The second question is easier
Originally Posted by
halpie97
..... Also, does United offer any grace periods for longtime customers who pay for business tickets. ...
No, no soft landings, no additional special consideration for business class flyers beyound what you already got, a 50% PQM bonus for paid business -- so you are likely well below the BIS {butt in seat miles} needed for Gold if you had been in economy.
Originally Posted by
halpie97
.....
Is it worth the ~$3k for me to buy up into Platinum or just say, "I'm Gold for the year", and will be Platinum/1K in 2015. ...
this is a harder question, so best to refer you to
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ad-merged.html
In general if you always fly paid premium cabin the benefits of status is less than that for an economy flyer since paid premium cabin includes many elite benefits.