Most U.S. carriers admit they cater to the higher fare business traveler, but most award elite status based on flown miles. However, airlines do frequently give bonus miles for “higher-yield” (translation: more expensive fares).
United Airlines’ highest elite level, Global Services, is generally a bit of a mystery. Hundreds of thousands of miles aren’t enough. And frequent fliers who ask about membership rules will often be told that it has something to do with fares and rewarding “high-revenue” travelers. Or, they hear, that it is “invitation only.”
A recent email to a Global Services member, however, pulls the curtain back a bit.
We do not publish the criteria for Global Service status for competitive reasons, and we take a number of factors into consideration when selecting members for Global Services. However, we can tell you one definitive way to guarantee your invitation again next year: If you fly at least 50,000 full-fare miles on United® or United Express® in First (F, A, P), Business (C, D, Z), or full-fare Economy (Y or B) during 2008, your Global Services membership will automatically be renewed for the 2009 program year.
Translation, if you fly 50,000 miles on expensive tickets, you will make our highest level. If not, you can fly every day and “only” receive 1k status. A venture capitalist client of mine who felt he flew enough to Global Service status asked me to check into it. While our United sales representative insisted there were no hard and fast rules, he did come back to me later saying “Sure, your guy flew over 150,000 miles, but only twenty percent were full fare tickets. No chance.” The rep then added that as a VC the client shouldn’t care about money anyway. (Which went over about as might be imagined when I relayed the comment.)
Now, 1K status on United isn’t awful. Travelers receive higher priority than everyone BUT Global Services members, and double miles plus many complimentary upgrades. Global Services, however, is a different league. Perks include a dedicated phone number that almost always gets answered without hold time, a special customer relations department, regular waivers that mere mortals can’t get, etc. etc.
As a travel agent, I know that United seldom tells a Global Services’ member “no.” I have also heard many times where United personnel have made special efforts to help Global Service members make connections.
And certainly United, or any airline, is within their rights, to treat people who pay more money better than those who don’t. But it is frustrating for travelers who do fly a great deal, but make an effort to save money by booking in advance, to be penalized for following airline fare rules.
This United Global Services membership policy also may put travelers who want the perks squarely at cross purposes with their company travel policies. If the policies require the lowest available fare, a traveler who wants to attain or keep the status can simply wait until the last minute to book, and then legitimately claim that no other fare was available.
There is a consolation, though, for very frequent fliers who watch Global Service members with envy — it means that they, or their travel agent — have done a good job of saving travel dollars in the past year. Enough to buy a lot of nice perks on the ground.
