Does gender influence GS invitations
Dec 29, 2018 | 11:02 pm
#1
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Does gender influence GS invitations
I have noticed that gender may influence the awarding of GS status. Two women I know well both received a renewal invitation in early December, with PQD’s in the low 40’s. The husband of one was just below 50, and will finish the year near 60, and is waiting til Jan 11 to find out. It actually would make sense, as most GS members I see are men, and United likely wants a membership more closely resembling the general population
Dec 29, 2018 | 11:16 pm
#2
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I have noticed that gender may influence the awarding of GS status. Two women I know well both received a renewal invitation in early December, with PQD’s in the low 40’s. The husband of one was just below 50, and will finish the year near 60, and is waiting til Jan 11 to find out. It actually would make sense, as most GS members I see are men, and United likely wants a membership more closely resembling the general population
I’m pretty sure UA is gender-neutral in its determination. It sees dollars, not gender. Why would UA want GS or 1K ranks or whatever to resemble the general population?
With that logic, UA should populate the Polaris cabin so that it reflects the general population.
Dec 29, 2018 | 11:52 pm
#3
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Given there are well over 10,000+ GS (some estimates are closer to 20,000), isn't a sample size of 2 a bit small to be making such observations. And the GS process for 2019 is not finished
Dec 30, 2018 | 12:42 am
#4
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It's funny you should say that. I have no empirical evidence (of course) but to the mark 1 eyeball recently, I have noticed two things that stood out to me (mostly SFO/LHR) that there are fewer 1K/GS, and that the GS that there were seemed to be of the female persuasion. It just stood out in Nov/Dec to me. Again. I am not saying that I have any facts to support this but was an observation and should be taken just as that. Perhaps there is something in it, who knows for sure.
Dec 30, 2018 | 1:20 am
#5
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I have noticed that gender may influence the awarding of GS status. Two women I know well both received a renewal invitation in early December, with PQD’s in the low 40’s. The husband of one was just below 50, and will finish the year near 60, and is waiting til Jan 11 to find out. It actually would make sense, as most GS members I see are men, and United likely wants a membership more closely resembling the general population
Dec 30, 2018 | 1:50 am
#6
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Don’t forget the companion benefit for the 1MM and above members. My wife is GS but rarely flys on a paid ticket. The numbers of female GS members may be almost equal, the real question is what’s the ratio who are actually selected based on their flying activity and spend.
Dec 30, 2018 | 7:09 am
#7
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Oh dear, affirmative action for airline status? In this crazy world I don't think we can rule anything out!
Off my soapbox on that, aside, I would venture to think GS has a record number of members. It's probably the reason why I'm finding myself well down the upgrade list as a 1K on a W or V fare routinely.
Off my soapbox on that, aside, I would venture to think GS has a record number of members. It's probably the reason why I'm finding myself well down the upgrade list as a 1K on a W or V fare routinely.
Dec 30, 2018 | 8:08 am
#8
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While OP's sample size is not exactly what one might consider "statistically significant", it is worth remembering that as more women attain senior positions and move into positions which may have traditionally been male-dominated, one would expect more women to attain status, especially discretionary status. Look around business-dominated hotels, restaurants, and car services. Same thing.
Dec 30, 2018 | 10:58 am
#9
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Seems like this thread can only go south, with a starting post based on very little info and touching on a... touchy subject. I don't see this as a productive discussion.
Dec 30, 2018 | 12:00 pm
#10
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You're gonna have a field day on this site then 
Dec 30, 2018 | 12:20 pm
#11
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No doubt. The front of the plane — which the economy passengers have to walk through on most planes — is still mostly white and male, and that's not the image any company wants to project these days. It might be a "touchy subject," but it's reality.
Dec 30, 2018 | 12:32 pm
#12
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So you have a sample size of two...
Dec 30, 2018 | 12:50 pm
#13
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I imagine that United uses certain algorithms to predict customer value. If gender enters the equation for some, then I cannot see why united wouldn’t use that data element to award GS. An N of 2 is problematic from a data perspective; however the comments around sexism and bias I find laughable as most modern companies are doing data work and know their customers well and respond to their behaviors accordingly. Such corporate behavior is, inherently, as biased as the data science behind the analytics.
Dec 30, 2018 | 1:56 pm
#14
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Short answer: no.
Long answer: no.
Long answer: no.
Dec 30, 2018 | 2:27 pm
#15
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