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 20, 2020, 9:49 pm
#1021
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Given that most GS (re-)quals are now booked, it'll be interesting to see, how the 2020 GS population number compares to the 2019 one.
Any hunch/ideas?
Any hunch/ideas?
Jan 20, 2020, 10:49 pm
#1022
Join Date: Nov 2019
Programs: United Global Services
Posts: 54
I think you are reading far too much into it. We know that the factor United uses is United revenue and (to a limited extent) prediction of revenue in the coming year. They do this based on how much you spent last year and what your three year total (and average) spend is. There are those who have speculated that CPM is a factor and that profitability is a factor, but there isn't definitive data to support this except in gross numbers (total money spent).
My opinions on the points you raised:
Just my opinion, worth what you paid for it.
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.
As has been stated many times before, this entire thread is pure speculation (albeit speculation that’s well-informed by data points). Anybody who credibly knows the GS criteria shouldn’t/wouldn’t be commenting here.
Jan 21, 2020, 12:28 am
#1023
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
But looking at recent notifications threads, there have been roughly 200 individuals posting receiving invites for the past three years-- no appreciatable trend up or down. No claiming those threads are statistically valid but not sure what else exists.
Jan 21, 2020, 6:10 am
#1024
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: United
Posts: 7
Sadly now after completing my first year as a GS member I would say there was almost ZERO difference between 1K and GS with one significant exception that I was better able to clear upgrade instruments into PN space but almost always <T24 hrs or even after boarding. Apart from that nada. I will say my international travel was down and I booked Polaris on virtually all international trips anyhow. The GS lobby in SFO was nice but as others noted hard to use for international travel where you really want that help at check in.
It looks like I am one and done with GS but not crying. I may make it if my wife gets the invite as she ended up being the road warrior this year but that looks really iffy. As always YMMV.
It looks like I am one and done with GS but not crying. I may make it if my wife gets the invite as she ended up being the road warrior this year but that looks really iffy. As always YMMV.
Jan 21, 2020, 10:09 am
#1025
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
I would be willing to bet that the population number is relatively similar to previous years. It would make more sense to me that UA selects the top (let's call it today) 0.05% of MP members based on a concoction of spend in 2019, and a few other criteria that we can speculate on all we want but never really know. The only thing that would skew the total # of GS would be if there is a significant change in the total number of active MP members in the program. I don't see this happening anytime soon.
Jan 22, 2020, 2:35 am
#1026
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: ICN
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 224
I do wonder if PQMs were a factor in previous years. Although it’s probably irrelevant now that United has moved away from PQMs. I made GS for the first time in 2019 and re-qualified for this year. Mostly G,K,L domestic and W,V international fares.
2017: ~150k PQM, ~10k PQD
2018: ~600k PQM, ~49.5k initial PQD (~30k adjusted PQD)
2019: ~625k PQM, ~30k PQD
2017: ~150k PQM, ~10k PQD
2018: ~600k PQM, ~49.5k initial PQD (~30k adjusted PQD)
2019: ~625k PQM, ~30k PQD
Jan 23, 2020, 8:43 am
#1027
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 55
Which email should I send a request for a challenge? There is no way I get in on a reconsideration as I was under $40K but wanted to request a challenge as I already have $6K booked on united metal and have a good chance of over 18K before May based on current travel plans. Is it the customer care email on the back of the global services card? I would think it would rather be a mileageplus email.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Jan 23, 2020, 1:04 pm
#1028
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Which email should I send a request for a challenge? There is no way I get in on a reconsideration as I was under $40K but wanted to request a challenge as I already have $6K booked on united metal and have a good chance of over 18K before May based on current travel plans. Is it the customer care email on the back of the global services card? I would think it would rather be a mileageplus email.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Jan 25, 2020, 9:18 pm
#1029
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 55
Thanks to all, I sent a challenge request to the email on my card on Thursday. I checked the site a couple times today and late evening noticed I had the same challenge as everyone. Unfortunately it's going to be difficult to meet unless I add a trip my company is currently saying I can't do, but at least I got the challenge.
Feb 17, 2020, 5:17 am
#1030
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1
Ground transfers
Morning everyone-
random question, when you get the ground transfers at IAH//DEN/EWR in the Mercedes, do you tip the drivers?
random question, when you get the ground transfers at IAH//DEN/EWR in the Mercedes, do you tip the drivers?
Feb 17, 2020, 7:22 am
#1031
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Global Services 3MM, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 2,927
Feb 17, 2020, 7:53 am
#1032
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
Feb 17, 2020, 8:24 am
#1033
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco, California
Programs: Amex Centurion, United Global Services
Posts: 847
Speaking of which, I've used the car service for domestic transfers but what if your connection is to Europe?
I have an SFO-EWR-TXL flight next week. I have a banged up knee so I want to get car service if possible but where do they drop you off? That can't bring you straight to an international gate, can they?
I have an SFO-EWR-TXL flight next week. I have a banged up knee so I want to get car service if possible but where do they drop you off? That can't bring you straight to an international gate, can they?
Feb 17, 2020, 8:45 am
#1034
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Speaking of which, I've used the car service for domestic transfers but what if your connection is to Europe?
I have an SFO-EWR-TXL flight next week. I have a banged up knee so I want to get car service if possible but where do they drop you off? That can't bring you straight to an international gate, can they?
I have an SFO-EWR-TXL flight next week. I have a banged up knee so I want to get car service if possible but where do they drop you off? That can't bring you straight to an international gate, can they?
Feb 17, 2020, 8:50 am
#1035
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,258
Speaking of which, I've used the car service for domestic transfers but what if your connection is to Europe?
I have an SFO-EWR-TXL flight next week. I have a banged up knee so I want to get car service if possible but where do they drop you off? That can't bring you straight to an international gate, can they?
I have an SFO-EWR-TXL flight next week. I have a banged up knee so I want to get car service if possible but where do they drop you off? That can't bring you straight to an international gate, can they?
Out of the dozen times I got car rides, there was only one where I actually needed it because of a tight connection. Most of the other times, I actually had ample extra time to make it to the gate.