Should I hang in there for Global Services?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 5
Should I hang in there for Global Services?
Over the past 3 years I've had 125k, 150k and 225k PQMs rest. but have an average CPM of < $0.25 (low travel budget). i.e. I'm certainly going to hit 1K but have little chance of GS. Should I stay with United till I reach 100k PQM (will do so by June or so) and then use another carrier to gain some status on it? Or should I stay with UA to hit the million mile (maybe another two years) for the lifetime Gold status? Requesting recommendations from the experienced FT community.
#2
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,453
It would be helpful to know a bit more about your travel patterns (and your expectation of your travel patterns going forward) -- home base, routes, purpose of flying, what you find most important about status, etc.
And your PQD (on UA metal) is what you need to watch for GS qual.
And your PQD (on UA metal) is what you need to watch for GS qual.
Last edited by aCavalierInCoach; Mar 23, 2017 at 9:34 pm Reason: typo
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,588
Ask AA or DL to status match you with a challenge. Then you've got options and decide which program is best for you.
Just make sure you meet the challenge after June 30th so that your status will run thru January 2019.
Just make sure you meet the challenge after June 30th so that your status will run thru January 2019.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,384
It would be helpful to know a bit more about your travel patterns (and your expectation of your travel patterns going forward) -- home base, routes, purpose of flying, what you find most important about status, etc.
And your PQD (on UA metail) is what you need to watch for GS qual.
And your PQD (on UA metail) is what you need to watch for GS qual.
#5
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
Programs: TINDER GOLD, STARBUCKS GOLD, COSTCO EXECUTIVE!!
Posts: 3,989
If 0.25cpm is considered low budget I don't know what other companies are burning money on. Consider Air Canada Super Elite 100K if you can fly international via Canada or fly transborder at all. AC SE 100K gets treated like Global Services.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS 1MM / Hilton Diamond / Bonvoy Gold / Hertz PC
Posts: 396
If you're close, and UA makes the most sense with your travel patterns, I'd say go for it. I was 1K for many years and have been a GS for two years now (I'm a transcon warrior with a few intls thrown in the mix) and I find GS is wonderful around the margins for me. My major airports (SFO and EWR are GS friendly with GS lobbies, and SFO has the GFL and Arrivals lounge I can use). Working with the good agents to find upgrades, routes, fares, etc has been invaluable, especially with IRROPS. The MB tarmac ride during tight connections has bailed me out of some close calls. Is it the Valhalla some people claim? No. But it has saved me hours, if not days due to avoiding lines, avoiding mis connects and using good agents to "make things happen." Also the ability to force saver space for Mrs. Hoya when booking J is that exquisitely rare moment where I get to save money AND make her happy.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 5
Thank you for your advice. My travel is ~90% international and based in an average sized mid-west city UA and DL are the two main options available, with UA having a few more options for AP destinations. The AC suggestion is a good one as I do fly them (SA partner) often. In this case I should probably get an AC account and accrue to that number rather than use my UA number.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,250
If you spend $35K or higher, it is worth holding out for GS, e.g. by bringing your spending to $40K+. If you don't think you'll get close to $40K., you should look at other options.
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
What is it you want out of GS as opposed to 1K? Isn't that what begs the question?
CPM is an irrelevant term people on FT make up because it helps them figure out mileage running.
Other considerations are not just what you spend, but whether you control the spend of others in your organization and whether you might.
Is there a pattern here? If so, have you asked UA to consider GS?
CPM is an irrelevant term people on FT make up because it helps them figure out mileage running.
Other considerations are not just what you spend, but whether you control the spend of others in your organization and whether you might.
Is there a pattern here? If so, have you asked UA to consider GS?
#11
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: FLL
Programs: UA 1K, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 824
First off, forget about "CPM." It is a silly flyertalk invention that is completely irrelevant to GS invitations.
If you spend $35K or higher, it is worth holding out for GS, e.g. by bringing your spending to $40K+. If you don't think you'll get close to $40K., you should look at other options.
If you spend $35K or higher, it is worth holding out for GS, e.g. by bringing your spending to $40K+. If you don't think you'll get close to $40K., you should look at other options.
#12
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
There are certainly exceptions, but everyone I know that got GS is either above $50K or had a very high cpm. I don't think 25 cpm is too low if you get above 50K, but there is almost no chance to get it with $35K of spend at that cpm. There are no facts around this - just impressions based on talking to others and personal experience.
I had many many years of $40-50K of spend and 20 cpm where I didn't make GS. The first time I got it was when I exceeded $55K and 30cpm.
If you fly a lot GS is worth it. My international upgrades using GPUs are 100% since I became GS. As 1K it was rare to get upgraded.
I had many many years of $40-50K of spend and 20 cpm where I didn't make GS. The first time I got it was when I exceeded $55K and 30cpm.
If you fly a lot GS is worth it. My international upgrades using GPUs are 100% since I became GS. As 1K it was rare to get upgraded.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,906
In general is waiting out for GS worth it over getting another top tier on AA or AS? In the absence of extensive domestic travel and all international booked in business to begin with, getting extra SWUs on AA or perhaps taking advantage of diverse partners of AS seems more practical...
#14
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
Thank you for your advice. My travel is ~90% international and based in an average sized mid-west city UA and DL are the two main options available, with UA having a few more options for AP destinations. The AC suggestion is a good one as I do fly them (SA partner) often. In this case I should probably get an AC account and accrue to that number rather than use my UA number.
There are also lots of reports (including one below) of high mileage fliers (300k+) with spending in the 40-50K, sometimes higher, not getting GS.
I frankly see little reason to try for another status level (in it appears DL) unless you want to try another carrier, and if you like it fly two carriers. The "two carrier" approach only works if you fly enough miles to keep top status in two carriers (which means flying 250K+ PQM/MQMs in a year) and you report you don't.
First off, forget about "CPM." It is a silly flyertalk invention that is completely irrelevant to GS invitations.
If you spend $35K or higher, it is worth holding out for GS, e.g. by bringing your spending to $40K+. If you don't think you'll get close to $40K., you should look at other options.
If you spend $35K or higher, it is worth holding out for GS, e.g. by bringing your spending to $40K+. If you don't think you'll get close to $40K., you should look at other options.
There are certainly exceptions, but everyone I know that got GS is either above $50K or had a very high cpm. I don't think 25 cpm is too low if you get above 50K, but there is almost no chance to get it with $35K of spend at that cpm. There are no facts around this - just impressions based on talking to others and personal experience.
I had many many years of $40-50K of spend and 20 cpm where I didn't make GS. The first time I got it was when I exceeded $55K and 30cpm.
I had many many years of $40-50K of spend and 20 cpm where I didn't make GS. The first time I got it was when I exceeded $55K and 30cpm.
#15
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: dark side of the moon
Programs: papa card, UA 1K
Posts: 707
Something that I have never seen mentioned here on FT is the fact that there is an argument for PQDs on LH being included towards GS qualification. As far as I'm aware they aren't, but something to watch out for in the future.