Do Global Services Members get automatic 1K status?
Mar 19, 2009, 7:24 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Was that by any chance the same guy who confirmed me that instrument upgrades would always beat cash upgrades?
My fear is that all this information was true until very recently. Now everything is in flux chez United
. Not only for the elusive GS/unicorn hunt ...
Mar 19, 2009, 8:57 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boulder, CO
Programs: UA, AA, WN; HH, MR, IHG
Posts: 7,054
Of course, as we have heard, some (many?) agents have been offering UFCs before clearing the UGDG list, which is contrary to the official policy. Nevertheless, the official (written!) policy is that UFCs go below certs and miles in terms of priority (e.g. for waitlisting).
Mar 20, 2009, 1:20 am
#33
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,245
Mar 20, 2009, 8:57 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
I am a GS, and I have found these unpublished benefits are consistenly iinconsistent.
Jun 7, 2009, 8:31 am
#36
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: AA EXP, UA GS/1K MM, Delta Plat, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 163
Concierge in ORD
This past February I was connecting in ORD, on my way from DEN to LHR, upgraded from C using a SWU.
As a 1K member, I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted in ORD by a GS concierge, who escorted my to my tight connection - they'd been holding the flight until I arrived.
Of course my first question was, "Have I been promoted?" - he didn't know one way or another, but was there just to ensure I made the connection. Very pleasant.
On my way back through ORD later that week, I ran into him while connecting from T1 over to <some C gate> - He pulled me aside and tried to get me on an earlier connection, but that door had just closed.
So YMMV - but know that when you do have the opportunity to be assisted by one of the GS folks in ORD, it's very nice.
As a 1K member, I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted in ORD by a GS concierge, who escorted my to my tight connection - they'd been holding the flight until I arrived.
Of course my first question was, "Have I been promoted?" - he didn't know one way or another, but was there just to ensure I made the connection. Very pleasant.
On my way back through ORD later that week, I ran into him while connecting from T1 over to <some C gate> - He pulled me aside and tried to get me on an earlier connection, but that door had just closed.
So YMMV - but know that when you do have the opportunity to be assisted by one of the GS folks in ORD, it's very nice.
Jun 7, 2009, 8:53 am
#37
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAS
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Southwest A-List Preferred
Posts: 2,846
I've been greated in North America (SEA) by a GS agent, and it was actually a bit embarassing. The plane door opened, and the agent came in with a sign that had my name on it. She asked everyone else in F to let me off first since I was a GS and had to connect to a SEA-GEG flight. I told the other people in F to go before me as I wasn't in a major rush. I can see how this service can be helpful on tight connections, but in my case it it seemed a little heavy-handed.
Jun 7, 2009, 11:50 am
#38
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SNA
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 1,536
This policy has seems to have been adjusted this year. GS still trumps 1K but are not given the 1K bennies, i.e. SWUs if they didn't qualify the hard way. YMMV.
Jun 12, 2009, 12:04 pm
#39
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,888
You are lucky, let's hope it continues.I have never been met by an agent if everything was running on time or close to on time. For most, but not all of my impending misconnects or cxl's when traveling in the US, I have been met by somebody to help out. ORD has been great, LAX and SFO so-so, and never once in IAD even when my connection to YYX was canceled. I have never been met by UA agents outside the US, but I have been met by TG and SQ agents when connecting on to their flights.
Jun 12, 2009, 2:12 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NRT-ORD-LHR-KUL
Programs: UA-GS, AA-EXP
Posts: 1,112
Wow, I guess some GS members are more GS than others! You are lucky, let's hope it continues.
I have never been met by an agent if everything was running on time or close to on time. For most, but not all of my impending misconnects or cxl's when traveling in the US, I have been met by somebody to help out. ORD has been great, LAX and SFO so-so, and never once in IAD even when my connection to YYX was canceled. I have never been met by UA agents outside the US, but I have been met by TG and SQ agents when connecting on to their flights.
You are lucky, let's hope it continues.I have never been met by an agent if everything was running on time or close to on time. For most, but not all of my impending misconnects or cxl's when traveling in the US, I have been met by somebody to help out. ORD has been great, LAX and SFO so-so, and never once in IAD even when my connection to YYX was canceled. I have never been met by UA agents outside the US, but I have been met by TG and SQ agents when connecting on to their flights.
right.
Aug 7, 2009, 11:44 am
#41
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United 1K (3MM) and RCC, elite levels for most hotel and car programs
Posts: 273
Asking for GS Status
Beyond ego value, GS status does appear to have a few advantages even over us multiMM 1ks. Never thought about this before, but can you ask to be considered for GS status by outlining your role in stimulating travel to United hubs as a meeting planner, in addition to my own spending on UA flights? Anyone have experience with this?
Aug 7, 2009, 12:15 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
I don't know if they still do it but in the early days of GS UA used to give GS to people who had big influence in company spending travel dollars on UA such as travel coordinators and senior management at larger companies that spent a lot of money with UA.
Aug 7, 2009, 3:59 pm
#43
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United 1K (3MM) and RCC, elite levels for most hotel and car programs
Posts: 273
Seems like it is worth an ask!
Aug 7, 2009, 4:17 pm
#44
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Aug 8, 2009, 12:59 am
#45
Former user name: laundrian
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: NYC / LA
Programs: Moderator: Traveling with Jewelry, UA GS, Starwood
Posts: 384
I don't think asking UA for GS would do any good. Trust me, my husband has been a 1K for a few years, and he always wonder why I get GS.
He indeed called UA 1K many times to "complain" and explain to them how important he is. He does travel more than I do (miles wise). However, my company pay full fare F or C class for my travel.
I do agree that GS is based on revenue. I don't think I get anything EXTRAS as a GS member beside from priority stand by and "special" treatments here and there.
He indeed called UA 1K many times to "complain" and explain to them how important he is. He does travel more than I do (miles wise). However, my company pay full fare F or C class for my travel.
I do agree that GS is based on revenue. I don't think I get anything EXTRAS as a GS member beside from priority stand by and "special" treatments here and there.