Originally Posted by
sorka
If you expect little travel next year and you go for Platinum, then not only you will not take much advantage of the Platinum perks but as you stated it, you may not even make Gold the year after.
With that being said, if you are not sure whether you will travel or not but may travel extensively again (ex: if you do consulting), then go for Platinum. Worst case you don't get any status for 2014; you will do a Plat or Gold challenge at that time and here you go!
MR does a soft landing, so if the OP does make Plat this year, then 2014 will be Gold until Feb 2015 even if he does zero nights in 2013. And given you can't do a challenge for Gold if you are Gold, then it will be 2015 before needed. If it's available and hasn't been targeted for "enhancement" by MR.