As someone who has flown on 9W to the point where almost every longhaul IFS knew me personally I agree with all comments on here - 9W redemptions stink... I've accumulated a total of around 1.3million Jet miles, down do 340K.

While I am a huge fan of their product, their poor mileage program acts as a significant deterrent to doing major longhaul flights with them. As someone based in India in a market where they have the best domestic coverage - I maintain Plat through lots of short domestic and regional flights... I still think its worth maintaining Plat for the following key reasons (most mentioned above), that distinguishes it from Gold:

1) NON EXPIRY OF JP MILES - Given that they are hard to redeem, not needing to constantly seek opportunities to redeem for the fear they may expire helps significantly.

2) UPGRADE ANY FARE: As a plat using any vouchers, I can upgrade any fare. For a family member using my vouchers (if they are my 5 plat elite vouchers), again they can upgrade any fare... give you a lot of flexibility.

3) EASIER TO CLEAR WL MILEAGE SEATS - It is much easier to keep pushing the JPSC to clearing seats. It isn't easy - key is relative, JP miles still are very hard to burn

4) FREE CHANGES TO DOMESTIC FLIGHTS - I save a packet on this alone, paying rs. 500 - 750 each time I changed a domestic flight would be crazy for me.

5) FREE JET CITI PLAT CARD - Basically, for the effort of signing up, you get 4500 miles and 1 more upgrade voucher for no additional charge if you are a plat.