United's Global Services Status Challenge

Lots of other benefits to Global Services that are less known. For example being able to have agents create saver award space when none is available, forcing a companion’s upgrade to business class through when you’re flying paid business on the same flight, opening up saver business space, and clearing into a different upgrade bucket for business class that is more readily available than the one for 1K’s.

Ben, have they sent you an offer to re-activate your MP account? Kirby would do anything for a quick buck 😉

When I was GS a couple years ago, Air China canceled our first leg from SYD-Beijing-MUC a few months from departure. The GS United rep spent almost an hour searching award availability for our return to Munich. She didn't like the option to route us through India, so she ended up creating saver award space from SYD-MUC to allow us to return to Munich on our original saver level award instead of making us use more miles to return when there wasn't any space available. We ended up having to fly SYD-LAX-IAH-MUC, but it was better than spending more miles. I've also been picked up in LHR and driven to my next gate for a tight connection to MUC when our incoming flight was delayed departure from ORD.

If one can afford around $50,000 to re-qualify each year, then he/she obviously does not need to take the challenge during this covid time. If one is that wealthy, he/she could fly first class on the time, will have dedicated check-in counter, priority baggage, first class lounge access. If one has that kind of cash, being put in the lousy upgrade list or spending time to search for an award is not what he/she cares of. Purchasing First class ticket, taking a limousine to the airport, he/she could be "Global Services" at anytime, any place, and most importantly, with any carrier of his/her choice, not limited to United.

Wait, GS didn't come with United Club access already? Wow. $50k spend and still stuck waiting at the gate with all the plebes.

Interesting. Low level so not targeted. To bad sounds great. Probably would go for it

@ WR2
Agreed!

GS is not a goal anymore for me. I was GS for several years when GS was an amazing program (pre-merger). GS now is just mediocre. I really wouldn't want it even if you gave it to me for free. That would mean I would have to fly United, and I certainly won't be doing that.

I'd be happy to take it but, with an invitation only situation, how do you re-qualify? Get another invitation?

I have been GS in the past 1K now. Haven’t seen any offer. Do you think they would respond to a request to be given the challenge?

Bummed to not be targeted. I would probably try although hard to spend this with nowhere to go!

Great deal, but all business travel is still frozen indefinitely. Just a tease.. sigh.

The biggest benefit of GS (not mentioned in the article) is that upgrades clear into the PN fare class. You are MUCH more likely to clear in advance in premium markets like EWR-SFO. Also you can upgrade award tickets.

This is my first year as GS and I have saved about $2k on personal travel vs when I was 1K. Couldn’t be happier.

Good call on the PN. I used to trade CRUs for SWUs with a GS back in the day and actually clear the upgrades.

@John never hurts to ask. I would welcome this challenge and hopefully can travel the last 3 months of this year. (dpending on Covid measures)

I called the 1K service desk to inquire and they told me that the offer is only for those who have been GS in the past.

@Cal That sucks 🙁 understandable though. I would probably give it a try although difficult with all the current restrictions..

United just told me they have no idea how we get picked. However, I rarely turn down a challange