comments:

1. Depends on how much domestic flying you plan next year on US, and how close ($$ outlay) you are to Plat buy up. You're correct that US Gold is already StarAlliance Gold and Plat or even CP doesn't get you more in terms of *A lounge access and usual benefits. Since Gold has been "quite OK regarding upgardes" for you, I'd leave things as is, unless you plan to fly more domestically next year and it's a question of a small amount to buy up for the extra upgrade edge.

2. The normal US DM earning year is Jan 1 - Dec 31, but the status you've earned runs through Feb each year. To keep Gold past Feb 2010, you need to earn at least 50k PreferredQualifyingMiles/segment equivalent by Dec 31.

There is a separate Race to Preferred promo Oct 1 - Dec 25, where if you fly xx Miles/xx segments on US/USX metal between those dates, you're automatically awarded (or requalify for) status on Jan 10, 2010 for the 2010-2011 program year.

smkidsap, I recall a previous thread where a US agent was saying to wait til after Dec 31 and see how many more Preferred Miles would be needed to requalify or move up....in other words, it appears there's no need to Buy Up before Dec 31 (please correct if wrong).