Aug 3, 2019, 1:19 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
GS Qualifying for 2020 Discussion
This will be a discussion thread, for discussing the needed qualifications and timing of notification.
2019 GS Timeline:
- First requalification notifications came out on 6 Dec 2018
- First-time notifications started about 3 Jan 2019
- Numerous reports that all regular notifications will be out by 11 Jan 2019
- Initial successful reconsideration appeals reported 15 Jan 2019
- First reports of challanges15 Jan 2019
If you have received notification about your 2020 GS status, please post in
Global Services 2020 Notifications (ONLY) -- "no discussion" (and as title suggests, this is just for notifications, use this thread for discussions / queries
and
Form Link to collect this years qualification (or rejection) information
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...rm?usp=sf_link
You can view the results: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...rm?usp=sf_link
You can view the results: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing
To find your PQDs if >than $12K
Go to
MileagePlus activity since my last statement and it is in the "Account summary" table at the top of the page.
Note this is not just the UA operated PQDs (which is commonly believed to be what matters for GS) but rather your total PQDs.
Definitions
BIS is actual scheduled flight distance (Great Circle Mileage Distance -- GCM) between airports with 500 mile minimum for elites. This is the standard used for Lifetime miles also. Those flying mostly sub-500 segments sometimes prefer to not use the minimum rule.
The definition for CPM is a bit vaguer, especially since CPM is used in multiple different situations.
Believe for the purpose of this thread, GS qualification, folks are using
PQD CPM = UA PQDs / UA BIS
Note there is no direct evidence UA uses this CPM number for GS Qualification but it is a number FTers like to use.
As for BIS, UA does not report this number your account and it needs to be manually tracked.
One way is to make use that PQMs are based on BIS but there may be a multiplier / bonus for high end fares. If always in 2x PQMs, you could divide by 2 to get BIS.
Last year's thread
GS Qualifying for 2019 Discussion / Questions
GS Qualifying for 2020 Discussion / Questions
Jan 16, 2020, 7:04 am
#1006
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: UA GS ,QF Plat
Posts: 686
Received a challenge today for $18k spend between Feb 1 and Apr 30.
It would be a stretch for me to get to $18 on United Metal since many of my trips include travel within Europe and Asia. It may be doable If I look for the most expensive business class tickets to Europe and Australia. But I am thinking I would rather fly Singapore or ANA for less money rather than stressing over this.
Back to 1K I go.
It would be a stretch for me to get to $18 on United Metal since many of my trips include travel within Europe and Asia. It may be doable If I look for the most expensive business class tickets to Europe and Australia. But I am thinking I would rather fly Singapore or ANA for less money rather than stressing over this.
Back to 1K I go.
Jan 16, 2020, 7:04 am
#1007
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA 1k, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 109
Received a challenge today for $18k spend between Feb 1 and Apr 30.
It would be a stretch for me to get to $18 on United Metal since many of my trips include travel within Europe and Asia. It may be doable If I look for the most expensive business class tickets to Europe and Australia. But I am thinking I would rather fly Singapore or ANA for less money rather than stressing over this.
Back to 1K I go.
It would be a stretch for me to get to $18 on United Metal since many of my trips include travel within Europe and Asia. It may be doable If I look for the most expensive business class tickets to Europe and Australia. But I am thinking I would rather fly Singapore or ANA for less money rather than stressing over this.
Back to 1K I go.
Do you think trips that were booked in January, to be flown in February, will count towards the challenge? I would guess that they would...
Jan 16, 2020, 8:03 am
#1008
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 183
These reports of 18k challenges make me wonder if 2021 GS requirements will rise to 70k+ since I believe lower challenges were offered in past years and the consensus is that 50k is a safe spend level for requal and 1st time qualifiers.
Jan 16, 2020, 8:57 am
#1009
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Somewhere in EWR
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond
Posts: 858
Considering the plethora of sub $50K requals I'd say 100% no that something like that is in the works.
Jan 16, 2020, 9:09 am
#1010
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS, AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 285
I haven't heard back yet on my reconsideration request - also sent an email to GS in last Friday and received an email back saying that it had been submitted very shortly after. I would gladly do a challenge though!
Jan 16, 2020, 9:57 am
#1011
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA 1k, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 109
I have yet to receive an email response, but my challenge offer is listed on the "my status" site for MileagePlus
Jan 16, 2020, 10:47 am
#1012
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS, AA Lifetime Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 285
ok i see it now (i had not scrolled down before). i also received an email. Looks like the period is also flexible if you need to change it to Jan-Mar or Mar-May etc. you basically have 4 options for a 3-month window.
Jan 16, 2020, 11:40 am
#1014
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Somewhere in EWR
Programs: UA GS, HH Diamond
Posts: 858
Jan 16, 2020, 1:18 pm
#1015
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 27
challenge
think so, but it’s definitely not easy and will require some unnecessary y fares probably
anyone have suggestions for short pqd runs if needed? lax to sfo is $1k for a y fare for example
anyone have suggestions for short pqd runs if needed? lax to sfo is $1k for a y fare for example
Jan 16, 2020, 5:10 pm
#1016
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 24
Phone Call
I just had a phone call welcoming me to GS for 2020. The email came on the 10th Jan and the app was updated prior to that. Not sure if this was for 1st time GS or they are just working through a list.
Jan 18, 2020, 11:51 am
#1017
Join Date: Nov 2019
Programs: United Global Services
Posts: 54
What are this group’s thoughts on factors that determine GS beyond a customer’s UA revenue and home base? Could demographics play a role (e.g., grant GS to a younger customer who’s more likely to have a higher lifetime value compared to an older customer)? What about your disservice level (e.g., give GS to a 1K who’s had a lot of IRROPS, CPUs never clear, etc.)?
Jan 18, 2020, 1:19 pm
#1018
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
UA's IT org is somewhere between mediocre and above average. Given that, I doubt they have a world class AI team that sits along side this organization to leverage UA's vast pool of customer data.
In theory there is so much they can do in this area. For example, is a customer a 'rock' or a 'sponge' . Meaning could you squeeze more money from the customer and how.
Rock - corporate fully controls airline selection, fare classes, etc. Also, customer is absolutely unwilling to contribute their own dollars towards upgrades or other amenities.
Sponge - flyer has compete discretion over airline selection, fare classes, and is willing to contribute their own dollars towards amenities.
UA doesn't do this segmentation well. For example, they offer similar value TOD's, by region, across the customer base, etc...
UA could generate tons of revenue if they nailed this area. They'll eventually get there, but I project it'll take them untill the end of the decade to become good in this area.
In theory there is so much they can do in this area. For example, is a customer a 'rock' or a 'sponge' . Meaning could you squeeze more money from the customer and how.
Rock - corporate fully controls airline selection, fare classes, etc. Also, customer is absolutely unwilling to contribute their own dollars towards upgrades or other amenities.
Sponge - flyer has compete discretion over airline selection, fare classes, and is willing to contribute their own dollars towards amenities.
UA doesn't do this segmentation well. For example, they offer similar value TOD's, by region, across the customer base, etc...
UA could generate tons of revenue if they nailed this area. They'll eventually get there, but I project it'll take them untill the end of the decade to become good in this area.
Last edited by spartacusmcfly; Jan 18, 2020 at 1:57 pm
Jan 20, 2020, 7:36 am
#1019
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,054
UA's IT org is somewhere between mediocre and above average. Given that, I doubt they have a world class AI team that sits along side this organization to leverage UA's vast pool of customer data.
In theory there is so much they can do in this area. For example, is a customer a 'rock' or a 'sponge' . Meaning could you squeeze more money from the customer and how.
Rock - corporate fully controls airline selection, fare classes, etc. Also, customer is absolutely unwilling to contribute their own dollars towards upgrades or other amenities.
Sponge - flyer has compete discretion over airline selection, fare classes, and is willing to contribute their own dollars towards amenities.
UA doesn't do this segmentation well. For example, they offer similar value TOD's, by region, across the customer base, etc...
UA could generate tons of revenue if they nailed this area. They'll eventually get there, but I project it'll take them untill the end of the decade to become good in this area.
In theory there is so much they can do in this area. For example, is a customer a 'rock' or a 'sponge' . Meaning could you squeeze more money from the customer and how.
Rock - corporate fully controls airline selection, fare classes, etc. Also, customer is absolutely unwilling to contribute their own dollars towards upgrades or other amenities.
Sponge - flyer has compete discretion over airline selection, fare classes, and is willing to contribute their own dollars towards amenities.
UA doesn't do this segmentation well. For example, they offer similar value TOD's, by region, across the customer base, etc...
UA could generate tons of revenue if they nailed this area. They'll eventually get there, but I project it'll take them untill the end of the decade to become good in this area.
Jan 20, 2020, 11:01 am
#1020
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Washington DC
Programs: United 1MM, Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Platinum)
Posts: 320
What are this group’s thoughts on factors that determine GS beyond a customer’s UA revenue and home base? Could demographics play a role (e.g., grant GS to a younger customer who’s more likely to have a higher lifetime value compared to an older customer)? What about your disservice level (e.g., give GS to a 1K who’s had a lot of IRROPS, CPUs never clear, etc.)?
My opinions on the points you raised:
- Demographaphics (age) - non-factor. As a matter of fact, using this (if it came out) would subject them to an age-discrimination lawsuit. No corporate counsel would sign off on that.
- Dis-service level (IRROPS, upgrade clearance, etrc.) - non factor. The fact you were hassled more last year doesn't matter. Focus is on what you are likely to spend this year.
- Homebase - probably a factor to the extent they don't want to have too many GSs based somewhere overloading their ability to provide "special service". That said those bases (EWR, SFO, etc.) have extra GS capacity, special check-in lounges, etc. that even other UA bases (IAD) don't have, so I think their "total number of GSs we can accommodate" number is likely higher than at other airports, so it probably balances out.
Just my opinion, worth what you paid for it.