I too am facing this dilemma. I was a [legitimate ] non-UK based EC member for many years, but the grandfathering is finally ending. Last year I did a quasi-TP run to ensure I requalified for Gold. I am now in the UK and the majority of my travel seems to be SH ET , which with the earning changes means far fewer TPs. I can either take my soft landingto Silver, or book another quasi-TP run and have a chance at renewing Gold if business travel picks up over the second half of the year (and not to *A destinations, as is currently likely) . I am leaning towards the latter, as a chance is better than none. But it is still hard to justify.