Credit card waiver? Spend 25K on the credit card and you won't have to spend $$$ (just PQM) to reach Plat.
I always always always advise my friends/family. Travel should be something you enjoy; you shouldn't ever dread taking trips or feel like you "have" to, whether they be on United, American, Delta or whomever. Even when I don't hit my PQM for 1K and i'm close, I book a trip I truly would enjoy (for example, a weekend in Asia or a weekend in DC or a weekend in Calgary, Canada), even if it's a mileage run.