Your post #11 has me wondering if you have 69,800 level miles, or 69,800 award miles, in which case you will be disappointed. I hope for you that you are not mistaken.

As for the choice between keeping Gold or making Platinum, this topic crops up every year and just about all advice available has already been given. Platinum has it's advantages but it is easier to keep gold for multiple years if your travel plans work that way. Keeping Platinum is obviously the best but will not be realistic if you will be travelling less.