any *A carriers that recognize GS status and print it on the BP? I know LH will give you F lounge access if you're flying UA/LH F.
Just wondering if I'll see my status "in lights" on a printed BP on anything other than a UA BP. No, it's not for my ego. I'm just curious is all.
-RM
Just wondering if I'll see my status "in lights" on a printed BP on anything other than a UA BP. No, it's not for my ego. I'm just curious is all.
-RM
Jan 12, 2017, 10:39 pm
#127
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: United GS, MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 598
Jan 12, 2017, 11:53 pm
#128
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've had 3 flights since flying as a GS. On The first flight my bags were lost, 2nd flight there was a half finished bag of cheese-its on my seat when I boarded, and for the 3rd flight the FA spilled water on me. None of these things ever happened to me in 1k so it's either the travel gods teaching me a lesson or there is a hazing period I'm not aware of.
To be fair to United, QF lost my bags on the previous flight but GS did nothing to help with locating the bags. It was a good experience to immediately bring my expectations back down to earth after expecting unicorns and rainbows post status.
To be fair to United, QF lost my bags on the previous flight but GS did nothing to help with locating the bags. It was a good experience to immediately bring my expectations back down to earth after expecting unicorns and rainbows post status.
Last edited by unitedhandcuffs; Jan 13, 2017 at 12:02 am
Jan 13, 2017, 12:29 am
#129
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I've had 3 flights since flying as a GS. On The first flight my bags were lost, 2nd flight there was a half finished bag of cheese-its on my seat when I boarded, and for the 3rd flight the FA spilled water on me. None of these things ever happened to me in 1k so it's either the travel gods teaching me a lesson or there is a hazing period I'm not aware of.
To be fair to United, QF lost my bags on the previous flight but GS did nothing to help with locating the bags. It was a good experience to immediately bring my expectations back down to earth after expecting unicorns and rainbows post status.
To be fair to United, QF lost my bags on the previous flight but GS did nothing to help with locating the bags. It was a good experience to immediately bring my expectations back down to earth after expecting unicorns and rainbows post status.
Jan 13, 2017, 12:33 am
#130
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
Jan 13, 2017, 1:27 am
#131
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: MPlus,OW,Hotels.com
Posts: 130
I've had 3 flights since flying as a GS. On The first flight my bags were lost, 2nd flight there was a half finished bag of cheese-its on my seat when I boarded, and for the 3rd flight the FA spilled water on me. None of these things ever happened to me in 1k so it's either the travel gods teaching me a lesson or there is a hazing period I'm not aware of.
To be fair to United, QF lost my bags on the previous flight but GS did nothing to help with locating the bags. It was a good experience to immediately bring my expectations back down to earth after expecting unicorns and rainbows post status.
To be fair to United, QF lost my bags on the previous flight but GS did nothing to help with locating the bags. It was a good experience to immediately bring my expectations back down to earth after expecting unicorns and rainbows post status.
Based my average sectors per year it was my 3000 ish sector as GS. Hopefully things will improve for you but expect to be prodded in the ... by said unicorns now and again.
Jan 13, 2017, 2:30 am
#132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
For many flights to Asia, even though biz class cabin is largely empty, you see P9 but PN0.
UA is selling very cheap P fares ..... but denies GS upgrade using GPU in this situation.
Jan 13, 2017, 3:24 am
#133
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I just did a spot check on flights to Europe for memorial day weekend and see PN9 on flights both to and from. No such luck for NRT or HKG though.
Jan 13, 2017, 4:38 am
#134
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: United GS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 102
Jan 13, 2017, 6:32 am
#135
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 659
Plenty of PN to South America (and R, IN, ON, & O as well). Booked 3 round trips with confirmed upgrades at booking for Feb and March.