Is Premier Gold Worth it?
Oct 15, 2012, 10:08 am
#31
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: United-1k, Marriott-Lifetime Plat
Posts: 111
United Silver to United Gold
Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening-
I am United Premiere Silver travelling on business and pleasure. I am going to be just under 8k short of United Gold at end of the year. I am thinking of doing a mileage run SFO-EWR-BQN-EWR-SFO. It would put me above 50k and into United Gold.
I am trying to inquire if upgrades are that much more successful in Gold. I fly out of COS and DEN. I know about the 2nd bag free (Maybe 3rd?) and E+ at purchase. Is there anything else that's worth it.
Basically is the difference between UA Gold and UA Silver worth $350?
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
I am United Premiere Silver travelling on business and pleasure. I am going to be just under 8k short of United Gold at end of the year. I am thinking of doing a mileage run SFO-EWR-BQN-EWR-SFO. It would put me above 50k and into United Gold.
I am trying to inquire if upgrades are that much more successful in Gold. I fly out of COS and DEN. I know about the 2nd bag free (Maybe 3rd?) and E+ at purchase. Is there anything else that's worth it.
Basically is the difference between UA Gold and UA Silver worth $350?
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Oct 15, 2012, 10:14 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,222
The big difference in my book is access to *A lounges - a huge value, since 95% of my itineraries are international. However, this may not be such a big thing for you.
Oct 15, 2012, 10:16 am
#33
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: United-1k, Marriott-Lifetime Plat
Posts: 111
I often complete around 2 International trips per year. It would be a nice touch. I definitely agree but I am afraid I would not be able to access it as much as I would like to.
Oct 15, 2012, 10:24 am
#34
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
Oct 15, 2012, 10:25 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Increase in RDM bonus from 25% to 50%
Much more potential for upgrades, especially out of COS if on mainline.
For DEN, you are still fighting with many other Elites/Plats/1Ks, but not
as many as say, ORD/IAH.
E+ at booking, along with companions.
Companion upgrade availability
*G benefits across all carriers (security, check-in, etc)
Free SDC changes
Smaller award change and close-in fees
Worth $350.
Last edited by aacharya; Oct 15, 2012 at 10:31 am
Oct 15, 2012, 10:41 am
#36
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: HKG / LAX
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 82
Three bags free on UA - two/three on *A carriers
Increase in RDM bonus from 25% to 50%
Much more potential for upgrades, especially out of COS if on mainline.
For DEN, you are still fighting with many other Elites/Plats/1Ks, but not
as many as say, ORD/IAH.
E+ at booking, along with companions.
Companion upgrade availability
*G benefits across all carriers (security, check-in, etc)
Free SDC changes
Smaller award change and close-in fees
Worth $350.
Increase in RDM bonus from 25% to 50%
Much more potential for upgrades, especially out of COS if on mainline.
For DEN, you are still fighting with many other Elites/Plats/1Ks, but not
as many as say, ORD/IAH.
E+ at booking, along with companions.
Companion upgrade availability
*G benefits across all carriers (security, check-in, etc)
Free SDC changes
Smaller award change and close-in fees
Worth $350.
You'll see the most benefits for international, however, which is mostly my pattern, though if you're using most of the United lounges in the States, you're honestly not missing that mych. A nice, unofficial perk for *G is "preferred" economy seats on some of the other Star Gold airlines from time to time such as AC, ANZ, etc.
Oct 15, 2012, 10:42 am
#37
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
To me, the only meaningful benefits are:
1. E+ at booking if you fly in Y.
2. *G club access overseas.
As to UG's, because Gold is the 2nd tier from the bottom of a 5-tier system, unless you are flying elite-light routes, don't expect your CPU % to go up substantially and similarly if you fly on Y/B-UP fares now, your UG% won't increase much from Silver.
On elite-heavy routes such as TCON, it's rare for Gold CPU's because those flights often go out with GS in steerage.
1. E+ at booking if you fly in Y.
2. *G club access overseas.
As to UG's, because Gold is the 2nd tier from the bottom of a 5-tier system, unless you are flying elite-light routes, don't expect your CPU % to go up substantially and similarly if you fly on Y/B-UP fares now, your UG% won't increase much from Silver.
On elite-heavy routes such as TCON, it's rare for Gold CPU's because those flights often go out with GS in steerage.
Oct 15, 2012, 10:44 am
#38
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: United-1k, Marriott-Lifetime Plat
Posts: 111
Three bags free on UA - two/three on *A carriers
Increase in RDM bonus from 25% to 50%
Much more potential for upgrades, especially out of COS if on mainline.
For DEN, you are still fighting with many other Elites/Plats/1Ks, but not
as many as say, ORD/IAH.
E+ at booking, along with companions.
Companion upgrade availability
*G benefits across all carriers (security, check-in, etc)
Free SDC changes
Smaller award change and close-in fees
Worth $350.
Increase in RDM bonus from 25% to 50%
Much more potential for upgrades, especially out of COS if on mainline.
For DEN, you are still fighting with many other Elites/Plats/1Ks, but not
as many as say, ORD/IAH.
E+ at booking, along with companions.
Companion upgrade availability
*G benefits across all carriers (security, check-in, etc)
Free SDC changes
Smaller award change and close-in fees
Worth $350.
Anything I am missing?
Oct 15, 2012, 10:51 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
To me, the only meaningful benefits are:
1. E+ at booking if you fly in Y.
2. *G club access overseas.
As to UG's, because Gold is the 2nd tier from the bottom of a 5-tier system, unless you are flying elite-light routes, don't expect your CPU % to go up substantially and similarly if you fly on Y/B-UP fares now, your UG% won't increase much from Silver.
On elite-heavy routes such as TCON, it's rare for Gold CPU's because those flights often go out with GS in steerage.
1. E+ at booking if you fly in Y.
2. *G club access overseas.
As to UG's, because Gold is the 2nd tier from the bottom of a 5-tier system, unless you are flying elite-light routes, don't expect your CPU % to go up substantially and similarly if you fly on Y/B-UP fares now, your UG% won't increase much from Silver.
On elite-heavy routes such as TCON, it's rare for Gold CPU's because those flights often go out with GS in steerage.
Oct 15, 2012, 10:52 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
I think you're right. It is indeed worth it. That MR will be torture being in the back. I will get an E+ seat. For my international trips it will make a huge difference. For someone who brings their golf clubs on trips with them to a lot of business meetings/trips it is also worth it ($50 per trip).
Anything I am missing?
Anything I am missing?
Actually, your golf clubs would be $70, since you already get a free bag as Silver. The 2nd bag (golf) is $35 each way.
Oct 15, 2012, 11:00 am
#41
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: United-1k, Marriott-Lifetime Plat
Posts: 111
I think this MR for $350 is worth it. I will wait to get E+ when the T-24 allows me to do so. This would also save me $70 on my reward ticket to Hawaii for Christmas..
Oct 15, 2012, 11:22 am
#42
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: PDX (wish I was in HNL)
Programs: Platinum
Posts: 1,687
Don't forget access to US customer service agents. With all the schedule changes and IRROPs, an American agent is a huge benefit.
Oct 15, 2012, 11:30 am
#43
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: UA
Posts: 257
To me, the *G lounge access alone worth it, as I have lot of int'l flights.
Oct 15, 2012, 11:38 am
#44
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: OAK
Programs: UA-Plat AS-MVPG
Posts: 198
Oct 15, 2012, 11:39 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: United-1k, Marriott-Lifetime Plat
Posts: 111
So it saves a lot of time? I am unfamiliar as I have only done it on silver and had to wait in lines.. Terrible.