Is Premier Gold Worth it?
Oct 25, 2011, 1:35 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: CLE
Posts: 9,816
I've been Gold for several years know and I would say it makes a huge difference, especially if you fly internationally.
Oct 25, 2011, 1:59 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UACO Plat/1K, DL Plat, Hertz 5*, Avis - PC, SPG Gold, Colorado Pass
Posts: 228
Having flown a few flights internationally on different *alliance partners, they value that Gold card. I mean, if you don't have the card, you're not getting in. I was even asked for my *G card at the UC at HKG. I'm not sure they (*partners) value anything else but that *G card.
Oct 26, 2011, 2:42 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 22
I don't think I'll be flying much internationally next year, so it's probably not worth it to me. I'll just have to sweat out another year of silver and maybe make it to gold next year.
On a positive note, even with my meager silver status I've been upgraded to first class on my last two flights. ^
On a positive note, even with my meager silver status I've been upgraded to first class on my last two flights. ^
Oct 26, 2011, 3:45 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,782
I don't think I'll be flying much internationally next year, so it's probably not worth it to me. I'll just have to sweat out another year of silver and maybe make it to gold next year.
On a positive note, even with my meager silver status I've been upgraded to first class on my last two flights. ^
On a positive note, even with my meager silver status I've been upgraded to first class on my last two flights. ^
Oct 26, 2011, 6:27 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: somewhere
Programs: their are many of them
Posts: 1,614
Yes it is worth if for no other reason the status of being Star Gold and being able to use the lounges on intl flights
Oct 26, 2011, 8:21 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: Lost count
Posts: 135
I am seriously considering to send some of my miles to Aegean to get gold status there. Then use that card to gain domestic lounge access.
Nov 11, 2011, 4:33 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DFW or Somewhere Else
Programs: UA Plt /Delta DM/ Marriott Platinum Prem./Hilton Diamond / Hyatt Globalist /Hertz PS / National EE
Posts: 1,107
Ignore the posters who crow about "three tiers above you". That's just ranting without thinking. So what if there was only Gold and Platinum? There would be only one tier above you, with just a lot more people. Doesn't impact you in the slightest that there is Plat, 1K and GS above you versus only Plat.
The loss of miles is huge though.
Not worth $500 if you ask me, if you can get a PPlus credit card for free first year for $300 something. What is worth it is a quick MR under $300 to put you over.
The loss of miles is huge though.
Not worth $500 if you ask me, if you can get a PPlus credit card for free first year for $300 something. What is worth it is a quick MR under $300 to put you over.
Nov 11, 2011, 11:38 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BNE/OOL temporarily-permanently at CAK/PIT
Programs: UA*1K & UA Club, National Ex. Elite, Hertz Pres. Circ., Amex Plat., CLEAR
Posts: 1,703
Jan 26, 2012, 4:35 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Asia
Programs: *gold, SPG Platinum, Amex Centurian, IHG Royal whatever, Emerald one world whatever
Posts: 106
do you buy it or do you not?
I have a question (excuse me if I posted in the wrong area..please move if so!). I missed my Premier Exec by a whopping 10K last year and ended my status as a new Silver Premier. Got an email this morning that said that I can purchase the missing miles to get up to the Premier Exec level by purchasing the miles I was short. It comes to 10,000 = $1600 USD. I know that the cost per mile doesnt make sense but I have a chance to sitting in some of the lounges as well as Eco plus on booking etc. I dont have $1600 to throw around really but my question is, is it worth it? I fly about 7 times a year only and will never make it on segments since my trips are to the left coast or Tokyo. If I pay more attention, I can make the Premier exec this year since I flew on about 3 round trip companion passes for UA or HA. thoughts?
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jan 26, 2012 at 5:50 pm Reason: http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#q63
Jan 26, 2012, 4:45 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
Mods -- maybe it's time to begin a consolidated "should I buy up to the next status level" thread?
OP -- to answer your question (I like to try to be productive
) -- I have no idea. It generally depends on how much you plan to fly next year. For 7 trips a year, I would say it's probably not worth the $1600. Both E+ and lounge access can be bought for far less than $1600.
OP -- to answer your question (I like to try to be productive
) -- I have no idea. It generally depends on how much you plan to fly next year. For 7 trips a year, I would say it's probably not worth the $1600. Both E+ and lounge access can be bought for far less than $1600.
Jan 26, 2012, 4:52 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dallas TX (DFW/DAL)
Programs: American Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Starwood Gold
Posts: 312
Short answer: No. Lounges, status, upgrades, etc., (in my opinion) were never meant to be bank breakers. If you don't fly that much a year (once every 1.7 months is not much), you'll find much more uses for that $1600 throughout the year.
Furthermore, if you do end up coming close to Gold Premier, that $1600 will come in handy to schedule a MR or two and reach status.
As always, YMMV.
Furthermore, if you do end up coming close to Gold Premier, that $1600 will come in handy to schedule a MR or two and reach status.
As always, YMMV.
Jan 26, 2012, 4:57 pm
#29
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
Jan 26, 2012, 5:23 pm
#30
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Illinois.
Programs: Switched from UA 1K to AA so I could earn EQD's on partners. Mid-tier on most major hotel programs.
Posts: 542
No way do I think it's worth it. You can buy annual economy plus if you really want to, and you can also buy occasional lounge access if you have a long stop. Back when gold gave you +100% RDM vs. +25% for silver that would have been a significant consideration (although it still likely wouldn't have been worth it), but now those additional miles also just don't come nearly close enough to move the needle imo.