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
Sep 7, 2017, 5:31 pm
#1081
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
They need one in SIN.... especially with the LAX nonstop coming into service. The Premier line / J line was ridiculous the time I flew and only the SFO nonstop existed. With 2 daily nonstops, they need to dedicate a spot for strictly GS and J pax to check in.
Sep 7, 2017, 7:07 pm
#1082
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,694
Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but I departed PEK earlier today. The GS check-in counter was there and fully operational. I asked how long it had been since they brought it back and was told "just under a week."'
Good news. (And I hope this was the result of people writing in)
Good news. (And I hope this was the result of people writing in)
Yeah, that sucked. Fingers crossed.
Sep 8, 2017, 4:44 am
#1083
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,884
Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but I departed PEK earlier today. The GS check-in counter was there and fully operational. I asked how long it had been since they brought it back and was told "just under a week."'
Good news. (And I hope this was the result of people writing in)
Good news. (And I hope this was the result of people writing in)
Sep 12, 2017, 9:25 pm
#1084
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
Little touch out of OKC.
Out of OKC called by agent to podium before boarding started. Given small plastic bag with note card from UA OKC General Manager along with three York peppermint patties. Completely surprised and appreciated the thought. Agent said thank you for being GS.
Sep 12, 2017, 9:29 pm
#1085
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,344
Enjoy the patties.
-RM
Sep 12, 2017, 9:43 pm
#1086
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
Last time out of OKC did not either. Already have.
Sep 12, 2017, 9:54 pm
#1087
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,147
Sep 13, 2017, 1:30 am
#1088
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 1
Taking care of GS
RTWSTARALLIANCE,
Glad you enjoyed the treats. This is something I started just a few months ago to thank our GS customers. To my knowledge I'm the only United location doing this at the moment. It's nothing more than my way of thanking GS for flying United. If you ever have any issues out of Okc that I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me.
Glad you enjoyed the treats. This is something I started just a few months ago to thank our GS customers. To my knowledge I'm the only United location doing this at the moment. It's nothing more than my way of thanking GS for flying United. If you ever have any issues out of Okc that I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me.
Rick
Last edited by OKCGMUA; Sep 13, 2017 at 7:51 am
Sep 23, 2017, 10:14 am
#1089
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
I want to buy a First class ticket to HNL/OGG and get a saver award ticket for my wife. Ive looked at flights, and there are many east coast routings with >5 open F seats.
Based on the wiki above:
Is this still possible?
How does one accomplish this?
- Buy First class ticket and then call GS number to get award?
- Call up front and describe what flights i want and what i want to do?
Do specific fare codes need to be open?
Thanks in advance for assistance..
T
Based on the wiki above:
Is this still possible?
How does one accomplish this?
- Buy First class ticket and then call GS number to get award?
- Call up front and describe what flights i want and what i want to do?
Do specific fare codes need to be open?
Thanks in advance for assistance..
T
Sep 23, 2017, 10:30 am
#1090
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cape Cod MA
Programs: GS, 3 MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 752
simply call the GS line
Call the GS line, tell them you want to purchase a first class ticket and a saver fare for your spouse in the same cabin. The agent will check to see if space is available for both the first class ticket and available seats for an award. If both are available the agent will first ticket your reservation and then open up the saver award space. I did this yesterday for a european ticket. The other option is to purchase your ticket and if a saver award is available in coach, you can at the same time ask for an instrument supported upgrade. i have been offered this option but have never used it.
Sep 23, 2017, 12:33 pm
#1091
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
GS getting cheap on us
It has happened twice in a few months now, that I had mx or wx mis-connects and the GS agent tried to re-book an inferior itinerary to stay in the original fare class or lower.
The first time, the agent claimed there was no availability on the next convenient flight (I was originally booked in Z, but there were still C, D, and J seats).
Last week, the agent re-booked me in T (I was booked in Z), claiming it was a single-cabin aircraft. It was 2 cabin RJ and I was able to fix this with a separate call to GS. Very annoying though.
I wonder if UA is incentivizing them to do this.....
The first time, the agent claimed there was no availability on the next convenient flight (I was originally booked in Z, but there were still C, D, and J seats).
Last week, the agent re-booked me in T (I was booked in Z), claiming it was a single-cabin aircraft. It was 2 cabin RJ and I was able to fix this with a separate call to GS. Very annoying though.
I wonder if UA is incentivizing them to do this.....
Sep 23, 2017, 2:06 pm
#1092
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
It has happened twice in a few months now, that I had mx or wx mis-connects and the GS agent tried to re-book an inferior itinerary to stay in the original fare class or lower.
The first time, the agent claimed there was no availability on the next convenient flight (I was originally booked in Z, but there were still C, D, and J seats).
The first time, the agent claimed there was no availability on the next convenient flight (I was originally booked in Z, but there were still C, D, and J seats).
Sep 25, 2017, 6:25 am
#1093
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 575
Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but I departed PEK earlier today. The GS check-in counter was there and fully operational. I asked how long it had been since they brought it back and was told "just under a week."'
Good news. (And I hope this was the result of people writing in)
Good news. (And I hope this was the result of people writing in)
Anyone know if you can call after a CPU and ask them to change PN to R so you can do SDC on the app?
Sep 25, 2017, 2:40 pm
#1094
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,694