Dec 31, 2021, 11:08 pm
Last edit by: st530
United Global Services ("GS") is the highest tier of MileagePlus elite status. It is by invitation only, reviewed annually -- 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, and also to those individuals that purchase an annual PassPlus enrollment of $50k or greater. 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 enhanced services / benefits over 1Ks. There is little said publicly by UA on GS benefits and/or qualification.
Last year's thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2021]
Known facts concerning qualification and eligibility from United:
Quote:
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.
Published Benefits
Full detail of published benefits can be found at https://mystatus.united.com/gs [MP credentials login required, existing GS only]
Shortlist (incremental/different to 1K):
Most benefits noted below require calling a GS agent:
GS have enhanced services / benefits over 1Ks. There is little said publicly by UA on GS benefits and/or qualification.
Last year's thread, Consolidated Global Services Thread - Qualifications, Benefits and Q & A [2021]
Known facts concerning qualification and eligibility from United:
Quote:
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.
Published Benefits
Full detail of published benefits can be found at https://mystatus.united.com/gs [MP credentials login required, existing GS only]
Shortlist (incremental/different to 1K):
- Dedicated phone number with fastest pickup times, and generally by specially-trained GS agents. Some exceptions occur, especially during busy periods (such as when weather waivers are in effect)
- Dedicated email address for MileagePlus and other inquiries, usually answered personally within hours
- Dedicated check-in at main airport stations, including private Global Reception centers at major hubs, providing priority TSA security access. May bring guests/companions into Global Reception areas or dedicated GS checkin lanes who are traveling on same itinerary as GS member.
- Instrument-supported upgrades (PlusPoints or miles) clear into PN class rather than PZ class for other elite tiers, which usually have much better availability. Instruments drawn from the GS member account and applied to other reservations will also clear into PN class.
- Complimentary Premier Upgrades (CPUs) cleared beginning 120 hours prior to flight departure (versus 96 hours for 1K) for GS member and up to one other traveling on same PNR
- Highest-priority when waitlisted for Upgrades, Award Travel, and Sold-out Flight Availability. GS members clear before any other status level or full-fare customers.
- Priority Boarding, among the first to board the aircraft (currently after unaccompanied minors, people with disabilities and/or need more time boarding, Active-Duty Military, and prior to families with children under age of 2)
- Priority handling in event of IRROPS, including next flight guarantee in case of re-accommodation, overseen by dedicated team of location-based GS Customer Service Agents (identified via gold scarves/ties)
- Mercedes-Benz Tarmac Transfer for tight connections between flights at major hubs (cannot be requested in advance)
Access to United Arrivals Lounge at SFO when arriving from international flight, regardless of cabin class (no guests permitted)Closed- Access to Arrivals Lounge at LHR T2 when arriving from inbound UA-operated intercontinental flight, regardless of cabin (no guests permitted, must present Boarding Pass or physical GS card)
- Access to Lufthansa / Swiss Welcome (arrival) Lounges in FRA and ZRH for same-day inbound UA intercontinental flight, regardless of cabin (no guests permitted, must present physical GS card)
- Effective January 2021, GS members who do not have a United Club membership may access United Clubs on domestic itineraries, but no guests are permitted.
Most benefits noted below require calling a GS agent:
- GS can create saver economy award space (XN) if T inventory is available. United-operated flights only. Update 12 Dec 2018: Only for GS member + 1 companion.
- GS can create saver business award space (IN) if PZ inventory is available. United-operated flights only. Update 12 Dec 2018: Only for GS member + 1 companion.
- GS can upgrade economy awards (XN or YN) into Business / First with PlusPoints if PN inventory is available. United-operated flights only. Can now be completed online/via the app, in most circumstances.
- GS can confirm any waitlisted instrument-supported upgrade (miles/co-pay or PlusPoints) within T-72 hours to flight departure provided at least 2 (two) J class premium seats remain for sale after the upgrade is processed and they are at the top of the waitlist.
- GS are entitled to one Saver Award seat in the same class of service for one segment of the itinerary with their purchase of any premium cabin fare. GS agents can open space if it is not available provided that at least 2 seats remain for sale afterwards. United-operated flights only.
- GS can upgrade a companion with an instrument (PlusPoints or miles) from Economy to Business / First when flying on a paid premium cabin fare, even if PZ or PN is not available, as long as J > 2 after upgrade processed. Companion needs to be ticketed in W class or higher on international cash fare itineraries, or ticketed in X/XN for upgrades from award tickets.
- (Note: Only ONE of the two above options can be exercised per premium fare purchased, and for one segment in the itinerary, per caveats noted below. GS traveler must remain in same itinerary as companion)
- GS can buy up from Basic Economy fares, which is usually forbidden
- GS can access VIP Lounges (former Global First Lounges) in NRT, LHR, and HKG when booked in Polaris Business on an international itinerary. One guest permitted (two guests if a United Club member). Not accessed if booked in United Economy. (Note: VIP Lounges in NRT and HKG remain closed due to Covid-19; LHR VIP now open.)
- Post 12/12/2018, agents have been instructed to grant only one "exception" when opening award space for a companion. Thus, you can open T->XN for a companion, or you can force a companion upgrade into PN, but you can't convert T->XN and then force clear an upgrade into PN. Some have reported success by requesting this in two separate calls.
- Some agents will allow GS to open economy award space for a companion to allow for an upgrade with an instrument, even if XN or T are unavailable
- According to GS Customer Service, a GS on a paid coach fare using an instrument will clear into Polaris business before a lower-status passenger with a paid PremiumPlus fare (i.e. O, A, R). In other words, for example, a paid O, A, R for a 1K will not give higher priority than a GS with a W fare if both are using 40 PlusPoints. This is true even on the gate waitlist.
- Post 12/12/2019, agents have been instructed that they can only grant a companion exception for one segment per round trip journey. Thus, if you have a roundtrip premium fare, they will only open saver space, or force an upgrade, for one segment. This means you must either waitlist (if upgrading) or use a standard award, for the remaining segments.
Consolidated Global Services Thread: Benefits, Questions, Experiences [2022]
Jun 6, 2022, 9:09 am
#541
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IAH & CMH
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Uber Platinum :)
Posts: 773
While things have been trimmed back, the GS advantages are still numerous and significant. You to you to decide the value
PN, and I repeat, PN is huge differentiator value, if upgrading or supporting family or friends
Better customer support --- while at times spotty it is still better than other folks get
Ability to open up upgrade space and award space -- yes, trimmed back but still a significant advantage
GS lobbies (where they exist)
Free UC access on domestic itins
....
It is a bit hyperbolic to say there is no GS value, Has it decreased, yes but there are still major benefits -- may not apply to everyone or every time but still a significant difference above 1K.
It great FT sport to complain and there are reasond for many of the complaints but there is perspective also.
PN, and I repeat, PN is huge differentiator value, if upgrading or supporting family or friends
Better customer support --- while at times spotty it is still better than other folks get
Ability to open up upgrade space and award space -- yes, trimmed back but still a significant advantage
GS lobbies (where they exist)
Free UC access on domestic itins
....
It is a bit hyperbolic to say there is no GS value, Has it decreased, yes but there are still major benefits -- may not apply to everyone or every time but still a significant difference above 1K.
It great FT sport to complain and there are reasond for many of the complaints but there is perspective also.
I suspect a vast majority of GS are so because they buy several business class international tickets each year. I get treated as well, if not better, as a paying business class passenger on most airlines other than United, even when I'm flying up front on United as a GS. (note the guarantee of my first choice of slop in United business is not a 'value').
Where GS could/would add value to me is upgrades, and additional flexibility when booking personal travel. But I'm fortunate to have reached a point in life where I'm going to book first, as long as the price isn't extortionate. For example - I'm looking at flights to Costa Rica next winter... $2K in business on United, $1.3K/ticket on American. Not ONE business seat is sold/seat reserved on the United flights I want to book. If I could buy the $2K ticket for my self and open round trip business saver for my companion I would. But no way am I playing the upgrade lottery. Nope... American gets my $2.6K for 2X guaranteed business class seats and I'll get treated exactly the same as if I had spent $4K on United.
"GS are entitled to one Saver Award seat in the same class of service for one segment of the itinerary with their purchase of any premium cabin fare.
GS agents can open space if it is not available provided that at least 2 seats remain for sale afterwards. United-operated flights only."
Why do I have to call T-72 to force through an upgrade as long as I'm first on the list, there's J2 or more afterwards, the call agent is having a good day, and whatever hoop is new this week. Why doesn't it just process automatically?
I used to book United without consideration of other airlines because (don't laugh) I thought I'd be a valued customer. Yet we're not. Net result is I no longer fly exclusively United. Yes GS may have more benefits than lower tier status levels, but unicorn fare levels that are rarer and rarer, inflated mileage redemption tickets, one segment availability, and the standard "upgrade waitlist while we do our best to sell that ticket to literally anyone else on the plane for $49+".
Pointing out that PN is a great benefit when 99.9% of the time PN=0 is no value to me. GS lobbies? Whoop-de-doo... CLEAR is normally quicker - which I get via more than one of my credit cards. Lounge access - while appreciated is also achievable via a credit card, or negated by access to other lounges, or moot because I'm flying international business. In fact for me, in the current aviation consumer environment, playing the credit card game correctly means there's no longer a need to worry about Airline status. And if you do that, GS has no value.
Jun 6, 2022, 9:13 am
#542
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IAH & CMH
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Uber Platinum :)
Posts: 773
Well another gs devaluation. They no longer escort gs travelers at o’hare to the front of the security line after pre check closes at 8. It is a benefit I have used countless times over the past decade and gone by the wayside with zero empathy from the surly employee at check in with the gold scarf (not sure you can even call them gs agents any more). Did I just get an unlucky angry agent or is it another takeaway?
Jun 6, 2022, 4:27 pm
#543
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 30
both close at 8pm. I have flown hundreds of times in the past after 8 and was always escorted before yesterday through security but was denied yesterday … another enhancement you will like. It was never this bad even under smisek.
Jun 6, 2022, 4:43 pm
#544
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,217
One time certainly doesn’t make it the rule. Could have been a one-off
Jun 6, 2022, 5:07 pm
#545
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
Overcrowded gate in Atlanta with strollers :
« We’re boarding peoplewithdisabilitiesfamilieswithchildrenactivemi ltary1KGlobalServices »
« We’re boarding peoplewithdisabilitiesfamilieswithchildrenactivemi ltary1KGlobalServices »
Jun 6, 2022, 5:56 pm
#546
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
The same fare basis being open is just the regular SDC option that all Premier members have access to - that's not a GS perk and if any agent were to say that was the restriction on the next flight guarantee then they very simply do not understand the rules.
Jun 6, 2022, 7:38 pm
#547
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: RAP
Programs: UA 1K - 3 MM, CLEAR
Posts: 49
It's not hyperbolic when you point to 'major benefits' that don't exist the vast majority of the time. Try booking a trip using PP to upgrade at time of booking... on dates you want to fly. Or a companion upgrade ROUND TRIP. And don't waste time finding the one example that exists three months from now on a Tuesday at 11:59pm... anyone that finds a guaranteed upgrade at the time THEY want to travel is most fortunate. And whatever happened to Skip The Waitlist? I've never seen that option, so while you may find an example, it's infrequent to say the least.
I suspect a vast majority of GS are so because they buy several business class international tickets each year. I get treated as well, if not better, as a paying business class passenger on most airlines other than United, even when I'm flying up front on United as a GS. (note the guarantee of my first choice of slop in United business is not a 'value').
Where GS could/would add value to me is upgrades, and additional flexibility when booking personal travel. But I'm fortunate to have reached a point in life where I'm going to book first, as long as the price isn't extortionate. For example - I'm looking at flights to Costa Rica next winter... $2K in business on United, $1.3K/ticket on American. Not ONE business seat is sold/seat reserved on the United flights I want to book. If I could buy the $2K ticket for my self and open round trip business saver for my companion I would. But no way am I playing the upgrade lottery. Nope... American gets my $2.6K for 2X guaranteed business class seats and I'll get treated exactly the same as if I had spent $4K on United.
"GS are entitled to one Saver Award seat in the same class of service for one segment of the itinerary with their purchase of any premium cabin fare.
GS agents can open space if it is not available provided that at least 2 seats remain for sale afterwards. United-operated flights only."It's laughable that someone at United thought removing the round trip part of this 'benefit' would be a good idea. Now it's not even one direction, it's one SEGMENT! This is so United. This ONE perk alone (if round trip) would make me appreciate my GS status. but ONE SEGMENT? This is why I say it's no value anymore. It's not. Value is the return benefits in relation to your spend. The miniscule incremental increase in benefits simply doesn't justify (for me) longer connections, lower service levels, etc.
Why do I have to call T-72 to force through an upgrade as long as I'm first on the list, there's J2 or more afterwards, the call agent is having a good day, and whatever hoop is new this week. Why doesn't it just process automatically?
I used to book United without consideration of other airlines because (don't laugh) I thought I'd be a valued customer. Yet we're not. Net result is I no longer fly exclusively United. Yes GS may have more benefits than lower tier status levels, but unicorn fare levels that are rarer and rarer, inflated mileage redemption tickets, one segment availability, and the standard "upgrade waitlist while we do our best to sell that ticket to literally anyone else on the plane for $49+".
Pointing out that PN is a great benefit when 99.9% of the time PN=0 is no value to me. GS lobbies? Whoop-de-doo... CLEAR is normally quicker - which I get via more than one of my credit cards. Lounge access - while appreciated is also achievable via a credit card, or negated by access to other lounges, or moot because I'm flying international business. In fact for me, in the current aviation consumer environment, playing the credit card game correctly means there's no longer a need to worry about Airline status. And if you do that, GS has no value.
I suspect a vast majority of GS are so because they buy several business class international tickets each year. I get treated as well, if not better, as a paying business class passenger on most airlines other than United, even when I'm flying up front on United as a GS. (note the guarantee of my first choice of slop in United business is not a 'value').
Where GS could/would add value to me is upgrades, and additional flexibility when booking personal travel. But I'm fortunate to have reached a point in life where I'm going to book first, as long as the price isn't extortionate. For example - I'm looking at flights to Costa Rica next winter... $2K in business on United, $1.3K/ticket on American. Not ONE business seat is sold/seat reserved on the United flights I want to book. If I could buy the $2K ticket for my self and open round trip business saver for my companion I would. But no way am I playing the upgrade lottery. Nope... American gets my $2.6K for 2X guaranteed business class seats and I'll get treated exactly the same as if I had spent $4K on United.
"GS are entitled to one Saver Award seat in the same class of service for one segment of the itinerary with their purchase of any premium cabin fare.
GS agents can open space if it is not available provided that at least 2 seats remain for sale afterwards. United-operated flights only."
Why do I have to call T-72 to force through an upgrade as long as I'm first on the list, there's J2 or more afterwards, the call agent is having a good day, and whatever hoop is new this week. Why doesn't it just process automatically?
I used to book United without consideration of other airlines because (don't laugh) I thought I'd be a valued customer. Yet we're not. Net result is I no longer fly exclusively United. Yes GS may have more benefits than lower tier status levels, but unicorn fare levels that are rarer and rarer, inflated mileage redemption tickets, one segment availability, and the standard "upgrade waitlist while we do our best to sell that ticket to literally anyone else on the plane for $49+".
Pointing out that PN is a great benefit when 99.9% of the time PN=0 is no value to me. GS lobbies? Whoop-de-doo... CLEAR is normally quicker - which I get via more than one of my credit cards. Lounge access - while appreciated is also achievable via a credit card, or negated by access to other lounges, or moot because I'm flying international business. In fact for me, in the current aviation consumer environment, playing the credit card game correctly means there's no longer a need to worry about Airline status. And if you do that, GS has no value.
Jun 6, 2022, 8:08 pm
#548
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,316
It's not hyperbolic when you point to 'major benefits' that don't exist the vast majority of the time. Try booking a trip using PP to upgrade at time of booking... on dates you want to fly. Or a companion upgrade ROUND TRIP. And don't waste time finding the one example that exists three months from now on a Tuesday at 11:59pm... anyone that finds a guaranteed upgrade at the time THEY want to travel is most fortunate. And whatever happened to Skip The Waitlist? I've never seen that option, so while you may find an example, it's infrequent to say the least.
I suspect a vast majority of GS are so because they buy several business class international tickets each year. I get treated as well, if not better, as a paying business class passenger on most airlines other than United, even when I'm flying up front on United as a GS. (note the guarantee of my first choice of slop in United business is not a 'value').
Where GS could/would add value to me is upgrades, and additional flexibility when booking personal travel. But I'm fortunate to have reached a point in life where I'm going to book first, as long as the price isn't extortionate. For example - I'm looking at flights to Costa Rica next winter... $2K in business on United, $1.3K/ticket on American. Not ONE business seat is sold/seat reserved on the United flights I want to book. If I could buy the $2K ticket for my self and open round trip business saver for my companion I would. But no way am I playing the upgrade lottery. Nope... American gets my $2.6K for 2X guaranteed business class seats and I'll get treated exactly the same as if I had spent $4K on United.
"GS are entitled to one Saver Award seat in the same class of service for one segment of the itinerary with their purchase of any premium cabin fare.
GS agents can open space if it is not available provided that at least 2 seats remain for sale afterwards. United-operated flights only."It's laughable that someone at United thought removing the round trip part of this 'benefit' would be a good idea. Now it's not even one direction, it's one SEGMENT! This is so United. This ONE perk alone (if round trip) would make me appreciate my GS status. but ONE SEGMENT? This is why I say it's no value anymore. It's not. Value is the return benefits in relation to your spend. The miniscule incremental increase in benefits simply doesn't justify (for me) longer connections, lower service levels, etc.
Why do I have to call T-72 to force through an upgrade as long as I'm first on the list, there's J2 or more afterwards, the call agent is having a good day, and whatever hoop is new this week. Why doesn't it just process automatically?
I used to book United without consideration of other airlines because (don't laugh) I thought I'd be a valued customer. Yet we're not. Net result is I no longer fly exclusively United. Yes GS may have more benefits than lower tier status levels, but unicorn fare levels that are rarer and rarer, inflated mileage redemption tickets, one segment availability, and the standard "upgrade waitlist while we do our best to sell that ticket to literally anyone else on the plane for $49+".
Pointing out that PN is a great benefit when 99.9% of the time PN=0 is no value to me. GS lobbies? Whoop-de-doo... CLEAR is normally quicker - which I get via more than one of my credit cards. Lounge access - while appreciated is also achievable via a credit card, or negated by access to other lounges, or moot because I'm flying international business. In fact for me, in the current aviation consumer environment, playing the credit card game correctly means there's no longer a need to worry about Airline status. And if you do that, GS has no value.
I suspect a vast majority of GS are so because they buy several business class international tickets each year. I get treated as well, if not better, as a paying business class passenger on most airlines other than United, even when I'm flying up front on United as a GS. (note the guarantee of my first choice of slop in United business is not a 'value').
Where GS could/would add value to me is upgrades, and additional flexibility when booking personal travel. But I'm fortunate to have reached a point in life where I'm going to book first, as long as the price isn't extortionate. For example - I'm looking at flights to Costa Rica next winter... $2K in business on United, $1.3K/ticket on American. Not ONE business seat is sold/seat reserved on the United flights I want to book. If I could buy the $2K ticket for my self and open round trip business saver for my companion I would. But no way am I playing the upgrade lottery. Nope... American gets my $2.6K for 2X guaranteed business class seats and I'll get treated exactly the same as if I had spent $4K on United.
"GS are entitled to one Saver Award seat in the same class of service for one segment of the itinerary with their purchase of any premium cabin fare.
GS agents can open space if it is not available provided that at least 2 seats remain for sale afterwards. United-operated flights only."
Why do I have to call T-72 to force through an upgrade as long as I'm first on the list, there's J2 or more afterwards, the call agent is having a good day, and whatever hoop is new this week. Why doesn't it just process automatically?
I used to book United without consideration of other airlines because (don't laugh) I thought I'd be a valued customer. Yet we're not. Net result is I no longer fly exclusively United. Yes GS may have more benefits than lower tier status levels, but unicorn fare levels that are rarer and rarer, inflated mileage redemption tickets, one segment availability, and the standard "upgrade waitlist while we do our best to sell that ticket to literally anyone else on the plane for $49+".
Pointing out that PN is a great benefit when 99.9% of the time PN=0 is no value to me. GS lobbies? Whoop-de-doo... CLEAR is normally quicker - which I get via more than one of my credit cards. Lounge access - while appreciated is also achievable via a credit card, or negated by access to other lounges, or moot because I'm flying international business. In fact for me, in the current aviation consumer environment, playing the credit card game correctly means there's no longer a need to worry about Airline status. And if you do that, GS has no value.
As I posted earlier -- the GS agent when I called to upgrade my wife on our return from Tokyo spent 20 minutes verifying how my wife GOT to Tokyo -- all in the hope they could DENY my upgrade request... UA has CLEARLY switched from being FF friendly to an enemy -- but yet there will be many here that will defend it!
Jun 6, 2022, 8:32 pm
#549
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
Wow - you nailed it -- while relative to other UA status levels GS has value -- but that is a small "n" - given the wider world of travel I think you are 100% right -- UA is royally screwing this up -- I left US/ AA because of Kirby after over 2MM miles -- I guess UA is next after only 1.6MM.... To me the whole SEGMENT thing is just atrocious -- I mean it used to be roundtrip -- then one way - then one SEGMENT? I mean come on -- could you be any cheaper for your $50k plus customers?
As I posted earlier -- the GS agent when I called to upgrade my wife on our return from Tokyo spent 20 minutes verifying how my wife GOT to Tokyo -- all in the hope they could DENY my upgrade request... UA has CLEARLY switched from being FF friendly to an enemy -- but yet there will be many here that will defend it!
As I posted earlier -- the GS agent when I called to upgrade my wife on our return from Tokyo spent 20 minutes verifying how my wife GOT to Tokyo -- all in the hope they could DENY my upgrade request... UA has CLEARLY switched from being FF friendly to an enemy -- but yet there will be many here that will defend it!
Jun 6, 2022, 8:38 pm
#550
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,316
LOL - I wouldn't put it past Kirby to sell fractional J class -- I mean if Ryan Air can try to sell standing only seats -- UA will try even more! I mean when AA embarrasses you on soft product -- and Jet blue does as well - both hard and soft -- on the #1 profit route in the world (NY - LHR) -- and they just don't care -- well that says more than anything I can post....
Jun 7, 2022, 5:38 am
#551
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 390
Wow - you nailed it -- while relative to other UA status levels GS has value -- but that is a small "n" - given the wider world of travel I think you are 100% right -- UA is royally screwing this up -- I left US/ AA because of Kirby after over 2MM miles -- I guess UA is next after only 1.6MM.... To me the whole SEGMENT thing is just atrocious -- I mean it used to be roundtrip -- then one way - then one SEGMENT? I mean come on -- could you be any cheaper for your $50k plus customers?
As I posted earlier -- the GS agent when I called to upgrade my wife on our return from Tokyo spent 20 minutes verifying how my wife GOT to Tokyo -- all in the hope they could DENY my upgrade request... UA has CLEARLY switched from being FF friendly to an enemy -- but yet there will be many here that will defend it!
As I posted earlier -- the GS agent when I called to upgrade my wife on our return from Tokyo spent 20 minutes verifying how my wife GOT to Tokyo -- all in the hope they could DENY my upgrade request... UA has CLEARLY switched from being FF friendly to an enemy -- but yet there will be many here that will defend it!
So if I were to buy 2 RT, let’s say :
1) LHR-SFO-LHR
2) LHR-SFO-LHR
and called to confirm SO on SFO-LHR from RT #1 and then LHR-SFO from RT#2 I would be denied ?
Jun 7, 2022, 7:21 am
#552
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,316
Yes quite possibly! The GS agent didn't care about my PNR -- she cared about how my wife got to Tokyo (which was via ANA which I had to prove). If my wife had been upgraded from Y to J on the outbound, or if GS had opened space for her -- she would not have been upgraded travelling with me on the return flight. FYI -- FWIW my flights to / from Tokyo were purchased as two one ways....
Jun 7, 2022, 8:36 am
#553
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SRQ, PDX
Programs: UA 1 MM, AA, DL
Posts: 930
Wow - you nailed it -- while relative to other UA status levels GS has value -- but that is a small "n" - given the wider world of travel I think you are 100% right -- UA is royally screwing this up -- I left US/ AA because of Kirby after over 2MM miles -- I guess UA is next after only 1.6MM....
At this juncture of UA's "changes no one likes"--and I agree with you this is all Kirby--it's hard for me to understand the incentive for GS. IMO, looking at UA operationally the last six months, it's not going to get better any time soon.
Jun 7, 2022, 8:46 am
#554
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,316
So, you knew when Kirby followed you to UA that this was going to turn out badly, right? You could have at least warned the rest of us!
At this juncture of UA's "changes no one likes"--and I agree with you this is all Kirby--it's hard for me to understand the incentive for GS. IMO, looking at UA operationally the last six months, it's not going to get better any time soon.
At this juncture of UA's "changes no one likes"--and I agree with you this is all Kirby--it's hard for me to understand the incentive for GS. IMO, looking at UA operationally the last six months, it's not going to get better any time soon.
I would summarize Kirby’s strategy running an airline as “we suck the least” - that’s how I saw AA and now see UA - the “yeah we know it’s not what it used to be - or even good - but all the others are worse than us - so suck it up….”
Jun 7, 2022, 9:37 pm
#555
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,332
As I’ve mentioned upthread - if I lose the ability to upgrade my award tickets (via PN) I will be done.
I would summarize Kirby’s strategy running an airline as “we suck the least” - that’s how I saw AA and now see UA - the “yeah we know it’s not what it used to be - or even good - but all the others are worse than us - so suck it up….”
I would summarize Kirby’s strategy running an airline as “we suck the least” - that’s how I saw AA and now see UA - the “yeah we know it’s not what it used to be - or even good - but all the others are worse than us - so suck it up….”