Now I'm Global Services
 

I'm sitting in the MEX RCC about to leave for IAD. When I checked in downstairs about an hour ago, my BP printed with Global Services on it. I'm a 1K, but I don't think that I'm Global Services. I KNOW I don't spend $40,000 per year on UA. I checked by MP account on united.com and it says 1K.

So, was this some form of temporary error or did they make a mistake and make me Global Services?? :D

I know this happened to some people a while back. Is it happening again?

For those of you that are REAL GS members, does it say that on your MP account?

Something similar happened in July:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=337889

Happened to me a few months ago. It was some sort of mistake, the website never reflected Global Services, and it only happened once.

what is global services? What are the benefits?

Although I am a UGS, the website reflects my status as 1K.

When do you make UGS?
 

Do they invite you to the UGS program in january or throughout the year?

Froeken

Are you on a full-fare F ticket? I seem to recall that traveling on an international F itinerary gains you access to the Global Services helpline for the days you're traveling... perhaps this is something similar-- it's reflecting that status today because you're flying that fare?

The vast majority of "invitations" come out in January (when the 2P, 1P and 1K letters go out), but you can become a UGS anytime during the year if your spending habits warrant.

Okay, quick question to clarify here...

I have been a 1K 4 of 5 last years, and just re-qualified for 2005. I also spent about $40k on travel this past year, $25k of which was in the last 3 months. I expect to spend about $10k/month in 2005 on travel -- is it likely UA will wait until the end of 2005 to consider me for UGS? or will they look at my "rolling" customer spend?

It's not a major issue, but if you're spending the $$$, then it's sensible to get the status.

They should be looking at the "rolling" spend. A co-worker was invited to UGS after several months in 2004 because he was flying frequently on C and F international tickets. Now I don't know if someone called on his behalf, but all of a sudden he was UGS. I certainly would call after the first quarter if your spending habits were as you said. It couldn't hurt.

I detailed it in great length in a reply to someone asking the same question, so do a search of Global Services in this forum with replies from my username and it should pop-up in the list.


Edited to add:

In fact, looks like I did so exactly one month ago:

UGS stands for United Global Services.

It is an invitation-only program United began in 2003. Criteria include at least $30,000-40,000 in annual spend and the majority of your tickets be in P, F, A, C, D, Y, or B fare basis (generally unrestricted tickets). If you also control very large corporate contracts (probably scores to hundreds of millions or more in spending), you can be invited to join UGS, even if you don't fly that much.

UGS members can upgrade a flight with 500-mile certs 120 hours prior to departure. They are also the highest priority on the waitlist for all other upgrade instruments.

UGS members are allowed to board with First Class passengers and are welcome to use International or Domestic First Class check-in counters, regardless of the class of service they are flying on. Also, some airports (like LAX) have a dedicated check-in area for UGS members.

A handful of airports (like SEA and DEN) have dedicated "UGS Rooms" that serve the function the old "1K Rooms" did - a private place to relax before a flight and get assistance from UA Customer Service.

UGS members also have their own private phone line. However, the people on this line are UA's best and most knowledgable agents and have been known to be sticklers for the rules. On the flip side, others have reported that the UGS line will move mountains for them.

Most UGS members are 1Ks, but with membership being determined by either revenue-spend or how much revenue-spend one influences, UGS membership guarantees one at least Premier Executive status (Star Gold).

If true, this is what Continental does when you buy a Y fare - they make you a "Platinum for the Day" and give you all the benefits - elite checkin, priority boarding, complimentary upgrade to First. Since you are already on Paid F, not sure what UGS would get you, except in irregular ops, and then you already hold the trump card being on a paid F ticket.


Annual spend alone does not guarantee an invitation to UGS. They also look for what fare classes you buy (usually M/B/Y). Afterall, I can spend $40,000 on two international paid F trips, fly 20,000 BIS miles, and never set foot on a UA plane again. That would get me 2P (thanks to the EQM bonuses), but why should it get me UGS?

If I am on 40 $1000 B fares, however, that shows loyalty to UA and even if all those flights, combined, could barely get me past 2P, it is the kind of spending pattern UA is looking for and chances are good I would be invited to become a UGS 1P.

Thanks for all of your responses, guys!

I fogot this detail:

In the first half of 2004, I had a different job and made a lot of transcon P-Class trips. I think it MAY have amounted to $30-$40 thousand, but likely more like $25. Since August, I've had a job where I travel less, but I have bought a number of B-Class tickets since then, including a $2,500 one to Europe. So I don't think I really qualify, but maybe I did just meet some threshold? Weird. If it's true, how long does it last? Is is for a year like 1K?

I'm writing from the International F Lounge in IAD (on my way from MEX-LGA). I am on a B-Class ticket upgraded to F. It's nice to be able to use the lounge!!

I'm a proud invitee to the ranks of United Lowball Services.

And let me tall 'ya...they consider us pretty rank!

;)

Sounds like you have a decent chance to be invited, BenjaminNYC.